Originally Posted by MysteriousMrX

Have their been any captains who've gone from Mesa to a major?
We all know that letter last spring (?) from E.L. spoke the truth: essentially, it doesn't happen.
Why?
Is there really a "Mesa stink" that can only be washed off by going to another regional or a Spirit or Frontier or Atlas, etc?
I'm on the verge of upgrading. I *want* to do the right thing which is to bide your time as FO, upgrade, get your PIC time, and move on. No lateral moves or small step up.
However, I also don't want to be here in 20 years, knowing I painted myself into a corner, and by then it'll be too late (age reason).

I cannot help but think about throwing in an app to Endeavor, or an AA wholly owned, although I think the flow may be fool's gold.
Endeavor captain pay STARTS at what would take me another 10 years to get at Mesa. Plus a guaranteed interview at Delta? Even if that doesn't happen, you at least hear of places like Endeavor and Compass and even GoJet, having people go straight from there to Delta and American and United and even FedEx and UPS. But Mesa?? I've yet to hear of one.

I don't want to have to answer interview questions about why did I leave, etc.. but I also don't want to spend my career as an underpaid lifer......