EjetTaxi

I personally know quite a few Mesa pilots and a few FAs. My pilot buddies say they are on the jumpseat 1/2 the time. Hope it helps.

Skyler02

Let's take a look at JO's recent email:

"If you know folks around the industry who want to join a growing company with an exciting future, please let them know Mesa is hiring!"

Yes. Everyone is hiring. And all the other companies pay much better and provide a much better insurance package. And most of them have a pretty quick upgrade. People new to 121 have to get 1000 hours anyway. It takes time and by the time they get to 1000 hours and are ready to upgrade (2 different things) they will be able to upgrade or close to it almost anywhere. Movement is happening everywhere. Upgrades are not unique to Mesa.

"Right now, primarily as a result of ill-conceived and entirely unscientific new federal regulations(opposed by everyone from check airmen to the RAA), the current “supply” of pilots has been reduced significantly."

Uh, no. Absolutely not. The pilot shortage is due to pathetically low salaries and benefit packages that make it virtually impossible to support oneself let alone, to support a family. The pilot shortage has nothing to do with the ATP requirement. Even if that requirement were withdrawn today, there still aren't pilots because no one is uninformed enough to spend upwards of $100k getting their ratings to then make $20k. The Internet has allowed people to be aware of this fact, and they turn their talents to other more lucrative professions. You know, the ones that provide competitive compensation so you don't have to live in poverty.

"Fortunately, we have been able to successfully navigate through this very difficult period. Things have been different here. Mesa continues to staff classes, win business and grow. While other airlines try to lure pilots with up-front sign-on bonuses, those who do their homework understand that Mesa is the regional airline best positioned to provide short-term AND long-term opportunities and income. "

Um, wrong again. Mesa is not staffing classes. If you don't see this, you, Sir, are in denial.

Those who do their homework, realize that not only is Mesa the lowest paying regional, BY FAR, it also offers a horrendous insurance package with the full intention of forcing people into financing their own insurance, further reducing their already pathetic salary. It is also one of the few regionals left not providing hotels for commuters making it even more impossible to live.

Also, for those who do their homework, they will find that Mesa FO's TOP OUT after 12 years at lower compensation level than almost every other regional STARTs their FO's.

They will also realize, that because Mesa does not offer a competitive salary, the recruiting efforts will fall far short of what they need to hire for attrition, and if no new FO's are coming in the door, upgrades and QOL improvements will not happen. But this is only going to be apparent if "they do their homework".

Realize that the structure of the referral bonus requires an employee to be an employee for 2 years after your referral is hired to fully collect. And that is only if your referral is also still with Mesa 2 years later. Highly unlikely in this current hiring environment especially when virtual every company out there is offering compensation packages doubling Mesa's after the insurance effect.

The most business savvy, strategic statement in the whole email is this:
"Rather than burn money on “carrot” bonuses (which frankly don’t work - and fall short of the benefits of flight time and upgrades at Mesa) we want to put money in the pockets of our employees – people who have already made a commitment to our company and who are working here day in and day out to do the best job possible."

Yes, JO. Because not only are you going to have a huge recruiting problem, if your compensation isn't brought up to at least industry standard, your attrition problem is about to explode. It is time to "put money in the pockets of our employees - people who have already made a commitment to our company".

It's time to burn the current contract and start over with one that works in today's environment. Either that, or shut the doors.

iFlyRC

I really think it is an ego thing... They would rather shut the doors than pay the pilots what they are worth. JO often talks about how LR shaped him into the CEO that he is today... Well... Larry is maggot food, and he was a cheap bastard. Time to retire his way of thinking, and wake up to reality of the "new" pilot market.
With that aside, has anyone received any thick packets in the mail about our 2016 benefits packages? Or did Mesa do away with all benefits for next year?
Man, sometimes I wish I wasn't a captain... Would make some decisions easier to decide!!!

cleareddirect13

When I heard AH is the new MEC chair I honestly thought it was a sick joke....

LTdan

As much as I can't stand the guy, he might do a good job. He's certainly been around long enough to know how things work.

cleareddirect13

So has Brian, and at least he is a really nice guy. Judging from what I saw on the roadshows, AH is not who we need. A guy who pushed hard for that crappy TA, and was condescending to guys flying the line at the same time is the last person we need running this MEC.

StartCart

It said his term ends in March, which is only 3 and a half months. Is that right?

Blackwing

Interesting that BR quit because it was apparent to him that he was out of sync with the pilot group, but AH, who is even MORE out of sync, feels he's the right guy to fill BR's shoes.......

iFlyRC

AH is a good guy outside of the Union, however he firmly believes we should of voted yes on that TA, and probably believes that Mesa will go out of business if they put up an industry standard compensation package. If it's a bulldog you're looking for to fight for industry standard, it's not him! Is BR still staying as DFW CA rep?

BobJenkins

Does Mesa use Foreflight in the cockpit?