What can I say?

[laralen02]

So how can I boost some morale here?

DH called this morning, REALLY depressed. He started with Mesa not too long ago, and is a new FO. He was supposed to have a line, but the bid got messed up and now he's sitting reserve in IAD. He doesn't have a place to live even, not even a crash pad. So he prays for overnight trips so the hotel won't have to come out of his pocket.

He said today, "I knew this would suck, and I knew it would for a WHILE, but not this bad! Even when I was an EMT working 96 hour shifts, I got to go HOME afterwards. I don't even have a home. This is like the shift that never ends--it's slave labor. I could be working as a fry cook at McDonalds, make more money than I am now, have more time off than I do now, and get to come home to you every night. I can't even let you know what days I have off to come see you. I don't know how much longer I can take this. I love to fly and I don't want to do anything else, but the QOL sucks."

He then went on to say that he'd feel better once he ate something, and sorry for being so down. He's a VERY optimistic person, and it really bothers me to hear him like this. And I have NO IDEA what to say to him, or how to make it any better. We get to see each other about once a month right now, and for a VERY short time.

This is just tough. How did you guys get through this regional bull**** and stay sane??? And how can I keep HIM sane? I can't even send him cards or boxes, there's no address to send them to...I'm at a loss. I've been with him since he only had his private rating, so I've been expecting all this for a while and I thought I'd be prepared. I don't know what to do though! All I can say is that I love him and I'll be here for him no matter what. But that doesn't feel like enough right now.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Lara

[Amanda]

OK, not sure if I can help! We are ex-Mesa and don't have a lot of love for the company or the treatment of their most important asset- the pilot group.

He needs to get a place to live, which will help a bit. Didn't he meet any other guys in his class also based in IAD? That's what Nick did and decided to live with them. I would also check MesaHub to see if any crashpads are available (it might be better if he posts). He could maybe place something in the IAD crew room asking about an available crashpad. Nick has met some of his best friends at Mesa and so I am sure there are some great guys who need roommates in IAD!

I wish you the best of luck. Listen, Mesa helped Nick get to where he is today. These sacrifices early in his career will pay off. It seems like it will take forever but it doesn't.

[laralen02]

Actually, Amanda, you were one of the people I was HOPING would post, just because of you and Nick's Mesa history.

I HATE MESA! I can say that, and DH allows me to say that on here as long as I don't mention his name . I'm so sick of the way they're treating him.

Originally Posted by Amanda

He needs to get a place to live, which will help a bit.

Yeah, that's a major stresser and money-drainer right now. He made alot of good friends in training, but I don't think any of them are in IAD. He met a guy that has a house in Charlotte that he was going to commute to, and we were really happy about THAT...until he told me that this friend wants DH to live there to help "babysit the kids". And I said, "What do you mean?" The kids are two 18 year old flight attendants that apparently party too much and DH was supposed to make sure they didn't destroy the house.

DH INSTANTLY knew that I was hugely uncomfortable with this, and we don't need any MORE cause for me to worry, so that living situation is gone. He just needs another. He has no internet access right now, but is there some way I can get access to MesaHub or whatever it is to help out??? I think he's just been relying on word of mouth and posts in the crew room to find a place right now.

We've always been a long distance relationship, and he used to have to drive 6 hours to see me. Now he flies for free, and I see him even LESS than when he had to drive! I knew things were going to suck, but I was kind of hopeful that they would be better than they HAD been previously, pre-job. Ugh, I'm just so frustrated and TIRED and WORRIED about him. And about him and me. Sometimes I don't think I can do this, then I picture my life without him, and I KNOW I can't do THAT.

[Imachickadee75]

When DH got Palm Springs, CA with Skywest we kind of panicked. There weren't alot of crashpad options and the rent there is crazy. I got on craigslist.com and searched looking for roomates. We found an awesome situation that probably would not be duplicated but there were some others that would have worked to. I'd check it out.

Jackie

[Kristie]

hmmmm that's a hard one...

the junior guys ALWAYS sit reserve...he's a new hire and didn't think he'd be on reserve at all??? even my dh says that's pretty shocking. someone is always sitting reserve and it's usually the new guys.

the only thing you can really do is help him find a crashpad or get him in touch with a mesa crew that has IAD *connections*. if he doesn't have internet access, does he have a computer with him there? he could go to the local starbucks and get on a hotspot for a day and do some serious searching that way or go to an internet cafe in the area (i know there's one there in fairfax altho i don't know where in location from the airport). but he needs to find a stable place to at least plant his feet. is he staying in a hotel now or crew lounge? he has to at least get adequate sleep, so finding a hotel nearby that might be like $50/night would be good... doug used priceline.com a lot for cheap hotels and/or motels. I know there's a couple of motels in manassas, they would at least offer a bed/shower.

does he have a car or any transportation to get around?

lastly, if he has to use credit cards to stay at a hotel or what not, then that's what he has to do otherwise a shelter might not be a bad option altho he'd have to make sure his flight kit and other valuables are protected. people can typically go to a shelter between 7PM and 7AM and they do get a shower as well. We looked into that option for my dad when he also didn't have a place to stay in the area as we weren't sure he'd be able to afford hotel/motel.

yea. MESA isn't known AT ALL for their employee relations. he should have had an idea that he could have been thrown on the reserve belt and planned for it *just in case*. Sorry, but it's true. Mesa isn't known for their accurate bidding either, i've heard more than one case where bidding went completely haywire even on a senior level guy.

other than trying to help him find a place to live, all you can do is be there and give him encouragement that every day is a day gone by and one less day that he has to be at Mesa Airlines.

did dh not do his research on this company and what to expect as a new hire? Mesahub.com is going to be his best friend from here on out.

[Doogie]

Mesa's lost a CRAP LOAD of pilots in the past month. If you're having staffing issues (because of hte attrition), it's easier to put more folks on reserve than regular lines because it's easier for crew scheduling to manipulate your schedule.

If there is a junior pilot beneath him with a regular line, he needs to file a grievance, but chances are, it's crew scheduling playing around with the manning formula to stretch resources.

[Amanda]

Originally Posted by Doogie

Mesa's lost a CRAP LOAD of pilots in the past month.

THAT is an understatement!!!

Lara-
When Nick was first assigned IAD he was lucky and only had a month of reserve and then had hard lines going forward. That was over a year ago and as you know, things are always changing.

The crew room in IAD has a computer so so can go on to MesaHub.com for 1) support/friendship and 2) post for a place to live. There HAS to be a place somewhere he will be able to stay.

Nick's 2 roommmates from IAD were sent down to MCO or I would have given you their names and numbers. When I see him tonight I'll see if he has any buds still living in that area. Jackie has a great idea too, maybe post somethng on Craigs List You never know!

Again, it's going to be hard at Mesa (especially in the beginning) but that's what motivated Nick so much. He was sure as heck NOT going to work there more than he had to. He networked hs butt off and maintained friendships. Somebody he knows is always getting hired at the other airlines. Some took a lateral move to another regional just to get out, but most are holding on for dear life (and building PIC) so they can move up.

Does he want to contact Nick for some advice? If so, PM me.

[BAC]

awww... lauralen.. that sounds so rough! On the bright side, things won't always be like this for you both. His schedule will get better and he'll figure out a way he can have some place to stay.

I wish I could offer more help, but I'm a little new to all of this myself!

[skyrocketocelot]

Laralen, I am so sorry about what's going on with dh I'd love to kick the airline in question's rear end for you and everyone else!!!Hang in there, chica, and vent all you need to!

Amanda, Kristie, etc. etc. - thanks in advance for the heads-up!

[Kristie]

things won't always be like this for you both

that's really about the best thing about the whole situation... it may not feel temporary, but it is! so it'll definitely get better day by day which is something to look forward to!!!