Well your buddies didn't tell you the whole story. Everybody knows that when you start a new job you don't get a check the first week. The issue was that people were complaining that it is difficult to go almost 2 weeks without getting a paycheck. So what they did is instead of getting a $400 check your second week it will be split between week 1 and week 2 with $200 each Friday and then it is the normal $400. Since you still, in theory, don't get a check your first week there will be an extra one waiting for you the week after you finish your check ride. As I said before please get your facts straight.

This forum is an excellent resource for the gathering and passing of information between pilots. I think it's our obligation to give accurate information and not just a bunch of rumor. So any guys out there working for Pinnacle and Mesaba please chime in with what you think about YOUR company and not the hearsay about the other. We don't have the answer on where you should go, you need to evaluate your priorities and pick the company that best suits your needs right now based on factual information. Good luck and congratulations on the offers!

 

I have to say working at Pinnacle is great!!! Fast upgrades, we own colgan and there is possiblities for advancement in the future with other airlines. We have a contract with Delta starting in December. A new contract should be coming out soon therefore our pay is going to great. What does Mesaba really have to offer...you know you are going to stuck with Northwest for a long time...no room for growth with Mesaba only with Northwest. And truthfully I believe Pinnacle gets approx 60-70% of the business versus Mesaba and Compass...granted they have just started off...but Pinnacle still has a 10 year contract with Northwest and with Delta. With our 10 year contract with Northwest...how much can Mesaba and Compass really grow with us having 124 CRJs that we operate for them with the option to get bigger planes...I think if you look at the bigger picture Pinnacle is a better company now and in the long run will be. Who knows...Northwest might grow Mesaba up then sell them off isn't that what they always do...Good Luck with your descision Dude.

 

I really hope that you guys at Pinnacle do get a great new contract, I'm behind you 100%. But we all need to remember that getting bigger planes is not what is important, we can't keep letting management sell us on big shinny jets. Let’s have some foresight! Most of us want to go to a major someday and if we keep flying CR9's and CR7's of 50 seat rates we are hurting our own futures.

Best wishes to everyone who is in negotiations! We need to support each other!

 

Thanks for all the replies, everybody. It seems that the forum opinion is generally the same as mine...split. I'll have to just sit down and make a list of the pros and cons for each and see what works best for me. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

That's what they've been 'told' to expect, but someone asked them, what if there is no wait time to go right in the sim, do we get our $200 then? There was no answer given to them. It was a silent [*chirp* *chirp*].

You are already in class, so you shouldn't have a problem. My understanding, from talking to personal buddies of mine at Pinnacle, and from that FI thread, is that effective next class (so this Monday Sept 10), expect the reduced $200/wk for the whole time and no other bonuses.

You will not be affected. Future classes, that's a different story.

 

You'd have to be high to want to go to Pinnacle. What if you went there to fly a shiny jet and quick upgrade and then hiring elsewhere freezes. Good luck enjoying staying at that place.

 

So what was your reason when you went there?

 

They've started installing a 200 sim in MSP yesterday, and are in the process of getting a 900 sim. Growing pains are here, but to be expected. I'd go Mesaba, with the potential growth/flow thru/snap backs it's a good place to join up.

 

put down the kool aid and step away from the cup.. you are about to OD on it..

He is the low down, no BS version...
Contract... years away.. not months, not this year, not next year, but years... have doubts talk to ASA, there is little to no chance we will settle ours before they settle theirs.
Colgan... Can you say Scope? the arbitrator will settle that in a few weeks, that growth you think about may all be Colgan's on your back and your lines.
Pay.. that will be settled in December, if ruled against AND Scope ruled against.. that contract is a thing of imagination.
NWA and history... Ask XJ how much flying they lost last year and the year before. Ask Express I (former pinnacle how much flying THEY lost when the RJ-85's came on the property?) Ask how much XJ lost when the CRJ's came... How many -900's and how many 175's are CP and XJ getting? where in god's name do you think that flying is coming from?
A 10 year ASA? ask which version of the ASA we are currently on? it can all change...
Bigger planes... we have NO options with NWA for anything larger, read NWA scope clause and you will find out why. NWA will have to get relief on that before anything more than a 55 seater ends up on Pinnacles side for NWA.

Before I forget.. XJ is owned by NWA, when Express I was owned by NWA it grew like a weed, then IPO'd for some cash. That all took about 4-5 years. Now XJ was bought recently, see XJ grow for 4-5 years.. and rightfully they should, I would take XJ as the "history" with NWA is clear, they will be the favored children for a few years and Pinnacle will still be the red headed step child.

History not kool aid... dang these newbies really soak it up in the school house..

 

Wow! That might be the best post I've read on this forum. I have nothing to add except great post, dondk.