I would GLADLY fly a regional jet for the rest of my career on the proper package commensurate with my experience and ability, which is about $250-300K per year, good benefits, and a decent rostering system from the base of my choice. Fantasy? Of course, because as you say, the legacy carriers will just bring all that flying in house, as they should have done 20+ years ago. The days of making big money off the backs of poorly paid pilots are coming to an end, at least in the US.

And CX. The market is speaking, and the resignation rate tells the only truth in this story. People want to feel their career expectations are being respected and valued by their employer. CX abrogated all such concerns years ago, and now that we are in a historic airline expansion and hiring boom, there are better choices to be had. No one wants to be the last to join a new seniority list. That is why the groundswell of movement to our competitors is just getting started. Better to be back home, in a better environment, with the ability for you and your family to have a healthy, settled and comfortable life. There is no reason to struggle with all that ails HK. There are better opportunities just about everywhere else.

cx,

Bringing regional flying into mainline is sure not on the horizon here from all appearances. DL's CEO, Ed Bastian, was recently asked if they'd ever fold their wholly-owned regional, Endeavor, into mainline. His answer was an unequivocal "NO". He said DL likes it the way it is.

As for the end of making money from low-paid pilots, I see no end to that. Perhaps when row upon row of serviceable airplanes are parked in the desert with tires going flat for lack of crews, something may change. But until then, seats WILL be filled here...one way or another. Same for the whole industry worldwide.

Management is keenly aware of this state of affairs. But, it sure is entertaining. :O

cxorcist:


"I would GLADLY fly a regional jet for the rest of my career on the proper package commensurate with my experience and ability, which is about $250-300K per year, good benefits, and a decent rostering system from the base of my choice. Fantasy? Of course, because as you say, the legacy carriers will just bring all that flying in house, as they should have done 20+ years ago. The days of making big money off the backs of poorly paid pilots are coming to an end, at least in the US."


Any yet you did fly for a regional at what, $15-20k a year? And you were one of the first SOs to come to CX, maybe even one of the contract ones, if I recall your bar talk correctly. And now that you have all that SJ time under your belt you look with disdain on those behind you trying to do the same. Just how have you helped the pilot cause?

You have me and my background all wrong friend. I came through military channels as a DEFO. I was well qualified when I joined. Nice try though.

As for helping the cause, literally thousands of hours volunteering to enhance the profession through our unions. And you? What have you done?

Well put cxorcist...

If I can add my two cents: The pilot cause can be helped by insisting on proper hiring standards. Which means that if someone is to be hired as a pilot on a commercial airliner, then that person must first have flying experience as a pilot.

As has been mandated for airlines under FAA jurisdiction.

Every line pilot knows the only way things will change is a disaster. Having the FAA or EASA audit after an accident will reveal just how poorly qualified CX pilots are. Most junior FOs and SOs couldn't even hold a license in the US. Aircraft insurers would also be shocked at how little experience is sitting in some cockpits at 0400 body clock at the end of 14hr flight. CX Captains are old school and have kept the operation together so far but bad management decisions always catch up (Murphy's Law).