The_Russian said:
That is worse than GAA in every way. Lower experienced pilots and the money goes to the airline. It is flat out "buy a job".
MAPD
250 hous upon entry to program
B58 - 30 hours (20 in the sim)
JET FTD 40 hours fake jet time
Jet employment - much to early
You're referring to the PACE program. Remember, there's two programs - the ab-initio program is coming in with zero time, and the PACE guys are basically
buying an interview slot at Mesa Airlines (which is granted to the ab-initio guys once they finish the program).
It is not "buy a job", as the new-hire don't pay Mesa Airlines for their new-hire training or to sit in that seat (
once they get to the airline). IMO, Gulfstream people are far worse, as they are paying to be on the aircraft while passengers are there. I do agree that's it shady, however, and I caution people from doing it (not the ab-initio, the PACE). Also, remember, if you have 1000/100 you can apply/interview/get hired as MAG. You don't have to pay a cent. Does gulfstream hire f/o's off the street?
What if pinnacle suddenly fired all the f/o's and required
all new-hires to write a $15,000 check in order to get the privledge of working there, no matter how much total time, multi, turbine, you name it they had. If you had the $15k, you'd get the job. If you didn't (and had morals) you wouldn't.
How exactly is that fair to other fellow pilots? It's exactly what Gulfstream does...
The Bonanza's rent for about $120/hr (Baron's around $225). They're all '91 and newer (save one baron, its an '85) - how much $$ do you really think MAG sees from this operation? It can't be much...I believe the program is more to furnish pilots willing to work for Mesa than anything else.
~wheelsup