Mesaba Wannabe...
 

I'm a pilot at a regional Alaskan airline and was hoping to move on to Mesaba, sent my resume in, awaiting a response, was wondering if I could get some general feedback on what I should be prepping for as far as a potential interview... any gouges on tests they might be giving or specifics/peculiarities as far as the Mesaba interview is concerned, instrument skills are top notch so no worries in that arena... I would only be making the move is I would be able to get MSP based in the CRJ... is that a good posibility or am I looking at a different base? Thanks for any help in advance.

Hey there, there is a wealth of information about that under the thread "Mesaba New Hires" It's always updated also. If you search the web, you'd be able to find gouges for the interview. Now as far as makin a decision to accept the job, you wouldn't really know your aircraft until they call you for a class date and you will not know your base until class starts. I can understand being picky with your base but as far as aircraft goes... In this industry right now, beggars can't be choosers. But goodluck!

...
 

Well I'm already flying the a T-Prop, so I wouldn't want to make a horizontal move on equipment and a downward move on pay. I'd like to make the equipment move up if I have to take a hit on pay. Sounds like the base might be the killer though, I would be able to stand commuting to DTW as well but MEM might be a bit far out of the way as far as what I'm doing, I tried looking online but couldn't find a definitive answer on where the equipment is, as far as I've heard all 900 flying is out of MSP, so if you get the 900 you'll be MSP based... is this accurate or not?

The equipment might be seniority based, not sure, however you shouldn't take the job based on which equipment you get to fly. Either you'd like to work there or not but don't let the deciding factor be that you simply want to fly a 900 RJ. It's SJS and no the grass is not greener.

No 900 and Saab are in all 3 domiciles, 200 is MSP only

Thanks...
 

Thanks for the correction Mr. Connection...

With regard to the question of equipment... the company I fly for currently has no jets, and ultimately I'd like to fly jets, just for the experience of it if nothing else, but I make as much as an RJ captain does in the plane I do fly, now why would I decide to move to a the same prop so I can make less money and commute farther (2000 miles as opposed to 5) and be on reserve, when I'm already in a prop and having fun doing it, there are a number of factors behind this, but the go/no-go decision is going to come down to domicile and equipment, if I was offered a 747 but it was in Florida I wouldn't take it, this is not "make or break" this is "make if it works".

Not a problem.
It all comes down to what you really WANT to do. Don't take a job just because you want to fly a jet "just for the experience." Don't get me wrong, I like flying the 200, but I would have been just as happy flying the Saab. I'm not sure if your 121 or not, but for future consideration, "major" or "legacy" careers do want to see some kind of 121 experience. Do what is in your best interest.

If you've got turbine time and over 1000 hrs, you'll probably get the "thanks but no thanks" email. That seems to be the pattern lately, anyway.

Blackwing... sorry you didn't get called for an interview. All the folks from former 121 carriers would probably beg to differ with your comments. Face it... Mesaba can't hire everyone.

Lol, I've got turbine and 121 over a thousand of 121 alone (and no, I didn't pay for any of it), wonder why that is that former 121 pilots get the pass? Oh well, can't win them all, I'll just have to have my friend walk my resume into Pinnacle or Compass when I'm old enough for Compass or Pinnacle starts hiring again.

The "just for the experience comment" might have been a little off base, but essentially I don't want to take a pay cut to fly the same plane I'm in right now, and ultimatley I see my career heading to AK Air or the future NWA/Delta, either way (or even if it doesn't head that way), I'd like to have 121 Jet PIC on my resume and I think a NWA/Delta feeder is a good choice now.