Thats interesting, I interned and passed systems on the 900 and flew the sim with the CP and a few instructors at Mesaba. I almost have their mins that are posted and I cant even get an interview. I am a little jealous, but congrats guys. I knew this industry was tough but wowzers lol

That's pretty *******kin lame.

We were told a couple of weeks ago that they expect to hire "150-200" this year. Then the new VP of Flight Ops told us they expect to lose 200 people. Now, my math's not the greatest, but that would mean a growth of 0 pilots. We CAN'T do that. We need people last month. Not yesterday, not today. Months ago. If we're gonna lose 200, we need to hire at least 400. Problem is, last I heard from someone on the interview board, they're having trouble finding them. 12 supposed to show for class a week or so ago....4 of them showed up. We've had a couple bail during OE to go to ASA/XJT. Management is apparently having to pull strings to get people here....STILL. Once the hour requirement goes into place, unless there are stipulations that you can sub class work for hour requirements (something I personally don't agree with, but that's beside the point), we're gonna be up a creek, and those college agreements might be null and void.

FYI, most of the newbies I've been flying with are either guys that have been at other carriers, former freight guys, some that flew corporate jets, a few guys that have been CFIs for the past couple of years and one or two that did either survey or pipeline patrol.

I have a hard time believing they are having trouble this early in the game. With the industry stagnate for the last 3 years I would have thought their would be plenty of CFI's to fill these classes. I do believe in a shortage but thought it would come into play later this year. I'm shocked this is happening already. What are the plans internally to ramp up recruiting? Does anyone know the number of no shows for other classes recently?

Maybe $400.00 a week and sharing a hotel room with someone for 8 weeks was just too demoralizing.

ill admit I havent read this topic in the ta, but if it is anything like mesaba you get guarantee and your own room from day 1

It's the XJ way.

The king is dead! Long live the king!

Our class all had their own rooms, thank jeses ! However the very next class after me they changed it and started with the dudes on dudes program. :mad:

From the new contract:

A. Lodging and Rest Facilities

1. A Pilot shall be furnished with suitable single occupancy lodging at the Company's expense at all overnight stations, including training (unless the Pilot actually resides within fifty (50) miles of the training site), and Continuous Duty Overnights. When selecting hotels, the following criteria will be considered: safety, cleanliness, reasonable cost, eating facility, proximity to the airport, non-smoking rooms and the ability of the Pilot to obtain rest (quiet).


D. Pay Effective Date

1. A new hire Pilot will be paid at the rate identified in paragraph A., above, appropriate to the category for which he is in training.

And the above is the aircraft payrates for everyone.

I would have thought the same thing, but the person I heard it from on the hiring team isn't one of those that makes stuff up or repeats random rumors.