I agree with all of the statements above. Look elsewhere. You will be better off.

 

Anyone else get their W2 from YV already. Surprised that I made more at Quiznos in highschool than I did 1st year FO pay. At least there I brought food home after the shift.

 

Well, I am as new to 121 as you so take what I say with a grain of salt, but I know guys with 4000TT, all of it jet 121 time after their ATP, who still haven't gotten a call to interview with a major. (Typically, former military get called a little sooner). Turbo prop time seems to be looked upon less favorably than jet time. The average seems to be about 700 hours per year at many regionals, but some hit the max, so anything is possible if one is willing to fly a lot. So it may be possible, but will you be competitive? IDK Of course, things will be very different in 3 years than they are now, so you may well find yourself at the majors in your desired timeline.

 

Ummmmmm...shouldn't you be going to Endeavor?

For TWENTY to THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS more per year?

Bro--you live driving distance to the junior Endeavor bases--they fly the same equipment you'd be flying in IAD for Mesa. They will very, very certainly have a comparable upgrade time and movement off reserve-to-lineholder by the time you hit the line.

Oh and did I mention THEY'LL PAY YOU MESA CAPTAIN PAY THE DAY YOU HIT THE LINE AS AN FO? AND GIVE YOU A GUARANTEED INTERVIEW AT DELTA?!!??!!!!?

And if you're going to subject yourself to a commute from the NYC/Jersey area to IAD, CommutAir could likely get you a job offer at UNITED AIRLINES before you even have to commit to a class date (and possibly a PHL base instead of IAD).

There are vastly-better-paying regionals hiring like crazy within driving distance to NJ. Why would you subject yourself to a crappy commute between NYC and DC when flows to UAL/AA and insanely-better pay & progression to Delta are on offer at Endeavor, Piedmont, and CommutAir?

Why are you even on this thread even considering coming to Mesa? Can you please explain it to me? I am honestly very, very confused. Do you have skeletons in your closet, or what's your reason for wanting to commute for $20-30k less per year, versus a short drive to work, $20-30k more per year, and a guaranteed face-to-face with Delta as an Endeavor pilot?

I don't get it--please explain.

 

Oh come on. We can steal hotel toilet paper and little shampoo thingys. Gotta look at the bright side.

My nephew is in high school. He works in a factory over the summer and at a restaurant during the school year. He made more than I did this year.

 

Heck, an E-2 in the military with zero college makes more than Mesa FO pay. AND gets free health, vision, dental, and life insurance, plus money for housing.

 

Another vote to look elsewhere. I really don't see how Mesa could make sense for you. You have many good options that you can drive to from NJ. They all pay more. Do not commute for Mesa. That is a tough commute.

Also, pilots hired last summer are still on reserve flying only about 25-35 hours per month. It will probably be close to summer before they get a line. I don't know if you consider that being off reserve quickly or not but that's where it's currently at. Many of the other regionals are quicker.

Since you don't have prior 121 time, it will not be a quick upgrade and on the CRJ side, quick upgrades are over.

This industry is very turbulent. You may be out of the regionals in a few years, you may not. If you're just entering now, I recommend going where you can
- Drive to work
- Make a decent living (ALL pay substantially more than Mesa)
- Have adequate insurance coverage
- Stay in decent hotels
- Don't have to pay for KCM. This is a minor consideration but really, that's just insulting

Good luck with you're choice. We are lucky to have options. Make a good choice because you will have to live with it for a while.

 

You've heard a lot of good reasons not to come here. If you do, to answer you're questions....
If you want IAD, make sure you tell enter class for the CRJ. I haven't heard of being switched in class. IAD is a junior base for the CRJ, so you'll get that quick.
Upgrade is based on global seniority. You can upgrade anywhere once you have the time and seniority. IAD has been going super junior for upgrades. How long will it last?
IAD is not an easy commute. Bad flight schedule on planes that get weight restricted.
Reserve schedule gives you at least 2 days off in a row. You can arrange it for 6 on and 3 off if you like. Sometimes the reserves have 4 off, but then they'll work "more" in other parts of the month. All reserves get 11 days off a month, so it's how it's arranged that give you time off.
Good luck with your decision. There are plenty of good choices right now.

 

I wouldn't say it's free necessarily. Those benefits have been bought and paid for with people's lives defending this country.

However I agree with the point you're making. Mesa's day is coming. Management will either step up to the plate or not fulfill their contract with mainline.

 

You are correct, Sir, it is NOT free; rather, a well-deserved benefit. And, I might add, not enough of one, when you consider what military retirees get after 20 long, hard years of service and sacrifice. Compared to what a person in congress gets as a pension after a few short years of working part time. Shame.

Much respect, and my hats off to all veterans everywhere. Thank you for the sacrifices you made and are continuing to make.