You mad bro?

 

Thanks I'm trying to save my pennies for IAH and life on reserve. Things I'll be paying for just so I don't freak when my first pay check is zero:
iPad & mount, uniforms, KCM, commuter airport parking, base parking, and do we really have to pay for soda water on the plane during flight?
Feel free to add to the list of miscellaneous charges I will incur by joining MESA?

 

Is MESA a leather jacket or blazer & hat airline?

 

You mean a bomber pilot wannabe or a professional pilot?

 

I want to get ahead of the program and get my uniforms tailored for my professional career while I still have some money. Unless, Mesa covers that with our indoc package. I figure I'll get a nice Mesa pen and a set of wings at least. I'm coming to Mesa because it's got a great training program and I want to be a good captain, someday. I'm hoping by year two Qol will improve, pay my dues and win the little battles.
Thanks for the tips..

 

You do realize there are several regionals with great training programs that will pay you significantly more than Mesa?

 

Initial training is done under the traditional program. Transition to AQP is done for recurrent. You will be in PHX for at least a month, so if you want to drive there, that's an option. The DFW hotels are good enough about taking you places so you don't need a rental car unless you really want and can afford one.

You will know what days you are on reserve on the 23rd of each month. You will then bid for whether you want morning (4am-4pm) all month or afternoon (12pm - 12am) all month. You will find out which you get on the 28th of each month. You will also get to bid on ready reserve shifts, if you want them. At the beginning you will probably get junior assigned a lot of ready reserve which generally happens 24-48 hours in advance as you go through the month. As people come in under you the number of ready reserve shifts you do will go down and then stop as you become senior on reserve (unless you bid them).

While you are still in consolidation the company will put you at the top of the list so you can get consolidated before your 120 days is up. Not sure how much reserve pilots are flying these days. I know they're not having issues with people not consolidating so it can't be too bad. Maybe someone who has recent reserve experience can chime in.

I found it more economical to have a crashpad while on reserve. There were a couple of weeks where I never flew at all. $50 a night adds up pretty quickly compared to a crashpad.

 

You do not have to pay for base airport parking, or water/sodas on the airplane. Mesa covers half the cost of a blazer or leather jacket and I think they pay half the cost of 2 pairs of pants..IIRC. No hats.

 

You just keep doing what you're doing.

 

Get outside high deductible health insurance with 100% co-pay after X amount out-of-pocket. You'll be better covered and have more of a paycheck at the end of the month.