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The guy is an idiot, that's why he's sitting on the sidelines in front of a computer instead of in the cockpit.

 

Tinman, reading comprehension aside, my posts have nothing to do with entitlement. As a professional pilot, I want assurances that I am not assuming all the risk when I step into the cockpit. A company that hires anyone with the minimum requirements without any form of selection criteria is making the pilot assume all the risk. In my opinion, if you've never been through airline training, it is PROFESSIONAL of an airline to not permit anyone who has subpar piloting skills through your door at the risk of failing training. What's even more sad is that a company would allow anyone through the door with ATP mins regardless of their airmanship.

Flaps, I literally addressed your points several times in previous posts. Not a single thing I've said about Mesa has been untrue. Yes, it is cast in a negative light because the cheerleading squad here is more than capable, along with their recruiting department, of spreading the good word. In my opinion, if some of the more critical posters didn't visit the Mesa thread, it would only be about how awesome and perfect Mesa is. So, why am I doing it? Partly because I'm bored and reading every airline's thread gives me something to do. When I see something that is blatently wrong, speculative but made to sound like fact, or ridiculous, I comment.

Next point. You keep saying the words "Privately Held" like I, or anyone else in the world, should care. Just because you are a privately held company doesn't mean everything you do should be private. If you think that, then maybe going back to high school econ would be advisable. A privately held company is just as accountable to its employees and the public (in terms of fair labor practices) as a publicly traded one. According to your statement, if it is found that a local company is skirting around paying overtime when it is due, anyone who protests should be quiet because its none of their business?

Finally, why do I need to be a current airline CEO to question a company's business practices? Do you need to be a Captain to question his decision making? Do I need to be the President to question how to run the country? In my many years inside and outside of aviation, I've found that those individuals unable to think critically for themselves and only ever spout the company line even if it is at their own detriment, typically have not matured mentally.

 

Did I what?

 

he just loves to call people out on busted rides even though he has a few himself. probably thinks hes hit the jackpot sonce he got away from that mess they call silver and is at skywest.

 

I get what you are saying, but it sounds like you are throwing yourself a giant pity party because an unstable segment of the industry that pays fast food entry level wages cannot attract skilled workers. Regional and mainline management collaborated on this one...this is their baby. The relaxed standards in terms of hiring is an industry wide event. Go look up interview gouges from 3-4 years ago and you can see a difference. It's all supply and demand. The market was flooded with applicants for fewer jobs back then and companies had to look for ways to slim down the pool of applicants to fill the few available slots.

But let's be honest, we're not exactly flying the space shuttle and anyone semi capable with enough motivation and effort can make it through a 121 training program. I used to work with a lot of instructors whose airmanship, let's just say, left a little to be desired and nearly every single one of those clowns made it through 121 training at a variety of different regionals. Hell I know of more than one regional that doesn't even do a sim eval anymore. Are all of these companies setting their candidates up for failure? Folks seems to be making it through training...

It has NOTHING to do with the interview, or lack thereof. The hilariously low pay and working conditions are attracting the kind of pilot you keep mentioning in your posts.

 

I don't know how someone could reach 1500 hours and not be competent in an airplane. Maybe they're not Chuck Yeager, but surely they're capable of flying an RJ...

I'll grant you a very small percentage (~1%) of those people might not be, but their reaching 1500 is probably a fluke more than anything (i.e. bummed around in dad's Cessna 152 in perfect VFR all the time).

 

Banner towing, jump plane flying, etc. If you don't make an effort to use your IFR skills, they will deteriorate.

Tinman, it's not a pity party. It's doing my best to educate whomever is reading this the tactics of a company. Maybe some people will think twice about going to Mesa and MAYBE, you'll have some footing in your nonexistent contract negotiations. The voice of the company is getting louder in Congress because of the pinch they are feeling. Our only option is to continue to speak the truth and with our choice or employment.

 

Back on track...

More CRJ upgrades... Let's see how junior the award goes now...

 

It absolutely happens.

Flying isn't just about stick and rudder. I'd take a poor stick and rudder guy every day as long as he was good at making decisions under pressure and had some integrity. The most dangerous guys out there are overconfident people who don't follow the rules.

Have you even flown the RJ yet? I know the training is very, very, understanding but might want to save it until you've at least passed a ride.