If I had earlier class date with SkyWest like November or December it would be an easy decision. Like this I am tempted to go to Mesa. I got put on wait list for SkyWest for an earlier class date hoping that something will open up.

 

I can’t believe this is even a discussion

 

yes of course, was in response to the statements: “No regional airline is going to willingly grant you vacation time during your first twelve months of employment unless you accidentally have a break in training. . . . but you still won’t get vacation within the first year.”

You can buy it. And you should as it can be sold back if you don’t need it, and if incentive is available it’s a no brainer. (Buy at 1x, fly at 2 or 3x)

 

Dude. When you finish training you won’t have two weeks vacation. If the trip is that important wait till after the trip to start.

 

You can buy it but you can’t take it unless it’s available.

 

Explain “buy “ vacation? I don’t think I’ve heard of that. Instead of earning vacation you can buy it? What would it cost?

 

Thus the comment, “March is gonna be tough”
not recommending a course of action (other than new hires should 100% buy the week to use or not use as they see fit), but to the comment saying it’s impossible to get vacation in the first year— that isn’t necessarily the case with Mesa.

for the last post, buying means you pay exactly what the benefit is taking out over time from your pay, now you have a week avail. End of each calendar year there is a vacation bud for calendar weeks (weeks 1 through 52). If you are a new hire in day January, you will miss the normal bid, but can request any week for your position, equipment, location that might be available for current year. With movement and attrition, weeks will open up, just maybe not spring break weeks and Christmas weeks, etc. if premium is offered over the summer pretty easy to make that week work for you as a first year FO (pay 1x the benefit over time, earn > 1x the benefit)

agree OP should wait if this is the most important thing for him/her.

 

I agree with all this for the most part except that this year is different. Available vacation slots for 2023 were determined based on staffing in September 2022. Only enough slots for those pilots on property then are allocated. You can buy the accrued time but the odds of a week opening up in 2023 with the aggressive hiring we are doing are slim to none.

 

Does Mesa pay you during training and if yes how much?

 

Cancelled Class date with Mesa and picked Skywest. Wish me luck!