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Mesa preps for E175 entry-into-service in June - 4/9/2014 - Flight Global


Mesa Airlines is preparing for the entry-into-service of its first Embraer 175 aircraft in June, as it begins a rapid expansion of its large regional jet fleet.

The Phoenix-based regional carrier is on track to place the aircraft into service with United Airlines on 15 June, says Jonathan Ornstein, chief executive of Mesa. Both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process and Mesa’s staffing needs for the fleet are moving along well, he says.

Mesa took delivery of its first E175, registered N88301 (MSN 17000388), in San Jose dos Campos and flew it to Phoenix Sky Harbor International airport on 2 April. United owns the aircraft.

Mesa will take delivery of an average of two E175s per month for 15 months, or until the end of 2015, says Ornstein. It will operate 30 of the type under a contract with United with the possibility for up to 40 more.

The airline is also in the process of adding four more Bombardier CRJ700s to its operations with American Airlines by the end of 2014 and is interested in additional regional flying for the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier.

United will use the E175s to replace regional jets with up to 50 seats on a roughly one-for-one basis.

“It’s clear these 76-seat airplanes make a lot of sense,” says Ornstein.
Mesa will initially fly the aircraft between United’s Houston Intercontinental base and Atlanta, Austin and New Orleans when they enter service.

“They want to assign them to business markets,” says Paul Foley, chief operating officer of Mesa. “With the range of these aircraft, they can be scheduled is business markets across the continent.”

United will also begin adding 40 E175s operated by SkyWest Airlines to its regional fleet in May. The aircraft will initially be based at Chicago O’Hare International airport.

lakehouse

Meanwhile eagle is losing 60+ month to majors and some Llcs, don't know anyone going to other regionals.

I think similar as expressjet. Why aren't Mesa guys getting hired?

Delta is hiring so is aal, airways, united is working through a pool. Hiring at frontier, jetblue and spirit. All places you'll see six figures 2md-3rd year except maybe frontier.

lakehouse

With the flow and career advancements eagle won't furlough regardless. These people can't return the airplanes fast enough. If you think more than few dribble of eagle pilots are going to Mesa your high.

Bzzt

Yes we have furlough protection I think it affects like ~2100 of the current pilots. I fall in that category but I can tell you with 100% certainty if I was furloughed if leave the industry, not start at another regional. I'm sure there are some FOs who would start over but it's not anywhere close to 100%.

lakehouse

It wouldn't be Mesa that's for sure.

Most guys have been here over 3 years, there are enough options that pay over 50k out there.

JohnLocke

I've noticed this, do certain carriers have a bad reputation with the majors or is it purely based off the individual?

lakehouse

They are staffing and awarding over 200 new large rjs while slowly retiring eagle 140s and chq 140s. I doubt they will transfer any planes away, maybe retire, but the staffing shortage here is just starting one of epic proportions. Unless mainline and LCC CARRIER hiring stops then we will continue to lose 50-100 month. 3+ year fos are going to jetblue and spirit and even some majors. 20+ month are going to aa off the top. It would take big changes in the industry for us to furlough. The bigger problem is they will be trying to staff our fleet as well as TRY to bid out all this new flying. This stale mate will end. A lot of those 175s make sense to go to eagle, it'll boast our recruitment.

As I've said before IMHO the majors are going to close the door for off the street hiring, and force people to go staff their wholly owned regionals.

RV5M

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squall line

Don't forget how Mesa was squeezed and chopped in half. 1900 fleet gone, CRJ 200 fleet gone, Dash8 fleet gone, and emb145 fleet gone. Over half of the aircraft. Most who were going to bail did around 2009-2012.

BaronRouge380

Interesting question! Lots of pilots (even FOs ) from XJT and Eagle going to majors, it doesn't seem to be the case for Mesa as there have been virtually no movement. Why?
Either Mesa is great, no one wants to leave or no one wants Mesa pilots?