Big Decisions!
 

As a possible new hire I've got to get some answers for a few questions that may crop up in conversations with the commandant (wife)! I've searched through the forum so I'll list what I've picked up on and you guys can tell me if I'm wrong. Then I'll get to the things I couldn't find. 1)If you get the 175 you go to IAH and stay until another 175 base starts or United takes the 175s back. 2) New hires are on reserve about 2-3 months at IAH. 3) 175 training schedules are all over the place and may not be linear in time so you could get time off without pay. 4) Until you get some seniority you'll be doing a lot of flying and this may mean that commuting from another state may be difficult thus requiring a rental apartment. 5) Health insurance for the primary employee by themselves is expensive! Now the things I missed: A)How much can a new FO make a year if he likes to fly his ass off? B) How much does that single person insurance cost a month? C) If I commute, how much time per month would be away from home on average? I'm new to 121 as I spent my
flying time doing 91 and 135. Thanks in advance!

3. is wrong. You get “paid time off” ... with flight benefits. I tell pilots to take their wife and go to Australia with their United flight benefits or someplace else cool.

4. there are crash pads. Most people who commute use these until they get a commutable schedule. They start around $175 per month and you share a room.

A. As an FO, I made about $60k but 300% has come to an end. Typically, a rule of thumb is 1,000 times the hourly rate plus 80 hours per diem per week times the per diem hourly rate.

B. I don’t use the Mesa insurance. Why are you asking about single coverage with a wife?

C. You get 11 days off contractually. If you commute, that might eat one day into your time off. I usually received between 11 days (when on reserve) to 14 days off. Some months I got 17 days off.

Where are you commuting from?

Calm Winds, thanks for the reply. I would be commuting from PBI or FLL. My wife and kids have insurance through her work and my present employer pays for mine in full.

Just add yourself to her policy. That is what I did.

Which other regionals are you looking at? Republic at MIA seems to me to be a better fit. What brings you to Mesa?

I've looked at all of them but "no joy" on the ones that have bases in FL. In Mesa I see opportunity. I think IAH might be a doable commute from S. FLA.

There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell UAL flies the -175 on their senority list. Their President wants more RJs. Hopefully ALPA doesn’t cave on scope.

Mesa will certainly work. You should build time at 80 hours per month in IAH for every month off of reserve.

Since you are committed to commuting, cast your net wider. SKW out of Chicago might also be a good fit. I have a friend who commutes there out of Florida with no problems.

I have friends that do or did that commute. They haven't shot themselves, so it must be ok. You get some experience, then perhaps go over to Western Global and drive to work.

If IAH remains the only 175 base, you'll go there as an FO and then upgrade straight into IAH. This is unique to Mesa. At no other regional can you upgrade in IAH that easily. This is a pretty big deal for folks that live near IAH, or are willing to make the move there.

To really take advantage of this however, you really need to live in base! I, and many others will tell you to avoid commuting if at all possible. I know not everyone can pick up a family and move though. If you are going to have the commute anyway, other regionals could be a better pick, as far as pay, benefits, and QOL go.

I want to thank all the members that responded to my post and answered my questions. After looking at the compensation info and logistics of working for Mesa my wife and I decided that at this time we couldn't make the finances work. I was really looking forward to training and flying with Mesa. Thanks again everyone!