I don't want to open a can of worms here, and please be gentle because I am not an airline pilot yet. I am almost finished with my private and then I will move on to my instrument rating afterwards so I am neutral and uninformed on this subject. Now to my question: Why is it that so many people on this forum hate Mesa Airlines or "MAG" as you call it? Remember I don't know ANYTHING about any of this so just inform me don't rip me.

Thanks and yes I am awesome.

 

Many discussions about this, just use the "search" function.

 

Everyone at Mesa is willing to do other RJ pilot's job for less. UNDERCUTTING. The US airline industry is run on capitalism. If management can find pilots that will do the job for $5 less per hour and work more days per month, those companies will get the flying (Mesa, Colgan, gojet).

Remember your first job. Lets say you were paid $500 per week. Just imagine if someone with a Mesa uniform went up to your boss and said "I'll do that job for $380 per week". The next day your job security was jeopardized and that work gets awarded to the underbidder.

Sure people on here will say that "Mesa pilots are trying to get a better contract". Folks its not going to happen. Mesa management and Jonathan Ornstein happens to have a company culture that is one of the most anti-pilot companies in the country. As you can see, JO would rather park aircraft than pay pilots more and let them be at home more with their families.

I know this because I worked at Mesa for a short time and left, not wanting any part in bringing down this profession. Mesa is disgusting, and most people there don't even know it. They settle for less because they don't realize how they SHOULD be treated as professional airline pilots.

 

People hate Mesa because it is a glimpse into the future of every airline job. Mesa has learned how to squeeze their employees for every penny. Armed with low costs Mesa is then able to grow and effectively compete.

Mesa and companies like it have proved to the industry that pilots, F/A's and the rest will work for next to nothing and will put up with a lot in order to remain in aviation. Other companies are being forced into similar practices or go under.

SkyHigh

 

It's hard to bargain with your company and ask for money when they know plenty of pilots out there will work for much less(Mesa). I'm sure it has been said in the above posts..

 

While I see what you're trying to say here, where does this logic place 90% of regional pilots nowadays, having flown mainline routes for less pay?

 

Ummmm. Have you read the news lately? Mesa is hardly growing or competing effectively.

Their low pay/low respect structure is blowing up in their face with terrible financials, low completions, poor on-times, and lost contracts.

 

Do we really need yet another thread about this? Just do a search and you will find enough info to burn through your afternoon that would answer your questions.

 

interesting...while I am not really going to respond to the mesa stuff because I know nothing about it there is something I want to address. The airline/aviation industry looks bleak right now because of recession, rising oil prices, and inferior work conditions. I realize I'm an outsider and am not extremely well-versed in Airline economics and policy but there are factors that some of you might not be looking at. I've tried to explain before how complex the oil and gas business is and how it is inevitable that the price will come down. There are other sources of oil in our own country that have not been exploited and when the government decides to stop griping at the US oil companies about it and open up these sources of oil we will see high prices. Innovation will also play a role(i.e. Gas to Liquid fuel, coal liquefication, etc.) The market will find the next source of energy it always has propelled us forward. However, the airline industry will, in a few years, have a mass exodus of pilots due to retirement(baby boomers). This will open up jobs for pilots and I believe return market and QOL conditions to previous levels. If this downturn in the economy is allowed to fully play itself out then we will pull out of the recession and things will get better. That is how markets work and they will ALWAYS go up and down. If you live in a free social and economic society this is how things are.

 

Kansas I realize that you are in that 10% (or less) not flying mainline routes. I think the kind of flying you are doing is honorable, but with that being said not everyone can go to work for $15,000 a year... you are just hardcore!

Besides EAS routes, What is the answer to getting into this industry without "stealing" flying or undercutting anyone? Not all of us are qualified to fly for the military.