I was extremely lucky for the timing I was hired, all of us really, in 2013 were hired for part 117 needs. Was only in ground school did we find out that we were awarded the 30 e-jets. Needless to say, after 18 months, one of the lowest paying regionals turned into the highest paying one. As I said before, I havent even hit my four year mark, and making 65$ hour. JO has a point with the fast upgrades. Yes, it will take longer for new people than what I experienced, but you are still at one of the best regionals to get that TPIC time, and to be holding a line. For those stuck on reserve, I feel your pain. I'd love it if our union would work on a LOA, and give reservists the ability to go home by 4pm on their last day, as the previous TA had it.

Lowest paid to highest paid? Nope. Upgrading at Mesa just means you've switched from lowest paid first officers to lowest paid captains.

So, it sounds like the investor in JO sees the future of the regionals.

Go public in a year or two, get in early and cheap, Ride the tide when the majors buy up and incorporate all the regionals, Millions to be made.

Yup. Endeavor just dropped to a 2 year upgrade by the way.

Too bad they don't have any domiciles in desirable areas of the country.

You can't put a price on personal living preferences. As much as I loathe this company, I just upgraded in two years and managed to stay on the correct side of the Mississippi (well correct for me anyway).

Again not cheerleading for Mesa, but there's not another "two year upgrade" regional out there with a junior CA domicile that I would want to live in or near.

Horizon is now at around 2 years I think. Skywest will be sub-3 years before the end of the year. The "quick upgrade" excuse no longer holds water.

So we get the worst pay in the industry because of the quick upgrade for people already on property. JO's response to any questions about a pay increase should be "but but upgradezzzzz!!!!"

New recruiting slogan: "Live on food stamps in the right seat, so you can be a big playa in the left seat!"

Anyone who says "XYZ upgrade will be....." is foolish.

The Mesa upgrade could be 6 months or 6 years 12 months from now....

It's nothing but a damn gamble...

If you do a cost / time analysis, you will make more money sooner, with a quick upgrade. Yes, lowest paid CA, but if you compare to other regionals where you will be, most likely still a FO, it becomes the highest paid based upon the time invested. Other airlines will soon have fast upgrades, and should you end up as a lifer at Mesa, you have a strong point.