Originally Posted by
TheDashRocks
This flawed and oversimplified logic is used by some on this forum to justify rooting for the loss of 1500 pilot jobs. The nerve of those MAG prostitutes trying to move their careers along by earning an ATP and gaining PIC experience. Why can't everyone take advantage of American Eagle's decade-long, right seat seasoning process?
The Union pilots of Mesa Air Group fought a successful battle to convert a non-union alter ego into a union operation. Doing so required a long term strategic vision and the willingness to eat some crappy contract provisions. This move benefited the union pilots as a whole. However in return, the uninformed refer to this pilot group as "bottom-feeders".
In a time of economic downturn, the Mesa MEC successfully won an improved contract, which will be up for negotiation in two years.
Many of us, within and without Mesa, feel deep sympathy for the Aloha folks who have lost their jobs. Many of us feel the same sympathy for the Midwest Airlines pilots on furlough while their routes are flown by E170's crewed by much lower paid pilots. I have not seen the same level of angst and anger directed at RAH pilots as has been directed at MAG pilots.
There are market forces at work much larger than one pilot group. Mesaba flying in SLC? Are they taking Skywest flying? Flying shifts all the time, yet when Mesa shows up somewhere, the shrieking starts.
DashRocks,
I don't have any bad feelings against any Mesa pilot. If Mesa dies, and I hope they do, I will not feel sympathy for the pilots who will lose their jobs any more than I would feel sympathy for the gambler who loses his stake.
When you went to Mesa, you accepted an opportunity and a risk. Many who went before you reaped a great benefit by getting some jet PIC and moving on to great jobs such as Southwest. I say "good for them." Those pilots rolled the dice and won. If Mesa takes a giant dump, and I hope they will, some other gamblers will lose. If you didn't want to deal with risk, what were you doing at Mesa?
I've been there myself. I've gambled and lost. I never asked for any sympathy. I'm a big boy and I made my own decisions. I have no choice but to live with the results.
I hope it will work out well for you and all your brothers and sisters. I always wish the gambler good luck. Best of luck to you!