Mesa Airlines

USMCmech said:
I will be starting class on the 21st. I picked Mesa because I wanted to be based in TX. At the time, Envoy was looking like it was going to wither and die, vs Mesa who was bringing 30 planes to the new DFW base as well as 30 E175s to IAH.

I don't know of any active JC member who is flying for Mesa. I had to go over to APC to do some research and wade through the lake of BS to find what intel I could.

I do have an old coworker from Martinaire who just finished training for the CRJ. He said that the training process was very straight forward and he had no problems. He did have to go to Europe for the sim training because everything stateside was booked.
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I'll be in the 21st class as well.
 
raysalmon said:
yeah....I'm right here. Somebody call? I guess USMCmech forgot about the PM conversation we had about Mesa in October :rolleyes::D

There's lot of nonsense on the Mesa thread on APC. Anyway...to answer the OP:

You can expect working for a company that has as its main goal to keep its costs low. Do not expect to be spoon fed everything. Everyone at Mesa works their tails off and has too much to do. Most admin types wear several different hats.

There is a lot of stuff you will need to use your own initiative on, especially when it comes to figuring out how the company works. They will teach you what you need to know to pass 121 training but not much more. The training department will work hard to get you through, but they have limits on how many extra sim sessions they will throw at you if you're struggling.

If you have a good attitude and don't mind being flexible you will be fine. Expect the schedule to change. 99% of the crews are very professional and are good at what they do. Most of the captains you will fly with have been at the company for 8+ years and are experienced.

Show up to ground school with your ipad and mount already bought. Do NOT leave small stuff like this until the last minute. You will regret it. Do everything you can to organize your outside life to run on its own for about 3 months. Don't plan on being home at all during that time. Focus your attention solely on your training and you will do fine.

If you have any specific questions, ask away, or by PM if you prefer.
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Thank you, I appreciate the briefing. I have made most arrangements so my life is, as you said auto pilot, for three months. I haven't purchased a new iPad yet though. I wanted the Air 2, but I heard it's not approved yet. So I'm not sure. Do you know if they care that I just bring my digital logbook printed and binded? I haven't updated my paper one since about 200 hours.
 
I would have to look into the Air 2 thing to give you an accurate answer. As for your logbook....do you have an ATP? If you do, don't bother bringing any logbook, you don't need it. If you will be getting your ATP for the first time, then printed logbooks are fine.
 
USMCmech said:
I will be starting class on the 21st. I picked Mesa because I wanted to be based in TX. At the time, Envoy was looking like it was going to wither and die, vs Mesa who was bringing 30 planes to the new DFW base as well as 30 E175s to IAH.

I don't know of any active JC member who is flying for Mesa. I had to go over to APC to do some research and wade through the lake of BS to find what intel I could.

I do have an old coworker from Martinaire who just finished training for the CRJ. He said that the training process was very straight forward and he had no problems. He did have to go to Europe for the sim training because everything stateside was booked.
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Hey, congrats, man! I didn't know you were moving on. (not that I should have.)

You were the first person to tell me that flying a Caravan was like a big 182. :)

1357 people after you said the same thing. But you were first. So you're special, y'know?
 
I heard they've hired all the people they need for the new aircraft and that people hired now will only upgrade due to attrition.
 
Gonzo said:
Really, guys are willing to work for a airline that is not willing to give you the basics you need to do your job. We truly are pitiful bunch.
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They don't pay for headsets or suitcases either. It would have been nice if Mesa had bought me a shiny new iPad, but in the end this is a minor pixel in the overall picture.

I chose to go to Mesa because I would be able to be based within driving range of home. I could be based in either DFW or IAH depending on what equipment I was assigned (I prefered DFW as it is closer). Not commuting (or a very short commute) has been my primary consideration when choosing what regional to go to. I understand bases can and will change, but for the near future I won't have to commute.

My other options were Envoy, Expressjet, and Skywest. Envoy was honestly my first choice before the current drama started there. However with the likelyhood that they were going to shrink if they didn't take AAGs new offer spooked me off. I have two friends who have been there for 2 years and are still on reserve. Expressjet wasn't even hiring at the time and is projected to stay stagnant at best. Skywest was the only other serious choice, but they have bases all over the west coast and upgrade would be a LONG time in the future.



Are there better regionals out there, of course there are. However, Mesa seems like it will be the best fit for me in the near future.
 
I am currently an FO at Mesa based in PHX. @raysalmon painted a good picture about the overall training experience for the FNGs. Mesa is a low cost regional, even though all regionals are predicated on a lower cost model to line the pockets of mainline (that's entirely different thread), Mesa ranks close to the bottom. Know this going into it. If you understand that part then you get how the company operates and it will help save your sanity. Yeah the pay sucks first year, but what really irks me the most is that they make us pay $2.50/month for KCM. But whatever I get to fly shiny jets and I'll most likely upgrade at 1000 SIC sometime later this year. The people here are awesome, and the training department is VERY good at making sure you are given every opportunity to pass given you put forth the effort. Even crew scheduling was very cool about letting me off reserve early to make the commute home. I was rarely denied an early release from duty if it was a reasonable request. Once you get out of training you are on your own, as it should be. Nobody is going to come hold your hand and show you how to bid, or tell you all about the contract. But we're all adults now right?

As unfortunate as the low cost structure may be, we are very stable and continuing to grow (more 900s coming). We're the most fuel efficient express carrier for both Airways and United. That coupled with our on time performance has a lot of people speculating that we may be a top contender for United's 30 additional 175s yet to be awarded.

Don't listen to all of the Mesa haters who think they are special because they work at XYZ regional and make enough too have McDonalds instead of top ramen. Mesa is full of pilots who want to live in base and not commute, or at least have a very manageable. Not everybody wants to move to places like ORD/LGA/IAD to the newest hot regional when others are hiring in your own back yard. Who can blame them? I'm quite content working here and optimistic for the future.
 
Beech90 said:
Is mesa currently hiring only for upgrades and attrition then?....not for growth?
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2 EMB 175s per month being added through June. Also it seems they're beefing up the CRJ side of the house for more than just upgrades and attrition. A source from the training department says 7 more 900s coming and a new syllabus for street captains. Plus they have been refreshing everyone on the 200 during AQP. Rumors are buzzing and it leaves you scratching your head wondering what's next.
 
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