If we have any of the non-EAS Airways flying left after 01 Oct 11 I will be very surprised. The SAAB flying is starting a slow phase-out whether the company acknowledges it or not. Five years from now, maybe seven tops "Cosaba" Airlines will be flying 60-75 "Q's" and nothing else. The new pilot training law that was recently passed is going to create an even higher cost structure for the airlines, and this cost will be passed onto the consumer in the form of higher fares. Small communities that once had airline service may find it uneconomical. The "Pinacolaba" amalgamation isn't a merger, but a consolidation and a reduction of capacity across the board. Sure, they have some contracts for 50-seat jets thru 2016, but thats not all that far away and Pinnacle will eventually be an all CRJ-900 operator.
The final result of all this consolidation here is going to be LESS pilots on the property, however, the good news is that the age 65 rule will come home to roost in 2012 and we will see accelerated retirements at the legacy airlines. We are already seeing ALPA's next salvo back at the industry in the form of re-inventing scope (re: UA/CO talks). The new world order in the airline industry brought about by scope, changes to training/qualifications and new duty rules is going to set off a firestorm of epic proportions not seen since the post-war era when ALPA fought for many of the reforms, safety regulations and equipment we enjoy today.
Rant complete
