Looks like the new vacancy is out. 8 -900 Capts. 8 Saab Capts. 16 -900 FO. 8 Saab FO. New hires start Nov 3rd.

 

I am a commuter sitting reserve in DTW now going on 5 months. I have a crashpad here which is a fully furnished apartment right by the airport with my own bed and only pay 150 per month. I brought an old junker car up here and honestly could not get by without it. I always go home on my days off but basically live in my crashpad. I always fly in the evening before I start and fly out the afternoon of my last day on call. It sucks but I refuse to move here. My commute is only one leg, but I am limited on flight options (only two flights a day to and from). If you want to do the commute on reserve its possible, just a pain. I have had my days where I wondered what the hell I was doing but have gotten over it. If you do commute on reserve, I would definetly say you have to have a car at your crashpad to stay sane. Just my thoughts...

 

i love these new vacancies. Maybe someday soon they will stop calling me for ready reserve

 

Congrats arondeau and spank. Seems like we're all in the same class...looking forward to meeting you both soon. It feels like forever!

 

Anyone have any websites I can research more on cities/locations(e.g. MEM, DTW?) I'm guessing I won't be based at my choice base, MSP...and should probably start thinking of alternatives and QOL of the other bases because I refuse to commute.

 

Try city-data.com for general info. DTW is cheaper, MEM is warmer. The flying seems to be better out of DTW though, and I'll let someone else tell you about the "fishbowl" in MEM...

As for all the questions about "how fast can I upgrade" the most junior guy to get upgraded on the last award has been here almost a year and a half. DISCLAIMER: Results not typical, your results may vary. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

 

The last vacancy award had some MSP saab positions, so it's not impossible. The 900 spots if vacant will likely be filled with current 900 FOs moving bases, so those positions won't be available when you bid.

There are 24 spots in the Nov 3rd class... 8 saab and 16 900. The vacancy award will be posted internally by Oct. 27 at 5pm. At that point the dust will have settled and the open spots for new hires will be known. Check back here at that point, I'm sure someone will post what the positions are. Welcome aboard.

 

And just so everyone knows that a year and a half does not sound long but dont forget that they are in the mid 600's and we have 1200 pilots so that time will just get longer.

 

Where does this 1200 number keep coming from? Just look at a seniority list... it says 1,115. The point still remains though... upgrades are going to folks in the 600s and will likely remain "senior" because for the last year and a half many FOs have been building time and are getting close to upgrade mins. PLus, many of them who HAD upgrade mins are waiting for their year of probation to end. Unless be grow in dramatic and massive amounts, I think upgrades will normalize and not go as junior as they have in the past.

 

What are the seat locks at mesaba? Specifically the following:

Initial FO seat lock
Seat Lock after your initial FO seat lock
Initial Captain upgrade Seat lock
Seat lock after initial Captain upgrade

And if you are under a current FO seat lock and you are eligible for an upgrade according to your seniority, can you get out of the FO seat lock to upgrade or do you have to ride your current FO seat lock out before the upgrade is possible?

thx