SharkyBN584

Personally, I don't feel it's very responsible to jump into the beginning stages of your career without doing some extensive research on the company you'd be doing it with. That includes talking to pilots already working there about their experience and what they think of the company, getting on web boards such as this, etc. etc. Hell, every interview I've ever done they've always asked "Do you have any questions?" That's a perfect time to ask "How does pay work?" "Where do most of your pilots go when they leave the company?" "What's the relationship between management and the pilot group?" "How do benefits work, when am I eligible?" Those are all questions I asked on the interviews I went on. If you don't like the answer you get, keep looking. You're interviewing the company just as much as they're interviewing you and a job offer doesn't mean you have to take it.

Ellen

WELL SAID! I'VE BEEN SAYING THAT FOREVER. YOU'VE JUST DESCRIBED INSTRUMENT SKILLS FOR YOUR CAREER VS. FLYING BLIND AND TAKING A CHANCE ON A COMPANY LIKE A LOT ON THIS FORUM DO.

Many have learned the hard way where the right place to work was/is. Just ask Rickair777 and others.

blastboy

I never said I was going to work for Mesa. I have no desire to. The only job I would take is Ornsteins' so I could turn things around for the employees and make it a much better place to work. But that's just my imaginaion. Anyway, you have offered some valuable advice; "interview the company as much as they are interviewing you." My dad gave me those exact same words of advice over the past few years and I even took some notes on which questions to ask my interviewers. Maybe that would be a great thread to start; interviewing your interviewer. Maybe the title could use some doctoring. Great advice sharky!

Roper92

My question to people going to or at Mesa: Why?

locomoco

To those reading this who are contemplating their first regional job, here's a good rule of thumb: If the company's pay, schedule, QOL, benefits, quality of maintenence, management attitude, AND level of respect within the industry are ALL WORSE than your current job as a CFI, etc., DON'T DO IT. Like the previous posters said, do your research and ask the important questions. Just a few more months of time-building may get you the experience you need to be competitive at a better company. Learn from those that came before you; they didn't know then what they know now and are trying to give you wisdom from their bad experiences. It can seriously make or break your ability to enjoy your career, or at least endure the dues-paying years with a good attitude.