First off, if you can wait and let them know Monday, the merged list should be done tomorrow. That should answer the question of fences, Also, every day is that much more seniority lost (which is everything) I'd say take the earlier date. Mesaba is flying flights CHO-LGA so that would give you higher priority for getting on those and once the merged list is done (before your class date) you would likely be able to bid to any Saab base you could hold (see seniority comment) without a seat lock.

Thanks I really think I might wait till Monday to reply. I would agree with take the seniority, however I think either one would be an ok commute and it is only 1 day (June 6th vs. June 7th). I could go Mesaba direct CHO-LGA or I could go Colgan CHO-IAD then there's lot's of flights from IAD to BOS i could hop on to go work, if I were to miss CHO-IAD I could suck it up and drive 95 miles from my house to the airport. Plus if the Saab IAD base for Colgan is junior I should be able to hold that soon hopefully and then it would be basically the same no?

I guess it all depends on the SLI, if I go to mesaba and can bid the Colgan bases that would be awesome, but does anyone really know how long it will take for the operating certificates to be integrated making that a possibility?

Always take the first class available. Classes get canceled and airlines hire till they furlough. That being said, never postpone a class date. Mesaba has been operating the Saab for a very long time, given the choice I would take training with them (I work for Colgan on the Saab, not saying anything bad about the people we have in training, just saying that they have had the airplane a lot longer than we have and they do a great job both with the Saab and training). Seat lock for new hires is only one year not two so equipment and base will only be as temporary as a year if you want to switch.
There are plenty of people in this business that will try to get you down. Only do this if you truly enjoy it, roll with the punches and have fun.

I believe and could be wrong, but If you go to Mesaba you will have to go through training again before you can go to a Colgan base and fly a Colgan Saab. I am guessing that could be a little while before that gets all sorted out.

So you think I should choose easier commute over seniority? June 6 = Saab Mesaba LGA and June 7 = Colgan Saab BOS or IAH (eventually plan being to bid to IAD)

Initially Colgan would be the more difficult commute but if IAD is the junior base and then I could bid that and have an easier commute (38 min flight or 2 hr drive)

Seniority is everything!

Seniority, especially since getting IAD may not be as easy as it seems because of it being Junior. You never know what can happen but you can get your seniority up by making the one decision that is in your control.

Thank you
 

Thank you for all valuable your input, it really made me feel a little better about my decision. I decided to stick with the June 6th class, that gives me at least 1 class already under me as far as seniority, and eventually after integration I should be able to bid colgan bases and perhaps get to IAD. Either way commuting CHO-LGA will be on my own airline so hopefully it won't be as difficult. Honestly looking forward to training and embarking on this adventure.

I guess I'm the minority who is going to say that an easy commute is worth way more. I haven't been watching what's been going on so not sure how likely it would be to get the base you want by the time you leave training if you took the first class. I have a 26 min flight/2.5 hr commute and I wouldn't change it for anything. I've never had to commute the night before and always get home the day my trip ends. The only time I've driven over is for reserve. Of the people in those classes that end up ahead of you due to waiting, not all of them will directly affect you (other bases, other a/c). I would gladly move down 20 people on my list if it meant keeping my easy commute which equates to a MUCH better QOL!

Yes, but moving down 20 could catch you at a potential furlough or cutoff for upgrade when the time comes. Senority is everything.