I spoke with the crew ferrying the last Mesa RJ heading for Hawaii. They took off from SFO with the plane completely stripped of seats, and 6 large gas tanks inside the plane. A couple of my opinions.

1. The plane attempted to make it to Hawaii 3 times. Try #1, radio failure. Try #2, gas leak. Also, battery indicator showing 99amps. Mesa is promoting their service as "state of the art jets"
These pilots must have spent 12 hours at the FBO not flying. I wonder if they got any pay for that.

2. The Mesa FO whom I spoke with for about an hour was hateing life. No pay, in debt,... He loved to fly, but once he got a full time flying job it was no longer fun. All he was excited about was going surfing in Hawaii. I wonder if the living expenses will catch up to him.

3. Will the Hawaiian's really welcome this service. Is their loyalty to Hawaiian and Aloha, or is their loyalty to low prices.

4. How will an RJ do in the salt of Hawaii. Full blast for 15 minutes, level off, power off descent to the airport. 20 minute turn, then back at it again. All day long...

Those are my thoughts.