Originally Posted by
flapshalfspeed
^^^and if you don't come to Mesa, you'll also stay in Hilton/Marriott-branded properties instead of the worst, most disgusting, mildew/bedbug-infested dumps any flight crew on the planet (regional and mainline included) stays at
Mesa is the only airline who puts crews in second/third-tier hotels still--there are ZERO other flight crew on almost ALL of our hotel vans on every single overnight. For good reason.
If you're ok with spending half of your life sleeping and showering in borderline-inhumane squalor, and your life outside of work is like sleeping in a van by the river, then yeah--you'll fit in just fine. But if you like sleeping on linens that were cleaned before you arrived, and you like being able to walk around your hotel room barefoot with zero consideration or second thoughts about contracting a fungal infection/stepping on a used needle, or someone else's reproductive fluids? Probably need to stay away from here--not worth the 3-4 year upgrade (which is comparable to any other regionals' upgrade, fyi).
Save yourself the fungal infections and bedbug infestations--go somewhere that puts you in hotels equal or better to your living conditions at home. You'll contract at least 1-2 exotic fungal skin infections at Mesa per year with our current hotels. I am not exaggerating at all--prior121 and multiple other pilots here will back me up on this 100%.
If you value your health and safety you will not accept a job here. Hard facts--but true. Sorry if that "real talk" cuts through all the flashy recruitment vids and promises of quick upgrades, but it's true. Find a wholly-owned and go there--don't come here. I've been in this racket long enough to know when something is about to trend downwards--you do not need to come here and stay in third-world living conditions just to get a quick upgrade and move on to mainline. Plenty of other places will pay you well, put you up in Hyatts, Hiltons, Marriotts and upgrade you just as quickly.
You're welcome for this piece of advice that will make your life better now and in the future.
^^^^ This^^^^
at a $30-39.99 per night rate cap no one will even touch us. The questionable stares you get from motel guests are always the best. The chuckles you notice from other flight crews as you step on a Microtel/la Quinta/baymont/Comfort Inn van for the 3rd day in a row. Better yet when every hotel van driver from Fairfied inn to Hilton ask what hotel you're going to. Just watch as you tell them and they choke a little and shake there head because:
A. They have now idea where or what obscure place you're staying at is...period!
Or
B. They cannot believe a flight crew stays at such a dump.
Welcome to Mesa. For 7 months out of the year you will live in 3rd tier dumps. Dumps that you are ashamed of. Yes, you will be ashamed of who you work for just like the majority of the new hires who adamantly defend their decision to come to Mesa and then walk around all day with their badge purposely clipped backwards.This is where you will have chosen to work. More importantly you will have chosen this during a time where everyone will take you. The others will give you more and even treat you better.