Rahlifer

I'm not taking a swipe at the skill sets or responsibilities of regional pilots. We're very similar to mainline pilots in some ways, but the heart of the issue is we are still contract labor. We're subject to replacement at anytime for any reason. Just look at the ruthless undercutting among regionals over the last decade and the current poaching of pilots among companies. The regionals have always been a means to an end, the coveted mainline job. Not everyone will make, but to cry foul and pout about it being unfair is just non sense.

Coneydog

I've never heard of this happening before...not with any real conviction. A movement of this sort would help ALL pilots...not just regional FO's. Honestly, this issue is a microcosm of what is happening in America. Large corporations and executives continue to fatten their wallets while squeezing the middle class into poverty. And I say this as a conservative. If you truly see what is happening right before our eyes and it doesn't bother you, then something is seriously wrong.

Chupacabras

Endeavor air is already paying 1st year FOs 45-50K per year!!

skypilot35

^^^^This^^^^! ...and the greed is disgusting!

FirstClass

It's obviously acceptable to you or you wouldn't work at your airline. You are the problem (collectively).

FirstClass

It's their prerogative comrade. You are free to start your own company and enrichen yourself at any time.

This whole notion that one should be able to start a company bearing all the risk and money and then have to be directed to spend their money according to someone elses wishes is un-american.

BeatNavy

It sounds from your last two posts that you believe we don't deserve anything more because we are contracted labor. Just because we are contracted labor doesn't mean we should accept working for less than we are worth as status quo because ALPA and the majors tell us it's a means to an end. For many, it is the end. FYI contracted labor doesn't always mean cheaper waged labor. There are contractors who are paid more than full time employees in some lines of work.

This almost unpaid "internship" doing the exact same thing as the majors (4 legs of 76 passengers in a 5 hour day is 300 pax...so can't say we fly fewer passengers and therefore deserve a much smaller paycheck) isn't always a temporary job. But ALPA/mainline will tell you it is. Your attitude is why we make horrible wages. If enough pilots held the line, we could make some changes. But WE let the whipsaw continue so we can get those new shiny jets. And I don't see that changing unfortunately, even when pilot supply/demand numbers are in our favor. If every single underpaid regional pilot quit (not talking strike, but quitting altogether) until things got better, it would be about less than a day before pay changed.

Coneydog

And it's our perogative to change things for ourselves and future generations. Sitting idly while greedy sociopaths destroy the middle class is un- American. People have the power; they just don't realize it. This is the illusion that empowers the Doug Parkers of the world. As I stated before, I am a conservative who believes in a free market, but greed can not go completely unchecked. Things have gotten out of hand.

FirstClass

I absolutely agree with you. It's called a market. The company is willing to pay a certain amount. The pilots are willing to work for a certain amount.

The difference in the middle is what is or is not negotiated. Hey don't get me wrong, I hope regional pilots negotiate a bundle, but pilots are not entitled to anything. Pilots are not in any way special. It doesn't matter how many seats there are. It doesn't matter what doctors or bus drivers earn.

Coneydog

If you keep your workers 'well fed' and happy, then discussions like this don't happen. Keep squeezing your workforce while fattening your wallet, then people (workforce) will start to stand up. This is part of American history and free market economy.