Hes kind of right. About 2 years back there we’re 2 majors that as soon as they saw LCA on application the called people in for interviews. At a certain regional that was happening at a rampage. Even before there fed rides they would leave... now they ask for a 1 year commitment..

Calmwinds is not a LCA. Big difference there..

Not for the reason(s) you might think.

I speak to pilots at Mesa on a daily basis - most are qualified to fly for a major, have their applications in, many attend the big job fairs - but most never even get called for an interview. Most of those who do - don't get the job. Most have no blemishes on their record.

This profession is akin to choosing a line at the supermarket. You stand in the line that looks the quickest - but too often it isn't. You had no way of knowing - so it's not really your fault . . . it's just way it worked out. Decisions you make early in your career that seem insignificant can prove to be career-changing. Some for the better - some not.

I don't know you - and certainly don't wish anything bad on you. I hope all Mesa pilots who want to move on - do. That said, their appears to be collusion at the highest levels when it comes to hiring regional pilots. Specifically, it is a financial windfall for legacies to keep the regionals intact and pay us pennies-on-the-dollar. Why wouldn't they? We're - for lack of a better term - slave labor. Why wouldn't they infiltrate our unions? Fight us on seemingly everything?

Maybe you'll get your 1000 PIC and move on. I hope you do.

Just don't be surprised if the phone doesn't ring when you think it will.

Not that hard to do when the Regionals and Majors are represented by the same Union.

Then there's something ELSE going on. I know pilots moving on from Mesa RECENTLY to:

American
United
Spirit
Alaska
Atlas (FO)
Kallita
Southwest
Frontier (FO)

So having Mesa on your resume isn't the handicap. There's something ELSE stopping one from getting "the call". I also know Mesa captains who have turned down "the call" because of the initial pay cut.

The point is - Mesa isn't handicapping anyone. Something else on their resume or background is.

I know Mesa pilots who have gone to these companies as well.

I also know that there aren't nearly enough of us getting out - counting, of course, the ones trying to get out.

Keep living in your bubble if it makes you happy.

They were asking for $33 per hour first year and $45 per hour by 4th year. There’s more to it then just first year pay.

I'll tell you what keeps people from moving on... Being afraid to leave their comfort zone, and convincing themselves that the grass isn't really greener. Being afraid to try something completely different, or hesitant to pull the trigger at the right time. Holding out for their dream job while other opportunities pass them by. This isn't a Mesa issue, this is simply pilots being their own worse enemy.