DAL has already released their Spring/Summer 2010 schedule, & it requires the same staffing as last year. No furloughs for now.

 

That's good then.

 

Obviously it's subject to change. Honestly, the only thing I plan for in this industry is getting furloughed. It's about the only thing we can count on.

 

I am only 99% sure about this, but to be eligible for the flow, one of the requirements is that you need to meet all of Delta's requirements... which would include having a bachelors degree. So there would be no back-door way around it.

 

I actually got some info on that a few days ago. I was in recurrent ground and Spanjers came in. Our Saab return schedule is two per month through May, then the fleet will stay the same for the summer flying. In fall the lease returns will continue. When I asked him about the furlough schedule, he said it should basically follow the same timeline. Of course, nothing is set in stone. We should see furloughs through May 1st, stop for the summer, and continue around September to take us down into the mid-800 range by December 1, 2010.

 

Farva,

I am sorry to see you leave Mesaba. I don't know who you are but all your posts have been respectful and professional. I know you are a good pilot and a consumate professional. So whatever you decide to do, I am sure you'll do well. I think Mesaba is losing a good pilot. Thanks Delta.

I am not going to tell you what to do but before you make your final decision, ask yourself, what is it you really want to do. If the answer is you like to fly more than anything you have ever done and flying is your passion, you should definitely stick it out at Mesaba. If the answer is no to flying than you should by all means seek greener pasture out of aviation.

Why am I trying to give you this piece if advice you have not asked for?
I am giving you this advice because if you wait this one out, I have a very good reason to believe that 2010 Fall time period or sooner, Mesaba will get really good news in terms of replacement aircraft.

Retirement numbers at Majors look really good starting 2012 and if you can wait another 2 to 5 years you have a very good chance of making it to one of the Major Airlines. It does not have to be Delta.

 

Your post shows how little you know about the airline business. I have sat next to Delta management types and he told me that Delta is concerned about the acquisition cost and operating cost of E175 which is considerably higher than CRJ900s. I do not expect to see any expansion of E175 fleet size at Compass. Delta is run by beancounters, and only numbers count, not what pilots think about E175s. I expect see Mesaba CRJ200s and Saabs numbers eventually replaced by CRJ7s and CRJ9s.

Only Mesaba pilots even considering going over to Compass are those at the bottom about to be furloughed. And I do not blame them for that. They have to do what they have to do. However, there is no way I would give up my seniority at Mesaba to start at the bottom at Compass. I turned down Compass over 2 years ago when they started hiring in 2007 for the same reasons stated very clearly by Bored.

Mesaba has better work rules which translates into more money even if the rate is lower by few cents. One only needs to compare work rules at Compass next to Mesaba. It starts at the beginning during the training. Mesaba pays monthly guarantee plus per diem for those based out of MSP, and pays for hotel single occupancy room for the entire duration of the training both for ground and for sim training. Ask Compass pilots how Compass handles lodging and pay during training. The list goes on to things like if you get bypassed for upgrade at Mesaba and the junior guy gets finished with IOE, or 90 days up, you automatically get the CA pay on the equipment you got bypassed. Does Compass have such a rule? The list goes on and on.

You need to go over to Compass because Mesaba does not need pilots like with a bad attitude like yours the minute things turn stagnant. Seriously, we have no desire to talk you out of leaving Mesaba. Go in peace and leave Mesaba.
Good luck with your flying career.

 

I am not going to argue with you on an Internet board. Your attitude in your post directly toward me is way beyond the attitude I displayed in
my post toward a company, not a person. You have to make direct personal insults and then tell me to leave Mesaba? Thanks. I thought I was taking part in a civilized discussion and voicing an opinion that a lot of people have.

 

Where do you think said replacement aircraft are coming from? Large RJs are capped, so no new ones coming without new mainline orders.

 

Double post