Mesa training pulldown at IWA

[Raoul Duke]

The DOT stats appear to be on Rene's side of this argument. . .

 

[A-V-8]

When I left Mesa late last year I had just over 7 years there. We use to fly CRJ200s in the United System. We parked on those gates in the alley by the F concourse. The one right next to the Eagle side where the airport transitions from United to American. Passengers had to walkabout 150 yards across the ramp to get to our planes. In the rain, snow, or whatever. If you had a quick turn or another plane started to board near your departure time you were definitely late from those gates. The loss of the CRJ 200s resulted in us departing in the CRJ700s from the end of the C concourse. Jetways and no traffic jams made a huge difference. Passengers complained a lot less than when they had to walk in the rain or snow outside and were already fighting mad when they boarded our planes. Our UP scores were bad. Now Express Jet and others get the beating from angry passengers who had to walk, they get stuck in traffic jams on the F gates and subsequently have bad numbers and angry passengers. When I left Mesa we had had ACARS in all planes for a very long time in the United System. Our numbers were consistently better than average and we were almost always 1 or 2 in on time percentage. That was against other pure 700 and 170 operators. The 170s got jetways more often than we did because the 700s had an airstair. We almost always departed on time in ORD.

The last contract made significant improvement over the previous one. We got a line guarantee. If you were awarded an 88 hour line you were paid at least 88 hours. Reserves got 11 days off per month. The pay rates were lower than other carriers however the line guarantee made up for or exceeded that gap. Because of the line guarantee Mesa had to pay you the greater of your original trip or the modification to it. As a result typical crew members would go for months and never hear a peep from crew tacking. They did not modify our schedules very often.

The Mesa of today is significantly different than the one I was hired into back in late 2004. I was based in PHL with the U.S. Airways code share in CRJ200s and I almost never went on time and always made min guarantee. When I left we almost always departed on time and made well over min guarantee.

That being said I still wouldnt consider it to be a good place to work. I will share with you a quote from a friend of mine from the PHL days who is now an elected union rep. "This Company has problems that are too big to fix."

Buxflyr I will not hurl insults at you as your comments are true but years out of date. Mesa has ACARS and consistently out performs their competitors in on time departures.

 

[CLARKGRSWOLD]

Far from ancient history. Just ask PHX.

Spin it anyway you want, but the end is near for Mesa.

Mesa is the # 1 performing regional airline.. We are not going anywhere.

 

[sennant]

Back on topic. ASU is hitting Mesa up for a huge increase in rent for training center and sim. JO's not willing to pay it (duh). Sims more then likely to move to US Airways training center. New buildings are being scouted for a training center. Recall classes after Apr are on hold for the moment as logistics are worked out. A sim move is not a quick process plus recertification by FAA.

 

[CLARKGRSWOLD]

When I left Mesa late last year I had just over 7 years there. We use to fly CRJ200s in the United System. We parked on those gates in the alley by the F concourse. The one right next to the Eagle side where the airport transitions from United to American. Passengers had to walkabout 150 yards across the ramp to get to our planes. In the rain, snow, or whatever. If you had a quick turn or another plane started to board near your departure time you were definitely late from those gates. The loss of the CRJ 200s resulted in us departing in the CRJ700s from the end of the C concourse. Jetways and no traffic jams made a huge difference. Passengers complained a lot less than when they had to walk in the rain or snow outside and were already fighting mad when they boarded our planes. Our UP scores were bad. Now Express Jet and others get the beating from angry passengers who had to walk, they get stuck in traffic jams on the F gates and subsequently have bad numbers and angry passengers. When I left Mesa we had had ACARS in all planes for a very long time in the United System. Our numbers were consistently better than average and we were almost always 1 or 2 in on time percentage. That was against other pure 700 and 170 operators. The 170s got jetways more often than we did because the 700s had an airstair. We almost always departed on time in ORD.

The last contract made significant improvement over the previous one. We got a line guarantee. If you were awarded an 88 hour line you were paid at least 88 hours. Reserves got 11 days off per month. The pay rates were lower than other carriers however the line guarantee made up for or exceeded that gap. Because of the line guarantee Mesa had to pay you the greater of your original trip or the modification to it. As a result typical crew members would go for months and never hear a peep from crew tacking. They did not modify our schedules very often.

The Mesa of today is significantly different than the one I was hired into back in late 2004. I was based in PHL with the U.S. Airways code share in CRJ200s and I almost never went on time and always made min guarantee. When I left we almost always departed on time and made well over min guarantee.

That being said I still wouldnt consider it to be a good place to work. I will share with you a quote from a friend of mine from the PHL days who is now an elected union rep. "This Company has problems that are too big to fix."

Buxflyr I will not hurl insults at you as your comments are true but years out of date. Mesa has ACARS and consistently out performs their competitors in on time departures.

Mesa is far better than it was. Many more improvements are needed. However I love being awarded 95 hours of flying and paid nearly 100 guaranteed.

 

[CLARKGRSWOLD]

Back on topic. ASU is hitting Mesa up for a huge increase in rent for training center and sim. JO's not willing to pay it (duh). Sims more then likely to move to US Airways training center. New buildings are being scouted for a training center. Recall classes after Apr are on hold for the moment as logistics are worked out. A sim move is not a quick process plus recertification by FAA.

Ya mean no more Windermere ????

 

[rene]

Back on topic. ASU is hitting Mesa up for a huge increase in rent for training center and sim. JO's not willing to pay it (duh). Sims more then likely to move to US Airways training center. New buildings are being scouted for a training center. Recall classes after Apr are on hold for the moment as logistics are worked out. A sim move is not a quick process plus recertification by FAA.

Only one minor correction, recall classes after June being "on hold" have nothing to do with relocating the training center. In June, the final seven (Dash-8, and CRJ-200) aircraft are retired from Airways. This will create about 70 surplus pilots, and since attrition is running about 10 per month, will provide about seven months supply of pilots.

 

[buxflyr]

Apologies for the mis-information on the acars.

Yep. An apology on fi.com.

 

[spitfire1500]

I spent 8 years at Mesa.....they have shrunk to manageability ...if they have another growth spurt like 99 to 03...it will be back to the cluster...

 

[sniper]

Mesa WILL survive.

25 more 190's are coming for AMR....

 

[spitfire1500]

25 more planes worth of Legacy carrier jobs gone.

 

[dooork]

25 more planes worth of Legacy carrier jobs gone.

This is their legacy!

 

[CLARKGRSWOLD]

Mesa WILL survive.

25 more 190's are coming for AMR....

That is the rumor I have been hearing.

 

[squall line]

I'm curious to the validity of the rumor as well.

Anybody hear anything about the board meeting that was held recently? The only reason I can think that the board kept JO in place was that he had some good news to share.... or he paid them off to keep his job.

SL

 

[A-V-8]

Mesa WILL survive.

25 more 190's are coming for AMR....

More? I don’t get it. Is Mesa operating 190s now? For who? If this if for AMR how will that benefit Mesa.