I couldn’t agree more. A few weeks / months seniority is the difference of base, seat lock, and pay / QOL for YEARS considering what happened back when 9/11 happened and even the recession in 2008. Many guys spent their careers on the 73 or mad dog in the right seat for 10+ years instead of right seat in a 777 or left seat in something smaller due to seniority and lack of movement. Postponing upgrade, or larger equipment for any number of reasons turned out to be a horrible decision.

Get in, get your time ASAP, and get out.

 

This, especially at Mesa. Get hours and go. That’s basically JO’s philosophy, a high turnover rate keeps costs down.

 

I appreciate this advice. This has been my thought, go where I can fly the most to get the jet time and get to a major. As I get closer to the transition, I’ll be asking about reserve time again to make best decision.

 

I have been with Mesa for almost 2 years. I have heard a lot of negative stories from friends who were here in the past, so I came in with a really low bar of expectations all in the name of quick hours.

That being said, is Mesa has not disappointed me. I fly A LOT, I had the opportunity to upgrade at just over a year (flying the CRJ) and I like a lot of the people I fly with (yes there are those who we don't like, but you'll find that anywhere).

Mesa is still going to get you to do things that are in the grey area of legality, or tell you that the Pilot Working Agreement says one thing when it soys something different. They are just trying to get their flying covered with the least almost of effort.

My advice: Come to Mesa, especially if you are under 50 years old. That give you time to get you hours and move onto a major. If you do decide to come here, know the contract, know there LOU's and LOA's of the contract too. The real key, is take this serious, but have FUN with this. This is a good place to fly to build time and make friends, and maybe one the culture will improve as more and more younger pilots come in and stay a while.

 

Exactly. Having both makes things better than having one.

 

How was the training? I've been told it's a lot easier than PSA?

 

It’s different. PSA uses aqp vs whatever the old style is at Mesa. PSA has had many classes last year with over 50% attrition. For some reason unbeknownst to me in aqp you get two strikes before a check ride failure. That’s not the case in a Mesa check ride. However, Mesa will put the effort in to you if you put in the effort. That’s not the case at PSA. I know plenty of people that went through PSA training all the way to the check ride, didn’t pass and were released.

So, I wouldn’t say it’s easier, I would say they’re more willing to put more effort into someone than PSA.

 

???? Mesa is AQP, was when I was there

 

Not for initial.

 

This is true about Mesa. I think they figure if they’ve spent that much money on your training, and you show a willingness to put forth the effort, they will give you a chance to succeed.

I have heard of several instances of people failing FPT twice and being given a third chance. I know of a couple of instances of people failing the type ride twice for minor infractions (like getting a “Sink rate” GPWS on single engine ILS to mins) and passing on their third Pretty much anyone who fails a checkride once is given a second chance if they own up to the mistakes and correct them during the sim before the next checkride.

As long as you don’t have any unsats during your sim training, they’ll cut you some slack on the check rides.