What will Republic do with their big C-Series CS300 Order?

[Freebrd]

A possibility for sure in regards to buying SkyWest Inc. Maybe more programs like Delta's WMU sponsoring future pilots but open to more than minorities, or even like the one Luftansa (sp) has out west. That would give them quite a bit of quality control over the training program. Offering these paid programs will attract many potential applicants, but more than likely not enough. No doubt they'll be robbing the regionals of their pilots (hopefully me). Appears that DAL is already addressing the shortage with the 717s replacing RJ routes.

 

[777_Jackpot]

Yeah I definitely think they are trying to address the shortage. I am just curious with the methods they will employ to shore up the problem. I am more interested though in how long it will be before one of them comes to the realization that they can seed competitive advantage by acquiring pilots via a large regional acquisition (i.e. SKYW). In order to be effective though, it would have to be an acquisition that included a seniority number on the legacy list in order to retain enough of the pilots to ensure the the effectiveness of the tactic (read: don't repeat the Endeavour fail)

 

[Freebrd]

Yeah it does make you wonder what these COOs are thinking and when they'll come to the realization that there will be a shortage in the near future, and do something about it. As you mentioned DAL is screwing up the Endeavor experiment. Then there's AAG apparently preparing to slam Eagle (Envoy) and perhaps closing shop there (CMR II?) when they're another wholly owned AAG could just roll in with seniority numbers and the same benefits mainline gets. But that won't happen as the majors are addicted to cheaper lift that still doing at least 45% of domestic flying to include Canada, Mexico, and the Islands. As we all know airlines typically follow others lead, so it'll be interesting to see if the other two follow DAL and replace RJs with 717 type airframes. They do like the 70-76 seaters though, and those planes make sense in a lot of markets.