MrWizard

I am sooo disappointed. Absolutely no mention of a Thanksgiving turkey or a Christmas ham, either, for all employees who show up otherwise on any other day not called in as sick. Oh sorry, I forgot Kwanzaa.

It occurs to me that working for this company is like participating in a consumer class-action lawsuit. The guys running the show get millions, the affected class members get hardly anything .. a coupon for free extra cheese at JO's Burger and Botulism Barn™, maybe. But only if you buy another burger at full price first...and then agree to be held liable to pay back the cost of the free cheese over the next twelve months.

amcnd

Thats. The thing. If people would stop falling for the bait, things would get better for the folks that have been there awhile!!! Truly sad all these company's (not just Mesa) are catering to people that are "car shopping" .. or shiny Jet shopping...

iFlyRC

I actually think that Mesa caters to the pilot that is affraid to leave.

WesternSkies

"Offered upgrade"
Ok.

Santos Dumont

I think you are too optimistic. Sure, a workforce deficit large enough to disrupt operations to the point that it affects the bottom line will make the company do "something." That's how market forces work, union aside.

However, I doubt that "something" is going to be a contract on par with other regionals. At least that is what I can gather based on JOīs personality. Obviously his strategy is to squeeze the workforce to maximize profits, and he seems to be pretty unwilling to get away from that mindset. Also, honestly I think it might be too late. Mesa has a reputation in the industry, and while compensation is a big part of our problems, it is only one part. It is going to take years to change the company culture and itīs perception in the industry. Unfortunately, I just donīt see a reason for management to increase pilot pay at this time.

If the company continues on the current path I think the logical outcome would be a shrinkage to match the staffing levels. There is always going to be a group of pilots composed of people such as: lifers, people who canīt make it through and interview or training anywhere else (slow learners, cultural barriers, etc...), people lazy to go look for another job, and small group who sees this as a hobby, or have sweet little deals working for them (union, company people).

Bottom line, all of us should have known what we were getting into when we came to Mesa. If we donīt like it here, we are free to leave and in the current market that should not be an issue. For those who are trying to leave, but canīt, chances are you fall in the group "only Mesa will take you" and beggars canīt be choosers, so stop complaining and be glad this crappy company is willing to give you a pilot job. If you canīt come to terms with that last statement maybe it is time to look for something else to do.

iFlyRC

Please, please, please don't listen to this absolute garbage piece of advice in his last paragraph. There is no such thing as a "Mesa Lifer" unless YOU choose to be one. Hogan chose to be one, in his mind it makes no sense to leave, but he is ultra sharp and any airline would love to have him. Then you have Forest Gump, who, uhm... Ok, 99.9% of pilots at Mesa can move on, don't sell yourself short.

Santos Dumont

You came across a little bitter there. Chill out, its not good for your health and makes you sound autocratic and a bit unreasonable.

Very well sir. I wish they do if they are not happy here.

Skyler02

In light of the PSA, Envoy, and Piedmont recent pay increases taking First Year FO pay to $58K+, Endeavor just upped the ante.

From their website --

More than $60,000 FIRST YEAR Combined Income
Includes $10,000 New Hire Training Completion Bonus & $20,000 Retention Payment in First Year

After First Year, $23,000 in Annual Retention Payments for EVERY Pilot

Projected upgrades within 18 months; Pilots with Qualifying Part 121 Time Upgrade Even Faster

First Year Captain Pay of More Than $83,000 Combined Income

I believe we are finally witnessing the race to the top. This is getting interesting.

iFlyRC

Race to the top?? But Mesa only knows how to compete in the race to the bottom!

Skyvector

If you guys at Mesa have any doubts who you work for and the future you are heading towards...look no further than this 2007 interview with King Douche himself, Jonathan Ornstein:

Approach Boss With Caution - The New York Times

Some lowlights:

While being confrontational with unions, Mr. Ornstein goes to great lengths to be in direct contact with Mesa employees and to curry their favor. Mesa’s holiday party is tomorrow night at a nightclub in Phoenix, where Mesa is based, and Ms. Heath, the party planner, is expecting 1,300 workers and spouses. Mr. Ornstein will personally give away 80 or more door prizes. Go-go dancers — with pilot caps, wings, ties and hot pants — will be up on the tables. Mesa gives a similar party for East Coast workers and a Phoenix water-park party in the summer.

***?

Pay scales are low at airlines like Mesa, but the rapid growth has helped buy labor peace, as first officers move quickly to captain. When growth stalls, as it has recently, pilots and others can become frustrated and demand better pay and benefits.

This was in 2007...the disparity between Mesa and everyone else wasn't that great...but pay was still low. And JO's method of keeping the masses happy is door prizes at a Phoenix night club?? What about now...that the pay disparity between Mesa and everyone else is the size of the Grand Canyon and the quickie upgrades have stopped? Hookers?

Yet for all his grand plans, Mr. Ornstein’s core business is relentlessly detail- driven — keeping 200 small planes on schedule for 1,300 daily flights and keeping costs low enough to hang on to the likes of US Airways as a customer.


Yep...unfortunately, in the words of his good buddy Scott Kirby: The world has changed. Speaking of which, Scott Kirby recently got ejected from AA management largely for mismanaging the Regional network. Mesa was a big part of that...and now Mesa has lost their biggest and possibly only friend in the upper reaches of AA management. In case anybody is wondering...Kirby ended up at United and since his departure things have gone from night to day for AA's three wholly owned airlines.

Anyways...sorry to jump into this thread. But this article should be viewed by all Mesa pilots so that you guys know exactly who you are dealing with and how his mind works. Some of you at Mesa are already aware of JO. I think many of the newer guys are not.