SkyWest May be interested in Comair? Price--1 peso?

[Medeco]

This is like ground hog day, the GL and on your six, have both been predicting the end of RJ's for almost 10yrs now.

On a daily basis.

 

[JustaNumber]

Mainline jobs are BETTER jobs. Better pay, better benefits, and better variety.

General,
This is not flame--it's a logical point:
You are correct above. Mainline jobs are better because they have significantly better total compensation. Yes, regionals are facing big changes in the near future; more than likely they won't be able to properly staff the flying that needs to be done. If you were correct that regional jets are going away anyway, then you would be contradictory--how could they have trouble staffing airplanes that don't exist? Logic says that even though 50 seaters might be in less demand in the future, overall regionals and the flying they do are not going away, like it or not. So if the flying needs to be done, and enough pilots aren't available at regional wages, what will give?

My crystal ball says that if a demand for flying can't be met with additional pilots, compensation will increase until sufficient pilots are available. Sure the total capacity purchase agreement cost will go up, but what is the alternative? You claim that regionals will get so expensive that it would make financial sense for Delta to do the flying. So the big question is, would your pilot group be willing to fly an RJ for less than a 22 year-old kid just out of school would? That is the ultimate question, and until you say yes, the 22 year old will be doing the flying. You can't have better compensation than the regionals while simultaneously doing the flying for cheaper. It just doesn't compute.

 

[P38JLightning]

It all comes down to scope. With the bottom falling out of the 50 seat market/former growth frenzy, we're seeing a dramatic increase in the 70-76 seat market. In addition, the entire regional industry is chomping at the bit to fly 77+ seaters by any means necessary. It will take some hard core bargaining by the legacy MEC's to either secure that new flying in house or to prevent it's existance altogether. Mainline managements will throw tons of cookies targeted at 51% of the pilot groups and/or NC's to get this flying. The only way to prevent it WILL be to turn down bigger raises in good times and settle for smaller raises or maybe even no raises, or in bad times to accept larger cuts.

The current DAL 85 big RJ and UCAL 50 seater scope issues are prime examples of where the priorities of MEC/NC's reside and show a great deal of intent for future negotiations. By their deeds you shall judge them. Watch how these two scenarios are handeled in times of profits and cooperation needed from pilot groups. If scope (outsourcing) reversal doesn't start happening now, it likely never will.

 

[johnsonrod]

This is like ground hog day, the GL and on your six, have both been predicting the end of RJ's for almost 10yrs now.

On a daily basis.

Well, I'd say the opinion of RJs has changed dramatically in the last 10 years - wouldn't you? Fred Reid formerly of Delta loved CRJs. Now RJs are being parked. Passengers, for the most part, hate RJs unless it is the only way to get to their destination. I hear it all the time as people board my airplane, "Oh no, not this tube again. I thought I had booked a bigger airplane..."

I'm trying, like most people, to get out of the regional business as fast as I can because both scope and economics are making RJs far less attractive.

 

[JustaNumber]

If scope (outsourcing) reversal doesn't start happening now, it likely never will.

And if history can be used as any sort of guide...

 

[JustaNumber]

Passengers, for the most part, hate RJs unless it is the only way to get to their destination. I hear it all the time as people board my airplane, "Oh no, not this tube again. I thought I had booked a bigger airplane..."

Passengers also hate "those WWII airplanes" (turboprops), but 777's don't service HHH yet. Passengers will ALWAYS b1tch about something. Remember how the public made the subject of "airline food" a cruel joke, but now they complain about never getting any of it, although they won't buy a higher fare with meal service. Passengers will ALWAYS end up purchasing whatever fare is 50 cents cheaper on travelocity. Come to think of it, passengers hate the airlines in general. But when the rubber meets the road, they still won't pay 50 cents more for a better experience. Don't worry, RJs will still be around for a while.

 

[buscap]

Actually the best solution is for all the flying to be at mainline; big jet, little jet, prop. With no codesharing. That's it plain and simple. Suck it all up in one big Ross Perot thhhooppp!!

But, be dumb enough to allow one little Caravan fly around on a mainline ticket, and the cancer will spread again.

General; are you willing to do that?

If not, then game on. I'm less expensive, but a much safer and better pilot than you. May the best man win.

 

[ePilot22]

Well, I'd say the opinion of RJs has changed dramatically in the last 10 years - wouldn't you? Fred Reid formerly of Delta loved CRJs. Now RJs are being parked. Passengers, for the most part, hate RJs unless it is the only way to get to their destination. I hear it all the time as people board my airplane, "Oh no, not this tube again. I thought I had booked a bigger airplane..."

I'm trying, like most people, to get out of the regional business as fast as I can because both scope and economics are making RJs far less attractive.

It didn't take you long to show up in another General thread. Lame.




eP.

 

[Metro752]

It's kind of creepy isn't it?

 

[makersmarc]

Passengers also hate "those WWII airplanes" (turboprops), but 777's don't service HHH yet. Passengers will ALWAYS b1tch about something. Remember how the public made the subject of "airline food" a cruel joke, but now they complain about never getting any of it, although they won't buy a higher fare with meal service. Passengers will ALWAYS end up purchasing whatever fare is 50 cents cheaper on travelocity. Come to think of it, passengers hate the airlines in general. But when the rubber meets the road, they still won't pay 50 cents more for a better experience. Don't worry, RJs will still be around for a while.

Some would say that you are cynical. Some would say that you are a realist.

I agree with you.