First Pinnacle CRJ delivered to Mesaba.

[Flybet3]

As a person upgrading into the CRJ200 on monday, I can guarantee that there will be no street Captains for the CRJ's, either of them.

With getting only 17 200's we need about 80 Captains, and we have over 60 in the pipe and two more classes. So unless we have more 200's coming from some undisclosed source, we are covered.

Secondly, There are at least 100 senior people waiting in the wings. Most are waiting for the holidays, some are waiting for the schedules to improve, but know that there ARE enough personnel for all CRJ's that are currently expected to come to Mesaba. Now if we get more 900's (and I would bet that we ARE), then we will see street CRJ captains (probably over a year away).

The fact that I am an FO upgrading into the CRJ is a matter of luck. With the holidays and the well documented CRJ training problems, I and other FO's going to the CRJ's just slipped through. There is a chance that some Sr. people holding out are going to get disappointed.

Another issue is the contract. If there was a need for street CRJ Captains, lets say they need 2 Captains for a class. The company would first have to release two seat locked pilots if they bid for the position so they could go into those aircraft. Right now there are no seat locked people who want the SAAB Capt openings.

As a matter of conversation, I have not heard anyone on the line complain about the coming street captains. What I am hearing and am in fact feeling is a wait and see attitude.

I know that people getting hired as street captains should probably be feeling a certain level of pride. But there are things about the job that need to be experienced to understand. We can talk about 7,8, or 9 legs a day. We could talk about 2 leg high speeds, for four days in a row, all month long. We could talk about weather, deicing, maintenance issues. But until you actually experience the exhaustion what I am writing about you have nothing to compare to. And you're going to have to commit all your mistakes under probation.

There may be some hard feelings from people who waited 8 years for an opportunity to upgrade, but I haven't heard any.

I hope everything goes well, expect a fairly vertical learning curve. And just take it slow.

Very well said my friend. If you're in MSP stop by for a beer :beer:
I agree, as someone who has already done long duty days, MX issues and a bunch of other BS at another regional I can say that I'm still going to learn alot once on the line. Good advice is always welcomed and I agree "Take it slow, and take your time guys"

 

[Dumb Pilot]

Hopefully all the great pilots at 9E are sitting in the proper seats. For you 9E guys that is Captain in the left seat, FO in the right. That is unless you are trained in the double engine failure seat switch maneuver.

I flew at PCL for six years and had the opportunity to observe and evaluate many of the pilots there and I can say that the vast majority of the pilots that I interacted with where good solid airmen (the gals too) This two particular individuals where an exception and they paid dearly for being careless.

In my 26 years flying, I have learned that aviation has a funny way to humble an individual, but I'm sure that with your superior airman abilities you don't have anything to worry about, right ace?

All the XJ floks that I met where always very polite and professional. Maybe some more solidarity between the red tail groups is in order

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Newhires are not qualified as FOs or Capts. Another loophole.

A new hire pilot will be paid at the rate identified in paragraph A. above, appropriate to the category for which he is in training. Subsequent to new hire training, a pilot’s pay rate will be changed: 1) when he receives a longevity increase provided for in paragraph A. above; and 2) when he changes seat or equipment, effective as of the completion of IOE; or if IOE is not required, the first day following the completion of training; or if no training is required, the effective date of the new position.​

Quoted from the contract so you may be right about street capains recieving captain pay. I think point 2 is the stickler since they technically won't be changing seats. As far as the new hire instructors on the CR9, both are listed as F/O's on the senority list. ​

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Alright, forget point 2 for now as I don't think that applies in this situation. Category, from the contract quote above, refers to Aircraft and position. See below.


CATEGORY means a pilot’s status in a specific type of aircraft, e.g. SF-340 Captain.