ugh, still no new mem FO's....

I'll be driving from southwest Michigan showing up hopefully by mid-afternoon. I know a few of the guys already in our class colnago, we should try and get everyone around for dinner the 2nd. From what I hear Staybridge is pretty nice, anyone else stay there recently?

Bases are usually posted a week before class start for newhires.

Yea looks like in the past 3 vacancies only 3 saab fo's and 3 900 fo's total have gotten MEM

Well if you want MSP I would guess you'll get it almost right a way because everyone in the previous class had a chance and there were 2 or 5 extra spots left for your class depending which airplane you where in. Now if you want MEM It will be a while it looks like. And with the Delta thing going on one could guess why.

Yeah for sure, what day are you arriving in MSP? I'm only a 5 hour drive away so I'm still debating when to drive down.

Awesome, we'll see what happens. I'm used to the area (after hating it initially) and would not mind MSP. I made a move from NYC to this region and it was a bit tough due to how quiet it can get in the suburban settings. I'm sure DTW has ok-suburbs? If anyone has any recommendations for places to live around DTW, I'd be happy to hear them. I refuse to commute and would be looking for an apt. (Yes, I've checked craigslist. I'm looking for decent places)

The staybridge is amazing. Location kinda is lacking but the fact that they give you dinner 3 days a week pays off big time. The staff are great also.

Quick question for anyone in the know:

Why does Mesaba let you jumpseat during training for familiarization on the weekends but not go home on the weekend? Is it just like jumpseat on a turn out of Minneapolis to get familiar with stuff? Just wondering. I don't really care. It is easier to stay at training and concentrate anyway. I assume they've seen high washout rates when people go home maybe?

Also, how is the preferential bid working out? I've never bidded this way and have heard the good and bad from lots of people. I just wonder how commuter-friendly the parings end up for junior guys/gals? Not so much start/end times, but blocks of days off in a row for example? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

They just dont want you to try and go home and get stuck and miss any class. With regards to pbs, we dont have it yet. Its still in the works and I am not sure but i think that its supposed to be implemented sometime next year.

We dont use pref bid yet probably still wont be for a while looks like. As far as jumpseating home both are on you to get back on time. Some do, some dont. For me it was an unnessisary risk especialy so early in your career with mesaba.

Gotcha. I appreciate the info. Yeah, it is an unnecessary risk for sure. I saw preferential bid in 2008 on the handouts they send to interviewees and didn't realize it wasn't in effect yet. Nice to know that before I go though. Thanks again.

All 3 of the FO's that came here were above me, there were no vacancies, just guys who left mem and those who backfilled those spots. (which by def is a vac, but you get what I mean)