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> As a result, all US "regional airlines" (aka union-busting pricks) have either stopped operating, or are in the process of shutting down, since there's no qua

> As a result, all US "regional airlines" (aka union-busting pricks) have either stopped operating, or are in the process of shutting down, since there's no qualified cheap airline pilots. Uh, what? Regional airline pilots are not at all ‘Union-busting pricks’. Most are also members of ALPA who represents a large percentage of the major airline pilots as well. Regional airlines exist because airline management groups were able to get their pilots to relax scope clauses on the smaller side of operations. In many cases these scope clauses became loosened up in bankruptcy. No pilots at regional airlines lobbied for this to take jobs from mainline carriers. 99% of regional airline pilots want to make it to a major carrier. Major carriers practically require a pilot to gain experience at a regional airline before they will consider hiring them. Regional airlines are a product of airline management and bankruptcy law and you’re practically calling the pilots scabs. You’re blaming the wrong group. Also, regional airlines have been consolidating which is good for employees long-term (some are facing short-term setbacks in the midst of the consolidation) and for customers who hate riding on tiny regional jets.

catalogia 7y ago
Short of a flying-phobia, I can't fathom hating smaller jets or turboprop planes. They're quicker to load, quicker to unload, and often the airports you have access to don't have TSA molesters trying to grope you. The last regional flight I was on was with a Dash 8 and the experience was as hassle-free as riding an intercity bus. It was truly delightful compared to the typical major airline experience.
- bronco21016 7y ago
  The newer Dash 8 Q400 isn’t bad. The seats sit lower and the windows are higher so it makes it more comfortable. Contrast that with a CRJ200 or ERJ145 though and you’d see why people dislike regional jets. They’re horribly cramped and uncomfortable. In addition to the comfort of the plane, regional airlines generally are just less likely to have it together. All of the employees are paid less and expected to do everything for bottom dollar pay. When the wheels start falling off schedule wise they tend to really fall off hard. Think maintenance delays or system wide delays that leave crews behind and in the wrong places. This is all speaking from a US perspective. Not sure where you were flying to avoid the TSA as any scheduled airline service is going to have TSA or a contracted equivalent in the US.
  - catalogia 7y ago
    The flight in question was in the US, with Ravn Air from Kenai Municipal Airport to Anchorage. There was no TSA nor any apparent contracted security; maybe there was a guard lounging around somewhere, but they certainly weren't rifling through people's belongings like the TSA likes to. It was very civilized compared to a major airport. I have to say, what I saw from Ravn impressed me. A wildfire had stopped traffic on the sole road out of town, the only way out was by air or sea, so that tiny airport was packed with people trying to get out. The airline employees were obviously stressed but remained very professional and courteous. I believe the airline managed to get one or two extra flights scheduled and flown out of town that night, with only a few hours of notice.
    - bronco21016 7y ago
      Ah, Alaska. It’s a bit of a different world up there. I’m not sure it would compare to flying a regional airline in the lower 48. The vast majority of the airports down here still have some form of terminal and TSA even if you’re boarding a Dash 8. The only way to escape TSA in the lower 48 is to fly on a charter. Edit: Did some research and found there’s a special exemption on TSA for aircraft over 12,500 lbs but under 61 passengers that most of the companies in Alaska use to avoid TSA. I’m not aware of it being used in the lower 48. Business opportunity? https://thepointsguy.com/news/flights-without-tsa-screening/ https://thepointsguy.com/news/flights-without-tsa-screening/

catalogia 7y ago

Short of a flying-phobia, I can't fathom hating smaller jets or turboprop planes. They're quicker to load, quicker to unload, and often the airports you have access to don't have TSA molesters trying to grope you. The last regional flight I was on was with a Dash 8 and the experience was as hassle-free as riding an intercity bus. It was truly delightful compared to the typical major airline experience.

bronco21016 7y ago
The newer Dash 8 Q400 isn’t bad. The seats sit lower and the windows are higher so it makes it more comfortable. Contrast that with a CRJ200 or ERJ145 though and you’d see why people dislike regional jets. They’re horribly cramped and uncomfortable. In addition to the comfort of the plane, regional airlines generally are just less likely to have it together. All of the employees are paid less and expected to do everything for bottom dollar pay. When the wheels start falling off schedule wise they tend to really fall off hard. Think maintenance delays or system wide delays that leave crews behind and in the wrong places. This is all speaking from a US perspective. Not sure where you were flying to avoid the TSA as any scheduled airline service is going to have TSA or a contracted equivalent in the US.
- catalogia 7y ago
  The flight in question was in the US, with Ravn Air from Kenai Municipal Airport to Anchorage. There was no TSA nor any apparent contracted security; maybe there was a guard lounging around somewhere, but they certainly weren't rifling through people's belongings like the TSA likes to. It was very civilized compared to a major airport. I have to say, what I saw from Ravn impressed me. A wildfire had stopped traffic on the sole road out of town, the only way out was by air or sea, so that tiny airport was packed with people trying to get out. The airline employees were obviously stressed but remained very professional and courteous. I believe the airline managed to get one or two extra flights scheduled and flown out of town that night, with only a few hours of notice.
  - bronco21016 7y ago
    Ah, Alaska. It’s a bit of a different world up there. I’m not sure it would compare to flying a regional airline in the lower 48. The vast majority of the airports down here still have some form of terminal and TSA even if you’re boarding a Dash 8. The only way to escape TSA in the lower 48 is to fly on a charter. Edit: Did some research and found there’s a special exemption on TSA for aircraft over 12,500 lbs but under 61 passengers that most of the companies in Alaska use to avoid TSA. I’m not aware of it being used in the lower 48. Business opportunity? https://thepointsguy.com/news/flights-without-tsa-screening/ https://thepointsguy.com/news/flights-without-tsa-screening/