Pilots will become irrelevant in the US domestic market

[Poahi]

This article was posted in the Majors forum but has greater impact here.

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US regional growth could hinge on major airline labor negotiations
Thursday March 11, 2010

The current round of pilot negotiations at US major network airlines "will be the most important since deregulation" and could determine the future growth path for the regional airline segment, according to William Swelbar, a research engineer at MIT's International Center for Air Transportation.

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Source: http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=19663

 

[bluefin]

If I read it correctly it stated, "MAINLINE PILOTS" would be irrelevant if scope continues to be reduced or eliminated.

 

[Poahi]

If I read it correctly it stated, "MAINLINE PILOTS" would be irrelevant if scope continues to be reduced or eliminated.

Right, that's because they will ensure regional pilots will do the flying.

 

[wms]

As long as there are markets that only support regional jets, there will be regional jets. ML MEC's need to realize you can't negotiate 100 seat airplanes into 50 seat markets and make money. If ML MECs want that flying then they need to integrate all regional ops into their companies.

 

[maxcackel]

Or demand that mainline does all flying 76 seats and up even at or near the regional rate or this industry for pilots will be screwed.

 

[johnsonrod]

Right, that's because they will ensure regional pilots will do the flying.

They will what? I have a feeling most mainline pilots are aware of this, and they will not just "go for the money" while giving away scope. There is a 76 seat limit now, and unless there are more BKs, I don't think it will go higher. Heck, I want out of my joint and into a better life. They better not give it up!

 

[Snapperhead]

They will what? I have a feeling most mainline pilots are aware of this, and they will not just "go for the money" while giving away scope. There is a 76 seat limit now, and unless there are more BKs, I don't think it will go higher. Heck, I want out of my joint and into a better life. They better not give it up!

Exactly.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

As long as there are markets that only support regional jets, there will be regional jets. ML MEC's need to realize you can't negotiate 100 seat airplanes into 50 seat markets and make money. If ML MECs want that flying then they need to integrate all regional ops into their companies.

You mean like DFW-IAD? Or MCO-DFW?

 

[DAS at 10/250]

Or demand that mainline does all flying 76 seats and up even at or near the regional rate or this industry for pilots will be screwed.

Wrong. If it's a jet it needs to be mainline. Let the kiddos play with the T-props.

 

[wms]

I would like to see all jets at ML. I'd rather fly an RJ as entry-level equipment to move up from than as the upper-limit of my company.