Originally Posted by Azorian (Post 2658182)

I am currently working for a 135 company, i have about 2000 hours part 121 multi turbine time.

I would be most interested in either Houston or Dallas as a base with whatever company i find my way into.

what equipment and base options would Mesa have in Texas? what kind of upgrade times?

any info you guys have would be appreciated. thanks!

Originally Posted by Hou757 (Post 2658209)

Wait a month to make your decision. Big changes for the good coming to XJT. It just might give you a better option!

Originally Posted by NovemberBravo (Post 2658212)

They are staffed and can be picky.

Originally Posted by NovemberBravo (Post 2658263)

My friends there that are reserve don’t fly much. just had a FO that came to Mesa who was non current military have Envoy hire him but basically waitlisted him because classes were full.

Originally Posted by Azorian (Post 2658182)

I am currently working for a 135 company, i have about 2000 hours part 121 multi turbine time.

I would be most interested in either Houston or Dallas as a base with whatever company i find my way into.

what equipment and base options would Mesa have in Texas? what kind of upgrade times?

any info you guys have would be appreciated. thanks!

Originally Posted by Azorian (Post 2658182)

I am currently working for a 135 company, i have about 2000 hours part 121 multi turbine time.

I would be most interested in either Houston or Dallas as a base with whatever company i find my way into.

what equipment and base options would Mesa have in Texas? what kind of upgrade times?

any info you guys have would be appreciated. thanks!

Originally Posted by No Land 3 (Post 2658322)

If you have turbine PIC time, consider sending an app into Kalitta Air, skip the regionals all together.

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2658294)

Here is the skinny:
Envoy has a DFW base. You will probably be based elsewhere and have to transfer back. Probably flying a 145 or 175. Older pilots have preference in aircraft and base.

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2658294)

Republic has a IAH base. Ask about the hire date of the junior FO and junior CA in IAH. They fly the 170/175. They have a good reputation.

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2658294)

ExpressJet is losing their DFW base. ExpressJet has a IAH base. Ask about the hire date of the junior FO and junior CA in IAH. Recruiters and management and trolls there can lie so be careful. They are touting new CRJ200 flying (announced) and 175 flying (promised if the pilots enter into a long term contract - looks like GoJet 700’s are being replaced with 175’s). Neither will likely be IAH based. So, plan on the 145 in IAH.

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2658294)

Mesa has a DFW and IAH base. DFW is the CRJ and IAH is the 175. It is what it is. You fly a lot. You upgrade quickly. You move on. Just be careful to not cross aircraft in your upgrade. There are also downsides: insurance costs and schedule flexibility once assigned.

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2658294)

If you are a decent pilot and can afford to take your time at a regional, Republic and Envoy have the best reputations.

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2658342)

That is something he should consider too. Heard Kalitta is cleaning house at Xjet.

With 2000 PIC, he would upgrade for Mesa in IAH after he received two CA recommendations.

Originally Posted by Azorian (Post 2658501)

I decided against Envoy because i was informed it was a 2 year agreement for the bonus and would be based in either Chicago or LGA. my previous employer had me working in both of those areas routinely, for months at a time and i was trying to work my way south and get away from ORD LGA not stay there on reserve. so Envoy is out



Republic is on my short list, so thats an option



good to know



Im flexible, DFW would be the easier commute, but just barely, based on the website, IAH most junior captain was hired in April 2018, obviously he was a similar case as me and had sufficient prior 121 experience to upgrade quickly. I wouldn't be able to last very long on FO pay so the fast upgrade would be a must.



I have my eye on United long term, but will need an ATP and currently do not have one, I have 121 and 135 experience, and gobs of hours instructing etc

i can go pay for an ATP out of my own pocket, or i can trade a place like mesa / republic a couple of years of my life in exchange for good recent jet experience and an ATP on their dime.


and...



sorry for the confusion, my experience in 121 land is about 2,000 hours SIC time, not PIC

I am currently PIC at a 135 outfit flying turbo-prop aircraft that dont require an ATP

hence the reason im looking at regionals to start with; jet time, and an ATP

Originally Posted by Brody (Post 2658649)

Unless something has changed recently, it's also a two-year agreement for the bonus at Mesa

Originally Posted by greendotplus10 (Post 2658909)

Calmwinds’ skinny is a good idea of what to expect from these airlines. I’m a Republic guy in IAH. I live in base. The only non-rev travel I do is on the regionals, often on own metal (Republic flights), so I avoid the aggravation of jam packed mainline flights.

Everything is fine and dandy right now, but I’m worried about what I’m going to do when upgrade rolls around. Earliest available upgrade occurs around 2.5 years from DOH. This has been dropping, and hopefully it’ll stabilize at the 2 year mark.

The issue I’ve got is, earliest available upgrade as of right now is in EWR. That place sucks balls. It’s delayed all the time and way too many people everywhere. There’s no way I would commute there from IAH...all the flights are mainline United and every time I deadhead they are fully booked with 15+ on standby. If you’re commuting you won’t get on! LGA isn’t much better; also a junior CA base.

If I wait an additional few months I could hold PIT; that would be ok. I would live in base and pseudo-commute to Texas a couple times a month. But as of right now the time to hold a decent base like MCI or IAH is just going to take too long. I think if I’m going to stick around for the upgrade, I need to see some improvement in IAH.

Originally Posted by greendotplus10 (Post 2658909)

Calmwinds’ skinny is a good idea of what to expect from these airlines. I’m a Republic guy in IAH. I live in base. The only non-rev travel I do is on the regionals, often on own metal (Republic flights), so I avoid the aggravation of jam packed mainline flights.

Everything is fine and dandy right now, but I’m worried about what I’m going to do when upgrade rolls around. Earliest available upgrade occurs around 2.5 years from DOH. This has been dropping, and hopefully it’ll stabilize at the 2 year mark.

The issue I’ve got is, earliest available upgrade as of right now is in EWR. That place sucks balls. It’s delayed all the time and way too many people everywhere. There’s no way I would commute there from IAH...all the flights are mainline United and every time I deadhead they are fully booked with 15+ on standby. If you’re commuting you won’t get on! LGA isn’t much better; also a junior CA base.

If I wait an additional few months I could hold PIT; that would be ok. I would live in base and pseudo-commute to Texas a couple times a month. But as of right now the time to hold a decent base like MCI or IAH is just going to take too long. I think if I’m going to stick around for the upgrade, I need to see some improvement in IAH.

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2658954)

All regionals make you commit to a time period to give you a signing bonus - so don’t let the 2 years wave you off.

Originally Posted by Arliss (Post 2659158)

Spirit now flies IAH-EWR, that seems to be helping.

Originally Posted by Mustang62 (Post 2659166)

Nope, you don’t sign anything at 9E. You can walk the day after your IOE is complete and not owe a penny of the bonus.

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2659224)

What signing bonuses does 9E have?

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2658954)

I think you miss my point on Envoy. Guys do get to transfer back to DFW every month. It isn’t a life sentence in ORD or LGA.

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2658954)

All regionals make you commit to a time period to give you a signing bonus - so don’t let the 2 years wave you off.

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2658609)

I am not sure who told you the most junior captain date.

Originally Posted by Azorian (Post 2660341)

As it was explained to me - @ Envoy i could get back to DFW in about six months, but, as a street captain, every FO on property with a DOH prior to mine would upgrade on top of me in seniority order (as it should be) and base displacement is a thing that happens.

sorry, I like Envoy, i just couldnt see myself getting perma-junior manned with all the upgrades piling in on top of me.



sure, but some pills are easier to swallow. i dont mind a 2 year agreement if its palatable - If for example i was based in a location i could drive to once a week, no problem, even if it were a decently commutable base, like IAH - ATL or DFW - DEN/PHX etc...

but this aint my first rodeo, ive played the commuting game, and like other guys commenting here, i wouldnt want to commute to LGA or EWR or ORD for regional FO pay... no way.

wouldnt want to be based in those places anyhow if i could avoid it

im holding out for QOL more than anything, but i dont wanna go bankrupt flying on FO peanuts for 2 years before i hit an upgrade either, so the bonus is kinda needed

anywhere id go would need to be a pretty quick upgrade as in 6-12 months. I have a house to pay for and kids to feed over here lol



got that off the mesa air website...

Mesa Air Group

about a third of the way down


from the looks of that, you have captains upgrading into DFW, IAH and SDF with hire dates not 5-6 months old

EDIT: given, those hire dates are probably hires who came on with 1,000 hours 121 - as would be the case with me

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2660401)

Just out of date with the latest standing bid. I believe the Ejet and IAH is the best bet. IAH Ejets upgrades anyone with two captain recommendations and 1,000 hours last month.

IAH’s reserve only runs 2 years out from date of hire. I expect this to drop. You will want to know how long it takes to hold a line at each base you are interested in.

Originally Posted by greendotplus10 (Post 2660443)

if you are in IAH, it’s yours to keep as long as Mesa doesn’t open another E175 base, which IAH is the only one right now. Mesa folks please correct me if I am wrong.

Originally Posted by No Land 3 (Post 2660403)

If you are going to be a Jr CA at DFW, I'd suggest living on base.

Originally Posted by pangolin (Post 2660645)

I agree. 4-5 Months to hold a line in DFW upgrading with normal senority and no 121 time when hired. However, these early upgrades - there are about 4 of them - below a standard FO will help things considerably for those who have been here a while. Still you need to have at least 15 below you to hold a line in DFW - maybe 20 the way the company is monkeying with the PBS runs.

Originally Posted by calmwinds (Post 2660703)

Last month, 10 below you to hold a line on the Ejet in IAH.