Latest "SkyWest Big Announcement™" - Page 8 - Airline Pilot Central Forums

#71

TheDashRocks , 05-06-2009 12:26 PM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickair7777

I didn't jump for $2-3/hour (I make more than any regional FO in my non-flying endeavors).

Yeah, well mine's bigger.

I jumped because mesa literally treats their employees like garbage...and it indirectly and directly extended to my family.

I respect you for taking a positive step to fix a problem. I do not quite understand why you always use the present tense, as if you still worked at Mesa or as if your statements still reflect the current situation. I have worked for hardnosed employers. To be blunt, Mesa is not all that bad at the present time.

I'm not blowing Saint Georges horn here but SKW treats employees the way many of the best (non-aviation) companies in the US do.

I would not waste a second arguing with you. I have never worked there. I have met unhappy SKW folks from time to time. If you like and enjoy your employer, great.

I don't waste much energy worrying about mesa pilots....I have some resentment for those mesa pilots who enable him.

...I'm all out of sympathy for those mesa pylots who enable OJ and Co. to do what they do best and then make excuse after excuse. In 2003 they were all saying we took it in the rear on this contract, but we'll make it up next time! Well here it is 2009...and they sound like a broken record.

I completely disagree with your analysis of the new contract, current working conditions at MAG, and the amount of "blame" that should be placed on MAG pilots for what JO does and the state of the airline industry in general.

MAG pilots bargained until the company abandoned its non-union alter-ego. They probably gave up pay and work rule improvements to do so. This was a sacrifice that has helped all union pilots. You may choose to downplay this because you work in a non-union shop.

This strategic move set the stage for the new contract which improved pay and work rules.

The Dash Whisperer

#72

avi8tor4life , 05-06-2009 09:58 PM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Pennekamp

I was referring to DALPA's strategic plan. Take all RJ flying back by eliminating the 50 seater, then staple the remaining regional pilots, beginning with the wholly owneds.

Hell yeah, bout time!!!!

#73

rickair7777 , 05-09-2009 07:30 AM

Prime Minister/Moderator

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDashRocks

#74

TheDashRocks , 05-09-2009 07:59 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickair7777

Just to clarify, the mesa pilots welcomed me with open arms when I was hired, and are overall a great group of people.
Frankly, they are on average more fun and nicer than my current pilot group. I am not too sure about all the ones that showed up after 2006 though...unless you had three or four DUI's, why not go somewhere more stable with a better reputation?

My experience matches your first two sentences. Your third sentence is a nice smear job. It is interesting to me that every once in a while one of my posts disappears, most recently because I referred to someone as a "moron" and a "jackass". At the same time you are allowed to make snide remarks about every pilot that has chosen to work at MAG since '06. It does not exactly seem "fair and balanced".

Any time I spend on the mesa subject is devoted to educating newbies to not go there, or to enlightening current mag pilots as to the fact that things really are a lot better elsewhere, and you don't have to put up with OJ's BS.

You have no real way of knowing whether things are a lot better elsewhere because you have not worked here for years. You have not yet said one thing that makes me want to trade places with you. Why waste time "educating newbies" when no one is hiring? Ditto for telling MAG pilots to go get a flying job elsewhere.

#75

rickair7777 , 05-09-2009 08:29 AM

Prime Minister/Moderator

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDashRocks

You are deluding yourself. If you knew all the facts I have no doubt you would trade places with me. My seniority would get you turboprop CA in the western US...with a much better pay, benefits, and corporate culture than what you have now. I still have friends at mesa, and they don't seem to think much has changed there.

But if you are hell-bent on staying, I'm trying to get it through your head that JO can afford to treat you MUCH better and still be competitive in the industry.

#76

TheDashRocks , 05-09-2009 09:20 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickair7777

If you knew all the facts I have no doubt you would trade places with me. My seniority would get you turboprop CA in the western US...with a much better pay, benefits, and corporate culture than what you have now.

If I had been able to begin my airline career when you did, I would have hung in at Mesa, and gone to the majors.

Regarding my situation and choices, I began my airline career when the majors were hiring like crazy. I did not intend to make a career of any regional carrier. I knew what Mesa paid, and how much time off I would get before I took the job. I also knew contract negotiations were in progress and that both might improve. They have.

I wanted to go somewhere that would allow me to get experience that is meaningful to the majors (PIC) in the quickest amount of time. I was willing to trade $3-$5/hour for the shot at an earlier upgrade.

Now there is no hiring and my stay at the regionals will be longer, and will probably include displacement/furlough. I still made the right choice.

I still have friends at mesa, and they don't seem to think much has changed there.

I may have misinterpreted, but I detect eagerness or glee on your part when you repeatedly predict Mesa's demise. Do your "friends" know that you hope they lose their jobs soon?

But if you are hell-bent on staying, I'm trying to get it through your head that JO can afford to treat you MUCH better and still be competitive in the industry.

I address this by supporting my union. I am not going to make a lateral move to another regional, even if I could find one that is hiring. This might change when or if I am furloughed.