Mesaba vs. Pinnacle
 

Hi Guys. I know both Mesaba and Pinnacle are hiring now. Any thoughts on which is the better route to go? Anyone know what the junior bases are and which bases they are hiring into?

We are one in the same now. We have the same contract and SLI is approaching.

I think if I were in your shoes I would chose Colgan

Compare the contracts and benefits of each one and pick the one with the quickest upgrade.

I agree completely.

Today's upgrade time sometimes has little to do with future upgrade prospects. In this specific case by the time you're number comes up for upgrade, three airlines should be one so it really won't matter. That being said, I imagine from the point of the negotiated SLI forward all newhires will be integrated with date of hire. Just my thoughts.

The new list will be DOH for all newhires since July 1, 2010. So we have already been doing the DOH thing for the last 10 months.

Very nicely played sir. Some quick research on 401K, health insurance and QOL differences and the answer will become clear.

I'm confused by this, it's the same contract between those two airlines.... if it was two other airlines the different contracts might matter but between Mesaba and Pinnacle, whichever one gives you a class date first.

You're a little behind the airplane today, that's ok, I'll take the controls and the radio, and you can get some shuteye, we will regroup on the next leg.

There is a heavy dose of sarcasm with the previous posts.....fyi.

I thought it was funny...

You go to Mesaba you will be on a turboprop. Pinnacle you will be on a jet. Same contract. If a jet is important go to the PCL side. I would go to whoever will give you the 1st class date.

Thanks for the input. Part of me asking this question however is to figure out the QOL question. I would really ultimately like a MSP base to be close to family but I am just not sure what the chances of that are between the companies. I suppose if they are all one in a couple of years it won't really matter, but in the short term does anyone have any insight into how likely a MSP base is early on? And don't get me wrong, I'll take what I can get and be grateful...if I have to commute for a while, I commute.

if your not in MSP already you shouldn't count on it for a very long time.

Things can change quickly but MSP is very senior and as the Saabs retire for Delta all those pilots will transition to the CRJ so unless something changes I wouldn't count on it.

Bingo. I hope to get back to MEM, but MSP would be a pipe dream for those on the outside looking in. That's the XJ home base. Thankfully 9E has a spread between MEM and MSP as the "live-in" bases.

looooooooooool at this thread. It's dripping wet w/ sarcasm. I love it.

people talk about quickest time to upgrade like that is the only thing that matters. that is so untrue. maybe getting a quality education with some of the the guys that have something good to offer would be a better thought. I am sure there are plenty of those people in each place. So dont worry about upgrades(they will come). getting into the turboprops is a pretty good idea for the fact that will more than likely be the aircraft you upgrade in. there is plenty of first year know-it-alls out there so be careful who you listen to!!

Lol. Thanks for the laugh at 6 in the morning. I needed that.

Jaded- you do that avatar? What's it say?

Yeah I designed it. Since you asked I probably won't get in trouble if I plug the website :D TurboPROPaganda 2.0 / Flight Case Stickers

It says:

PinnaColAba
IMPORTED
99% Kool Aid by Volume

I love the Comair Sticker

Upgrades? Not for a good looooooooooong while, now. While Mesaba has different benefits and pay (one contract, one voice...right, gotcha) the jet will be higher pay. Higher pay = better selection of booze to choose from.

There will be more upgrades. The airlines are hiring again. We've had several leave from 9L (Colgan) in the last few months alone.
We are also going to be getting another 15 Qs in the next year or so. And another 15 scheduled in 2013. Granted by the time we get any more on property we'll be Mesaba (XJ).
There will be more upgrades. They just might not be coming from Colgan alone once SLI goes through.

Just my .02 :)

I believe those are options and not firm orders as of right now.

Bombardier might beg to differ.

Great site. Thanks!

After the two orders of 15 Q400's the rest are options right now is what I have read, care to elaborate?

Colgan Doubles Q400 Order: AINonline

Heard from a Bombardier rep that the options are now firm orders and are being exercised. As to when delivery is, I have no clue, however it is not a question of if, but when. Heard the company is waiting on the SLI and some Colgan-Mesaba transition issues before the announcement is made. With fuel prices aiming for the stratosphere, they would be foolish not to take the Q's in my opinion.

I agree, but with training in shambles, I don't know how'd they cover that many new hires/upgrades.

That's pretty much what I meant when I said "Colgan-Mesaba transition issues". Staffing will be a nightmare and PNCL os convinced Mesaba will save the day!

mesaba's training department will get the job done right

Amen to that!

Hold on to this thought for the next couple of days......

Please tell me this is a joke.

Yeah! Mesaba has a horrible safety record...this has to be a joke.


oh wait...

You're dangerous Mesaba. Dangerous.

Until I see it here (FAA Registry - Aircraft - Make / Model Inquiry Results), I won't believe it.