I caution you to use this as a deciding factor in choosing an airline. I did the same thing, and went to an airline I wasn't super excited about because I had a really good friend there. Short story long, he ended up dying in a plane crash a couple of weeks before my ground school started. With him not around, I realized I didn't really want to be with that company. I would say that starting your career in the airlines is a complicated and lengthy process. There are many differences between companies that could effect your decision. IMHO try to find a place that you can stand to fly at for 5-10 years. Who knows where your buddy or Mesa will be in a couple of years. Good luck, do some research and you'll be fine!