Lighteningspeed

I am fully prepared for anything including possible mergers but not worried about it due its low probability. Just like you are not too worried about furloughs at DAL due its low probability in 2010.

I expect to see a large number of 50 seat RJs to be removed from DAL DCIs in 2010 and beyond. In fact, I think even the 76 seat RJs like CJ9s CRJ7s and E170/175s are not safe from removal by DAL in 2012 and beyond. It also seems there will be a major reduction of regionals flying for DAL in the future. I think in the long that would be a good things for all of us even if in the short run it causes some of us to feel the pain. I am all for increasing mainline jobs and shrinking regionals.

I did point out in my earlier post that there is a strong language in the contract that up to this point has prevented DAL from cancelling the flowthru with CZ and I suspect flowthru will be alive and kicking at CZ for a while.

Lighteningspeed

Y'all are always welcome on this thread. You don't have to be an XJ pilot to contribute on this thread. Your info is appreciated. Thanks. I have also heard XJ MEC has zero interest in merging and has $0.00 in the merger account whereas Comair has significant amount in their merger account. I check your Comair thread from time to time and share your pain as we at XJ are going through the same thing.

I have to agree with you that for the time being I do not think Comair will open a pilot base at DTW, just like XJ will not open up new pilot bases at CVG or SLC unless things change drastically going into 2010.

You are 100% right about more shifting and reallocation of flying for every DCI carrier.

contrail67

The way the Majors are setting things up...you are correct. The regionals are going to be shrinking....fast.

PinnacleFO

The shifting all over the place will continue, starting next year i think in the spring, Pinnacle 200's will operate TYS-ATL and SGF-ATL
why? It doesnt make sense at all. Don't you already have 200's from ASA to use on that route?

Imapilot2

Comair, Mesaba and Compass will never merge. They will shut one down before they will merge them. It might be fun to talk about on here but it will never happen in reality. They may share departments but they will not merge pilots and FA's. JMO

jayray

Please explain. I agree regionals will be shrinking and so will the majors. This recession we are supposedly coming out of is far from over. Anyone that reads articles about the economy outside of the main stream media will quickly realize we are from being in the clear. There will be no hiring/growth anywhere for a few years except to cover the few retirements and the shifting of flying between regional partners.

Lighteningspeed

Never is a strong word but I tend to agree with you that merger will not happen. Mainly because there are no business advantages to merge XJ, CZ and Comair. It is cheaper for DAL keep them separate. Comair has way too many senior pilots on its roster and merging CZ or XJ with Comair will defeat the purpose of DAL to keep the cost down.

Lighteningspeed

Jayray,

I agree with you that both regionals and mainline will shrink in the future. All the indications are there pointing out that as senior pilots retire, those slots will be taken up by existing mainline pilots or phased out through JVs and Joint Alliance operations with foreign airlines. Many aviation analysts think UAL, AA and USAirways' future is in doubt, especially UAL and USAirways. If UAL goes under in 2010 or 2011, that will dump more than 7700 pilots on the street. DAL is supposed to be overstaffed by about 1500 pilots by some analysts after the merger. It does not look good going forward. Regionals flying for DAL is supposed to be cut from 9 regionals down to aroung 6 or less. I suspect by 2011, there will be fewer than 6 regionals flying for DAL.

WIPilot

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Lighteningspeed

Yeah, it is rather depressing thinking about the airlines future but it is better to take the conservative approach and be prepared for the worst, just in case.