Originally Posted by Boomer

First, I'm new to this site and would like to thank all the Mesaba gurus for all the great info on this thread.

I interviewed right after Christmas and got the Street Captain offer. I'm thrilled to be going to Mesaba and I'm hoping to be in the 01/28 class if they open it up to Street CAs.

I'm trying to put together a family budget before class starts (I'll be commuting for a while) and have some pay/QOL questions.

So here we go...

1) Can reserves "bid to fly", ie. volunteer to be first called for assignments?

Yes, you can bid first out or last out reserve.

2) How often do reserves break guarantee? Never, twice a year, or fairly often if they try hard enough? (I'll be trying for DTW if that makes a difference)

Haven't been on reserve for a while, but my experience was not once did I break guarantee. Scheduling is notorious for flying you right up to 74 hrs, and then you sit the rest of the month. Maybe things have changed, but I doubt it.

3) Does anyone have the 2008 year-one Captain pay rate in front of them?

$44.64

4) Are reserve days off "hard" days, or movable?

Hard, with the exception of being junior manned. I have not heard of them junior manning Saab CA's lately but again, I haven't really been paying attention either.

Are the 11 days off in sets (2s and 3s), single days, or a combo?

Usually 5 or 4 days on with 2 or 3 days off. Single days off can happen due to schedule integration between one month end and the next month begining.

5) What is "Saab leak"? rainwater? Deice? Mysterious old goo? How does one defend oneself from it?

Condensation from the air ducts. A well placed galley wipe or two will keep you drip free.

6) Now for a big QOL issue: Do the Saabs have cupholders?

Absolutely, we spared no expense.

7) Do they pair CA/CA or CA/FO for the sims?

They try to do CA/FO pairings, but sometimes class numbers don't work out. If two CA's or FO's are paired up, they sit in the appropriate seat while acting as the PF, and vice versa for the PNF.

8) Are the Street CAs still starting groundschool one week early?

Haven't heard otherwise.

Thanks for all the help and see you in MSP!