CrowneVic

I meant to. It was an excellent post with a lot of factual information, unclouded by emotion. And I did catch the criminal angle. Thank you, DJ.

calmwinds

I guess a big improvement. We all know ExpressJet won’t be around in 6 years given what SJU does to them.

avi8tor614

OK had to chime in. I know this is an open forum but OMG. I AM A MESA PILOT. Other regional pilots bashing other regional and they call themselves professional hmmm ok. Regional pilots telling other regional pilots or potential new hires to "Have some respect for yourself and the industry. Go somewhere else." (Godisgood), I'm sure your a great pilot and all, but I am 7000+ pilot, 1 phase check failure at Riddle, and 1checkride bust, many moons ago; God-was-good, and humbled my big butt to show my once arrogant self, yes mistakes are made and a true professional since that's the word of today picks him/herself up and fixes the problem and moves on. I'm sure you do that in the cockpit or maybe all of you at other regionals are just that perfect. I got my private in 78 hours because of the "Gemini" program my flying mate did his by 70. I guess he is a better pilot 8 hours equates; what, 4 extra sims in 121 world. I had 8 sims and then checkride at Mesa All done. My sim partner, ENDEAVOR washout! had 11 sims so what. We both came from corporate jets and turboprops. I did not call him out, say he sucked, just took him few more sims I tried to help not tear down, guess what he got it and now at 2 years later at WTH DELTA go figure. Guys really, we are fighting over better regionals. Chris, PSA have their act together now. BUTTTT. I remember when they were scabs in ther regional world for selling out to USAir and notorious for having the some of the industries toughest check airmen from comair. Countless amounts of bust on chechrides for frivolous stuff from "the hebrew hammer" could be a myth but it was out there. I remember when the training department was backed up so bad. People were waiting MONTHS for checkrides. Don't say they werent I have 5 friends there that went through it and two did bust their initial ride. After sitting home waiting forever for thier rides. Set up for failure. I don't know about you super pilots but when I have more than 5 days off (rare/never at mesa lol)it takes me a min to gethe back into flow let alone an initial type ride or oral.This was before your flow was really in full swing at AA. Hence one of the reasons I came to Mesa I did not want to sit after going through training, to bust an oral or ride. I've jumseated on PSA, Envoy, Edeavor, commutair, and transtates in my MESA uniform. I think all you guys are cool always polite and welcoming, We all squabble about the Indiosyncrasies of our companies. I don't fly for a "starter" regional I fly for a company that has some of the best on time performances of any regional company that's one of the major things my mainline partner companies really care about. That's why Mesa won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I wish got more bonus money or more piece of the pie for performing for AA and United, QOL somwtinws That's not Mesa's problem (well not most of it) that's an ALPA issue Major and regional level. For all my fellow Mesa pilots who are ranting I feel your pain, im with you all the way, I've probably flown with you, and batchEd and moaned myself and probably high five you lol I have my days too. Overall I'm great. Great coworkers all the way around. But I'll be dammed if am going to let someone else (outsiders) come in my house and diss it. They waiting in the same line I'm in. Some may get lucky and go before I do, thats fine. Good for them Yayyy!!!! I'll tell you what though, I'd be the first to congratulate them on getting whatever their ultimate prize is. If I get there first I'd extend a hand and pull them up as well or try. Don't forget we are all regional brothers/sisters. With common goals and aspirations. We all have different paths how we got here. Let's blaze new paths and get to where ever it is you trying to go. Chris and God I was not trying to single you two out, you stepped on my tail guys lol. I'm sure your dudes/dudettes are cool people just remember we have 1100 pilots over here at Mesa, I'm sorry if we don't meet your standard but United and American have not complained that much to drop us and we do the best we can with what we got. I am not a company troll or recruiter either. CRJ FO trying to escape the regional just like everyone here

P.S to all you grammar nerds out there "I'm sorry Ms. Jackson, I am for real" lol

Stuff11

No they're not... If that were the case XJT wouldn't have sent 290 FO's TO AA DL UA and SWA in 2017 alone. They're telling you that to get you to upgrade and sign ANOTHER contract with them.

Stuff11

Yes, a company owned by a holding company with $500 million in liquid assets in the bank is going under. If that were the case why would UA give them a 5 year deal and more airplanes? Oh and then there's this... https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...ine-expressjet

Bucknut

Mesa has a long history of treating their pilots poorly and their pilots always seen to ratify some crappy contract. Most of the pilots there were good people because they were all in it together. I really hope everyone there meets their career goals! With those things being said, I have seen many pilots at MESA get screwed by the company. If you get out there, consider yourself lucky! Take time to read up on Beech1900 accident in CLT back in 2001 or 2002. It is reflective of Company culture. I really wish you the best of luck if you decide to go there.

Stuff11

Their own Union thinks you will have zero career progression there. Why wouldn't you listen to them. They are quite literally the people you pay to give you advice.

When a company boasts very little attrition, its a bad sign.
When a company makes you sign a contract to work for them for a certain period of time, its a bad sign.
When a company doesn't respect you enough to at least put you near the industry standard with pay and benefits, its a bad sign.
When a company lures you in with shiny new jets (That they don't own but are LEASING.. meaning they can be taken away), they think your stupid and will fly shiny new jets for less pay than the guys flying older ones.

Mesa is a company that will ruin your reputation as an airline pilot and you will have to start over at another regional in order to prove yourself as an airline pilot. The reason Mesa pilot's are painting it as roses and sunshine is because they want you to come in behind them and boost their seniority so they can upgrade/hold a better schedule faster. Also, some Mesa pilots may be naive enough to believe that their chosen regional will actually get them somewhere. Ask any major airline pilot which airline is least respected and represented at their airline and they will all tell you the same thing... Mesa

bigtime209

This is what he's referring to. The DFW ALPA reps put this email out earlier this year:

April 21, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen,


In times past, Mesa was a stepping stone to reach the major airlines, whether that was United, Delta, American, or Southwest. Pilots stayed just long enough with Mesa so they could get their 1,000 hours of turbine PC time before one of the majors scooped them up.



Even though the majors are hiring at record numbers, the pilots they are hiring are no longer coming from Mesa, despite the hundreds of qualified pilots here. Case in point, in 2016 United hired 8 Mesa pilots, American hired less than 10 Mesa pilots, Delta hired less than 10 Mesa pilots, and Southwest hired less than 10 Mesa pilots. In 2016, United hired 280 ExpressJet pilots; American hired a similar number from Envoy, PSA, and Piedmont; and Delta got the majority of its pilots from Endeavor.



Why is this important? Well, if your goal is to work for a major airline, you have ask yourself now whether you are standing on the right stepping stone and consider a lateral career move. PSA, Envoy, and Piedmont have a guaranteed job progression to American, and $60,000 first-year pay with bonuses, not to mention work rules and health-care premiums 60 percent less than here at Mesa. Endeavor has a similar job progression path to Delta. Air Wisconsin and CommutAir have career paths to United, without even mentioning ExpressJet. You owe it to yourself, or whoever bankrolled your education, to ask if Spirit, Allegiant, or Atlas are good enough for you. If so, you are in the right place. If not, then it is time to stop working at a place that continues to hold you in low regard with bottom of the industry pay and treatment of you. We see no reason to believe that this is going to change. The only change you can control is who you work for. You want a reasonable pay and career progression? Then go to a company that can provide it.

calmwinds

Look at ExpressJet’s pilot base in the SkyWest annual report. XJT is dwindling away and losing money. DTW is closed. ATL is closed. Pilots are unhappy there. Much more unhappy than Mesa. For the most part, the only pilots on Mesa’s forum bellyaching are non-Mesa pilots.

I can post a link to the SkyWest annual report if you like. As far as XJT FO’s, there has to be value to 6,000+ hours right seat time. I saw that United is considering purchasing part of XJT. SkyWest would be happy to sell it back to them.

As far as 121 PIC time, we all should figure out the formula for interviews at majors. Nothing is absolutely required. However, 4 year degrees, 121 PIC time, roles like serving on a Safety Committee or being a line check airman all give an applicant an edge.

And, as far as potential pilots in Houston, I always recommend the short commute to Envoy at DFW for being a viable option. XJT is not.

chrisreedrules

The fact that this thread even has to exist should be all the red flag anyone needs...