geddeh

Any reserves fly more than 20 hours last month? Or am I (msp cr9 fo) the only one that doesn't work? I love sitting by the pool but im starting to feel slightly worthless...

flylow

No, and this month's not looking good either (dtw saab fo). Mgmt seems to manage it that way, with lots more reserves than they can conceivably use. Must make business management sense, but it gets old.

shaunster9797

Keeping my fingers crossed that Mesaba will continue to hire.

bored

RORWIZARD -

The idea is NOT to have a balance between FOs and CAs. There is usually always more CA positions than there are FO positions. That's why it's roughly 5 CAs and 4 FOs per plane. CA's get more vacation time and go to training twice a year, therefore requiring the need for more of them.

As far a reserve goes... not every pilot is on reserve at the same time. Some have days off, some have vacation, some have training etc... You have to look at how many people are on reserve for any given day and within which windows to determine if there are too many reserves. The whole point of a reserve is just that... to have them has backup. If reserves are flying very little, while frustrating, shows that the airline is properly staffed and not experiencing daily meltdowns.

A DTW base makes ZERO sense, given the fact we have only 17 -200s and on a given day only 2-3 are flying in DTW. Without growing the fleet, this would create havok, since the most junior -200 pilots would be displaced to the new DTW base. IF we were to have our -200 fleet grow, then it might make sense to open a DTW base.

I maintain that the added -200 positions are to backfill the FOs that will leave the -200 to upgrade. Despite what people may think, planning doesn't throw darts at a wall in the dark to plan the staffing of the airline.

Something BIG is happening kids... something BIGGER than we ever imagined. Something Mesaba has never seen before. Hold on folks, you thought the last 1.5 years was a ride? Strap in and get ready for this one.

tom14cat14

Just to answer the ques about how many people per day- the last two days there have been 14 fo's below me and one above.

Be glad you are not being used on reserve as long as you live in base because that means more time off. I only have 5 reserve days this month and i am glad i have them because that means i will most likely have 18 days off this month.

ConnectionPilot

I agree. I've heard from several captains that have been in the training department lately. They have ALL "overheard" there is going to be a fleet increase that is large. Even bigger than the past year. I've heard anything from more -200s to 36 more -900s, even the Q. Only time will tell.

flylow

As long as you live in base, yes, but if you commute, it sucks.
Ref the other comment about more captains than FOs, the rule does not hold for DTW Saabs where there are 15 more FOs than captains, to be eventually reduced to 9 more FOs than captains. Schedule and statistical reserve requirements likely support the CA number (and even, some reserve CAs are only blocking 20 to 30 hours a month), but definitely not the FO numbers.
In any case, Saab CAs heading to the jets means better schedules for Saab FOs, eventually. And yes, I am happy to have a job, but this is a frustrating period.

submachXJ

And to add all LCA's bid captain but fly both seats.

Short Bus Drive

If it helps, they are holding interviews this up coming week.

shaunster9797

It would help even more if I get the call . But, I wish the best of luck to those who have gotten the call.