Originally Posted by
AndyTLe
Crew rest periods and sleep is an issue with both mainline and regional carriers. So the issue isn't exclusive to RJ carriers. Many mainline pilots commute from their homes to their base. All pilots are required to meet FAA requirements and airline requirements (this is where there may be a difference as airlines have more rigorous standards).
Having flown hundreds of thousands of miles on all types of airplanes (including on a Colgan Air Dash 8 Q400), I've never felt unsafe on either mainline or regional. Flying is still safer than driving.
Pilots who make more than $12.50 per hour have options. Sure commuting is common, but the pilot flew from FL to Newark and no one knows for sure where he stayed the night. It is known that he did not have a crash pad or other such accomodations. The FO flew in on a red eye from SEA. Again, with a higher scale, she may have been able to move out of her parents home and closer to work.
I've never really felt unsafe in an RJ either...until now.