Originally Posted by
mccube5
RJ85, thanks for taking the time to answer some questions. Hopefully i won't bore you with mine, but I have always had my eye on Mesaba and i'm excited for the new wave of hiring that's gonna be going on there.
Would you pretty much have your choice of equipment at this point in time? With the contract as it is, how easy of a place is it to commute? Is DTW a junior base, and if it is how easy of a commute would that be from BUF?
The first several classes of new hires are likely to be all into the CR9. The first 4 jets are going to MSP, so there will be only one choice of base for now. DTW will be next followed by MEM for the CR9.
In general, the bases in order of seniority are: MSP, DTW, MEM. MSP is VERY senior for all captains and the Saab F/O's.
BUF to DTW doesn't seem that bad. I think NWA has 4 or 5 flights per day. I don't know about anyone else that flies that route. It is always nice to have a couple of choices of airlines when you are commuting, just in case. If you get the CR9 and MSP, within 6 months you should be able to bid DTW since we will start placing crews there probably late summer/early fall at the latest.
We do have a commuter clause, which is nice in an emergency. You can only use it twice in a 12 month period before you get "talked to", so you still have to be conciencious of your commuting choices.