Originally Posted by
flapshalfspeed
Anyone in their right mind who wants to be an AA pilot--and who is in the bottom 10-25% of Mesa's seniority list--needs to jump ship for Envoy/Piedmont immediately. Especially if you live in one of Envoy/Piedmont's hubs.
I've been a Mesa cheerleader for a long time, but like everything in aviation, things change quickly--after reading the flow agreements Envoy & Piedmont have recently secured, and considering that Mesa is no longer a fast upgrade option for anyone joining in the last 6 months, I can no longer advocate people coming here in good conscience.
If you're in the bottom 10-25% of Mesa's list, and your dream job is AA, and you are not female or from an underrepresented minority--you're out of your mind if you're not banging down PDT/Envoy's doors the second you read this.
If you have any intention of flying for AA in the next decade, go to Envoy or Piedmont--especially if you're younger than 30. Seriously guys--probably even worth it to jump ship if you're a very junior FO.
I am only responding to this because what you said could affect me and i am genuinely interested in what you have to say. Also for some reason you cant recieve PM's so i will read your reply and your reply only to my question. Why would I go to Envoy where there actually is a 50 percent washout rate because the instructors there wont give kids a few extra sims to get through the training. I could have a guaranteed flow to american and be there in approximately 8 years worst case scenario.On the other hand i could go to mesa who has a 90 pass rate. I will have a good chance at getting through the training and getting on the line. Ill have a better chance getting through the training with mesa than i would have with any other airline. Mesa has a 2 or 3 year upgrade as far as i know at the moment. Ill be off reserve in a few months. I can bid dfw off ioe most likely. At eagle there were 2 fo's that came to the job fair that have been on reserve for more than 3 years. They are shrinking to 1500 pilots and 100 50 seater airframes. Or maybe its 50 50 seaters not sure. Mesa will put me in the crj900 that is not going anywhere for a while. Last i checked they might get more crj's from american and will be expanding and need more pilots. Once an envoy fo flows to american i will have roughly 6 thousand hours flight time. I know of at least 3 regional fo's personally that have gotten on with american with 6 thousand hours. I know of one more about to go when hiring resumes he will jump too. So why oh why would i go to eagle and be on reserve and flow to american or go to mesa with a good airframe an expanding airline with 76 seat airplanes and hold a line almost out the door if i will get to american around the same time as the envoy flowthrough fo? if you know something i dont please tell me. Because to the best of my knowledge i am making the right decision in my mind based on the current circumstances.