Mesa versus Skywest?

[Amanda]

Originally Posted by skyrocketocelot

I'll throw in my two cents quickly... I talked with SO, current Mesa/Freedom pilot. You sign a 10K note, you do get a chart showing what you owe, it is prorated, your probation period is a year. This happens whenever you train on a new aircraft for them.

I know I'll get flamed for saying this, but to me it's not as bad as people have made it out to be.

Of course, that can always change.

Yeah I'll bite.
Why isn't it "as bad as people have made it out to be"? Employees sell their soul to Mesa. They have so many illegal practices going on there they should be shut down.

[czechmate]

Originally Posted by Amanda

Yeah I'll bite.
Why isn't it "as bad as people have made it out to be"? Employees sell their soul to Mesa. They have so many illegal practices going on there they should be shut down.

Amanda,
I know that you have alot on your plate now and I not asking this to be rude but: What is the allure for pilots to go to Mesa? If they have so many illegal practives going on and should be shut down then why have so many chosen to work there?
Once again, I'm not being rude, just wondering...
Jen

[roz]

Originally Posted by Kristie

I know. I do hear they're starting to get ready to take it back too...anything 70 seats and up might again belong to mainline in the near future.

Who is they? 70 seaters used to be flown by mainline. The old Piedmont/US Air used to fly F28's. They got rid of them. Who flies the E170? Not mainline. Not even the wholly owned.

NWA is eliminating the DC-9 fleet and started up Compass with the blessing of the union. Why are they cancelling hundreds of flights? Because they have no pilots. No one wants to come back.

It's really sad to see what has become of the profession.

[skyrocketocelot]

Mesa is a stepping stone and it's all about the hours. Get in, get PIC, get captain, get CPIC, get out. In a way it's because they treat their guys so crappy that they continually get those who want to work there: you know you'll get hours, whether scheduled or otherwise gotten. That everyone is getting a real line vs being on reserve will only help recruiting.

They won't shut down and things won't change because they know they're just a stepping stone and for every pilot who leaves, there will be more coming to take his/her place. No reason to change their modus operandi. It's all about the $$.

Everything we're talking about is being talked about over on JetCareers too... if you can stand the q of l and lack thereof... well, I think I'd recommend Skywest, just because of your family.



I did say "not as bad to me". I know others (Amanda!) def couldn't stand it. Def don't blame you for getting out either! Hope the money thing gets solved out too.

[Amanda]

Originally Posted by czechmate

Amanda,
I know that you have alot on your plate now and I not asking this to be rude but: What is the allure for pilots to go to Mesa? If they have so many illegal practives going on and should be shut down then why have so many chosen to work there?
Once again, I'm not being rude, just wondering...
Jen

No offense taken Jen.
It used to be that the guys were pretty much guaranteed a quick move to the right seat which = PIC time = getting the min to get hired somewhere 'bigger and better'. Not sure about now... it's probably the same since they can't seem to keep any of their employees.

When Nick was hired in 2003 it was bad but definitely not as bad as it is now. He is still on Mesahub.com almost every day trying to help out his old buds there and to lend support.

When I met him he was a flight instructor woith 400 total hours. He got the mins to apply to a regional and my good friend's husband worked in the training dept at Mesa. He walked Nick's app in. It was just the most convenient place to apply to, plus he was hoping to get based in PHX (ha!). He has an excellent work background (including military experience) so he could have gone elsewhere.

I think at this point everyone has heard about Mesa's bad reputation and if possible, go elsewhere for a job.

I just looked at Nick's last 3 paychecks- they already deducted $3k for a 'promisory note'.

[Imachickadee75]

Originally Posted by Amanda

Sorry I dropped out of sight for a while. Nick and I are busy moving into our new place and didn't have internet access for a few days.

Nick's certified letter is at the post office and he's not picking it up yet. He wants to talk to a lawyer first. I think the lawyer has dealt with this issue.

Nick was at Mesa for 3 years but changed planes 3 times (Beech 1900, CRJ, ERJ), and the last year he upgraded from FO to Cpt.
We don't know the exact amount until he picks up the certified letter.

Money issues have not been good here.

Amanda,
A friend of ours is in a similiar situation (not with Mesa) and is consulting an attorney that specializes in Aviation. Would you like me to get his name? I would want someone who specializes...

Jackie

[Amanda]

Originally Posted by IMACHICKADEE75

Amanda,
A friend of ours is in a similiar situation (not with Mesa) and is consulting an attorney that specializes in Aviation. Would you like me to get his name? I would want someone who specializes...

Jackie

Jackie that would be great- PM me his name if you would. The lawyer Nick is talking to this week is a friend of his family so it's a freebie for now but I don't know what he specializes in. I really want Nick to speak to an attorney familiar with aviation.
Thanks!

[roz]

Wouldn't contract law be more pertinent?

[UKcats06]

Even with quick upgrade, I still don't understand why people are going with Mesa. All I read on JC about Mesa is BAD. I guess a couple of years ago it may have been different, but people are still going there! I don't get it! I'm sure there are better airlines with quick upgrade. Even waiting a little longer seems like it would be better than working for a horrible place like Mesa. All I am basing this on is reading things here and on JC so I could be wrong, but thats what it seems like to me.

[Kristie]

you think you hear bad on JC?! try checking out mesahub.com

whew!!! the talk on there.. HARSH!!! very....

I think the only reason people are going there is because they're taking really low timers and upgrade is quick, that's the only thing i can think of.. i can't understand myself, why people would put themselves (and their family) through that type of turmoil (esp when it comes to having to pay BACK training?!).

Sorry girls of Mesa, i just don't get it.. probably never will...