FlyDeltasJets said:
Surplus,
I don't know if I am a "self-serving mainline guru", and I never once told anyone that they were "unqualified, etc".
FlyDeltaJets,
Apologies to you personally. You and I have engaged in many long conversations here and I've told you before that I appreciated your willingness to debate and the way you handle yourself.
You are however, an exception and not the rule. Particularly in your own pilot group.
As I don't have to tell you, there are many other forums in which these issues are discussed, some public, some private. In almost every one of them, including this one, regional pilots have been called everything under the sun. That includes, uneducated, wannabees, unqualified, shady backrgounds, dui's, etc., etc.. Always by pilots of major airlines, noteably Delta, who don't like the fact that we are flying RJs. I wish it were not so, but it is.
I agree also that you have been one of the few (among 10,000 at your airline alone) that has ever mentioned a JBlue, AirTran, Spirit, etc., as a cause of your low wage concerns. 98% of the time, the attack is focused on the RJ and its pilots accused of taking your jobs. You have had a few other mainline pilots agree with you, but mostly there is silence with respect to what I call the 2nd tier airlines. I think in fairness even you will agree with that.
I think you should be far more concerned with the "discount" airlines and their low wages because they operate the same equipment that you do. As a matter of fact, at least 3 of you (UAL, DAL, AAA) have gone so far as to create B scales withing your own airline in an effort to compete, not protect or protest. Some of that B Scale remains in place at Delta today. Perhaps the fact that you (pl) can't control them, but think you can control the RJ is the reason. The weakest animal in the flock is usually the one the predator attacks.
So, If I failed to acknowledge your exception to the rules and thereby included you in the generality, I'm sorry. Although I strive for perfection, alas, it has eluded me. I admit that is somewhat of an excuse, but it is also true. Would you settle for calling it a "reason"?
I want to make it clear that, despite what some think of us, I have never looked down on anyone because of the size of his airplane, or what airline he flies for.
Again, you personally get credit for this because it is due. The overwhelming majority of your mainline peers are not due this credit and won't get it from me unless they change their attitudes. Within our labor union, the attitude of which I spoke is more rife than anywhere. If in the future you decide to participate actively in the union you'll have a chance to see it first hand.
I do think we ultimately have the same objective, i.e., the well being of ALL airline pilots. However, when your peers fail to acknowledge that I too am an airline pilot it annoys me. Especially since I've had the good fortune to be one far longer than most of those who think otherwise.
I don't think most regional pilots have taken a "different route". Most have not yet reached the milepost on the highway, but the route is the same and so is the destination.
Yes, you are "lucky" to be where you are (the furlough is only a temporary thing. Remember, I've been furloughed too.) just as I was lucky to do what I have done. In reality we are all in the same boat. The sad part is that we row in opposite directions far too often. The boat is going in circles.
I see factors which threaten that payscale. That frightens me, because I firmly believe that pilots deserve to be very well paid.
I see those factors too and like you I think they are dangerous. Where we disagree is what to do about it. I believe that we cannot defend the profession by attempting to eliminate a significant portion of it. We must defend ALL of the profession, not just the top rung. If we do this, it follows the top of the ladder will also be protected.
When we try to protect the top of the ladder by sawing off the bottom, the result is simple: whomever is on the top now, will fall. I feel we are in that position now or close to it. The mainline guys are doing the sawing and the ladder will ultimately come down on them. That is why I see a need for a change in methodology.
I know that we cannot always agree on the best method to do so, but I believe that we all want to leave the job better than it was when we arrived.
It is true that we cannot always agree FDJ, but this issue is so critical to our general welfare that we must find consensus, even if it requires compromise. If we fail to do so, we will NOT leave the job better than when we arrived.
Best regards,
