Mesaba
 

Looks like mesaba has slowed/stopped hiring for the time being. I've heard a rumor they have had prob's with their ops cert. for the crj. I really would like to work for them and am considering waiting for a call and not going with another regional carrier. Any tips?

The CRJ ops certification took a little longer than planned but it's still a green light. First class(es) of check airmen, instructors, etc are going thru the process and the first class of regular line pilots starts August 29th.

The first CRJ arrives on property in a few weeks and revenue flights begin mid to late October.

We're still hiring plenty but as for who gets called it's anybody's guess. I've walked in resumes of people who have prior 121 experience and it took FOREVER to get called back. Then I hear about how people with barely the minimums get a call back in 2 days after faxing it in with no recommendations. :confused: good luck all!

Finnaly
 

I just got my call yesterday from Jodie at Mesaba. I'll be in the CRJ class starting on the 12th of Sept. The CRJs will be based at MSP. I've heard some of the training will be in CANADA. I'm very excited I can't wait to start. Does anyone know about the flight bags and luggage your supposed to have? thanks.

Congrats. I believe your simulator training will be in Montreal since we do not have CRJ sims yet.

As for bags, when you're in class in MSP you'll have opportunities to go the the NWA employee store to shop around. If money is not of big concern, remember "purdy neat" for a roller bag. Will cost you around $275. These are the best bags because it has a strong steel frame and comes with a good warranty.

And for flight cases, plan on spending $75-200. You don't have to have this stuff the first day of class, but definitely by your flight training/IOE. Try to get at least a flight case to carry all of your manuals to and from class.

SaabTrash
 

Hey Saab

How hard is it to get domiciled in MN? Don't really care what plane, or if on reserve or not... just how long for a new hire?

Thanks

For the Saab, all newhires are going to MEM or DTW initially and it takes about 4 months to get to MSP. MSP is the senior base and the movement is much slower there than the other bases.

For the Avro, much longer. Over a year, about 1 year a few months to be exact. The Avro is a fairly senior aircraft in MSP. You're better off going to the Saab just to move up the domicile list quicker.

If you're lucky enough, all 15 CRJs are initially based in MSP so in this case you'll be right at home. We have 20 CRJs on option and for all intents and purposes, we should get. (NWA likes to spoon feed it's regionals). "Rumor" has it that most, if not all, of Pinnacle will be booted out of MSP and reassigned to MKE and IND. Our MSP CRJ could increase significantly in the next year.

Good luck!

Quick question
 

Saabtrash I appreciate the info on the bags. I've seen some different study guides for the CRJ on the internet. Would you wait and see if the company has it's on limitations and procedures, or do you think the study guides will be of much help, or just wait until I get there and see? Do you know how many FOs are moving from saabs or avros to the CRJ, or are they all new hires? Thanks

All CRJ FOs are newhires. No current FOs are bidding the CRJ FO.

We have a 3 year seatlock for initial FOs, and FOs are allowed to bid other equipment as an FO but then you're seatlocked again for 2 years. So bidding the CRJ FO after 3 years is kind of pointless since you're much closer to upgrade in the Saab. but if upgrading is not a priority, then bid away!

Couple more questions
 

Sorry about all the questions I'm sure they'll answer them all when I get there I'm just really anxious. What about someone being a crj FO for 3 years and then bidding for a saab captain spot in MEM. That's where I live anyway; MEM. I didn't know if a person could go from a jet to the saab. Are there Avros based in MEM. If I'm in one of the first CRJ classes will I be bidding pretty good for my schedule? Do you think we will be on reserve long? Thanks again

I should clarify the initial 3 year FO seatlock. From date of hire, you are seatlocked 3 years from bidding another FO position. For example you're hired as a CRJ FO. Your seniority number comes up in 2 years for a Saab Captain upgrade: you can bid it (because it's not an FO position and only because it's an upgrade position).

You just can't bid another FO position before 3 years. After you bid another FO position or even CA upgrade, it's a 2 year seatlock before you can bid any other position. Does this make sense? Just remember everything is seniority based. If your number can hold it, bid it! :)

Right now CA upgrades in the Saab are only going as junior as 4 and a half years. Assuming we get the 20 CRJs on options, I would suspect the Saab upgrade time to fall to maybe 3 to 3.5 years. We'd have to get alot more CRJs and see more attrition to get upgrades to 2 years (like the days pre 9/11).

To answer your question about preparing for the CRJ. I believe Bombardier in conjunction with our recently hired CRJ instructors will be teaching the first several CRJ classes until the FAA feels our own instructors can teach on their own. Usually when we've received a new aircraft, the limitations, procedures, memory items, etc are manufacturer based until we as the company learn more about the aircraft flying in our environment (airspace, weather, etc). But it wouldn't hurt to get ahead and see what the CRJ is all about.

crashpad
 

Hey saabtrash do you know how difficult it is to find a crash pad in MSP, or what prices are like? I fyou don't mind what exactly is attrition?

I know of one crashpad in MSP right by the Mall of America which is right across the highway from the airport. I'm sure there are many others. Crashpadders seem to have a network, so all you gotta do is ask around.


Attrition is pilots leaving our company for greener pastures. Pre 9/11, when we were growing and losing 15-20 pilots/month (to all of the big carriers like UAL, AA, Delta, etc), Saab upgrades were as junior as 1.5 years.

Now the attrition rate is maybe 4-5 per month. Many going to SWA. Some FedEx.

Employee handbook
 

Hey Saab
I got my book and paperwork today. Should I fill that stuff out now or wait until I get there? I didn't know if we would go over it the first few days or have an opportunity to ask questions. Because I have a bunch. On one piece of paper it list the 10 people in class with me and a 5 digit number out next to our name, is that our employee number? It also has us in class for about 3 1/2 weeks I guess we'll go to sim training after that. Do people travel home any during class, can you fly for free? Well that's enough questions for now. Thanks for the help.

Not sure what paperwork you have but you might as well fill it out so you're not overloaded with paperwork on the first day of class. On the first day or two, there will be plenty more paperwork for you to fill out.

The 5 digit number sounds like your employee number, probably starting with a 12 or 13 or 14? most newhire numbers are starting there.

During your first week in class, you should get your company ID badge. This will allow you to jumpseat on virutally any US airline (yes for free). So yes, if you feel you have enough time to get home Friday night and come back sunday, then go for it. Not sure if this is your first airline job, but I think it's safe to say the CRJ material will be like drinking out of a firehose. So you may not be wanting to travel around liesurely. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks
 

Hey I really appreciate all your help, The book they sent me has Insurance info and a PCS, direct deposit stuff you know. Yes this is my first airline job and I've heard the training is pretty intense so I probably will not be traveling back and forth at all. I can't afford to washout. My employee # starts with a 15 so maybe it has something to do with the CRJ. Also there is a person on the list who's # is like a 4 digit 60.. Maybe they came from other equipment. I'm pretty excited about next week I'm staying at the towneplace suites. I guess you spend alot of time study in the 'ol hotel room. Any way thanks again and maybe we'll run into each other in MSP one day.

I hear XJ has made the choice to expand the much more appealing Saab fleet and forgo any CRJ expansion.

Expansion? Last one to leave....
 

If you believe the company propaganda, Mesaba is "expanding" all the way down to 49 Saabs - a 50% reduction in fleet size. No more Avros, no more CRJs. Might as well shut the doors.


....turn out the lights.