Air Midwest Info

[Sticky]

Howdy-

Anybody here with Air Midwest currently? I've searched the forums and seems like its not a bad place to start. Basically, I'm looking for pay scales, pilot bases, upgrade time, and general work environment. Right now, I have 1100 TT and 300 Mult. In 4 months, I should have 1400 and 600. Of course, if you guys have any other company ideas, let me know.

Thanks in advance-
Mike

 

[BAe3100FO]

Air Midwest is owned by Mesa Air Group...seperate operating certificate, same CEO.

In order to join the Air Midwest side you have to interview with Mesa and while there make sure you tell that that you really want the Beech (I did that for many reasons, and here I am).

Pay and bases are all listed under the Mesa contract. Currently FO pay is $18.15 - 70hr guarantee - 13 bids/yr

Captain upgrades are fast, 4 in my newhire class have been awarded upgrade class (12-15 newhire). Bases, usually Dubois is the junior base however I was awarded my #1 choice in 3 months.

Interview, get the offer for the Beech and then make your decision. No one else is going to offer turbine PIC in such a quick time...but then everyone want's different things from their employeer. In my opinion QOL is key not pay or size of aircraft...But that's my personal opinion.

Either way, good luck to you!

 

[350DRIVER]

I don't believe you will have a choice since as the above poster mentioned that you must still interview in PHX, and from what I have heard they will put you where they need you based on staffing levels and where they are short on crews. You may request the 1900 but if they need you in the D8, CRJ, or ERJ you can be assured that is where you are going to go regardless of your wishes and desires. A good friend of mine is a former training captain there at AMW that is now a 7/900 captain and atleast that is the information that he has relayed. It seems to be based on "need" versus anything else. He did state that the entire April 29th class all got the Beech so it is quite possible that you may be lucky enough to get into there if that is where you are hoping for.


good luck

3 5 0

 

[dondk]

as a former AMW pilot.. both opinions of the above "can" be true.

MESA calls the shots and they put you where you are needed. Currently the 1900 is very short and many 1900 Captains have been awarded the jet and are awaiting class dates (held back a few times now).

Based on that.. my "guess" (and this is talking to former classmates who are current 1900 captains with ERJ CA awards) is the 1900 will still be needing pilots for a some time to come. But, be forewarned.. MESA can put you where they need you (equipment wise). 1/2 of my class was destined to the ERJ and 48 hours before the start of class they got the call that the 1900 was where they were going.

As for domicile.. bid them all, that is what they will tell you and you will get whatever is open.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

Lower time guys most of the time go to the jet because they cant upgrade. Anybody able to meet CA min. could go to the BE1900 or D-8.

 

[Sticky]

Wow guys, thanks! I didn't expect such quick responses. I didn't know AMW was MESA. Don't know how I feel about that. Anyway...I guess the big question is what to do with 1400 TT and 600 Mult. Would CoEx be a realistic hope? I do live in PHL and pull in $33,000 driving Aztecs day VFR, so moving to PHX for $16,000 seems crazy.

Basically, I have no idea what the next move should be. Hold out for CoEx, or go to MESA soon. What would you guys recommend? I like to hear all ideas!

BTW...I'm sure you guys hear these questions all the time, you've probably asked them yourself too. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Mike

 

[skootertrash]

A good friend of mine is a former training captain there at AMW that is now a 7/900 captain and atleast that is the information that he has relayed.
3 5 0 [/B]

So are you saying he's a Freedom Scum bag? Would we be able to find his name amungst the list of 86 others?

Christ I knew you guys had 13 bid periods a year but only a 70-fuking hour garantee!!!!!! Jesus you people suck a$$

 

[dondk]

Unless things have changed at MESA (AMW).. ATP (1500/300) will get you a Left seat pretty quick.

Many of Mesa's schedules are usually not real commuter friendly, so wherever your based your either going to have a crash pad or set up shop for a while. Now some of the "garden spots" are actually down right affordable, although they are not going to be a Philly.

PHX and some of West coast and Florida bases your not going to get into immediately, so don't worry about moving anyway.

It really depends on where you want to live or how you want to live. COEX is a good company, so there is nothing wrong looking at them seriously.

 

[350DRIVER]

So are you saying he's a Freedom Scum bag? Would we be able to find his name amungst the list of 86 others?

Hmmm.... Try again?. Simple answer is NO. He did not go over there until after the contract was passed. He was not among the original group. He is far from the above. How nieve one can be to the facts?-


3 5 0

 

[Cows Go Moo]

So are you saying he's a Freedom Scum bag? Would we be able to find his name amungst the list of 86 others?

Christ I knew you guys had 13 bid periods a year but only a 70-fuking hour garantee!!!!!! Jesus you people suck a$$

Here's what I suggest...

First, get to know a thing or two before posting.

Second, go to your happy place.

 

[BoilerUP]

Christ I knew you guys had 13 bid periods a year but only a 70-fuking hour garantee!!!!!! Jesus you people suck a$$

12 bids x 75hr guarantee = 900 hours/year

13 bids x 70hr guarantee = 910 hours/year


The problem with this is what again?

 

[Anais Nin]

Do not try to explain any reason to skootertrash. He is a Coex idiot and a half

 

[ksu_aviator]

Can anyone tell me the Capt. Pay

 

[WSurf]

Can anyone tell me the Capt. Pay

Kinda Sad, but here they are!

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/major-national-lcc/mesa-2005030574.htm

 

[ksu_aviator]

didn't realize they where mesa, hell can't afford that kind of pay cut

 

[Otto Coarsen]

Sticky,
Do the airlineapps.com for Mesa. They are opening a philly Dash-8 base (small like 10 crews), but apparently they are having problems staffing it. There are also like 5 or more other bases in the northeast opening as well. It will be on the freedom certificate and in delta colors. I believe it should be easy to hold PHL for you as an FO. Heck, you'll probably upgrade in a year.

Good Luck

 

[Beantown]

Basically, I have no idea what the next move should be. Hold out for CoEx, or go to MESA soon. What would you guys recommend? I like to hear all ideas!

The answer to this question is easy, go to Air Wiskey. Based in PHL (at some point), excellent contract and they have been hiring on and off for awhile. You probably won't make 33K first yr but you will second and it goes up from there. -Bean (a Mesa pilot)

PS Don't go to Mesa. We need everyone out there to NOT go to Mesa.

 

[superfreight208]

mesa scumbags!!

 

[rickair7777]

as a former AMW pilot.. both opinions of the above "can" be true.

MESA calls the shots and they put you where you are needed. Currently the 1900 is very short and many 1900 Captains have been awarded the jet and are awaiting class dates (held back a few times now).

Based on that.. my "guess" (and this is talking to former classmates who are current 1900 captains with ERJ CA awards) is the 1900 will still be needing pilots for a some time to come. But, be forewarned.. MESA can put you where they need you (equipment wise). 1/2 of my class was destined to the ERJ and 48 hours before the start of class they got the call that the 1900 was where they were going.

As for domicile.. bid them all, that is what they will tell you and you will get whatever is open.

All true, but the good thing about AMW (unlike the rest of MAG) is that you are hired into that certificate, so you will know when they offer the job if it's AMW or Mesa/Freedom Airlines. You don't have to quit your current job and show up for training to find what airplane you will get.

If they offer Mesa/Freedom, you could politely ask for AMW, they may accomodate. If not, you don't have to accept the job.

 

[Raskal]

Being a corporate rat some of the language is foreign to me, so sorry for asking a stupid question but what comprises a "bid period?". Obviously this seems to have a large affect on yearly income so while looking at payscales it would be helpful to know.

Thanks

 

[rickair7777]

Being a corporate rat some of the language is foreign to me, so sorry for asking a stupid question but what comprises a "bid period?". Obviously this seems to have a large affect on yearly income so while looking at payscales it would be helpful to know.

Thanks

The bid period is the length of time which schedules, days off, and min guarantee are based on. Often it's a calendar month, sometimes something else, like 28 days. This is important to compare apples to apples...Mesa uses 28 days.

Mesa (28 Day Bid) converted to monthly for comparison:
Min Days Off: 10 (8 reserve) = 11 (9 reserve) per month
Guarantee: 70 hours = 76 hours monthly

Pay attention to this when comparing airlines.

 

[biscuit]

?

Air Midwest was one of the lowest points in my flying career. (but still was a good experience)

Yes, the B1900D is a great transition from GA to 121 or (135 in AMW's case) but life is not good there in my personal opinion.

1. Quick upgrades - don't believe it till you upgrade. We were told several times we were upgrading only to have big Mesa change the outlook.

2. "Bump and Flush" - learn that term. Learn it well. With 28 bases you will get very used to it...about every other month in many cases. Oh, look at the locations of the bases. Consider what like is life in someplace like Massena, NY or Salina, KS.

3. Per-Diem - Don't expect several hundred dollars of it because you fly all day trips. Unlike the jet where you get 24 hours perdiem for several days, at AMW you get 8-12 hours perdiem as a day trip. Oh, day trip perdiem is TAXABLE income.

4. Enjoy standing in the rain while holding the prop and keeping a foot on the airstairs so people don't get injured on the way up?

5. The air conditioning does not condition.

6. Commute to/from work - not possible so don't try it.

7. No FA, no autopilot, no ice, no water. You do the pax brief, talk to the exit row, check seatbelts, check baggage, load and unload the carry on baggage, and if the autobriefer is inop - brief the pax.

Don't get me wrong here. AMW is a good transition from being a CFI and the people in training and your co workers are great. Don't expect any type of support from anyone else. You are a number and you are replaceable at the drop of a hat. I just wouldn't go there expecting a quick upgrade if you also have the option of going to a jet (where life is pretty good considering the items I've mentioned above).

 

[redneck captain]

oh, lets see, where do i start?

QOL - sucks, Unless u like moving to off the wall places
reserve - learn to like, u will be there awhile
airplane - fun to fly, but don't expect everything to work, ever...
schedule - if u get one, 10 legs a day( good for a time builder) now think about doing that same route 2 - 5 years!

commuting - sure..... no less than 3 - 4 legs, unless u live at a major hub

oh, the best thing at air midwest..... knowing that management will not back a crew member on anything..... guilty til proven innocent!

other than that, pretty good job!