Did they also tell you that they "promise" to make you work at least 20 more days than most of the other carriers but yet you make less then them? Did they also "promise" to only pay you for the average block time while your sitting there with the ground delay or up turning circuts in the sky? Did they also "promise" that you will most likely end up getting your days off taken away while you are on reserve. Did they also "promise" a nice new comfy wait mesa a nice used comfy sleeping bag for the CDO? You can "promise" me a 3 year upgrade but all the other "promises" that go along with it that are more likely to be true I would rather not have.

 

You would upgrade in a year and a half at SKW, RAH and around the 2nd year mark at XJet with a better pay and better QOL.

 

BS! They are a union carrier, which means everything is done by seniority...there is simply no way to accurately make a prediction like that. If the people senior to you want that upgrade (and they will), they get it, not you.

 

Hey - people live their lives, I live mine. Heres another truth about Mesa.

I've been here about 18 months, the company has tried to JA me 3 times and succeeded twice.
I have been paid more than I flew - sure, I'd have been paid a lot more if we had block or better, but we don't.
I have lost time due to cancellations and re-routes, but I've also added time as "alternative" flying within my footprint was assigned to me. Overall it's been pretty much swings and roundabouts in terms of crediting less than scheduled. I've picked up a little bit of open time, but not much. Ask a United mainline pilot how their line guarantee works.
I can typically hold 12-13 days off a bid period - not great, but not horrible given we have 13 bid periods.
I fly with great people, I don't know ANYBODY at Mesa I wouldn't enjoy spending a bid flying with.

I've had horrible days at Mesa, but unlike the other people who like to post here I can put them in perspective and recall that they were few and far between. I can describe days when everything was a clusterf*!k from start to finish, and I can describe days when everything ran like clockwork. I've had a lot more good days than bad.

*I* wouldn't be happier somewhere else, because *I'd* have to commute, and commuting, no matter who you work for, sucks, and Mesa makes NO allowances for it whatsoever. I don't go out of my way for the company, because I choose to treat them like they treat me, so if you're looking for never-never land Mesa ain't it. But if you know what you're getting into, and you have a bit of maturity, you'll be fine.

It's not a great place to work, but it's not that bad and, truth be known, all regionals are abusive to the pilots and are looking to get the most for the least. Oh the starry eyed people just hired at Republic will tell you how great it is, but I know people at Republic and it's brethren and they've got their own set of complaints.

Upgrades are less than 3 years, they're going to get shorter before they get longer, and NOBODY, despite what they may claim, can tell you what upgrades will be like anywhere else in 12 months, just like I can't tell you what they'll be like at Mesa. SkyWest and Republic are both trying to manage huge growth right now, either could stumble and meltdown, as could Mesa. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

Stand back - incoming.........

 

No Offense, I'm glad you're satisfied with 12-13 days off at the bottom of the pile. I've been at SKW for a year now and I've NEVER had a month with less than 14 days off. I also don’t think it’s worth just being satisfied at a bottom rung airline. Please, no offense.

I do agree that if you go to MAG, TSA, GoJets, and PSA etc; odds are you've heard the news about what you're getting yourself into, so don't *****. You chose it so suck it up or get the hell out!

Upgrade, nothing fluctuates more, it’s based on so many factors: airline growth, pilot group seniority, pilot group FLT times (some may not have the mins to upgrade regardless of if their number can hold it), pilot group preference (only want a certain domicile), attrition and many others. So when we hear of an upgrade time at anyone, regional or major, that's what the time frame is right NOW and only right NOW. If you just got hired don’t plan on what you see until your number gets called, it’s a cyclic industry.

 

12-13 days off is good based on the 13 bid periods per year, thats the same as 14 or more days off per month. the pilot group at mesa also rejected PBS which im proud of them for.

however, no matter how you look at it, you should never look at mesa as a good place to be. my brother has been there 6 years, he does not commute, and he gets beaten to death there. theres a reason "fix it or burn it down" and "sinking ship" are common sayings at mesa.

that being said, i think mesa is a great stepping stone to another regional if youre into that whole lateral move thing, and you start out with 250 hours or a commercial ticket or whatever they require now. other airlines LOVE mesa guys because they know how badly you are treated and how hard you work to keep that company afloat, and you end up loving life at any other airline because your QOL goes way up. ask anybody at a major, theyll say they love mesa guys for being able to put up with the things that they do.

 

You have brass admitting Mesa isn't that bad. I commute from STL to FAT and would rather do that for SkyWest than go back to TSA. With all due respect to the people who work there, places like Mesa should burn to the ground for the way people are treated. The vast majority of people I have met from TSA and Mesa have been great people. However, if you think that your union is going to change things with this next contract, I BELIEVE you will be sadly mistaken when it comes down to the wire. The next cup of Kool-Aid is on me!

I had heard that TSA is holding CASS over the pilots heads asking them for concessions if they want to be a CASS participant. Is there any truth to that? I expect that Mesa will be doing similar things as well.

 

every company loves having employees who think like that. its up to us as pilots to not get caught in that trap. just remember it can ALWAYS be better, you can think like that and still keep a positive attitude. always expect more

 

I do expect more, but can you specifically tell me what more you want from SkyWest? Perhaps a unified pilot group with the decency to vote NO to a pay proposal that left out X number of pilots?

 

absolutely. thats a start