N2rotation

Are you sure? Not sure if I agree. ALPA needs to take stance to not let mistakes like Mesa's contract happen again.

RamenNoodles

The next carrier to do it may not be ALPA. It may not be unionized at all. Time will tell. Regardless, there will ALWAYS be a bottom feeding airline, or at least an airline that is viewed in the industry's eyes as the bottom feeder.

reevesofskyking

I agree with that statement, but we can hope that the standard of "bottom feeder" becomes hirgher than how it is defined today.

Reeves

ExperimentalAB

There will be a new bottom-feeder, but not for a good while I would say, given the dire future of America's unreasonably large RJ fleet. What this year will prove to be is another industry cleansing, where only the strong survive. Think about a forest fire - bad in the short-term, but good for the forest long-term.

mccube5

Just reiterating what several have already said THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A NEW BOTTOM FEEDER! Gojet, Colgan etc. The newest bottom feeder may not even exist right now. With the demise of these latest airlines there are certificates floating around. The new "bottom feeder" may not even exist yet, and will be a new start up. Thats the point of the regionals, find the lowest bidder.

The Duke

Whether Mesa goes away or not, the issue at hand is that the airline industry is showing some obvious signs of shrinking. The regional airlines, whether it be SkyWest, Republic, Mesa, etc., they've all enjoyed some pretty strong growth over the last 7 yrs. or so. That growth cycle, for myriad different reasons, oil probably being the primary culprit, is now coming to an end. RJs just don't foot the bill anymore, particularly the 50 seaters. So, Mesa going away is more an indicator of things to come for other regionals. Would there be a void? Sure. But the industry has to shrink, particularly at the regional level. So if one should celebrate and rejoice at the prospects of life without Mesa, remember, it could be your job next. This, to me, is the reason why cheering for a competitor's downfall doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Many more regional carriers are going to have to go away in order to make flying profitable w/ $110/bbl oil. If not go away, then downsize significantly.

atpcliff

Hi!

Regionals shrinking?

Skywest came in to MKE with more planes then Skyway was flying.

AA wants AE to expend at several hubs, but they can't because of a lack of pilots.

SkyWest is expending for one or more of their major feeders.

cliff
YIP

ToiletDuck

I've been following their financials and if Big Sky holds off on paying them back money they borrowed to operate then Mesa could be going under. I think it's a sweet justice since mesa ran Aloha out when the 60million is how much Aloha needed to keep going.

ToiletDuck

Duke I agree with you but this higher oil could actually make regionals boom even more. With airlines starting to go down regional flying could increase. If Midwest goes down would NWA or Delta not plan on taking over their routes? Delta said they are starting to fly more places overseas so with these new routes becoming available the regional flying could increase with the larger CRJs and E-jets. I'd rather see a mainline take over the flying but they seem to be so set on crossing the pond more.

GoGators85

With how many airlines have gone out of business recently, especially start ups, the airline business may no longer be an attractive industry to enter. The start up low cost carrier product has be tested and for the most part failed (only two stable major LCC's come to mind SW and Airtran). People may begin to look to a different investment fad to burn money, since it has now become common knowledge that an airline is a bad investment. I think we may be approaching a point where only a few key players emerge from the recession and dominate the market and with that attain the ability to properly price their product.

Just trying to be a little optimistic in a tough time....