Bearhawk23

Hey All,

I have a couple friends at Mesa now and they all actually speak relatively well of the program now! So I was just wondering if the cadet program was a contract agreement to go to Mesa when I have 1500? Everyone knows that the industry changes every moment and so I just don't want to be locked into a contract if for some reason things start to go south again. But, the benefits seem pretty nice and are definitely something I wouldn't mind using!

NovemberBravo

I would assume if you take any money you are locked in. But even if you do they can’t make you come. They’ll come after you for repayment though.

ERPlaneguy87

So everybody on here usually says don’t commit to any one place, don’t sign anything, and don’t take money.

but? I’m in a similar position and I’m leaning toward Mesa. If I’m already going that cadet program with whatever limited flight benefits and advance on the signing bonus seem nice, right? I talked to a recruiter the other day and I advise doing so to be your first step. Call them up. They’re incredibly friendly and will get answers you need.

I was told you do a Skype type of interview once you have your commercial single/other requirements. They ask STAR based questions, (Situation, task, action, result) and then generally will give you the offer into the cadet program. They’ll have cadet day where they get everybody to tour the HQ and do the meet and greet type of stuff. And, on par with most other programs, they tell you to give them the best guess you have as to when your hours will be compete, then they reserve you a seat in the next closest class date. If you get in earlier, you go to class earlier. But the caveat is once you’re in, and you accept that money, you have 18 months to finish your hours and be on boarded. That’s the general idea as I understand it.

Again, call the recruiters for the true scoop cause forum dudes like myself might be fuzzy on details and won’t have the same information that the cadet specific recruiter will have. Also understand the $10k advance comes out of the FO sign on bonus, so factor that into your year 1/2 pay accordingl!

Avgeek7248

So I am curious what makes Mesa the place for you guys? If you're relatively low hour guys I wouldn't lock yourself into a program. I thought for sure I was going Horizon and was dead set on going there until I applied and told me they coudn't get me into class on the ERJ until Feb. of 2020. This was almost a year ago and I lived in phoenix and decided Mesa sounded like a solid place for someone already living in Phoenix. Looking back at it I am happy with my choice so far that being said things can change quickly. Now I know you guys will have fairly concrete class dates but I would still stay cautious about locking into a regional. If you have any questions about Mesa feel free to PM me. I am pretty honest and open on the pros and cons here.

Bearhawk23

Thanks for the reply! For me it’s mainly hearing from friends that the group dynamic is pretty great there, upgrades are fast, and overall not a bad company to work for plus there’s the aviate program with United.

But from what I’m getting the Mesa cadet program will lock you into the program? Aside from having to pay back the $10,000 what other repercussions come from going to another regional if in a year from now I hear from friends that Mesa isn’t all it was cut out to be?


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ERPlaneguy87

I think you're only committed to the company if you accept the money. If not it's no obligation just like some of the other cadet programs out there; meet with the company leadership, maybe get a current pilot as a mentor, get a more inside scoop for the company etc. But as soon as you take any money, it's more concrete and they sorta expect you to come to them. Idk how buying yourself out of any of that works but if you're just interested and want to see behind the scenes, then there's no penalty for being apart of them!

I've talked to a few Mesa pilots irl, on here, on social media. Most came from military flying and used the transition program to get their foot in the door, and they all honestly seemed like genuine, cool, and honest people. None of them tried to sell me something and all were very upfront with what could be better, what to watch out for in training, good/bad/ugly, etc. I think the opportunity to see things that aren't straight-up recruiting elements and meet the people you'd work your trips with is a good measure of if you'd like it there or not. I'm not a Mesa cadet, or anyone cadet, but I have had numerous buddies and IPs go to various regionals and I like to think I have a mild idea of what most places are like. For me Mesa being UAX and having IAD as a new hire base sold me for the last year or so, and now things are changing which is exciting. You never know who is going to be the next big thing

jriveraaw

so I’m currently a Mesa pilot at DFW. With any company, if they give you any money, it’s based on a contract. If you don’t fulfill your end of the contract, they get their money back. I promise you, every airline has the same problems, there’s always guys who ***** and moan about everything. Unfortunately, it’s kinda tough for us to move on beyond Mesa because we don’t have any flow. The United Aviate thing is nice, but it’s only for those on the united side and there’s no guaranteed spot (as in you still gotta apply and interview). If I could do it all over again, I’d do the cadet program with a wholly owned. Mesa isn’t a bad place at all, I mean I hit the line in July last year and I’ll upgrade in august this year. My schedules are fantastic. Only problem is, very few of us move on to a legacy carrier. If your goal is a low cost carrier, then great. But don’t count on American or Delta.

Avgeek7248

thats because there’s lots of lifers or career changers here. As long as you got a 4 year, got some TPIC, and a clean record you’ll get picked up by the legacies in the next 5 years guaranteed. Most people that get stuck here don’t have one of these or have a black mark. Hell there’s been morons that got hired on at legacies and bent metal here.

jriveraaw

i sure hope you’re right. I’ve flown with quite a few guys here who have all the qualifications in the world and couldn’t get picked up by a legacy.

No Land 3

Maybe you haven't done enough fake virtue signaling. Should pretend to enjoy volunteering at soup kitchens more often feeding the riff raff, throw some rainbow flair all over your facebook page, maybe even refer to yourself as a male feminist. Maybe even dress in drag and take some hormones and once IOE is over, revert back to your original identity and sex.