Why MESA?

[CX880]

I just got done talking with a friend of mine at Mesa and what he told me was downright horrible. From what I heard pilots there are basically slaves, forced to work and be demeaned. My question is why do so many put up with it? Has Mesa always been this bad? What are the chances for a better contract? I really feel bad for those that are actually trying to get in, hopefully they know what they're getting into. Even pilots that live on base have a hard time.

 

[XPOO]

Flame bait! Hold on. I want to be the first to say it this time. MESA SUCKS!

 

[WalterSobchak]

But what about those SWEET signing bonuses?

 

[Soverytired]

I just got done talking with a friend of mine at Mesa and what he told me was downright horrible. From what I heard pilots there are basically slaves, forced to work and be demeaned. My question is why do so many put up with it? Has Mesa always been this bad? What are the chances for a better contract? I really feel bad for those that are actually trying to get in, hopefully they know what they're getting into. Even pilots that live on base have a hard time.

Many don't. Many are leaving as fast as they can, even if it's a lateral move.

Mesa has not always been this bad. Until 2 years ago, I would have considered Mesa an acceptable career fall-back position for the long haul. They have systematically SQUEEZED, bent, or broken everything in our contract, and it's now a miserable place to work. They did this in the face of record profits!

Even the actual flying isn't any fun . .. .I mean really, who looks forward to night after night of "flip flop flying"; sometimes day work, then showing at 1800-0700 and flying four legs with a 3 hour nap on the floor of the plane? It's contrary to every NASA fatigue study and NTSB safety recommendation.

Yet the company will tell you with a straight face that flying a shift between 1800-0700 and 0700-2000 is exactly the same, and that sleep from 2200-0600 is exactly as restful as forcing oneself to sleep from 0900-1700.

It's dangerous, demoralizing, unhealthy, and just a matter of time before Mesa has an "incident" like Comair. But you can't sue Mesa . . .it's FAR legal, right? Oh, it's the pilots fault for not calling in fatigued. Sue the pilot (if he survives the flaming wreckage).

Contract: give it at least 3 years, and the advantage is very much in the company's favor. With all the guys leaving, the ALPA leadership is constantly changing. Our excellent MEC chairman just bailed, so we're rudderless, again.

Mesa views pilots as easily replaceable cogs in the machine. You are not valued, you are overpaid*, and you certainly whine too much about only getting 8 days off a month. To paraphrase one of our V.P.'s . . . we only get the weekend off, why should the pilots get more?

AVOID. AVOID. AVOID. AVOID.






* Yes, overpaid. The company is currently conducting a roadshow wherein they "prove" Mesa pilots are paid far more than industry average.

 

[rickair7777]

I agree with SVT, two years ago it wasn't that bad as far as the way you were treated. The contract and work rules sucked, but back then it was reasonable to assume that it would be corrected in 2007...now I just don't know.

 

[paid4training]

I unsed to work with the now head of scheduling there. I never thought he would have turned that place into the place it is now. I am shocked.

 

[CFIse]

I just got done talking with a friend of mine at Mesa and what he told me was downright horrible. From what I heard pilots there are basically slaves, forced to work and be demeaned. My question is why do so many put up with it? Has Mesa always been this bad? What are the chances for a better contract? I really feel bad for those that are actually trying to get in, hopefully they know what they're getting into. Even pilots that live on base have a hard time.

And yet your "friend" is there. I do wonder why people with all these horror stories from people they know who supposedly flying at Mesa don't stop and ask themselves WHY these people are still there if it's so terrible?

"Forced to work and demeaned" - really - what does that mean? I have never been "forced to work" - I get assigned a schedule and I fly it - if that's what you mean, but I think you'll find that's typical at all airlines. I've never been demeaned - I'm not treated like a Sky God - but I've got news for you - pilots are just cogs in the machine, and if you are expecting Sky God status you're not going to like it at any US carrier these days.

 

[mdanno808]

Have you ever been JA'd?

 

[bingsatre]

mesa

my life has gotten better since mesa! it's what you make of it, and how much you let the system beat you down! sure, i maybe shuda waited till sky west called, but they didnt!

Bing

 

[Soverytired]

All of CFIse posts may be summarized thusly:

1. "All regionals are equal. There is no difference in Q.O.L. or pay for any of them."

(Demonstrably and patently untrue. It is an outrageous lie. In his latest post, he implies ALL U.S. carriers are just like Mesa! This is actually funny, because apparently, he expects you to believe it!)

2. "If you don't like Mesa, quit."

(Excellent advice, and Mesa pilots are doing their best to follow it . . roughly 12% of the total pilots this year alone. "Get your time and get out" doesn't cut it under Mesa's current work rules)

3. "Why don't you come to Mesa? It's great!"

(sigh)

And yet your "friend" is there. I do wonder why people with all these horror stories from people they know who supposedly flying at Mesa don't stop and ask themselves WHY these people are still there if it's so terrible?

"Forced to work and demeaned" - really - what does that mean? I have never been "forced to work" - I get assigned a schedule and I fly it - if that's what you mean, but I think you'll find that's typical at all airlines. I've never been demeaned - I'm not treated like a Sky God - but I've got news for you - pilots are just cogs in the machine, and if you are expecting Sky God status you're not going to like it at any US carrier these days.