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SaltyDog 02-09-2008 10:18 PM


Originally Posted by paxhauler85 (Post 317744)
Currently at Mesa, 250 hours away from having the time to upgrade.

Struggling with the decision to give up my senority here (I know it's not worth much, but its the principle) and make the leap to RAH for better QOL and a more stable future.

Obviously, I would take a pay cut in the form of another year at $23/hr over the $56/hr I would make in the left seat here, but money isn't everything.

I would be happier at RAH, living in my hometown and commuting, rather than living in a city I dislike.

Thoughts?

Not to be negative, but something to consider on any lateral is: Would I want to stay there for a long time. Potentially for a career? Should be asked. If answer is yes, then forego TPIC and get started ASAP to enhance opportunity to move up that seniority list and get TPIC at the lateral (Crazy I know).
If answer is 'maybe' or definitely No, then stay at Mesa and get the TPIC now! Then lateral if can't move up to airline you would be willing to stay for a career if that is the way the market falls. Being single definitely gives you an edge now. Realize also the pitfall, the higher your earnings, the less likely you will be to move to a lateral if you can't get hired up. (2 years as a Capt makes it tough to start at F/O probationary pay again, especially if you are not single at that time in the future) Good luck.

Pilotpip 02-09-2008 11:34 PM

You've stuck it out at Mesa this long, what's another year in the left seat? Get your PIC, and get out. Right now I'd have to say that you have more to gain by staying than you have by leaving, and that's saying a lot becasue I just made a lateral. However I only had about 4 months on the line.

utedrummer 02-10-2008 06:45 AM


Originally Posted by paxhauler85 (Post 317744)
Currently at Mesa, 250 hours away from having the time to upgrade.

Struggling with the decision to give up my senority here (I know it's not worth much, but its the principle) and make the leap to RAH for better QOL and a more stable future.

Obviously, I would take a pay cut in the form of another year at $23/hr over the $56/hr I would make in the left seat here, but money isn't everything.

I would be happier at RAH, living in my hometown and commuting, rather than living in a city I dislike.

I would say you have already made your choice and IMO its the better one. This job sucks if you dont like what your doing, where your doing it and who your doing it for. If RAH will make you happier (and give you back some of your life by no longer commuting) I would do it. Make sure you have your ducks in order finacially so you can live on $23 for another year but remember you WORK TO LIVE, NOT LIVE TO WORK!!! Senority isnt everything and is even less at a bad company.

whiskerbizkit 02-10-2008 07:18 AM


Originally Posted by paxhauler85 (Post 317777)
The goal, ultimately, is to begin logging PIC time ASAP. But at what cost?

This is the true crux of this decision. Is it worth being the CRJ CA "whipping boy" in IAD for a 1-1.5 years?

I'm pretty junior, so there wouldn't be more than 50 or so people junior to me in the seat for the first 6 months or more.

Also, to clarify I have the senority to hold the seat (people junior to me have been awarded it) but lack about 220 hours (I re-counted) before meeting the ICAO CA mins.

I think I would be happier with the QOL Republic would provide, and would also love to fly the 170, but my greatest fear is taking the job, and regretting it for the 2 years I'll spend in the right seat there.

Been laboring over this for a month, the decision has to be made by Monday, so as to be able to give proper notice that I would be leaving.

Slice - it's just me, so no one to uproot besides my clothes & car.

Freezing - just went to recurrent here, and after only 3 days in the classroom, the thoughts of another 5 weeks of GS, sim and another PC doesn't sound exactly great, but learning and PC's are the nature of this business so I can't really let that change my feelings. I also am not a fan of another probationary period.

Get your PIC and get out. Dont look to fly a bigger plane at another regional, look to fly a bigger plane at a major. Look long term, not short.

bigtime209 02-10-2008 10:06 AM

To me personally, being happy and having a better QOL is priority 1. So, if I were you, I would got to Republic. Yes you might have to sit in the right seat a little longer in the grand scheme of things, but I think that you will be suprised how much you can enjoy the right seat with a great company and a good QOL. And yes, flying the big boys would be cool.

My 2 cents.

paxhauler85 02-10-2008 10:13 AM


Originally Posted by bigtime209 (Post 317998)
you might have to sit in the right seat a little longer in the grand scheme of things, but I think that you will be suprised how much you can enjoy the right seat with a great company and a good QOL.

That's one of the two thoughts that cruise through my head when I lay awake in bed at night.

The other one: I could have my 1000TPIC in less than two years.

DustoffVT 02-10-2008 01:57 PM

Get the 1000. Then, you don't have to stick it out at Mesa anymore if the majors slow down - an intermediate move to Spirit, Airtran, CShares, etc would broaden your horizons if a legacy job is your goal.

ExperimentalAB 02-10-2008 02:59 PM

Well we can't be helping him much with the half-for and half-against answers LoL

NJGov 02-10-2008 03:23 PM


Originally Posted by crewdawg52 (Post 317786)
You are at Mesa.......your choice. Tough.....suck it up and enjoy.....

Do you ever have anything constructive to say? Post after post it seems you enjoy being negative and condescending towards others. We are all pilots, brethren in that sense, how bout trying to provide an intelligent response?

Take your bitterness elsewhere.

/rant off

To the OP: Stick it out at Mesa and change things up as much as possible to give you a fresh outlook on the company and flying the line. Perhaps you might bid trips that you wouldn't normally fly? Change your way of life via commuting?

My experience with Mesa is very limited so I cannot be much more help. However, definitely get that upgrade and build your TPIC - 2 extra years (best case) is going to put you very far behind on anyones hiring list.

Slice 02-10-2008 03:35 PM

I'd sacrifice QOL now for a shot at a quicker path to a major. When I was at AMW, I had 1900 CA and RJ FO bid. RJ FO came up first. Had I stuck it out in the Beech a little longer I think I would have gotten out quicker. My timeline is skewed due to going to UPT in there but that's my .02. Do it while your single. Once you have to answer to a woman, your options will be severely limited if you want her to stick around. Mesa CA is better than Mesa FO. You'll make ok money and hook up with the occasional FA on a trip. It'll be ok if you make the most of it and don't take the job too seriously(beyond operating safely).


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