Prior to deregulation AA, BN, and Allegheny flew the diminutive BAC-111, UA operated the Caravelle; both were within a few heads of the largest RJ's proposed. While industry economics have progressed, I believe UA, AA, CO, DL, and NW could operate these aircraft profitably. Labor and management ought to revisit the concepts of wages and seamless service. Perhaps the largest impediment would be the politics of taking from the regionals what was previously the domain of the majors. Before you call me a pedantic a$$hole, I've flown for 3 regionals, the most recent Skywest. (allied with UA and DL) The regionals would continue to operate from smaller airfields long served. Additionally, there are lucrative "hub-busting" thin routes ripe for expansion. All I advocate is the return to the majors of city pairs such as SBA-DEN, ORD-IND, etc. These would be flown by mainline RJ's and crewed by pilots and attendants on the seniority list. One major impediment must be confronted at the union level: Generally, no first officer earns more than a captain. (true at UA) FO's at the 767 level and higher would surely serve at higher scales than an RJ captain.
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Fly the Friendly Skies of United
uniTED takes wing Feb 12, 2004
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