Originally Posted by
blastboy
I want to say hello to everyone first and introduce myself (being my first post). I live in the SoCal area (cant wait to get outta here) and currently fly out of Long Beach. I come from a family with a long line of Aviators. My grandfather was a DC-6, DC-7, 727 and DC-10 F/E for 40 years with AAL. My dad, currently a UAL 737 cptn (ex National and Pan Am pilot). My goal since age 3 is to continue the aviation legacy in my family (because I love to fly). I graduated with a degree in Exercise Science and went into the field in SoCal and I absolutely despise the industry. There was never a day that went by that I didn't want to fly. So anyway, enough of that crap.
The reason I am posting is because my father is calling me almost every other day to tell me about him jumpseating with a Mesa, PSA or Skywest pilot that is or knows somebody that was hired with 300 or less hours. He called me the other day and told me about an F/O who, after a year of flying with PSA, had a TOTAL TIME of 700 hours. Amazing!!! I just wanted to let everyone know (which I am sure most of you do) that the hiring minimums posted on the regional airlines website doesn't mean jack squat. From what I gather, if you have 300 hours and a pulse, you can fly for Mesa. This seems a like a great way to build time! Now, I have skimmed the forum and I see that there are some people who absolutely despise Mesa and others alike. I am sure I will feel the same way about them after a year of flying with them (if I can tolerate it). But it's a great way to get my foot in the door, build some jet time and apply to Netjets (my ultimate goal). I've got a buddy that flys for them and he absolutely loves it! The company actually sends ther pilots an xmas gift and a thankyou card for being such outstanding pilots. So, this is the end of my babbling. Praise, comments, grilling....All welcome. Nice to meet you all!
It is true that MESA hires people with 300 hours, but those are people enrolled in MESA bridge program. I'd say you are on the right track with your goal or maybe even in a better place than those MESA guys. MESA upgrade is 7-9 years. You don't wanna get caught up in that long process cause it won't look good if you go to MESA and than decide to leave. I totally understand what you are going through right now. Flight Instructing wears you out after about 6 months. I'd say just hang on there untill you meet minimums for some one good such as Express, Skywest etc cause than later in the long run you will be ahead of those MESA guys since you will be able to upgrade in about 2 years. The sooner you upgrade the sooner you can go to majors. I know 17 people that fly for Express, they all love it. I know 8 people flew for MESA, they hated it and 4 of them ended up quiting because they couldn't handle MESA. Once you quit from an airline it's not good cause than no one wants to hire you thinking you will do the same to them.
[email protected] is my emal if you wanna contact me. I'm about to start flight instructing in Long Beach too at Aero Aviation.