Originally Posted by
inverted pilot
Hello Mesa guys and whoever else is reading this lively thread. I want to get some insight from you all about my situation. I'm previous 121 FO, coming back to the industry. I'm weighing Mesa vs Piedmont... weird comparison maybe but both interesting options for different reasons. Mesa of course has growth and lots of new large planes with a fairly secure near term future and quick upgrades. However, Piedmont has genuine straight flow-thru to American and only 400 pilots currently on property- I could expect to be at AA in 4 to 6 years. Also Piedmont is $28/hr first year plus a 5k bonus and upgrade times are 3 years and dropping. Piedmont does have some uncertainty in the lifespan of the dash 8's and the "recycled" 145's they are getting from Envoy. Would you all risk the dated and small capacity fleet at Piedmont for the flow, or go for the big rj's at mesa with no flow? Also, I do not have a college degree, so I'm worried that without a flow program I may have a more difficult time getting hired by a major on my own. Basing is no concern for me, I will move to my base at either. Thanks for any thoughts you guys might have.
Can you afford to live on Mesa 1st year pay? If so, then come here, if not go to piedmont.
That's how I look at it. With Piedmont getting AE's 145s, some sort of flow (the details sound a tad confusing) and the extra $, doesn't sound like a bad place to be.
We're going to get more planes here, it's beyond obvious in the company corporate calls. Slow and steady growth. Continued quick (as you want) time from hire to upgrade. Most junior CA was a Fall 2014 hire. I don't even think we've started upgrading for the 900s that come this fall....
But, our first year pay is atrocious, expect to take home $700-800 small check and $800-$1100 on the big check first year, that's if you opt OUT of Mesa's insurance.......