Graph of pilot costs, growth of regionals

[Firebird2XC]

Re: Regional Data

As for American I do agree that things will get worse there before they get better and they may even reduce scope to the point that Eagle starts flying some more big CRJs or I have even heard the 170/190 rumor. But I don't think that if American has Eagle fly some bigger RJs that it will be ruined for AA.

I agree that we are way too far behind in the game. And everyone on here that is screaming for better rules and pay should be volunteering their time.

AMR recently put a proposal in front of the APA that allows for unlimited 76 seat, two class flying at Eagle and "other regional affiliates". Needless to say, APA wanted nothing of it.

Funny.. recent staffing furloughs at American don't really support their stance. 1100 FAs... and possible pilot cuts.. indicate that things aren't looking good.

As for CAL, you're right. Time will tell.

As for volunteering time.. everybody should write letters.. especially to the aviation subcommittee. It's up to us to educate the Senators on how things REALLY are and not what the ATA and RAA want them to think.

 

[BobDDuck]

Not sure about AMR, but the average age of an Airways pilot is mid-high 50s.

That was pre Merger and recalling of the furloughed guys.

Average age at post merger AAA is around 46 years old.

 

[SlumTodd_Millionaire]

That was pre Merger and recalling of the furloughed guys.

Average age at post merger AAA is around 46 years old.

Yeah, I was only talking about the East. I still try my best to think of them as different airlines.

 

[kellwolf]

I think saying the majors will never hire again and the industry is ruined are two totally different concepts. I believe the majors will hire again (it's ineviteble), but I also think the industry will probably never reach the heights from the glory days again. In that way, I think it's ruined.

 

[SoCalAprch]

I think saying the majors will never hire again and the industry is ruined are two totally different concepts. I believe the majors will hire again (it's ineviteble), but I also think the industry will probably never reach the heights from the glory days again. In that way, I think it's ruined.

I think the days of making $300,000 a year, working 4 days a month, and having a multi million dollar pension are gone. If that is what you mean by ruined then yeah I can see what you are saying... We can thank deregulation and the LCC carriers for that. Every redneck in America thinks that anything over 60 bucks to fly round trip to Orlando is over priced. However I still think you can lead a comfortable life as a mainline pilot. I think we all need to stop looking back and dwelling on how it used to be and look forward to how we can make it work in the future. Granted the glory days of aviation are gone but that doesn't mean that we still can't make it a comfortable career for ourselves. Also back in the glory days of aviation 90% of us wouldn't even be airline pilots. I don't think in the 70's and 80's there were any airline pilots taking jet transition courses and going from 0 hours to right seat in a Jet in 3 months.

 

[kellwolf]

Sure, we can live comfotably, but it's gonna be a knock down drag out fight to do so. Like it or not, it does seem like a majority of the flying jobs are gonna be at the regionals. Personally, I'm not a big fan of THIS particular regional's management team, pay scale or QOL. If I had to retire from here, I'd likely wind up in another career field. The only thing that DOES keep me going is the fact that other, better airlines will be hiring within in the next several years. All I ask is a wage I can live comfortably, provide for me family, be able to go on vacations (international as well) and not stress too much about my retirement. Right now, at a lot of regionals (where a majority of the jobs are and are likely to remain), that's not a realistic scenario. Sure, you CAN make $100K at PCL, but you'll have to have 15 years of seniority and fly 90 hours a month to do so. Once you hit 18 (the top out), you're only looking at about 84 hours to maintain $100K a year. All that and a laughable 401k match are the reasons I want some SERIOUS improvements in our next contract, if not for me then for the poor sould that doesn't get one of the coveted major jobs.

 

[surreal1221]

I don't think in the 70's and 80's there were any airline pilots taking jet transition courses and going from 0 hours to right seat in a Jet in 3 months.

Clearly an exaggeration, unless you can provide an example of someone who went from Zero TT to a jet right seat in three months.