ASA or Mesaba?

[PowerRanger]

Which of the two would you choose if you had to choose from only that selection?

ASA is currently in the crapper with no contract in 5 years and managment and the union not talking. Of course things always look there worst before geting better. Just take a gander at Comair.

It was all gloom and doom there before signing a TA. Now there is talk about CMR getting some growth and keeping their flying. I'm sure when both sides at ASA come to the table and hammer out a deal that things will slowly improve there, hopefully.

Mesaba, has a contract, it's a crappy one but has some decent snap back provisions. Plus I believe that Mesaba will get some added growth on both planes and routes and upgrade times will start being more realistic. In the realm of (hopefully 1-3 yrs.) I of course have no proof of this but it would just make sense to build it up make it profitable for NWA and spin it off.

So not only with todays outlook but a future outlook which would be a better choice and why?

Thanks for your response!

 

[Hulk Hogan]

I'd go with ASA. Either way, chances are after a while you will need counseling and I would bet that ASA has better insurance. Where's MM?

 

[8HourPilot]

Mesaba, definately Mesaba.

 

[PowerRanger]

Mesaba, definately Mesaba.

Okay, but why?

 

[gnx99]

Why not Pinnacle? If they get their contract done soon, it should be a pretty good place. Good=Fast upgrade.

 

[PowerRanger]

Why not Pinnacle? If they get their contract done soon, it should be a pretty good place. Good=Fast upgrade.

I have a few friends there. So something to definitely consider, they're pretty much in the same situation as ASA and I think that they're larger then Mesaba.

But the possible whipsaw with Colgan makes me kinda weary of PNCL! Plus if I put it out here that I'm a PNCL pilot no one will take me seriously on here!

; P

 

[Lazy8]

Why are these your only two options? The 50 hour multi min?

 

[gnx99]

Yeah, it's certainly not an easy decison, and it's about impossible to predict what'll happen a year or so down the road. You pretty much have to make a relatively informed decison and then just bite the bullet somewhere. Good Luck!

 

[RNObased]

Don't they both pretty much suck???

 

[PowerRanger]

Why are these your only two options? The 50 hour multi min?

PNCL & Mesaba=Location, cheap cost of living.

ASA=A formerly decent regional and a good way to make DL contacts and network and get my dream job at DL.

Definately not going to CMR! : o

And I'm sitting at 100 multi!

 

[Lazy8]

gotcha.

Well best of luck. Just get on with one of them. The sooner the better. No regional has it all and nobody (especially nobody here at FI) has a magic crystal ball to see the future.

g

 

[duck_killer]

My advice is to to spend time on these boards and look at which regionals get bashed the least. This will give you a slight indication of who is happy and who is not. Sacrificing 5+ years of your life for DL connections is not worth it, especially if the there is other means to achieve your end.ASA and mesaba ARE NOT companies you want to be involved with right now.

 

[PowerRanger]

My advice is to to spend time on these boards and look at which regionals get bashed the least. This will give you a slight indication of who is happy and who is not. Sacrificing 5+ years of your life for DL connections is not worth it, especially if the there is other means to achieve your end.ASA and mesaba ARE NOT companies you want to be involved with right now.

True, but on this forum it changes everyday that "it" is which regional is bringing down the industry today.

None are safe on FI!

 

[duck_killer]

Dude,
Like I said a slight indication. As you have seen any regoinal that does well gets ripped, used to be SKW was bringing it down with 50-70 rates, but then XJT got a bid with with industry leading contract......There are plenty of regionals out there with happy pilot groups. ASA and Mesaba are not one of those regionals. You asked for advice i gave it. Time to go to the bars here on the west coast. Good luck.


P.S. when you get hired don't let old crusty captains make you biiter. If you like the job then its for you. If you become bitter quit, because at that point the dreams dead.

 

[SilverandSore]

...and network and get my dream job at DL.

Oh no, take cover....

 

[8HourPilot]

Why? The guy has a goal....what's wrong with that?

Oh no, take cover....

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Have you interviewed at either? That may make the choice for you. 9E doesn't give flight privleges during training, so if you live away from MEM and have a family that may be a negative. I was happy at XJ prior to bankruptcy ... and am giving them a shot again. Hopefully won't be a huge mistake.

 

[Mesabi Miner]

chances are after a while you will need counseling and I would bet that ASA has better insurance. Where's MM?

Ha! Right here. Y'all know my stance. Mesaba as an organization is not a bad place. Average contract on the rise, great crew members to work with, etc. But, you can't trust our management or big brother NWA. Stay away from the Red Tail. <skip> Stay away from the Red Tail <skip> Stay away from the Red Tail <skip> ......

MM

 

[PowerRanger]

With the recent announcement that NWA is going to shift more flying from mainline to it's regional affliates.

It's like I said they are going to grow Mesaba beyond there announced 36 900's and probably grow Compans if it ever see's the light of day.

 

[drift diamond]

Round & Round

Econimics 101. Buy low, sell high.

I dig all these aviation academics posing theory after theory as to why you should shy away from XJ. Many of these wonders were amongst those flying like mad in the nicest regional jet in the industry (Avro) during the madest time of growth, just a short time ago. Much of that experience landed them a pretty sweet job at the carrier they now fly for (better pastures). It was a wonderful time of great growth at XJ, just like this next wave appears to be. Yet for some reason, many of these nay sayers have lost perspective. Bitter? Possibly ... (for some odd reason). Perhaps they lost perspective. There are plenty of examples of airlines that have risen from the ashes (too many to list). Bottom line ... now is probably the BEST time to start at Mesaba. Investors might just have a clue in. And if you look at the business plan, it could quite possibly be the best choice in the industry for getting a nice resume built in order to move on - should you choose (all due respect to many of those seven year+ FO's). This 900 will compete as the nicest ride in the regional airline industry (XJ again). Six months from now, we'll all be creamin' over it. NWA has a lot of things riding on this purchase. Good luck.

PS .97 on the $1.