Airline Pilot Central Forums - Mesaba Airlines: 2 Month Upgrade

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SAABaroowski (Post 240974)

hmmmmmmmmm, I have 2600 total time, over 1,000hrs 121 Turbine time and 600hr or so in a SAAB:cool: If things turn south here in the next month or so......... Mesaba here I come

hey man go for it...believe me Mesaba is a great place!

I would say those Euro abinto programs are more like military training programs than like your local FBO. Its all about training and confidence.... When I was in the AF our typical upgrade to the left seat was at 2 years and 700-800 hours in the right seat. That was on the C-130, but when done with upgrade you are fully qualified for Tactical Airland and Airdrop, etc.... hell my first "A" code trip was from Pope AFB to Goose Bay, Canada on to Frankfurt, Germany then Sigonella, Italy finally on to Azraq, Jordan. 6 weeks deployed then back to the states.....

Experience, training and individual ability should all be a factor in upgrade.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HercDriver130 (Post 241115)

I don't know a thing about military training, but you are right about the Euro Ab Initio training. It is highly selective and highly structured. Those 200-300 hour pilots on Airbuses and Boeings are perfectly qualified to be sitting there.

I am sure the military training is selective and tough as well, which is why those guys don't usually have trouble with airline training AFAIK.

Ironically, two of the worst pilots I have flown with have been ex-military. But so has one of the best. Former B-52 commander. Gets it in every respect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToiletDuck (Post 240906)

Reminder to self.... No family on Mesaba.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I get so sick of seeing this comment on this board. TD, would you REALLY follow through on this? Whenever you get on an airplane, or put your family on an airplane, do you do an extensive check on the pilots? I'm sure if you had the opportunity to upgrade in two months, you would be grateful for it...but suddenly, when someone else has that chance, they are automatically not worthy of their position as captain. Come on...if you have the luck, seniority, and the skills to pass the training, what is the problem?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAABaroowski (Post 240943)

God why does everybody take everything so serious:p It was a joke...............................:rolleyes:

I even laughed at that one!!!:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by higney85 (Post 240966)

For all you guys know he could be a 10,000hr CA that was so ticked with flying night freight (or something like that) and decided to go back to DTW and be a CA and be with his family instead of commuting somewhere! If you haven't figured out that the long upgrade is a thing of the past you should figure it out now! There are many regionals where you can hold CA quick but your QOL is crap, so people wait.

A few of these guys came from other slow moving regionals. So you're right higney85..

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToiletDuck (Post 240979)

For all I know he isn't and just waiting for some company with staffing issues to make him the next statistic. Knowing what we currently know, which isn't much except that he's a 2 month upgrade, and you had the choice to put him on that aircraft or another with hire mins and upgrade times which one would you put your 6month baby girl and wife on?

Mesaba has been attracting qualified pilots from other regionals. I wouldn't worry about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kansas (Post 241121)

TD, would you REALLY follow through on this?

Yup. I look at who flies what. If I see a list of regionals going home I stick with the ones I feel are better. I never get on a Freedom, Mesa, or GoJet. I've never been in a position where I was stuck with only them. I'm sure everyone is qualified as they must meet FAA standards. Doesn't mean I can't have a small fear of flying with some. Anyway it was just a comment to be kinda funny. Like I said I know anyone there has met FAA standards. But yes I still worry.

i have nothing to add except i love this thread!