Commutair or Mesaba???
 

I interviewed at Mesaba recentley. I have not heard back from them yet. I got an interview with Commutair. Just wondering what airline to go with. Mesaba seems like the better choice. Any suggestions or input. Should I be wondering about the future of NWA.:eek:

Thanks

i was at commutair for 6 months, not a bad place to be, the people are awesome, besides the dash 8 is cooler then the saab!

I have heard that the pilot group at Commutair is good, but the same can be said of the XJ group. The Dash may be "cooler" than the Saab, but please don't go to the airline based on the type of plane they fly. Go to the place that is easier for you to commute. Anyway, if you came to Mesaba, you would more than likely get the CRJ-900. Overstaffed on the Saabs right now.

Not that you will get rich off of our payrates, but they are higher than Commutair and we are growing. I would say come to XJ.

Cold
 

Another thing to think about.


Current temp in MSP -12 F feels like -34 :confused:


I think we may all be just a little crazy living up here......

Doesn't commutair do most of their flying out of CLE for CO? Can't imagine hats too much warmer.

Not much warmer in DTW either. Currently about 12F.

there's a big difference between 12F and -12F with a -34F windchill

12F is warm

Temps
 

I live in FL right now so any where in the North is going to be a change. Right now it is sunny and 70's just like the last few days. But I have family up in MI so I can get used to it again if I have to. Don't get me wrong I don't want to but someone has to do it right? And to the XJ people I applied to them but I have not gotten a call back so I guess my time is to low or they are just not hiring. CLE is where I want to be but DTW isn't to far away!:)

I flew for CommutAir several years ago, so this information is a little old, but I've heard not a whole lot has changed since I left, so hopefully it will be of some use to you...

The pilots at CommutAir are awesome. It's a tight-knit work group that interacts more like a family than a group of employees. They are top notch aviators and a lot of fun to work with. I learned more about flying at CommutAir on the B1900 than I had in all of my flight training. New hires at other companies that go straight into jets have a tendency to knock the turboprops, but the majority of ex-turboprop drivers will tell you it was the most fun they've had in their careers. In my opinion, you'll be flying jets for the next 30-some-odd years... You'll never have another opportunity to fly a turboprop. Get it in while you can - I'm glad I did.

The relationship that management has with the pilots is remarkably good. They are non-union (voted down ALPA a few years ago), simply because the pilots there do not feel like they need protection from a management group that takes such good care of them. (Every company has its issues, but their management team is not "out to get" them.)

When I worked there (you should try to verify this info, as it's a few years old)... The company paid for 100% of our medical insurance, and everyone was guaranteed 13 days off a month. You bid for pairings on your choice of days - not hard lines or PBS (so you could buddy-bid with your friends, and if you were senior enough, get your choice of days off). They spread reserve out amongst the pilots so you didn't sit any more than 1 week of reserve each month. And I don't think you were allowed to be assigned more than 1 week of stand-ups in a month. I thoroughly enjoyed it there, and would go back and do it again in a heartbeat. Truly, some of my fondest memories of my career come from CommutAir.

I can't comment on Mesaba. I know they had some issues a few years ago in the whole whip-sawing movement between them and Pinnacle. I will say that with the CRJ-900 on property, if you wait it out there long enough for an upgrade, you'll be able to get PIC Jet (versus PIC turboprop) which you won't get at CommutAir.

My best advice, if I were in your shoes... I would be asking:

1. What's the current and projected upgrade time on each of the aircraft at each company?

2. What's the future viability of each company? (Will Mesaba be affected by a DAL/NWA merger, or when does CommutAir's contract with CAL expire, for instance.)

3. Are either of the companies projecting growth or shrinking?

4. What is management's relationship with their respective pilot group?

Good luck to you. I hope this helped.

Was that last post by Henry or Paul?
 

You have got to be kidding with that last post. Pilots don't feel they need protection from management? Thats a good one!

While I understand in today's airline culture how this may be hard to believe... I'm being totally genuine. If the majority of pilots felt they had needed protection, they would have voted in ALPA. Most felt the ALPA drive was unnecessary, and were highly reluctant to vote yes, because they didn't want to turn their relationship with management into something adversarial.

The implication of your post suggests you are familiar with the working conditions at CommutAir. Maybe your insight could help the original poster in making his decision. :)

I had a buddy who had an issue with the FAA while working for UCA. He said management was extremely supportive of him and helped him through the whole ordeal.

Go where the growth is. Mesaba has nearly doubled in size in the past year. However with this cyclical industry that will probably change about 12 more times in the next year.

Here's another post to help:

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...d.php?p=303389

I saw the same type of stuff while I was there as C172MQI described. CommutAir's management acted in the same capacity as most airlines' unions. They really do their best to protect their pilots.

Here's another thread from October... I'm hoping current pilots from both CommutAir and Mesaba will chime in. Second hand and years old information only goes so far. Good luck. :)

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...ad.php?t=17440

commutair management
 

You are absolutely correct regarding how management acts to protect the pilots at Commutair. They are to be commended for that. Unfortunately, over the last few years we have seen a constant erosion of benefits, worse and worse trips with longer hours and shorter overnights, and a general worsening of the quality of life. Upgrade is a bit long right now, perhaps a bit longer than 2 years. Hopefully once the transition to just one aircraft type again is completed things will get a bit better but honestly, this a place to go get your time and get out as quick as possible. I have enjoyed my time here but if I had it to do all over again I would go to a place with better work rules, pay, and nice shiny jets. Oh, and least I forget I would go someplace with a union.

beech_nut... I'm really sorry to hear that things have deteriorated a bit at CommutAir. Although, I guess I shouldn't be surprised - from what I can tell, it's happening everywhere. Transitioning fleet types always seems to create a bit of discontinuity within a company - I hope things get better soon.

As for nice shiny jets... The grass is always greener, as they say. :) I spent a year on the Beech, and 4 years on a nice shiny jet. A lav, flight attendant, and good air conditioning & heat are great perks - but nothing replaces the comraderie that you guys have with a smaller pilot group, and the bonding moments in hand flying ILS's down to minimums in the middle of snow storms. Me and my friends from CommutAir still fondly reminisce about "the good old days." You have no idea how much I long for the days of the Beech. (And yes, I was based in both Plattsburgh and Cleveland... I know how crazy I sound!!!)

That is the most insane thing I have ever heard. The Saab is the mack daddy of T-Props.

Hey, thanks for the info. I just got a rejection letter from Messaba. Don't really understand why but I guess it dosen't really matter. Hope the Commute air interview comes through. I am pretty upset by the whole process after my last experience. I guess it doesn't matter if you fly turboprop before you become a captain in that aircraft (Like messaba you could be in the 900 but than to make captain everyone goes to the Sabb). I am excited about CLE base but hopefully it all works out I here it is pretty backed up with the transition. I will keep on instructing until I get the job. Have fun flying the big iron and I will hold down the C-172.

Peace

I'm with you all the way bro, but I have heard that the 8 was much roomier and better equipped (meaning APU)

Are the company's headquarters still in PLB?

The dash will never even come close to the saab, its night and day

I kind of wish I had a dog in this TProp fight...

Not to revive an old thread but have y'all heard of a Metroliner..... yeah.... definitely the best shaped T-prop out there..... and girls love beta as well. So much for those days.