Mesa or XJT for IAH Based?
 

Curious what you would choose and why. I'm currently in the ANG in Houston so IAH based is pretty much mandatory. I have 850 hours and I'm looking to go fly around for Kalitta for a bit after I become competitive.

XJT and the E145 were my choice simply because they can start me training right away. I spoke with a pilot who pulled up the numbers and said it might be possible to get IAH out of training or within the first month.

Spoke with the Mesa recruiter and he said that they aren't experiencing a backlog with their E175 training and could have me on the line in less than 90 days.

Obviously I'd love to be guaranteed IAH out of training and the 175 is a newer plane, but what about the rest of the day to day things working for either company? I have healthcare through the Guard and that seems to be one of the biggest negatives to Mesa. What else?

XJT without question. New improved contract. New planes coming. IAH base seniority is the only thing I’m not sure on. I’m sure someone else can chime in with that info. There’s no comparison between the two.

From what I’ve been told IAH is senior

You’ll get it within a year easily, probably within 6 months and maybe even in less time than that.

Reading through aviation interviews looks like if Mesa offers a job you have 48 hrs to accept or decline it. My interview is Friday and my XJT interview is Tuesday. Should I reschedule my Mesa interview to fall within my XJT window? Will they really be that high pressure about it? That's a little bit of a turn off.

Tell MESA you’ll call them back. If XJT gives you a CJO, tell MESA TBNT. Just my .02

I have been flying 121 for 27 years. When I started in 1992. MESA was the joke of the industry. 27 years later....... MESA is the joke of the industry!!! All you need to know. Unless you barely speak English then Mesa would be a perfect fit

Go to XJT. Their future is probably much brighter than Mesa. I’m currently at Mesa and seriously considering XJT.

I’m about to be in your exact situation and XJT is at the top of my list. I would say Republic as well, but their class delay right now is a bit ridiculous.


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I actually got an email from Republic saying they weren't hiring right now after I sent them my app.

XJT. Their IAH base is not going anywhere and is actually growing. CRJ's, -145s and -175s. So I would think you should be able to get it within a year, as pointed out by others.
Mesa... who knows. IAH base may still be there in a year... maybe not.
Also, a bunch of former ExpressJet pilots at Kalitta and currently there is a shortened interview for XJT pilots. So if that is your goal it may help.

Definitely XJT, good chance MESA is losing flying to XJT. Way better training and it's in IAH. Huge potential with the growth they are about to go through.

You are guaranteed IAH as a base with Mesa. I fly for Kalitta, I'd say go to Mesa, get the hours you need asap, and apply, we love military guys and no regional is worth waiting around for. You'll very quickly not care about the QOL you could of had at Xjet vs Mesa when you are at Kalitta.

Don't wait around, however...

XJT has much better stability, now that UAL is owner through a shell company...

Also, if a base has to go for MESA, it's going to be a far east base. XJT is now firmly attached to the strong AND growing UAL presence at IAD. Even if CommutAir does more 145 stuff, the 175s will likely eventually make their way to IAD with XJT.

Just to follow up. Xjt was my first choice anyway due to their future potential and training being in Houston. I decided to go with them.

After my video interview with Mesa, they said they'd be in touch that afternoon with either an offer or a no thanks. I got a call shortly after to check on my availability for class dates and they said expect something within the hour. Well, two weeks after the interview I have yet to hear from them at all. I have reached out to my hr interviewer and the recruiter I dealt with and neither have responded back to me.

Made my choice easy.

Congratulations, and welcome to XJT. I think you'll be happy with your choice.

What if we edited this slightly and said Skywest vs Expressjet for IAH? If we were talking in terms of contract, reserve rules, pay, and time to hold IAH, who would win that fight?

IAH is a pretty small base for Skywest. The money is probably slightly better, but the work rules at XJT are better. My guess is you would hold IAH much faster at XJT as well.

Thanks. I'm looking forward to it. Ready for Feb 18 to get here.

That’s a fair question. I’d say XJT or SKW would be a better option than Mesa.

With Skywest you can most likely get DFW out of training and after a few months IAH. IAH isn't all that senior. Skywest upgrade is much faster then Expressjet.