Deez340

I've always thought Mesaba was a class act. They were the only regional carrier besides Eagle that didn't get into all that pay for training crap in the 90's. (even though it was probably a good career decision, shame on you who partook! ) Everyone i knew that flew there were sharp. It's a crime what was done to what was once a fine outfit.

BZNpilot248

Honestly folks, Whats to blame when a guy flies for a regional that has CRJ 900s, or EMB 170s and the like. It seems rediculous that you ridicule your fellow pilots for taking such a job when it was management put those planes there not the pilots. Does that make them less of a person for taking a job there when economic forces and the powers that be put them there and would anyway? Don't get me wrong I strongly belive these jets should be at mainline as well, and I would like the opportunity for fly for a major as well as better QOL, pay etc. Flying them isn't the problem its choosing a carrier based soley on equipment and not fighting the good fight for fair wages and QOL. Face it - most people go to who offers them the job and if regional X was flying a "replacement jet" but was paying 50 cents an hour more with a barely decent upgrade outlook 90 percent of us would be beating down the door with our apps to get there. The recurring p*ssing match about who works for the best regional and who is the most Righteous and where the most popular place to work gets rather old. Todays best regional will be tomorrows career killer or dead end - you just never know.

XJPILOT1

Amen brotha!! I'd type that out myself but my hand would cramp. I really was asking about the hot meals 'cause I didn't know if someone was doing it. Hell we can't even make coffee on the SAAB. I really don't want to bash another red tail . This industry "is what it is"! Complain all you want and tommorrow goes on! I just need to pay my bills and enjoy my job while doing so.

MESABA has had 7 years of bad luck. Now we are on a roll. Let us have that...Please!!! I can't fly any farther then 500 miles (that's regional). The new jets will, but so what. I would like to fly them someday like everyone else. ALPA is in the details. Let them work it out, that's what I pay them to do. I'm not gonna run a plane off the runway 'cause I was complaining about management instead of doing my job.

Ouch!!.. my fingers are cramping

Ftrooppilot

All arguments aside - discount the past and present and try to predict the future. Where will NWA / Mesaba /Compass (or any other airline combination) be five to ten years from now ?

Assume the aircraft manufacturers have a five year (or longer) business plan based on "operator" predictions. Media statements are carefully crafted and released at major events like the Paris Airshow.

Here are some recent quotes (my bolding).

The big deals continued Monday from Paris. China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC I) and Bombardier Aerospace announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a new, long-term strategic cooperation in the five-abreast, 90- to 149-seat commercial aircraft market. . . .

Bombardier intends to invest $100 million US in the ARJ21-900 project,

. "It is an important development for both companies. With the implementation of this agreement, both AVIC I and Bombardier are expected to experience long-term benefits related to the exchange of technical expertise and the expansion of our market potential, both in the higher end of the regional aircraft market and lower end of the mainline market."
FMI: www.avic1.com.cn, www.bombardier.com


Seems like airline senior management and Bombardier think Regionals could be be flying aircraft with 149 seat capability in the future.

LifeNtheFstLne

Perhaps this was already answered, but how does the Mesaba flow-up to NWA relate to the Compass agreement? The Compass contract states that Compass pilots have the flow-up rights FIRST before all other pilots. If Compass begins supplying pilots after the 30 month commitment, wouldn't any flow-up for Mesaba guys be essentially impossible/useless 30 months from now? NWA would have to be extremely short on pilots, and many Compass guys would have to bypass flow-up in order for it to benefit Mesaba. I can only see Mesaba taking advantage of it within the next 2 years and then being forced to take a backseat to Compass. Correct me if I'm wrong please...

Ftrooppilot

That's why there will be only ONE NWA owned "regional" in a year. Think of the "trauma" if flow down was instituted and two pilot groups (Compass /Mesaba) were competing to see who gets hammered the most.

THink of flow up where a Mesaba CRJ900 Captain with twelve years employment being bypassed by a three year Compass pilot. Talk about "flaming contests" on the discussion groups.

The courts would be tied up for months interpreting the contracts, letters of agreement MEC documents, etc.

IMHO - Compass will be sold, incorporated into NWA or "blended" with Mesaba - both under a new name. Folks being hired as Compass "Street Captains" should be concerned.

IHateMgmt

Here's my take on Compass...

In general, job security in the airline industry is bad compared to other careers. Regional airlines typically enjoy even worse job security than majors and Compass is a risky venture even compared to the worst of the worst (other regional airlines).

...why would someone do that to themselves?

JoeyMeatballs

Well if you get in early, you will be on the top of the seniority list..............

Ftrooppilot

for as long as the good times last.

PinnacleFO

yes, and when the airline gets sold, you lose your flowthrough rights and are on the bottom of another regionals seniority list, maybe even pinnacles