BobJenkins

Heck, an E-2 in the military with zero college makes more than Mesa FO pay. AND gets free health, vision, dental, and life insurance, plus money for housing.

Skyler02

Another vote to look elsewhere. I really don't see how Mesa could make sense for you. You have many good options that you can drive to from NJ. They all pay more. Do not commute for Mesa. That is a tough commute.

Also, pilots hired last summer are still on reserve flying only about 25-35 hours per month. It will probably be close to summer before they get a line. I don't know if you consider that being off reserve quickly or not but that's where it's currently at. Many of the other regionals are quicker.

Since you don't have prior 121 time, it will not be a quick upgrade and on the CRJ side, quick upgrades are over.

This industry is very turbulent. You may be out of the regionals in a few years, you may not. If you're just entering now, I recommend going where you can
- Drive to work
- Make a decent living (ALL pay substantially more than Mesa)
- Have adequate insurance coverage
- Stay in decent hotels
- Don't have to pay for KCM. This is a minor consideration but really, that's just insulting

Good luck with you're choice. We are lucky to have options. Make a good choice because you will have to live with it for a while.

20sx

You've heard a lot of good reasons not to come here. If you do, to answer you're questions....
If you want IAD, make sure you tell enter class for the CRJ. I haven't heard of being switched in class. IAD is a junior base for the CRJ, so you'll get that quick.
Upgrade is based on global seniority. You can upgrade anywhere once you have the time and seniority. IAD has been going super junior for upgrades. How long will it last?
IAD is not an easy commute. Bad flight schedule on planes that get weight restricted.
Reserve schedule gives you at least 2 days off in a row. You can arrange it for 6 on and 3 off if you like. Sometimes the reserves have 4 off, but then they'll work "more" in other parts of the month. All reserves get 11 days off a month, so it's how it's arranged that give you time off.
Good luck with your decision. There are plenty of good choices right now.

tinman1

I wouldn't say it's free necessarily. Those benefits have been bought and paid for with people's lives defending this country.

However I agree with the point you're making. Mesa's day is coming. Management will either step up to the plate or not fulfill their contract with mainline.

BobJenkins

You are correct, Sir, it is NOT free; rather, a well-deserved benefit. And, I might add, not enough of one, when you consider what military retirees get after 20 long, hard years of service and sacrifice. Compared to what a person in congress gets as a pension after a few short years of working part time. Shame.

Much respect, and my hats off to all veterans everywhere. Thank you for the sacrifices you made and are continuing to make.

BobJenkins

Sky runner, all the advice here is sound. If perhaps you are enticed by the phone interview that Mesa conducts, trust me when I say the in-person interviews are no harder at other regionals, minus having to spend 2 days of your life away from home & having to wear a suit & tie for a few hours. Unless you have a personality that just really turns people off, go do some interviews, and make a decision then. No need to rush headlong into a mistake.

It is easy to get into just about any regional today. Remember to ask yourself the question... "If I were to get stuck at a regional due to an economic shift or event such as 9/11, would I want to be stuck at Regional X, making their pay and with their QoL, for the next 5-10 years?"

SkyRunner

Thanks guys, I suspected it probably wasn't great. Ive interviewed with or have dates for Republic, CommutAir, AirWisconsin, and Compass hopefully more to come. Just exploring all of my options, hate to pass any possible opportunity in this industry.

giggity37

This industry is all about timing and luck. There is a reason those other airlines need retention bonuses and gaurenteed interviews. Mesa will eventually have to raise the pay, but right now they have growth as their carrot and the worlds easiest training department. The only reason to come to Mesa is if you live in base and don't want to sit on reserve. Nobody on here knows if the quick upgrade train has ended except JO. IAD will be a b%^*h of a commute and I wouldn't reccomend trying it. If history proves itself again do the exact opposite of what everyone tells you. Nobody on here would have said go to Piedmont, endeavor or comutair 5 years ago.

BobJenkins

Could you qualify this for us, please? I would put more weight on your statement if you had been thru training with at least 3-4 regionals, which I doubt is the case.

Everything I have heard about Mesa's training department is that they are top-notch. But I'm sure others would like to hear how they are not if indeed what you say is actually true.

giggity37

I never said the training department was not top-notch. Just that they will hold your hand and do whatever it takes to help you out. Hell they even give you a intro sim to just fly around. My sim partner had 6 extra sims before he was paired up with me. One extra sim was all you got when I worked for one of the wholly owned carriers and building the airplane was expected on every oral. I have been at multiple regionals (4 121 failure free type ratings) and Mesa was by far the most most laid back.