topic Re: Why I Avoid Regional Airlines... in Community Chat

Why I Avoid Regional Airlines...

terrier3 — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 01:30:33 GMT

When I visit my friend at Ponce Inlet, I fly to and from Orlando (about an hour's drive) vs. Daytona Beach (30 minute drive).

Why?

Because I avoid regional airlines - the puddle jumpers I would have to use.

Even after Flight 3407 and the families' fight to make regionals safer, the airlines continue to stall and fight every reform.

Pilots STILL start at annual salaries of $24,000 a year or less. This led to the crash of 2407 - the co-pilot lived on the West coast and commuted to NJ (rents were too high in NJ). She also was sick, but pilots don't get sick pay and she flew both tired AND sick! The pilot had flunked tests in the past, was very inexperienced and did everything WRONG when the plane went into a stall.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/flight-3407-families-back-raises-for-pilots-20140228

Re: Why I Avoid Regional Airlines...

mgm2 — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 01:39:21 GMT

I agree with your post 100%! Last year, I paid for a round ticket from Montreal to Newark, NJ on United airlines. Guess what pulled up to the gate? Grrrrr

Re: Why I Avoid Regional Airlines...

muttmom — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 01:54:27 GMT

My husband worked in Barbados for a number of years. You can't believe some of the planes we took between the islands.

Re: Why I Avoid Regional Airlines...

Another new name Sue — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 01:58:56 GMT

It depends greatly on the regional. Some are just better than others, treat employees better, have better pilot training. It's true regional pilots are poorly paid in relationship to the huge responsibility. Many passengers would be shocked to know what their pilot is paid, not even a living wage actually.

Re: Why I Avoid Regional Airlines...

mgm2 — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 02:01:11 GMT

It's not just about the pilots, it's about the maintenance and upkeep of the aircraft.

Re: Why I Avoid Regional Airlines...

JaneMarple — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 02:04:42 GMT

Remember Allegheny Airlines aka Agony airlines?

Re: Why I Avoid Regional Airlines...

golding76 — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 03:24:03 GMT

You are wise to do so. I hate when I get re-routed to one when I think I've bought a ticket on a major airline. Inexperience and exhaustion were at the heart of the Colgan crash in Buffalo, NY, in 2009.

[Apologies to the OP. I glanced at your topic and wrote something quickly before reading your entire post. You referred to Colgan #3407. I wrote in between bringing my shopping items in from the car. It was a tragic affair. Some may recall that one of the women who perished had lost her husband on 9/11. Every soul lost will be mourned, but something about her story really hurt.]

Re: Why I Avoid Regional Airlines...

conlt — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 03:51:00 GMT

I fly all the time in and out of Daytona and I go on Delta, not a regional airline. I connect in Atlanta. I have my choice of Daytona or Jacksonville and I choose Daytona because it is an easier drive for me.

Re: Why I Avoid Regional Airlines...

JaneMarple — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 04:27:09 GMT

The worst flight ever for me was about thirty years ago on a prop plane from Albuquerque to Alamogordo New Mexico. It was only about an hour but it was agony, they served drinks out of a cooler and my poor dog howled the entire flight.

Re: Why I Avoid Regional Airlines...

golding76 — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 04:42:37 GMT

On 3/1/2014 terrier3 said:
When I visit my friend at Ponce Inlet, I fly to and from Orlando (about an hour's drive) vs. Daytona Beach (30 minute drive).

Why?

Because I avoid regional airlines - the puddle jumpers I would have to use.

Even after Flight 3407 and the families' fight to make regionals safer, the airlines continue to stall and fight every reform.

Pilots STILL start at annual salaries of $24,000 a year or less. This led to the crash of 2407 - the co-pilot lived on the West coast and commuted to NJ (rents were too high in NJ). She also was sick, but pilots don't get sick pay and she flew both tired AND sick! The pilot had flunked tests in the past, was very inexperienced and did everything WRONG when the plane went into a stall.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/flight-3407-families-back-raises-for-pilots-20140228

The pilot actually did the opposite of what he should have done. Not enough training.