Mesa runs alot of the SAT-IAH flights. So you would be #1 on the list when it comes to commuting. That all could change, so take it for what it's worth but I would he surprised if that route went to pure mainline or back to 50 seaters...

Neither Envoy or XJT are going away. Upgrade is slow, that I agree with!

Sorry but PIC time is not worth what it used to be. Senior FO's are getting hired at all of the majors with little or no PIC time. Only Southwest requires PIC that I'm aware of.

Many in this career have chosen a crappy airline based on upgrade time only to be hosed by getting stuck there. Pick somewhere that you can be happy at if you have to spend many years there. Look at history. 9-11, Age 65, 2008 market crash. Many furloughed from growing carriers during each of these events. I can't imagine being stuck at a place like Mesa on FO pay and work rules. Go somewhere that will allow you to build time but a place that you can be happy if plans don't work out!

Again, I wish this person the best in their decision!!

But if the Majors are looking at a guy with PIC time vs a guy without who do you think they will go with?

Never settle for the minimum criteria, exceed it as best you can.

Not true. If that were the case then United, Delta etc.. would not have hired any FO's without PIC..

Being stuck at the bottom of the list at a stagnant airline on enternal reserve, no matter how good the contract may be, isn't fun for anyone.

Unless you live in the most junior base at said stagnant airline, you're better off taking a hit as far as the contract goes to hold a line and have some people below you on the seniority list. Having some seniority with a crappy contract outweighs being at the bottom of the list with a great contract as far as QOL goes.

Let me get this straight, are you telling me PIC time wont look better on your resume then no PIC time for the Majors?!

It's like taking honor classes. Do you NEED it? No. Will it look better and help your chances. Of course.

This is a blatant lie and a complete misrepresentation of how the pre-assigned RAP1 works. When was the last time you were even on Reserve? Or are you just going by what Eagle Lounge/Neal Spanier tells you? Both have ZERO credibility and usually bend narratives to fit into their world view.

**Edit:

I'm deleting part of my original post off the public forum and sending you a PM instead.

IAH is an all 7/9 base, so one will fly in RVSM, just not above FL350. :cool:

Skywest Houston most junior hire is a 23 Feb hire, so relatively junior.

thank you all for the input

I live near IAH. I just flew with a captain who worked at Mesa before working at SkyWest. He said that after two years of Mesa he was senior enough to upgrade. The problem was that he hated it there so bad that he chose to leave. He said that it was a really negative atmosphere all the time. Now years later he's a IAH SkyWest captain. Just thought I'd throw that out there. The quick upgrade wont last, but even if it did, what use is it if you hate your life at Mesa? SkyWest has beed pretty fair to me. I get ****ed at things they do sometimes, but I'd rather be here than any other regional.

The main problem here is that this is second hand anecdotal experience. I am not knocking Skywest and I'm glad that you have found some fulfillment in working there, but this experience that you described wasn't even from your own perspective and carries little weight to me since I don't personally know said individual. I'm not here to specifically advocate going to Mesa, but it's not as bad as what you described above from your coworker's perspective. No offense but this guy/gal sounds a little short sighted. Things may be better at Skywest, but in reality the grass is just a different shade of brown.

I don't really agree. Aside from the pay being low just like at any regional. Skywest really does take care of their employees. They are a great company to work for if you don't care that much about money.

You won't find that here at Mesa. Great pilot group though, and we watch out for each other.

From Tyler, moved to kerrville to be a fighting antler later on. Either way he sucks.