I agree the pay rates are horrible, but I'm not going to laugh and rub it in the faces of those who work here.

I'd rather be a broke FO than a classless fool.

 

As far as I understand, Mesa has a pay scale for Captains based on number of aircraft seats. They have a 50-seat scale, 76-seat scale and 76+ seat scale. The 76+ seat scale is the highest by about $10/hr. They have about 50-60 crj 900s. The newer 900s have 76 seats and the older ones have 79 seats. The newer 900s are on a lower pay scale than the older ones. Same airplane, same airline, different pay rates. The reason for newer 900s having less seats is scope. If Mesa removed three seats from all their older 900s, Pilots would see a 10% loss of pay. The brand E175s pay less than the older 900s because they have 76 seats. The brand new 175s pay the same as their 700s. They also have a 50 seat pay rate, even though they don't operate any 50 seaters under CPAs. For sicktime, vacation, and most other soft pay, Captains receive 50-seat pay rates.

 

That's the long and short of it

 

Why? Is it a tough drive? I've heard the area around the airport is sort of awful and it's better to live west of the city.


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Yes, the area around IAH is awful (though better than around HOU). Especially Greenspoint. Plus, a car is an absolute necessity (which is no fun if you're a commuter...)

 

Tough choice. Way more flexibility with the CRJ but so SJS on the EJet.


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Your right, it's better to rationalize the pay rates and stick your head in the sand than to face the issue head on and try to do something about it.

Maybe if more people felt ashamed or embarrassed, and actually got upset about the state of the industry, instead of just rationalizing everything, things would start to change.

 

Who's rationalizing the pay here? I hate to break it to you, but logging onto APC and b*tching about it is not going to spark a change. How about instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, which is what you are suggesting, we go to the flight schools and tell them to start selling lies to the up and coming prospective airline pilots? If more were discouraged from making this a career then maybe we could have the leverage to get the gains we all want.

I'm all about being the change, but whining about it online is not the change we are aiming for like so many do on here. And in your case, taking shots at your colleagues and making snide remarks is not going to force that change either. I don't see how you think you're giving back to the community here and trying to make the industry better as a whole with your smart @ss remarks. But by all means, keep doing it if that's what you think is best for everyone.

 

Because the OP didn't sound like an SJS'er, but was rather stating a valid point. The CR2 is the "junk-jet" of the CRJ line, thus the line is practically dormant. In fact, the CRJ line doesn't compare with the Ejet line when it comes to performance, mission capability, passenger comfort, and so on.

But yes they are shiny, for now.

 

I don't think its so much a rationalization as it is a realization. 5-10 years ago both UAL/CAL and DAL had over 1500 airframes contracted out combined. By YE 2015 combined it will be just over 900. Its simple supply and demand, and the majors have the ability to put out these cut throat CPA's.

The realization is this.....is your goal to fly contracted work for the major, and improve the existence as a contractor? Or, maybe an understanding that with those cut throat CPA's comes very little negotiating leverage (PSA, ENY, etc) and the goal for many is to get in and out as quickly as possible.

I think most folks fall in to the "this is temporary" category and are focusing on getting out. It is a shame of how Mesa treats its employees, but the state of the industry enables that.