Mesa
05-04-2015 | 05:04 PM
#8082
On Reserve
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Sitting
Are there any options to take days as unavailable (unpaid days) other than vacation or take vacation in advance? I have a trip planned and paid for in the fall.
05-05-2015 | 08:11 AM
#8085
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
No Dummy. Goldenjet is a GJ pilot. I work for a company that did create GJ but the pilot group has improved the contract leaps and bounds since then. What has the Mesa pilot group done to improve working conditions? The upgrade time at TSA is shorter than at Mesa. So, why go to Mesa again? You claim that TPIC is the most important factor but you do so while sacrificing QOL and pay. At Mesa, you're going to make 5-10k less than at TSA per year flying bigger, new aircraft. If Mesa had a hard time staffing, I would be willing to bet they would have much more leverage with their contract negotiations. But it's fine. You can justify one of the worst benefits and pay packages in all of aviation. You can say, "go to Mesa because you'll be at United in no time!" What's the reality? Have you read the hiring sections? Many people from United are saying civilian pilots are averaging 10,000 flight hours in new hire classes. Even if that's an over statement, you're still looking at spending no less than 5 years at a regional. The best leverage Mesa has is the pilot pay shortage. But keep telling these kids that they'll upgrade and be at United in no time. That's a lie. The very few going to the majors with less than 3000TT right now are the military or incredibly well connected. Otherwise, with a Bachelor's in English from State U, you're one of several thousand.
You seem to be a "recent history only" kind of guy which explains why you don't get it, so let's go back a few more years. Mesa pilots have constantly had to play defense with JO by fighting alter egos, and most recently bankruptcy that slashed half the Mesa pilot group. And that was all in the last 15 years! Tell me, where was the opportunity to make gains in that time period?
As far as upgrade time, I'd say 4 1/2 months is pretty good, but not as good as your CQFO program. Pretty much, if you have the 1,000 SIC and the desire you can upgrade at Mesa. Now, I never said TPIC was the most important thing, but it's up there trust me. You mention QOL and pay, and you are correct. So lets compare TSA and MAG:
TSA: bases in IAD, STL, DEN, ORD with starting FO pay at $25/hr. 2nd year pay you go to $35/hr as an FO, or $64/hr as a CA.
MAG: bases in IAH, PHX, DFW, IAD with starting FO pay at $22/hr. 2nd year FO pay is $29/hr, or $63/hr as a CA.
So TSA pays better on 1st year pay by a whopping $3/hr, and since anyone who truly wants will upgrade in their 2nd year, TSA has another whopper with a whole $1/hr better 2nd year CA rate. So really it comes down to where you want to live, and what kind of flying you want to do, is it worth commuting for an extra couple of bucks? I will also add that, much to my annoyance, that the Ejet has many of the same features we use at mainline with VNAV and auto throttles. Now, I know that sounds like some ERAU dorkiness talking, but we do everything in VNAV at UAL and it's hard to break some new-hires from the old "dive and drive" method. MAG has a long term future as they reorganized in bankruptcy, and they have scope language that prevents the situation at TSA/GJ/Compass from happening. UAL is parking 50 seaters, and yes they will most likely be gone within the next 5 years, whereas MAG has all 70/76 seaters.
The reality of getting hired on at United changes daily, and it changes for the better for those at the regionals. We need to hire and average of 100 per month for the foreseeable future, and we are maxed out right now with 26 interviews per week, you do the math on that. Your 5 year statement is incorrect unless we live in a vacuum.
United is parking 50-seaters and no one is denying that. Going to place like XJT or even Envoy right now might not be advisable but I would be willing to bet my career (hence why I'm here) TSA or TSA/GJ/Compass in its current size will be around for quite some time. I'm not even saying TSA has the best contract. There are many areas that need lots of work. Unfortunately, the ones with the best contracts are the ones that are shrinking.
Your last statement is very true. Essentially there are 3 types of regionals. Regionals like Horizon have a niche, regionals like ARW have a very top heavy seniority list with a decent contract for pilots who are making it their career, this means stagnation. Then there is the plethora of regionals with contracts that have a variety of suckiness in them. Try to improve when & where you can, but for the most "get in, get out, and get on with your career".
05-05-2015 | 11:57 AM
#8086
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
Hey CBreezy, here is what I saw on the TSA CQFO board:
You see many Mesa pilots talking like this on here?
A little info. as to the progress of the MOU negotiations would go a long way. I mean there's a few deal breaker issues in there for me and its coming up on my deadline to return to my former job.... Mostly flying right seat to CQFOs that are junior to me! Surely ALPA ain't letting that fly.
05-05-2015 | 11:59 AM
#8087
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
United has approached SkyWest already about renewing these 700s, but United wants it at the current rate, SkyWest won't do it for those rates anymore. They need airplanes RIGHT NOW, they don't have time to wait around for 175s to come off the line. Thats why you will see 700 and 200s stick around for the next few years.
05-05-2015 | 12:34 PM
#8088
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Phoenix downsize out from standing bids. Awesome.
05-05-2015 | 12:45 PM
#8089
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
Knew that was coming
05-05-2015 | 01:04 PM
#8090
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
Surely this is directly related to us losing the LA flying. Otherwise.. no bueno.
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