Career Advice
02-09-2008 | 10:18 PM
#11
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,899
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From: Leftof longitudinal
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?
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?
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.
Last edited by SaltyDog; 02-09-2008 at 10:24 PM.
02-09-2008 | 11:34 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,934
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From: Retired
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.
02-10-2008 | 06:45 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Furloughed Righ Seater
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.
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.
02-10-2008 | 07:18 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: A320
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.
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.
02-10-2008 | 10:06 AM
#15
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,523
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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.
My 2 cents.
02-10-2008 | 10:13 AM
#16
Thread Starter
*********
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,068
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The other one: I could have my 1000TPIC in less than two years.
02-10-2008 | 01:57 PM
#17
Sequester bait
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 282
Likes: 2
From: UH-60, AS-350, C-550
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.
02-10-2008 | 03:23 PM
#19
Line Holder
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 365
Likes: 34
From: A319/321 FO
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.
02-10-2008 | 03:35 PM
#20
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
From: Spartan
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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