RV5M

If I was being elitist with the "wacko" comment then I apologize. RB11 is right. Many pilots do, however, maintain marketable skills that will allow them an exit without going to truck driving school. Also, I agree with the accomplishment comment. I'm not sure I'd accept congratulations in the event of my upgrade as all I've done is show up in the right place at the right time and wait my turn.


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ScottyDo

Well this became a drama fest real fast.

inverted pilot

Hello Mesa guys and whoever else is reading this lively thread. I want to get some insight from you all about my situation. I'm previous 121 FO, coming back to the industry. I'm weighing Mesa vs Piedmont... weird comparison maybe but both interesting options for different reasons. Mesa of course has growth and lots of new large planes with a fairly secure near term future and quick upgrades. However, Piedmont has genuine straight flow-thru to American and only 400 pilots currently on property- I could expect to be at AA in 4 to 6 years. Also Piedmont is $28/hr first year plus a 5k bonus and upgrade times are 3 years and dropping. Piedmont does have some uncertainty in the lifespan of the dash 8's and the "recycled" 145's they are getting from Envoy. Would you all risk the dated and small capacity fleet at Piedmont for the flow, or go for the big rj's at mesa with no flow? Also, I do not have a college degree, so I'm worried that without a flow program I may have a more difficult time getting hired by a major on my own. Basing is no concern for me, I will move to my base at either. Thanks for any thoughts you guys might have.

ScottyDo

Just because a company has a "flow though" program does not mean you get hired at a mainline. And on top of that not having a college degree makes that pretty near impossible.

NovemberBravo

I thought only Envoy had the flow through and Piedmont & PSA had guaranteed interviews?

PilotCrusader

It's a Mesa thread. Duh.

RB211

I said I was not pointing you out on it. I am targeting everyone in this industry who shows elitism, pointing out how baseless it is. Sure, everyone has their moments when they show elitism, just some live by it.

prior121

Can you afford to live on Mesa 1st year pay? If so, then come here, if not go to piedmont.

That's how I look at it. With Piedmont getting AE's 145s, some sort of flow (the details sound a tad confusing) and the extra $, doesn't sound like a bad place to be.

We're going to get more planes here, it's beyond obvious in the company corporate calls. Slow and steady growth. Continued quick (as you want) time from hire to upgrade. Most junior CA was a Fall 2014 hire. I don't even think we've started upgrading for the 900s that come this fall....

But, our first year pay is atrocious, expect to take home $700-800 small check and $800-$1100 on the big check first year, that's if you opt OUT of Mesa's insurance.......

inverted pilot

Actually it does... Piedmont's agreement with American is flowing all pilots (unless they bypass), in seniority order to mainline... no interview, no catches unless of course they fail training, in which case they return to Piedmont ... they simply give them a class date once it's their turn. There is no language in the agreement that allows American to deny any Piedmont pilot the flow, regardless of things like jet time or college degrees. Now PSA, on the other hand, has preferential interviews.. so those guys could be denied based on something like lacking a college degree, if American chose to do so.

prior121

How many pilots flow per class at AA? How long would it take a pilot hired today to flow? Curious for my own knowledge but not curious enough to go sift through the other airlines' threads. ha