I think you guys either read things into my post that weren't there or I wrote it in a way that worked some people up. I'll try to clarify. For the record, I've never voted yes for any TA or contract that allowed any relaxation of scope.
Since Wave posted his mini-resume I'll post mine.
In 1988 I was flying a 19 seat turboprop for a commuter airline. (They were called that back then, so don't get upset)
In 2011 I'm working for a legacy carrier.
In between I've flown for 3 121 carriers, 1 ACMI, 1 part 91 and 1 overseas carrier.
Furloughed for 4 years and 6 mos.
I don't think I need a lesson from you, Wave, or anyone else on this board who earned their ATP after 9/11 about scope, regionals vs mainline or the state of the industry.
Mainline pilots, under pressure from their employers and, unfortunately their negotiating committees, allowed contract flying to creep from 0 to 76 seats. So where are we now? The Metro that I flew over 20 years ago was an entry level job. Now the RJs are the entry level job. I agree with everyone who thinks that scope relaxation is a terrible thing. I was furloughed because of it. More accurately, I was replaced because of it. Replaced by guys flying RJs right out of the Comair academy. Who now are mad because the job they were happy to take has now limited their ability to go to mainline.
Cake - eat = can't have.
I'm not bashing regionals, or regional pilots. Sorry if I gave that impression. I was one, and still remember it well. And above all, I'm not justifying APA and ALPA for allowing scope relaxation. I hate it as much or more than anyone who disagreed with my post. But you have to see the irony when regional pilots are pissed at mainline guys because there aren't any job openings. You've already gotten it. Now deal with it and hope, like I do, mainline takes those planes back and you get a number.
Lastly, Wave, I thought everything at SWA was all chocolate-coated awesomeness. Why do you feel you have to police the threads about the legacies? Still kind of miss being at UAL? And I agree about the Baron comment. I've got 600 hours in one. Get 'em on the certificate, keep 'em on the certificate. Let the Millennials fly those as entry level mainline jobs.