flapshalfspeed

I'm fairly certain that with the present hiring picture at the legacies, you will get a line, hours, and upgrade in the same amount of time (possibly faster) at any other regional you choose

If you're anywhere West of the Rockies, go to Compass or Skywest. If you're anywhere in tne Northeast/East Coast, go to Endeavor, CommutAir, or PSA. If you're anywhere in the state of Texas or in the Midwest, go to Envoy.

You will get a line and an upgrade in approximately the same time at all of the above listed companies the way things are looking going forward. Pick your employer based on domiciles and payrates--upgrade times and "time to lineholder" are equalizing rapidly across all the regionals. It's extremely poor decision-making to pick a regional based on current upgrade times and time-to-lineholder--that metric is going to be completely different in 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year out from now

I'm going to say one more thing--and this applies to all of you new folks looking at your first 121 gig: in the present hiring environment, if you have an ATP and 1500 hours, you are WORTH something. Value yourself and your labor accordingly. This job can seem easy and fun at times, but it will strip you away from your family and friends and take years off your life and your body. Don't take a job over the phone because it was the first company who called you. Don't get excited at a job offer from a regional; don't listen to upgrade times or time-to-lineholder from any recruiter at any regional, because it will likely change by the time you're on the line.

Be smart, value yourself. You're worth something--consider the time, effort, and expense you've devoted to earning your ATP/1500 hours, and the impact this job will have on your relationships and body, and really really really question whether a regional is offerring you a competitive compensation package.

I'm going to say this one more time (and this applies to all prospective and current 121 pilots): you're worth something--demand a competitive wage from any regional lucky enough to have your body filling a seat.

airflight999

Also, the value of PIC time isn't what it was back during the last TA. Frontier, Spirit, Atlas have all snapped up our FOs who have zero PIC time. The argument that you can get your quick upgrade with higher pay and PIC time is completely invalid at this time. A second year FO at endeavor makes more money than a 3rd year captain at Mesa, doesn't have to stay at lousy unsafe bedbug ridden hotels, has a guaranteed interview with Delta, and will upgrade in a comparable amount of time. Mesa pilots deserve better than what was offered last time.

AZJETDRIVER

Nothing is going to change at Mesa unless JO's feet are held to the fire! If the company really has no money then they will be going out of business in the near future. Times are changing and changing fast. In one year every regional has raised their pay and changed the way they are doing business. Not Mesa! Mesa is so far behind the industry curve. The pilots at Mesa for the most part are looking for other opportunities. Just putting in what time they need to and moving on. Pilots I have talked to figure why fight a company who does not career, just move on.

flapshalfspeed

An alternative scenario: Munoz wants to park the CRJ-700 feed by late 2017 (fact check me on this--pretty sure it was in an earnings conference call?). Rather than ever increase pay/give us a new contract, I could see Mesa just slowly shrink IAD with rolling "displacements" to DFW/PHX as needed (like they did with CLT). Staffing problem solved for ~18-24 months, with no need for a TA/new hire bonus/etc..

tinman1

Oh they have money. Just look at all of the money being handed out to new hires (per diem, iPads, crashpad assistance) and referral bonuses. I'm sure you've seen the email recently regarding the amount being paid out for referral bonuses. I really, really wish the company would post a list showing who is trying to sell this place. If our MEC had any sort of backbone they would be encouraging us to refuse to participate in the referral bonus program and tell the company to go pound sand with their attempts to circumvent the CBA. I refuse to participate in the referral bonus program on the grounds that I absolutely cannot in good conscious recommend someone to come here right now given the state of the industry.

deltajuliet

Interesting theory but I think our contract with United is good until 2020 or so.

airspeedsalive

On the recruiting Facebook page there's a mention of incentive pay from $4,800 to $8,000 for new hires. I guess it's some kind of sign on bonus?

If I remember correctly, wasn't the Compass MEC able to stop the sign on bonuses in their shop which in turn forced the company to raise the pay to attract new hires?

20sx

They can do bonuses until they complete IOE.

AZJETDRIVER

JO may know something we don't! If FAA approves manditory retirement for age 67 first of the year. Then the industry slows again for another two years and we all will be stuck at a company with low pay, bad work rules, little no upgrades and no contact other than the worthless one we have now. It maybe in all of our best interest to get off the sinking ship and move on. If you are going to get stuck somewhere might as well get paid and have a better looking future!

wt93205

Whoa, where did you read this? News to me. I must have missed it.