SilverBullet

And why do you think that is? Was this an isolated incident or do you think this is becoming a common occurrence? I find it hard to believe there aren't enough regional applicants lining up to take a job at SWA.

saab2000

I don't think they're giving up their 1000 PIC thing anytime soon. I have another friend who turned down an offer from SWA because this particular pilot was offered a class date at United.

Three years ago NOBODY was turning down classes at majors, now it's happening. Another friend went to DL and turned down United.

These are people I personally know so it's not just hearsay.

This would have been inconceivable a few years back.

JetDoc

Yeah, like not wanting to sit reserve as a FO until they were 65...

Rahlifer

The only regional that ever operated the EMB 190 was Republic while BB was trying to play big boy airline CEO. Southwest absolutely castrated BB and put him back in place. Those 190's are almost all gone now, except for a handful doing some charter crap. They'll be gone by the end of summer. No mainline scope clause allows anything bigger than 76 seats. Over the next few years, more flying should return to mainline as regionals wither and die due to lack of cheap labor.

Belizepilot

Honestly I think that any big change is 5 years away. I'd say before the industry dissolves they will try and raise the FO wage to a sub par level probably in the low 30's for first year. I say five years out because the mindset of the people coming thru the door then will be completely different. Younger generation will understand completely what the FO regional job entails and what it pays. Too many other careers with starting pay on par with the hard work/money that's required to obtain the job. Even a two year medical/therapy assiant degree from a community college starts out at $40k year. What you're seeing now is the first real signs of trouble ahead. There are still people coming thru the door, and that will slowly begin to dwindle overall each year. I'd say most regionals can keep afloat for a certain amount of time, but when things begin to peak and no supply thats when the big change will happen. You might even see a repeal/attempt of 1500hr rule, that's when you know sh#% about to hit the fan. Id like to say the regional industry would back that before increasing wages. Overall something will change, how long it takes and what exactly changes is my .02 cents.

Akbush

Keep telling yourselves it's turning around....the coolaid has cyanide in it.......

NineGturn

They're already trying to repeal 1500 rule but there's too much at stake.

The only thing that will save the regionals is a major recession or if they restructure hiring without seniority. The problem isn't a pilot shortage, the problem is a shortage of low time pilots willing to work as interns. There are plenty of high time experienced pilots who would be willing to work at regionals at regional pay commensurate with their experience but have no interest in rolling the dice on seniority and work at dirt cheap wages again when they've already done it and already been captains.

Pilots need to stand up and realize the seniority system works against them, not for them.