I currently live in MSP. I work for a regional airline, I have been there stuck in the right seat for 4 years and commuting on top of that. Pinnacle recently offered me a job with the assurence that I would upgrade in 6 months and no longer have to commute. Can anyone tell me what Pinnacle is like to work for? Is upgrade really only 6 months?

 

You can most likely hold your first choice of DTW, MSP, or MEM out of new hire training. Upgrade SENIORITY is not a problem- you can actually bid CA in new hire class if you have 3500TT, or be an FO for 6 months and upgrade at somepoint along the way. Since you said you have been an FO for a few years I am banking on you having more than 3500TT. It may be a good thing for you to be an FO for a little while if you have been flying a prop up to now (if you have been flying a CRJ disregard that statement). PNCL has alot of threads on here so the search will bring up lots of info! You will fly alot and upgrade quick at pncl, the contract is still being negotiated (up to the point of mediation). The pilot group is great but the pay and work rules are not the best right now- nothing is going to be passed by the pilot group that is not a "good" contract (thats why this is taking soo long). If you are looking for a quick upgrade for jet PIC time you should probrably strongly consider it- just keep in mind the company is not the most labor friendly. Things should only get better from here. Also we have CRJ-900s coming online in November in SLC and LAX that will go very junior (most likely junior), if you live out west you could just come over and be a -900 CA. Pay rates have yet to be determined.... Good luck with whatever road you take! Take a look at old posts though if you have time. There are quite a few PNCL pilots on here so you can see their opinions and also see which posters are "trolls" towards pinnacle... we think they got fired or quit...

 

As a captain you will get abused. You will be on reserve for at least 2 years. They will knock you down to 8 days off. Basically you will turn angry and start hating life.

 

Hating life is nothing new. I think all regionals are the same in crappy work rules. I am just sick of commuting and it seems like a good deal. What about the 15 CRJ's going to Mesaba?

 

So far they havent transfered any, no one really knows what is going on with that, but supposidly we are giving them 6 this year and the rest next year, with attrition and the delta flying, we wont even notice they are gone, maybe in MSP because thats where they all will be based for mesaba and with the 900's and compass there as well our flying might be reduced a little bit. IF you want to come and be a captain, I suggest do it now, get your time and get it over with. Your schedule will suck, just know that well ahead of time, and most likely it will not get better until you leave, but if you want turbine pic quickly and are willing to sacrifice 1 year to get it, than go for it and good luck.

 

I had 18 days off last month. August; I've worked 5 days so far.

GO MESABA!!

I'm lovin' life (and no comuting)

 

how long have you been at Mesaba? 18 days off is great

 

Mesaba is great...isn't there a 3 year seat lock...no chance for upgrading for the kid there

 

Well... truth is I got a 3 day trip pulled for someones IOE last month. BUT, 11 to 16 days is possible on a regular basis.

 

Most Junior CA upgrade is 490 we now have 730 pilots. I think as we grow upgrades will be more important then seats locks. They could always slap a letter in our contract. For me, MESABA is a great place to work though.