Xdashdriver

Initial training is done under the traditional program. Transition to AQP is done for recurrent. You will be in PHX for at least a month, so if you want to drive there, that's an option. The DFW hotels are good enough about taking you places so you don't need a rental car unless you really want and can afford one.

You will know what days you are on reserve on the 23rd of each month. You will then bid for whether you want morning (4am-4pm) all month or afternoon (12pm - 12am) all month. You will find out which you get on the 28th of each month. You will also get to bid on ready reserve shifts, if you want them. At the beginning you will probably get junior assigned a lot of ready reserve which generally happens 24-48 hours in advance as you go through the month. As people come in under you the number of ready reserve shifts you do will go down and then stop as you become senior on reserve (unless you bid them).

While you are still in consolidation the company will put you at the top of the list so you can get consolidated before your 120 days is up. Not sure how much reserve pilots are flying these days. I know they're not having issues with people not consolidating so it can't be too bad. Maybe someone who has recent reserve experience can chime in.

I found it more economical to have a crashpad while on reserve. There were a couple of weeks where I never flew at all. $50 a night adds up pretty quickly compared to a crashpad.

Xdashdriver

You do not have to pay for base airport parking, or water/sodas on the airplane. Mesa covers half the cost of a blazer or leather jacket and I think they pay half the cost of 2 pairs of pants..IIRC. No hats.

RV5M

You just keep doing what you're doing.

RV5M

Get outside high deductible health insurance with 100% co-pay after X amount out-of-pocket. You'll be better covered and have more of a paycheck at the end of the month.

jimf

Question about Mesa:

I see FO pay mentioned quite often in this thread. If you were to take the aspect of less pay out of the equation because it wasn't a factor for you and didn't matter, is Mesa a good regional to fly for?

Thank you in advance for your help. Doing a little homework up front.

Gjn290

No... Everyone else is hiring and provides everything you need to do your job, minus uniforms. Why should you be paid over $10K less at Mesa AND buy your own iPad (and mount!?!?!? ***!?). Are people really this dumb?

jimf

Really not about being dumb... I would consider placing myself in a position that I would be riding right seat for the next 10-15 years a decision less than wise. It is not always about pay.... and this decision would have nothing to do with pay. It's the other factors that I am interested in. I'm in the DFW area.... Mesa would possibly fit with a DFW domicile. Hiring at Mesa is good. Upgrades might slow down but much better than some. So I am taking pay out of the equation and asking about the other factors. Pay is at the bottom of my list of needs.

Gjn290

Why not Envoy? At least with them you get flow? You may not care about the pay, I hate when people say that, but other people do and by you accepting a position at Mesa hurts everyone else. It gives JO no reason to raise the pay. Do you really want to risk getting stuck in the right seat for numerous years for a sub $30,000 wage?

jimf

Envoy seems you might be able to flow, but I keep reading that movement is slow. I look for quicker movement and DFW base. I read my chances my be better at Mesa to move to the left seat quicker than Envoy.... If that is what my future holds.

Duct Mon

DFW base for Envoy is senior. If you're on the CRJ you'll be in Chicago.
DFW base for Mesa is junior and every other class gets DFW right out of training.
I chose Mesa because I live in base. It makes the most sense on any first year FO pay.