FLYLOW22 said:
Was it Unions or the marketplace economics changing post deregulation that had the greatest hand in shaping what we call airlines today?
(OK, IM BEING SERIOUS HERE)
It was ALPA, hands down. In 1963-4, Delta thumbed its nose at ALPA and said we're gonna fly the DC9 with 72 seats with two pilots. The union didnt fight them on that plane like they did Frontier and the 737. Over time ALPA realized what the Delta pilots had years before... 2 guys can fly an airplane. Jets were the latest and greatest, and they felt no one would be left standing in props. So they turned their backs on the smaller carriers.
Throughout the late 70's-early 90's ALPA wanted nothing to do with prop pilot bottom feeders. They didnt even want to support them in organizing because they felt another union would be a threat to ALPA. So they left them alone. What they failed to realize was technology was on the roll, and the RJ came in under the radar screen. The rest is history. In 1992, ALPA said RJ's would never work, and they were too small for an airline pilot to fly; yet in 1963 they were just fine!
Had ALPA stood its ground and struck across the board; Mesa, GoJets, Comair, Freedom, etc. would have never evolved.
So when you ask how did the modern airline industry get to where it is today?
1. Total, complete lack of union "FOR"sight and an ego to big for an RJ.
2. Companies doing what companies do best, trying anything to make a buck.
3. Technology making jet aircraft so safe to fly, a 21 year old kid with Doc Martins and 500 hours can do it.
Hey, but what do I know... Im still slinging the gear handle for bananna's and I went to 'cotllage':bawling: