I recently got hired with Mesaba and will be starting ground school in a few weeks! I was wondering if anyone who has been through it or a similar program has any words of advice. I did read through the Turbine Pilot’s Manual as well as the ATP written book. Is there anything else that I should do to be as prepared as possible?

Also, is there anything else that would be helpful for a first timer to know that might bite me in the butt? Basically, I’m looking for what not to do in ground school.

 

When did you get the call? Did you interview in MPLS?

 

I started CR9 ground school on 7/2 and Im done as of tomorrow. Don't go too crazy with anything before you come here because they have their own way of teaching you the things that you need to know. The first 2 weeks are indoc, CRM, general subjects and then a/c specific systems. What bird are you on?

 

i wouldn't worry too much about studying things ahead of time, they will give you all the materials you will need during class. thats good that you're studying things to brush up on them, just don't get burned out before coming to class and not want to study. just be prapared to not have much of a life during the week. you will wake up, go to class from 8-5 then have to come home, study a bit, then go to bed and repeat. but good luck!

 

Cessnadriver - How long ago did you interview? My interview is next week! Any good tips you care to share?

 

I interviewed in early June and was offered a class in the Saab 340.

As far as tips for the interview, get a good nights sleep, something that I didn't get to do because I didn't get to the hotel till close to midnight. The original plan was to arrive around 4pm, but I didn't realize that Mesaba will non-rev you to you're interview. If you are not familiar with this, essentially it means that you will fly standby and will probably not get there when you expect to. Therefore, when they give you you're flight time, try to get there plenty early in case they don't have room on the first few flights.

As far as the interview, study all the normal stuff, Jepp plates, ATP written etc. If you can get some sim time first, great. If you haven't already, check out willflyforfood.cc The interview description there was pretty much dead on.

 

I've got a Saab groundschool on Aug 27th... I've heard systems are a bit of a bastard... Is it pretty much just show up, work your a** off and you'll do alright or should I try to brush up on any general systems knowledge?

 

I actually got my packet today and changed my flight to the day before, to alleviate any chances of that happening. They had me on a flight at 6am out of DFW for a 12pm interview. I'd rather get in the day before and relax a little. Thanks for the tips.

 

"The original plan was to arrive around 4pm, but I didn't realize that Mesaba will non-rev you to you're interview. If you are not familiar with this, essentially it means that you will fly standby and will probably not get there when you expect to." Quote from previous post above.

Incorrect. Mesaba will positive space you, which is different from non-reving in the purest sense. Positive spacing is in a sense an actual assignment of a seat, where as non reving is listing for a flight, and being a low priority standby passenger. Code 5 i believe

 

I just got off the phone with NWA and I'm here to tell you they book you on non-rev standby. But we get a higher priority code (2).