willworktofly

With NWA phasing out their DC-9s, does anyone know if Mesaba will be picking up new routes to replace them (or even Compass/Pinnacle)? I've heard rumors that the 900s and 175s will being getting more/longer routes to make up for the loss of the diesel 9s.
Also, if you have heard of any hiring in the future for mesaba any information would be awesome...I am on reserve right now in the 900, and I want to see the light at the end of the tunnel... you know what I mean!

evh347

I've been at the training center in Eagan for the last week in the SIM (CATII certification, etc...). I had the chance to ask members of the training center what they had going on at a company potluck. Right now, they are focused on conducting recurrencies. One instructor (who was also my instructor back in Oct.) said that he didn't forsee any new hiring taking place for the next year. That was the first time I heard something that contradicts a rumour that hiring would pick up again in the Fall starting with the fellas/gals in the pool.

Another big RUMOUR is that Mesaba will be getting additional -900's and the -200's will be fazed out (due to fuel issues). For Mesaba, it'll be easier to transfer the existing -200 crews to the -900 since they only require "differences" training and there aren't many.

As usual, I was given this with the typical disclaimer...subject to change.

Dude, I've flown with captains (and I'm sure you have too by now) who were on reserve for the last 8 years....went through the bankruptcy....upgraded and are back on reserve again....anyways, it's hard to complain unless you've walked in their shoes. But, I see where you're coming from...;-) Reserve is no fun and I'm one of the lucky ones high enough to choose a reserve line only if I want one. Best of luck.

EFIScompmon

Mahsabah = da nine killa.. lets make a sticker... mainliners luv mahsabah

evh347

The other thing....for Mesaba to get more -900's would probably mean concessions to some degree. All I've heard since I've been here is how management likes to dangle the idea of getting more airplanes in front of the pilots' noses if the pilots are willing to take concessions.

It's your preference!...comes to mind.

EFIScompmon....I love that moniker. Been thinking about changing my moniker to: "APU deferred"

Superpilot92

DELETED...............

Superpilot92

The number of 76 seaters are capped out as soon as the joint TA is signed by DAL/NWA. FWIW

BlueMoon

The light at the end of the tunnel it to keep the DC-9's and add more of that size of aircraft to mainline...that way you can have a career to look forward to.

Superpilot92

BINGO!!! It seems alot of people forget to look at the BIG picture.

bored

Instructors aren't in the know, as much as they think they are. They don't know any more of substance than the rest of us. The meaty bits of info can't be public for obvious reasons. HR doesn't even know when the next class of new hires from the pool will be!

BTW - they're not our routes... they're NWA's routes that they allocate equipment to. If they allocate the saab, 900 or some 200s, then we fly 'em. Nothing is ever set in stone and that's why our route map changes so much.

The majority of the 900 flying is replacement for avro flying that went away to the 200 when the fleet was parked. NWA pilots can't get too bent out of shape about what Mesaba does... after all, we weren't created and spawned by NWA and have working with NWA and their pilots since the 80s. After all, it's their scope that allows our very existence. We do the flying they don't want.

Hang in there guy... reserve for some was short and sweet, but reserve isn't a new concept either and shouldn't be a surprise to any new FO.

willworktofly

I understand the whole reserve concept... I wasn't trying to come off that I was complaining. Dont get me wrong, I am 100% happy about working with Mesaba, i have just heard a wide variety of information from all sort of people here not only about reserve and routes, but when we are getting more a/c and the possibility of furlough.

I know that nothing is final until its in writing, i just would like to hear what other people had on their minds right now. To the guys flying the dc-9, i apologize if i came off rude, not my intention...