Originally Posted by ShortBus_Driver
Just be aware of what life at Mesa will be like, however, before you get started. Mesa pays low rates to their pilots (especially starting out) and treats them fairly poorly. Many of their pilots choose to quit or transfer to other regionals because they get fed up with the treatment. Not trying to scare you, but don't want you to be "surprised" after investing so much to get there.
Yup.
Originally Posted by ShortBus_Driver
There are BENEFITS to this however: poor treatment creates an environment where many choose not to stick around too long, this means much quicker upgrade times than at most regionals because of the high rate of attrition. If your goal is to eventually fly for a larger carrier (which I assume it is), and you are sure you can put up with the treatment for a few years, I'd say MAPD and Mesa are the best (quickest) way into the business.
Two things wrong here...
1) MAPD graduate do not come anywhere near to meeting ICAO ATP mins due to their low PIC time...they might have the seniority to upgrade in 2 years, but they often won't have the flight experience for 4-5 years. I have known folks to buy a 152 to get the 1200 hours PIC...in fact that 152 got passed around a bit...
2) MAPD and other pay-for-training (PFT) programs are generally not held in high regard within the rest of the industry. Graduates are considered (rightly or wrongly) to have bought a job and to have a very shallow experience base. Many airline pilots hold each PFTer personally responsible for the current state of the industry ( I do not, so hold the flame).
This can create real problems if you ever decide to leave Mesa for a major airline...you will be competing for jobs with folks who have CFI and/or 135 experience in their background. And if you think you will want to stay at Mesa...let me just suggest that you keep all of your options open...
Please read some threads on flight training here and at flightinfo.com before you commit to a PFT program
Good Luck