Mesa
11-02-2013 | 10:56 AM
#492
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 0
Here are a few things that come to mind.
In the old days:
10 days off minimum for RSV
No block or better
No Line guarantee (no cancellation pay)
Zero recourse for Junior Assignment
8,10,or 12 hour ready reserve (usually assignment was 10 hours - but still)
No ASAP program
Fatigue calls resulted in hold for the chief pilot, where you would be questioned.
Brutal 5 day integration process between monthly paper bids
Now we have:
11 days off for RSV
Block or better
Line guarantee w/ cancellation pay
Junior assignment only if you agree that you are available.
6,8, or 10 hour ready reserve (usual assignment is 8 hours)
ASAP program
Fatigue call results in a polite request to go online and fill out a fatigue form, that's it! Period!
Commuter clause, but I've heard it is kind of useless.
We also have FLICA and PBS now, but I won't list them as positives because staffing rarely permits FLICA's true usefulness, and PBS is debated between Sr, and Jr. pilots as to whether it is a positive. I like it better for RSV because you have much more flexibility on days off, but again I'm senior on reserve.
We've also lost some ground on a few things over the years too. Company has gotten much more aggressive with a new non-negotiated attendance policy. Health insurance is worse than laughable - worse rip-off known to man!
Want more warm and fuzzys - check out my old post here:
In the old days:
10 days off minimum for RSV
No block or better
No Line guarantee (no cancellation pay)
Zero recourse for Junior Assignment
8,10,or 12 hour ready reserve (usually assignment was 10 hours - but still)
No ASAP program
Fatigue calls resulted in hold for the chief pilot, where you would be questioned.
Brutal 5 day integration process between monthly paper bids
Now we have:
11 days off for RSV
Block or better
Line guarantee w/ cancellation pay
Junior assignment only if you agree that you are available.
6,8, or 10 hour ready reserve (usual assignment is 8 hours)
ASAP program
Fatigue call results in a polite request to go online and fill out a fatigue form, that's it! Period!
Commuter clause, but I've heard it is kind of useless.
We also have FLICA and PBS now, but I won't list them as positives because staffing rarely permits FLICA's true usefulness, and PBS is debated between Sr, and Jr. pilots as to whether it is a positive. I like it better for RSV because you have much more flexibility on days off, but again I'm senior on reserve.
We've also lost some ground on a few things over the years too. Company has gotten much more aggressive with a new non-negotiated attendance policy. Health insurance is worse than laughable - worse rip-off known to man!
Want more warm and fuzzys - check out my old post here:
A few positives just for fun.
#1) Training
I don't know how to compare our training department to others because I've only been here, but after 10 years here, many years in the Navy and in other professional fields I am continually impressed with the degree of professionalism that the individual instructors, examiners and check-airmen exude. With rare exception they have always been extremely competent, understanding, helpful, and enjoyable.
Strangely whenever I've been in the pipeline for a transition (3 different a/c over 2 different certificates) or upgrade, or recurrent. I absolutely feel like I'm at a different company. Hell even ASAP remedial was a pleasure - sorry it's true!
You will have a solid training experience here, no doubt about it!
#2)
Chief Pilots out west are phenomenal! (Can't speak to the ones out east) These guys work their asses off for the pilot group. In many cases their hands are tied, but they persist in trying to do the right thing and are extremely fair. They are not out to get you, and are real pilot's pilots, (experienced pilots from the old school). We're dang lucky to have them, and most of us know it!
#3)
Down to earth professional crews who work hard, fly well, and act like decent human beings to one another and the people they come in contact with i.e. station personnel. Sounds mushy but we're all beat up and we know it, the only thing we truly have is each other, and so we tend to protect it, for sanity's sake.
#4)
A fleet of big RJ's.
#5)
Electronic Flight Bag! Yes, i know we have to pay for the Ipad ourselves but I don't mind because this is huge
#6)
Very good on-time/completion numbers which hopefully translates into extended contracts and future business. Please see #3 for the reason behind this.
This is not Koolaid guys. Trust me, I'm a big critic of this place, but I also know good things when I see them, and what I've mentioned in this post is the truly good, and not the only good, there is more, but this stands out for me.
#1) Training
I don't know how to compare our training department to others because I've only been here, but after 10 years here, many years in the Navy and in other professional fields I am continually impressed with the degree of professionalism that the individual instructors, examiners and check-airmen exude. With rare exception they have always been extremely competent, understanding, helpful, and enjoyable.
Strangely whenever I've been in the pipeline for a transition (3 different a/c over 2 different certificates) or upgrade, or recurrent. I absolutely feel like I'm at a different company. Hell even ASAP remedial was a pleasure - sorry it's true!
You will have a solid training experience here, no doubt about it!
#2)
Chief Pilots out west are phenomenal! (Can't speak to the ones out east) These guys work their asses off for the pilot group. In many cases their hands are tied, but they persist in trying to do the right thing and are extremely fair. They are not out to get you, and are real pilot's pilots, (experienced pilots from the old school). We're dang lucky to have them, and most of us know it!
#3)
Down to earth professional crews who work hard, fly well, and act like decent human beings to one another and the people they come in contact with i.e. station personnel. Sounds mushy but we're all beat up and we know it, the only thing we truly have is each other, and so we tend to protect it, for sanity's sake.
#4)
A fleet of big RJ's.
#5)
Electronic Flight Bag! Yes, i know we have to pay for the Ipad ourselves but I don't mind because this is huge
#6)
Very good on-time/completion numbers which hopefully translates into extended contracts and future business. Please see #3 for the reason behind this.
This is not Koolaid guys. Trust me, I'm a big critic of this place, but I also know good things when I see them, and what I've mentioned in this post is the truly good, and not the only good, there is more, but this stands out for me.
Last edited by sulkair; 11-02-2013 at 11:40 AM.
11-02-2013 | 12:02 PM
#494
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 0
The industry average employee contribution for health care insurance monthly premiums is 25-35 percent. You, as a Mesa pilot, contribute more than double that amount depending upon the plan you’re on...
11-02-2013 | 12:21 PM
#495
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Cloud surfing
Here are a few things that come to mind.
In the old days:
10 days off minimum for RSV
No block or better
No Line guarantee (no cancellation pay)
Zero recourse for Junior Assignment
8,10,or 12 hour ready reserve (usually assignment was 10 hours - but still)
No ASAP program
Fatigue calls resulted in hold for the chief pilot, where you would be questioned.
Brutal 5 day integration process between monthly paper bids
Now we have:
11 days off for RSV
Block or better
Line guarantee w/ cancellation pay
Junior assignment only if you agree that you are available.
6,8, or 10 hour ready reserve (usual assignment is 8 hours)
ASAP program
Fatigue call results in a polite request to go online and fill out a fatigue form, that's it! Period!
Commuter clause, but I've heard it is kind of useless.
We also have FLICA and PBS now, but I won't list them as positives because staffing rarely permits FLICA's true usefulness, and PBS is debated between Sr, and Jr. pilots as to whether it is a positive. I like it better for RSV because you have much more flexibility on days off, but again I'm senior on reserve.
We've also lost some ground on a few things over the years too. Company has gotten much more aggressive with a new non-negotiated attendance policy. Health insurance is worse than laughable - worse rip-off known to man!
Want more warm and fuzzys - check out my old post here:
In the old days:
10 days off minimum for RSV
No block or better
No Line guarantee (no cancellation pay)
Zero recourse for Junior Assignment
8,10,or 12 hour ready reserve (usually assignment was 10 hours - but still)
No ASAP program
Fatigue calls resulted in hold for the chief pilot, where you would be questioned.
Brutal 5 day integration process between monthly paper bids
Now we have:
11 days off for RSV
Block or better
Line guarantee w/ cancellation pay
Junior assignment only if you agree that you are available.
6,8, or 10 hour ready reserve (usual assignment is 8 hours)
ASAP program
Fatigue call results in a polite request to go online and fill out a fatigue form, that's it! Period!
Commuter clause, but I've heard it is kind of useless.
We also have FLICA and PBS now, but I won't list them as positives because staffing rarely permits FLICA's true usefulness, and PBS is debated between Sr, and Jr. pilots as to whether it is a positive. I like it better for RSV because you have much more flexibility on days off, but again I'm senior on reserve.
We've also lost some ground on a few things over the years too. Company has gotten much more aggressive with a new non-negotiated attendance policy. Health insurance is worse than laughable - worse rip-off known to man!
Want more warm and fuzzys - check out my old post here:
11-02-2013 | 12:38 PM
#496
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 0
You're welcome. Many have done the same for me, so I'm just giving back.
I feel everyone deserves truthful information to make such an important decision? Do I recommend Mesa? Yep I do!
Of course you guys know, anything, including our new deliveries, can change in a microsecond in this industry. That said, if a person lets that fact rule over them, they'll be paralyzed. Pragmatically speaking, every person must move forward with the best information they have at the time.
I also welcome dissenting opinions.
I feel everyone deserves truthful information to make such an important decision? Do I recommend Mesa? Yep I do!
Of course you guys know, anything, including our new deliveries, can change in a microsecond in this industry. That said, if a person lets that fact rule over them, they'll be paralyzed. Pragmatically speaking, every person must move forward with the best information they have at the time.
I also welcome dissenting opinions.
11-02-2013 | 12:49 PM
#497
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,610
Likes: 15
Ouch. Speaking of ALPA, how are negotiations going?
11-03-2013 | 05:07 AM
#498
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Just joined the November class. I'm choosing Mesa because there seems to be growth here. Nothing is certain but why not take a chance?
11-03-2013 | 06:34 AM
#499
West Coast livin
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 984
Likes: 0
From: Captain
Hey guys, glad to see Mesa is doing well. With that, can anyone tell me what is the recommended IPAD specs (memory,etc) for an IPAD for use with MESA? Thanks.
11-03-2013 | 09:44 AM
#500
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
You can only use ipad 2,3 or 4 at this time. 16gb is enough but I went with a 32gb because i use it a lot for personal stuff. Also, the models with 3G/4G capability are convenient for using the net when laying over when you don't feel like paying for wifi. Pilots based in Hawaii have to use paper charts.
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