Let me start by sayign Im NOT a Mesa pilot. But comparing Skywest and Mesa is like saying it must be the same to work for Northwest and Southwest. The operate under the same FARs doing the same job with basically the same planes (737 vs A319/320) so they must be the same right?

What makes the biggest difference is pay and work rules. You're 100% right, flying an RJ is pretty much the same no matter whos name is painted on the side. But the difference is how youre treated. I have heard from numerous Mesa pilots that management is basically there to screw over the employees. Ever wonder why you don't see very many 10 year Mesa captains? Either they won't admit to being 10 year captains at Mesa or they figured out how much working for Mesa sucks and moved on to better companies long ago.

I think rickair777 is a Mesa CRJ captain and a highly respected member of the boards (in my book). I'm sure he'll chime in on this one. Ask him about work rules and the infamous Mesa "standing overnight".

Bottom line: People make careers at companies like Skywest for a reason, no one wants to make Mesa a career (I hope). Mesa is what it is, a stepping stone.