Mesaba vs. American Eagle
 

535T 65ME (CFI/CFII/MEI) - 4/yr degree - Currently flying skydivers

I've been reading all the threads on these two regionals because I'm particularly interested in both. I live in Madison, WI and have lived in MN.

I know it all comes down to what I want to do, but I'm really fretting on which airline to choose between these two. I have friends at Mesaba and I know friends that are applying at AE. Basically, life is as good as it can be for any starting 1st year FO at either place. However, long-term is more of a concern for me.

I would love to fly for AE, but I'm really worried about overall upgrade times. My buddy (25/yr old) doesn't seem very concerned about that and the move to AE appears to be more of a QOL issue since AE is practically in his backyard. For me (34/yr old, married) I think I should be concerned about when I might be able to upgrade.

I have no issues with either regional other than that. Right now, I have questions about communting....I suppose I could easily commute out of KMSN easily, but having not actually done that, I don't know how rough it would be until then.

My wife is good with either decision I make, but I guess I'm concerned about the decision in the long run. It doesn't seem like there's much hope of making it AA, but at my age...a long career at the regionals, or a charter company after building up some time doesn't seem like a bad idea either. NW is going through alot of changes (heck, they all are), but I'm really confused about what decision is best for me in my situation. I guess what I'm saying is that I'd be more willing to hedge my bet on a regional that could assure me that an upgrade to CA won't take longer than 3 years.

What do you think? Thanks.

I think you need more total and multi time.

I realize the listed limitations are 800TT and 100ME, but there have been others hired around my time.

I'm also not going to apply until the end of August or September, at which time I've projected my TT to be between 600 and 700.

Is it true that AE FO's are sitting reserve for 6-12 months? That certainly would affect my decision as well.

Thanks.

I think the newhires with lower time also have CRJ or some other training.

Not sure about reserve, it depends on your domicile, which they let you pick after being hired.

Some of the newbies have walked their resumes into someone on the inside who has told them..."when you're ready, call me".

That is the situation my buddy is in with AE and he offered to walk my resume in at the same time. I'm not too concerned about it, because the worst thing that can happen is they turn me down. Big deal.

My buddy at Mesaba got moved to DTW for the first 3 months after he passed his IOE, but life is "as good as can be expected" until they reposition him at MSP. That stuff doesn't bother me so much as sitting reserve for 12 months. Mesaba seems like a good fit for me, but the fact that NW is having so many issues worries me. At the same time, I don't want to sit in the right seat for 10 years.

Well if you are looking strictly at upgrade, mesaba seems to be better AT THE PRESENT. Who knows what could happen when YOU get hired. There are a lot of 6-7-8 year FO's at AE, whereas the junior capt at mesaba is 3 right now. But as I stated, this shows what the trend was 7 years ago for AE, and 3 years ago for Mesaba. Someone hired today could see 2, or could see 10, you never know what could happen. AE's upgrades are slowly coming down, but nobody knows how fast or how much... Apply to both, and see who calls first, neither would be a bad option

1) You have the times now (or at least very very close) for Mesaba.
2) You will probably sit reserve for a month or two, three tops at Mesaba.
3) There is a reasonable shot at upgrade (as always, SUBJECT TO CHANGE) at Mesaba in the 2-3 year range.

I don't know much about Eagle. From what I've heard it is a decent place to work (except for the upgrade delays, which could also get better, of course).

Mesaba is a solidly OK place to work, and we could be on our way back to being a good place again. I know it is small praise, but there are plenty of places far worse to work at then Mesaba. We have pretty good work rules, somewhat lousy FO pay (although it is actually OK for Saab FO pay but terrible for Jet FO pay), and currently brisk seniority movement, hopefully keeping your FO time fairly short.

Good luck on your choice.

I'm in the same boat too, don't want to sit reserve and have a long upgrade.

Determine your priorities among these factors:

1) Where you'd be living/based and commuting issues
2) Pay/Work rules
3) Equipment
4) Industry reputation
5) Expected career progression/upgrade/where people go when they leave
6) How well others like working for each company
7) How well you think the company will fare in this dog eat dog world (usually anybody's guess, but use your crystal ball if you have it)

See which one does the best among your top priorities. Remember what is right for others is not necessarily right for you. Good luck.

Reserve in ORD on the ERJ for AE is currently at about 4months. We are short staffed everywhere, so I dont think this will get much worse.