Everyone knows they are doing phone only interviews. This is not news.

Ok Mesa pilots. Tell me this: I have an opportunity to go fly for a 91k operator that flies Hawkers and Kings Airs. After six months I'd be flying both, so I'd have a type and be getting some jet SIC time. One downside is that I'd only fly 300 to 400 hours per year and an upgrade wouldn't come for 2 to 3 years (King Air first). The pay is more than double and goes up.

I'm still leaning toward Mesa because there's a lot more flying and 121 time seems to be pretty valuable. A chance also exists that upgrades could come in less than two years.

Is this the wrong decision?

What are your eventual goals? Does this other job allow you to live where you work? How far up does the pay go?

The regional industry is really not a great life especially if you're commuting, and there are no guarantees you'll ever make it to a mainline. I don't work for Mesa but I think your best bet would be to do whatever allows the best life for your family.

Go to Mesa. Some 91 operators and many corporate outfits are crooks and will think nothing of sending you down the road on a whim. Mesa, Republic, etc have a bad reputation but private operators can be far worse. I have never flown for one (only 121), but as a mechanic, I have observed some pretty shady behavior on the part of owners.
Go to a crappy regional and fly as much as you can.

Not sure what my goals are. I guess I lean more toward 135/91, but a decent airline would also be fine such as JetBlue, or something international that pays great. Yes, I'd live where I work, which near "home" and the lifestyle would probably be a lot better. Still, all that jet time seems like it would open doors a lot faster, even if I have to endure the lifestyle for a while. Fortunately I'm single and can do what's necessary.

I would try the King Air/ Hawker thing for awhile. If you don't like it, you can always go to a regional. They will be hiring indefinitely for the foreseeable future.

First off I am very new to all of this, but I had a quick question or two if anyone could help me out.

I am looking to apply later this month after I take the ATP written and get some of my other personal business in order. I have ATP mins but only 75ish multi (which will be steadily increasing starting this week).

Does anyone know if there will be any classes starting around the beginning of next year? Also what airframes are they hiring into? From the stuff I've read online Mesa is looking for a few new pilots.

The best life for your family is setting yourself up to get into a regional, get your time, and get out ASAP.

Those getting hired at CPZ today are particularly setting themselves up for quite the expedited journey.

I am considering going to Mesa as well, been doing 135 turboprop freight for the last 2 years but its all SIC and I have no idea what the deal is with the upgrade. Flying 300-400 hrs per year. Based at home. I took the job feeling the same way you do now about career goals.

The trouble is I'm not sure how valuable the upgrade would even be, I mean it would be more $ but thats about it. 300-400 hrs a year isnt much and TPIC aint the golden nugget that it used to be.

The captains I fly with would kill to get on with JetBlue or any major for that matter, but with all of the RJ guys out there they are at a disadvantage. They are trying hard and getting no where fast and they have been flying left seat in big turboprops for 7+ years.

I'm just saying from a guy who gave the 135 side a shot, the way I see it now, in the current hiring environment, for career gigs, 121 or otherwise, I truly believe that going to Mesa will open more doors faster. Mainly because of the equipment, hours and ops.

I may be going myself and yes it will be a pay cut, QOL will go down too (well a schedule does sound nice rsv or otherwise as I am currently on call 24/7/364 and they do call at 2am with no warning). Looking in my crystal ball long term I believe it will be worth it. Ill come back and tell you in 10 years.

We have well established differing views on this subject, no reason to rehash it all over again. It will be bittersweet in 10 years when I can say I'm still at a regional. My life will not be great but at least I can say I was right.