Can anyone that attends Mesa's program tell us why Mesa makes a FAA Certified Private Pilot take all the flight training and classes over again. It sounds like Mesa is saying to the FAA that a Certificated Private Pilot is not a piolt until Mesa can train them over. Probably a waste of time and a way to get more money from young, uninformed students who have been sold a dream by the school recruiters. For those potential Mesa or other flight school students, do yourself a favor. First, take the time and visit all schools that are of interest to you. Get all the information you can before the visit. Make a list of questions to ask. While there, talk with the students. Also talk with someone in management if possible. Ask them the difference in their school and the others. Some schools will require you to enter CFI training and then teach at the school. Others have a bridge program that will give you more airline type training beyond a Commercial Certificate. Look at the total flight time and type of equipment flown. Compare the ground school classes and how they prepare you for the airlines. Go beyond the Private, Commercial, Instrument ground school classes if you want to make it through the Basic Indoctrination classes at the airlines. Ask what is the school's success rate as to number of students that complete the training and are now working in the airlines or flying cargo, mail, etc. All good ways to get you to the regionals. If you are an above average student, have passed your written test the first take, and have passed all the FAA flight tests the first time, then look at the programs where you do not have to become a Flight Instructor. You will probably make it to the regionals. If you are a average student, look at the programs that allow you the CFI route and extra training. Don't take this wrong, not all CFI's were average students. The extra training will get you over the hump and make you a better pilot. It will take you longer, however it will give you valuable insight and a way to polish your flying skills. Before you interview with a regional, take some classes on how to interview. Also, look at programs that will give you full motion simulation training. There are schools out there that just give training in simulators and teach ways to interview properly. I would also suggest that you buy and read "The Turbine Pilot's Flight Manual", by Gregory N. Brown and Mark J. Holt. You will find it at most FBO pilot shops and also on the internet web sites of pilot supply stores. Hope this will help future airline pilots, now in training, or looking at flight schools.