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“Some in the regional airline industry persist in
falsely promoting an alleged pilot shortage as an excuse
to cancel flights, drop routes, and attempt to roll back
critical safety legislation and regulations,” continued
Capt. Moak. “In truth, not only were the regional
airlines fully involved in, and in some cases led, the
effort to create these new regulations, but they also
had more than three years to prepare to implement them.”
ALPA’s new fact sheet explains that several accidents,
including the Colgan Airways tragic accident near
Buffalo, N.Y., in 2009, helped prompt the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop new pilot
fatigue and first officer qualification and training
rules. During the rulemaking process, the FAA invited
industry, labor, and government to work together on the
effort to enhance safety. Not only were the airlines
fully involved and supportive of the process, but they
also led some of these efforts, such as the First
Officer Qualifications Aviation Rulemaking Committee,
and had more than three years to prepare to implement
the new regulations.
“While a pilot shortage does not exist today, the real
solution for preventing one in the future is for the
U.S. and Canadian governments to adopt strong,
pro-airline policies that level the playing field for
their airlines and enable them to compete and prevail in
global air transportation,” said Capt. Moak.
“Consistently profitable and stable airlines will allow
our industry to offer the salary, benefits, and job
security that will create careers and retain and attract
the most qualified pilots.”
10
Lowest-Paying Airlines Estimated First-Year Salary as of
July 20, 2014
Great Lakes $14,616
Silver Airways $18,693
SkyWest Airlines $20,064
Mesa Airlines $20,183
GoJet Airlines $20,504
Republic/Shuttle/Chautauqua $20,655
ExpressJet Airlines $20,745
Atlantic Southeast Airlines $20,907
Trans States Airlines $21,531
PSA Airlines $21,600
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