Mesaba Questions
02-27-2008, 07:01 AM
#21
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Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: G550 Captain
Posts: 1,206
Actually the only reason that they are interviewing at those hours at UND is because those people have been through the UND program (Along with CRJ training) and Mesaba knows what kind of pilot their getting. UND Grads have had a 98% first time pass rate during training, where the industry average is somewhere between 50-60% from what I'm told.
Also I know for a fact that no one that interviewed with Mesaba last week at UND has heard if they got a job or not.
Also I know for a fact that no one that interviewed with Mesaba last week at UND has heard if they got a job or not.
Concentrated training such as the ones at UND are great but you are also missing out a lot if you jump straight from that to airline flying. You miss out on the exhilaration you can only get from flying GA airplanes to different places over a period of time on your own outside the school curriculum. Once you start flying at airlines, you really don't have the time, or the money to fly small airplanes all over the country. If you have less than 400 hours and you got lucky enough to get hired at Mesaba, pray that you get the Saabs, because you will get a chance to fly like they did in the old days when airliners flew props. New UND graduates with less than 400 hours TT are fewer in number than suggested on this thread.
02-27-2008, 07:33 AM
#22
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Joined APC: Mar 2007
Posts: 630
UND does produce good results, but at Mesaba, everyone including people from other places also finish around 98% mark. This is because, Mesaba has been training airline pilots for over 40 years and they have one of the best training department I have ever seen. One thing to note is that your attitude really matters. 1 UND graduate though he finished training on time including his IOE, he was asked to resign due to his attitudes.
Concentrated training such as the ones at UND are great but you are also missing out a lot if you jump straight from that to airline flying. You miss out on the exhilaration you can only get from flying GA airplanes to different places over a period of time on your own outside the school curriculum. Once you start flying at airlines, you really don't have the time, or the money to fly small airplanes all over the country. If you have less than 400 hours and you got lucky enough to get hired at Mesaba, pray that you get the Saabs, because you will get a chance to fly like they did in the old days when airliners flew props. New UND graduates with less than 400 hours TT are fewer in number than suggested on this thread.
Concentrated training such as the ones at UND are great but you are also missing out a lot if you jump straight from that to airline flying. You miss out on the exhilaration you can only get from flying GA airplanes to different places over a period of time on your own outside the school curriculum. Once you start flying at airlines, you really don't have the time, or the money to fly small airplanes all over the country. If you have less than 400 hours and you got lucky enough to get hired at Mesaba, pray that you get the Saabs, because you will get a chance to fly like they did in the old days when airliners flew props. New UND graduates with less than 400 hours TT are fewer in number than suggested on this thread.
I second the fact that attitude is everything. Even more important than test scores. As long as you have a great attitude they will do everything possible to get you through.
I also second the fact that the saab is amazing.
02-27-2008, 07:46 AM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: "I love the smell of Napalm in the Morning."
Posts: 288
UND does produce good results, but at Mesaba, everyone including people from other places also finish around 98% mark. This is because, Mesaba has been training airline pilots for over 40 years and they have one of the best training department I have ever seen. One thing to note is that your attitude really matters. 1 UND graduate though he finished training on time including his IOE, he was asked to resign due to his attitudes.
Concentrated training such as the ones at UND are great but you are also missing out a lot if you jump straight from that to airline flying. You miss out on the exhilaration you can only get from flying GA airplanes to different places over a period of time on your own outside the school curriculum. Once you start flying at airlines, you really don't have the time, or the money to fly small airplanes all over the country. If you have less than 400 hours and you got lucky enough to get hired at Mesaba, pray that you get the Saabs, because you will get a chance to fly like they did in the old days when airliners flew props. New UND graduates with less than 400 hours TT are fewer in number than suggested on this thread.
Concentrated training such as the ones at UND are great but you are also missing out a lot if you jump straight from that to airline flying. You miss out on the exhilaration you can only get from flying GA airplanes to different places over a period of time on your own outside the school curriculum. Once you start flying at airlines, you really don't have the time, or the money to fly small airplanes all over the country. If you have less than 400 hours and you got lucky enough to get hired at Mesaba, pray that you get the Saabs, because you will get a chance to fly like they did in the old days when airliners flew props. New UND graduates with less than 400 hours TT are fewer in number than suggested on this thread.
02-27-2008, 10:59 AM
#25
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Joined APC: May 2007
Position: idle stop release....
Posts: 81
This is true. In my class last year, we had 4 or 5 UND graduates and the rest were from another regional, 1 military, 2 corporate, and 2 or 3 CFIs.
They all had 1000 hours or over. 2 had close to 4000 hours. Everyone finished but 1 UND was asked to resign. 1 FSI was also asked to resign.
Whether you get assigned RJs or Saabs is completely dependent on the needs of the Crew Planning and the logistics of the Training Department.
If you have never flown a turboprop, don't be so quick to dismiss it. You will regret not flying a turboprop later on in your career. First of all, quick upgrades are into the Saab, so you definitely want to upgrade in the same type of AC you have been flying. Secondly, I know a lot of guys missing their days flying turboprops after they have transitioned into jets. I have flown turboprops not at mesaba but elsewhere, and it is a lot of fun flying them. At Mesaba, Saab drivers get to do some really fun stuff into small airports and at lower altitudes. Some older Flight attendants only want to fly in the Saabs.
They all had 1000 hours or over. 2 had close to 4000 hours. Everyone finished but 1 UND was asked to resign. 1 FSI was also asked to resign.
Whether you get assigned RJs or Saabs is completely dependent on the needs of the Crew Planning and the logistics of the Training Department.
If you have never flown a turboprop, don't be so quick to dismiss it. You will regret not flying a turboprop later on in your career. First of all, quick upgrades are into the Saab, so you definitely want to upgrade in the same type of AC you have been flying. Secondly, I know a lot of guys missing their days flying turboprops after they have transitioned into jets. I have flown turboprops not at mesaba but elsewhere, and it is a lot of fun flying them. At Mesaba, Saab drivers get to do some really fun stuff into small airports and at lower altitudes. Some older Flight attendants only want to fly in the Saabs.
I highly recommend that any prospective new hire or new hire at Mesaba read what this wise person just said. If you are a young person at the regional level trying to break in on an airline career there are 4 things that matter.
1. Pay
2. days off
3. quality of experience (if interested in moving up to the majors one day)
4. Respect. (For senior pilots to you. they have a wealth of knowledge and we know little in comparison. Ask questions and keep the ears open, you will learn a ton.
People complaining about assigned turboprop flying are ignorant of the opportunity granted to them and might as well go somewhere else.
log books rj or turbo prop : SIC time turbine time
Not much of a difference in the books either
02-27-2008, 11:36 AM
#26
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Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: 320
Posts: 709
Part of me wishes I would have gotten the Saab because my Capt. told me some stories and it sounded like fun.
I also agree with attitude is everything. I came from UND and we were told how one of the past grads went on the internet during ground school at Mesaba which just helps UND’s image. I think it is important that you are glad you have a “descent” regional airline job and not worry about if it is a prop.
I also agree with attitude is everything. I came from UND and we were told how one of the past grads went on the internet during ground school at Mesaba which just helps UND’s image. I think it is important that you are glad you have a “descent” regional airline job and not worry about if it is a prop.
02-27-2008, 05:09 PM
#30
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Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: SF 340B+
Posts: 306
i over heard some guys in the crew room, they must have been former class mates, one asked "are you in the 900?" the other responded "no, i fly the saab" the first guy responded "oh that sucks!"
The rest of the crewmembers (FA CA FO) in the crew room were not impressed by his arrogant attitude
The rest of the crewmembers (FA CA FO) in the crew room were not impressed by his arrogant attitude
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