Originally Posted by
prior121
I can't post in the other forums yet.
Can anyone elaborate on how may have been hired? If I take a class date in another two weeks, will I be towards the end? I heard a number of 90 new pilots. How many have already been hired? I'm not sure being at the very end of this hiring wave will be a smart move.
Are people really being sent to Hawaii? The company made it sound if this is voluntary and most were staying in the US to staff the new CRJ 900s.
Thanks for your time.
Hi Prior121.
Mesa needs pilots, that simple. I doubt very seriously if in two weeks you will be toward the end. From what I'm hearing, hiring is projected to continue into the summer. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.
Yes Hawaii is our Junior base, so it's the simple physics of it. A fair number of those spots get filled by the most JR pilots, who in the most recent case happen to be new-hires.
You're correct, the new hires ARE for the purpose of staffing the new CRJ 900s, but indirectly, right? Because it isn't like they can violate the seniority list to do it. In the most recent case, the new-hires ARE going to HI (because it is what their seniority can hold) So... Before they can offer better bases to those new hires, they have to offer them to every other senior FO at Mesa first. Apparently 7 or so Hawaii guys wanted out. Therefore 7 vacancies opened in HI, and walla, they were filled by the new hires.
I suppose there is a fair chance you can avoid Hawaii IF enough of the current new hires heading to HI like it and want to stay, or you get lucky, and end up at the top of a big enough class. But I would prepare myself for a stint in HI if I were you just to be safe.
Also, if you do end up in HI, you will be able to bid out soon enough when your seniority can hold the mainland,. IAD will be your first stop out of HI because it is the second most JR place.
I'm a little surprised that the company is saying HI is voluntary? For Captains that don't want to downgrade maybe, but seniority is what it is, and HI be JR! It isn't that big of a base though, so it can be filled (turned over) quickly, that is in your favor.
Hope this helps.