I essentially agree with this, however, in my situation, I'm likely going to fly to age 65 with whoever I get hired by. By the time I would be able to "flow", I wouldn't have enough time left to make it worth doing. (if I ever reached that point which is somewhat doubtful). So what I'm looking at is flying as an FO for a couple years or so, moving up to captain and then riding there until I hit 65. Once I have to retire from 121, with the jet PIC time, I hopefully would be able to get some kind of corporate gig, even if part time, to continue to generate some revenue.

 

You may also want to consider an outfit like XOJET where you can be home based. You get in as an F/O and once you upgrade, you don't have to do anything when you hit 65! F/O pay is around 55K and Capt pay is around 140/K as per APC. No having to start all over again at 65.
Live in ATL, and have time to handle all your rental properties.

 

You want to make things better? Vote with your feet....... Get out, there are lots of places hiring. Update your logbooks, put your apps out there, ask friends at other airlines to write you letters of recommendations. Mesa management cares only about themselves. They will ride that horse until its dead and walk away with their golden parachutes leaving you all in the dark. HOWS RECRUITING GOING? They still lying to all of the new hires about 6 month upgrade, being able to hold PHOENIX right out of training? What a joke.. I was at Mesa way too long, leaving there was the best thing that I ever did. Enjoying great equipment, a company that actually treats us like a asset instead of a liability, affordable healthcare, better wages. My first year I'll make more than i would have at Mesa as a very senior captain. Did i mention better wages everywhere you go? Hell great lakes pays higher rates than mesa first year FO.. Every current MESA pilot needs to put their big boy pants on and decide if they want to continue the abuse or talk to management at Mesa with your resignations as you move on to bigger and better things. Every new hire wannabe needs to look at ANY other regional and go there, at least you'd have a future with a flow thru agreement and a signing bonus. ITS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO TAKE THAT FIRST STEP, BUT YOU WILL BE SO HAPPY YOU DID...Best of luck to all the mesa peeps still fighting the man....

 

I've done the ATL CLT commute for 9 years, it's miserable.

 

Have you tried ATL TYS? I'm considering that but not sure how feasible it is.

 

Things are getting serious now. I shaved my face this afternoon. Took me a while since I'm out of practice. Last time I shaved my whole face was a Sunday morning in May of 1983. My adult children have never seen me without a beard... I was wondering what that was going to be like but it's not as scary as I thought.

 

Yes, i agree on this ^^^.I did that one for awhile myself, it was a nightmare at times on both ends.

 

Because of time or loads or what?

 

I'm leaving for CLT in about 3 hours for tomorrow's interview with PSA. Planning to drive there. (about the same total time for the trip as flying out of ATL)

We'll see what happens. I don't feel prepared for the technical portions of the written or panel interview but not for lack of effort. I've spent dozens of hours studying this and that. It's a large "body of knowledge" that I'm needing to reacquaint myself with. Making progress, just not where I want to be. I am planning on shining up my good boots though, maybe that will dazzle them.

 

Good luck!!!