Even if it takes three years, that is still very quick, just ask the old timers... Being a CA is not something to take lightly. I upgraded in 18 months, and before I knew it, I no longer had the old captains to learn from, I was the guy that had to make the decisions. Being thrown into the fire is great for some people, others no. I really miss flying the CRJ from the left seat.

 

Some of these were answered. Here is more information.

Having control over your schedule right now is virtually non-existent because of "un-stacking". What that means is that you bid your preferences, but because of short staffing, those preferences can't be honored. They just schedule each pilot as close to the maximum hours allowable (FAA max 100 hrs/mth) as possible. Expect to be scheduled to 95+ hours. 11 days off.

Beacuase the reserves are in the negative, meaning no reserves, and uncovered flying, you don't have the ability to make any changes to your schedule. You get what you get.

Trying to get big blocks of days off probably won't work in this short staffed environment.

300% is being offered. But because you are scheduled to the max, there is no room to pick any 300% flying up.

Are upgrades to CA really happening in 12 months? NO

Medical insurance for a family of 4 will be approx $1200/Mth out of your paycheck.

Hope this helps.

 

Ok thank you Skyler, that information is very helpful.

 

Ho. Lee. Crap.

 

Don’t go to Mesa unless you have literally no other options or live in Houston. Even then I’d rather do an easy commute.

 

How does the 300% work?

 

They usually announce it in an email a couple days to 3 weeks in advance and you get 300% for anything picked up in the premium timeframe before or after the email. Its not a permanent rolling 300% open time pickup but has lasted what the last 2.5 months. Some guys are getting greedy and picking up time before the email assuming there will be premium.

 

Actually it's more like $1600- $1700/month. Based on the previous contract pay. If I took Mesa insurance, I actually had to pay Mesa to work there ($22 X 75hours = $1650) minus the taxes = you owesd Mesa to work there. Not to mention, that insurance still sucked. With high deductibles/Copays. Godforbid if you had to go the hospital or wherever you will lose your shirt over paying those bills. According to one Union rep, Most companies put in about 80-90% and you pay 10-20% towards premium, but at Mesa, you actually put in 80-90% and they put in 10--20%. I am glad to be a LAMA

 

I don't know how but upgrade is back down to 6 months on the CRJ DFW for those with prior 121.

 

Upgrades are sub 1 year almost everywhere right now. And the mass hiring by the legacies hasn't even really began yet. Imagine things a year or two from now...