The State of the Regional Airline Industry

[Terry Hunter]

Well, sort of... This article popped up today, and is quite a fascinating read. Most regionals are mentioned... Comair, Mesa, Freedom, Skywest, Compass, Mesaba, Pinnacle, Did I say Mesa, Skyway, and so on. Sorry ASA - not sure why no mention.

Anyway, it's a snapshot of where the industry has been, and probably where it's going, with particular interest on the 50 seaters. As a side note to that, I'm started to see exactly where the consolidation will be with the DAL/NWA merger - 50 seaters.

US airline consolidation could spark interest in 70-plus seat jets at regional and mainline carriers

http://www.flightglobal.com/article...t-jets-at-regional-and-mainline-carriers.html

 

[callowayhd]

the 80+ seat jets that fly at the regional level is the exact reason i am staying out of the airlines

 

[ex j-41]

the 80+ seat jets that fly at the regional level is the exact reason i am staying out of the airlines

Ya....OK

 

[ASA_Aviator]

the 80+ seat jets that fly at the regional level is the exact reason i am staying out of the airlines

The old "regional" level is dead or dying. The legacies are consolidating, and regionals are no longer just feeding from short-hop routes to the hubs. Regional airlines are becoming huge airlines, carrying much of the domestic flights. What is wrong with building a career at that level? Flying a 80+ seat aircraft for a six figure income is not demeaning. It is a legitimate career, with good earning potential.

I'll never understand why people fight SO hard to go to Delta and pull gear for 10 years, and take a multi-year pay cut for the honor. Quality of life is better at the regionals, and the pay isn't that bad either.

All I'm saying is to please not put down those of us who may choose to stay at a "regional."

 

[McNugent]

It's not about the "honor". Some of us still have a lot of time in this industry (35+ years for me) and we don't want to be slinging gear in an RJ for all that time, even from the left seat.

It's all in what you want, we all have different goals. Just because you make good money and are comfortable at ASA forever doesn't mean I am, and I'm willing to take the pay cut for a couple years when it comes to that time. In the long run QOL and money are much better at the majors. Time just isn't on all of our sides.

Nothing wrong with staying at the regionals. I know plenty who've decided to, and that's great if it fits your lifestyle.

But, 80+ seats at the regionals is a scary thought. Most of us do want to move on some day. They can keep em.

 

[regionalcap]

The old "regional" level is dead or dying. The legacies are consolidating, and regionals are no longer just feeding from short-hop routes to the hubs. Regional airlines are becoming huge airlines, carrying much of the domestic flights. What is wrong with building a career at that level? Flying a 80+ seat aircraft for a six figure income is not demeaning. It is a legitimate career, with good earning potential.

I'll never understand why people fight SO hard to go to Delta and pull gear for 10 years, and take a multi-year pay cut for the honor. Quality of life is better at the regionals, and the pay isn't that bad either.

All I'm saying is to please not put down those of us who may choose to stay at a "regional."

How do you know that quality of life is better at regionals, if you have never worked at a major? So far it is pretty good. I have sat at home almost 2 weeks now sitting on a 12 hour callout. My reserve schedule next month has 3 weekends off. Last month I had a 30 hour layover in Aruba. I did the regionals for 8 years so I have seen both sides.

 

[ASA_Aviator]

How do you know that quality of life is better at regionals, if you have never worked at a major? So far it is pretty good. I have sat at home almost 2 weeks now sitting on a 12 hour callout. My reserve schedule next month has 3 weekends off. Last month I had a 30 hour layover in Aruba. I did the regionals for 8 years so I have seen both sides.

I just meant that it takes longer to get to a point where you are senior enough to hold the good QOL schedules, relative to a regional. That is due, thankfully, to those of you who want to move on.

I don't have a problem with you guys moving on, far from it. You moving on is a huge part of my career equation!

 

[ASA_Aviator]

It's not about the "honor". Some of us still have a lot of time in this industry (35+ years for me) and we don't want to be slinging gear in an RJ for all that time, even from the left seat.

That's my point. What difference does it make if you're in an RJ or a 777? An airliner is an airliner. If someone would pay me 6 figures to fly a Cessna 172, I would.

Man, I don't think I will make it 30 something more years, even if my medical does. Those guys who are going to 65 have my utmost respect. I may have to get out by 40! Only 9 years left, and counting.

 

[WabiSabi]

80 seats?!? hell, even in the link;

Bombardier has "the market pretty much covered from 70 to 145 seats"

WTF is that sheeit? The airlines sure pulled thoe wool on us if that happens. Then again, the major guys screwed up in the early/mid nineties when management approached ALPA et al about the mainline flying RJ's. ALPA and the like really screwed themselves when they got snotty and declared that they weren't going to be flying a damn RJ. Hind sight is 20/20 but, hopefully we'll learn from this.....if it isn't too late already.

 

[Soverytired]

The old "regional" level is dead or dying. The legacies are consolidating, and regionals are no longer just feeding from short-hop routes to the hubs. Regional airlines are becoming huge airlines, carrying much of the domestic flights. What is wrong with building a career at that level? Flying a 80+ seat aircraft for a six figure income is not demeaning. It is a legitimate career, with good earning potential.

I used to think that way. The problem is, you're not working at an airline. Your working a lift provider who's contracts are up for renewal on a regular basis. Your company is at the mercy of numerous other lift providers who are willing to do the same routes for less money.

Ask pilots at Comair, XJet, former Indy. Unless you sell your own tickets and fly your own routes, you'll always be at the mercy of the next contract. And you won't ever sell your own tickets . . . that's been tried and doesn't seem to work particularly well.

IMHO. Long-term, career spanning "security" in flying jobs can only be found at actual airlines, not lift providers. Not a put-down, just an opinion.

 

[siucavflight]

the 80+ seat jets that fly at the regional level is the exact reason i am staying out of the airlines

Yes, sure it is bud. Did your 1500 hours in a 340 give you this wonderful insight?

 

[G-force]

Turbo-props In Demand???

Well, sort of... This article popped up today, and is quite a fascinating read. Most regionals are mentioned... Comair, Mesa, Freedom, Skywest, Compass, Mesaba, Pinnacle, Did I say Mesa, Skyway, and so on. Sorry ASA - not sure why no mention.

Anyway, it's a snapshot of where the industry has been, and probably where it's going, with particular interest on the 50 seaters. As a side note to that, I'm started to see exactly where the consolidation will be with the DAL/NWA merger - 50 seaters.

US airline consolidation could spark interest in 70-plus seat jets at regional and mainline carriers

http://www.flightglobal.com/article...t-jets-at-regional-and-mainline-carriers.html

Saw a story about resuming production of Saab & BA Turbo-props.With fuel prices such as they are,it does make sense!!

 

[AWACoff]

My worst day at CAL is better than my best day at my old regional. In the last 2 months on reserve, I have flown 5 trips. That's how bad the QOL is at a major. Otherwise I am biking/hiking/snorkeling/kayaking/wasting my time on FI. And when I do fly, the crew meals are pretty good. Chicken breast with curry/vegetable meddly/buttered roll/chocolate brownie/side salad is my current favorite but the steak dinner isn't bad either.

The regionals are a legitimate career right up until your flying is lost in a RFP.

The old "regional" level is dead or dying. The legacies are consolidating, and regionals are no longer just feeding from short-hop routes to the hubs. Regional airlines are becoming huge airlines, carrying much of the domestic flights. What is wrong with building a career at that level? Flying a 80+ seat aircraft for a six figure income is not demeaning. It is a legitimate career, with good earning potential.

I'll never understand why people fight SO hard to go to Delta and pull gear for 10 years, and take a multi-year pay cut for the honor. Quality of life is better at the regionals, and the pay isn't that bad either.

All I'm saying is to please not put down those of us who may choose to stay at a "regional."

 

[Metro752]

the 80+ seat jets that fly at the regional level is the exact reason i am staying out of the airlines

Tool.


Now onto more pressing issues. Skywest is a bigger, dirtier, rottener bottom feeder than MESA.

 

[pipejockey]

Yes, sure it is bud. Did your 1500 hours in a 340 give you this wonderful insight?

What does flight time have to do with ones knowledge of the industry? You could not even have a pilots license but be a guru of airline industry knowledge.
Before I was even in the industry I think I knew more than these 5 or 6 leg a month widebody captains living the life and totally disconnected from most of us out their doing the grunt work.

 

[viper548]

Tool.


Now onto more pressing issues. Skywest is a bigger, dirtier, rottener bottom feeder than MESA.

And who do you work for?

 

[Metro752]

And who do you work for?

I don't drink the Kool-Aide at Skywest, and that's all that matters, big daddy.

 

[viper548]

Didn't they tell you that you can re-apply after 6 months?

 

[Caspian27]

Tool.


Now onto more pressing issues. Skywest is a bigger, dirtier, rottener bottom feeder than MESA.

Get over it dude. Pay and QOL is many, many times better than Mesa. I know from experience.

Ignore ON.

 

[Metro752]

Get over it dude. Pay and QOL is many, many times better than Mesa. I know from experience.

Ignore ON.

Don't forget to grease that IGNORE switch with the KoolAid Krew brand personal lubricant. It could jam up on you after repeated use.

You worked for MESA, and Skywest? Does it get any worse?