Go Back to Mesaba or Stay where I'm at???

[newhire]

This is for all the Mesaba Furloughed pilots. I like many of you moved on to a new airline (republic), where the upgrade is in the 1 1/2 to 3 year window. The company is stable (for now) and since there is movement everyone seems happy.

The Question is, Is it worth going back to Mesaba? There is a possibiliy that they could get the 36 crj-900's and aquire a few crj-200's. The curent senority list is around 600, so if they got around 50 additional panes (rumor has it 100) that woud mean a pretty short upgrade.

Even with the new TA, it would still be a pay increase from where I am at. Going from 22.50 to say 30 an hour.

The big question mark is how long it will take to get the additional flying from NWA. I know a few fo's at mesaba that have been wondering that for 6-8 years now.

 

[MagnoliaAve]

I'm in the exact same position. I like Republic so far, but I don't really like the bases. I'd much rather be based in and live in Memphis. It will be a difficult decision to make when the time comes.

 

[Detroitpilot22]

Just a question for you guys, don't you have 2 year training contracts at Republic? Good luck whatever you do.

 

[avrodriver]

I like many of you moved on to a new airline (republic), where the upgrade is in the 1 1/2 to 3 year window.

.

Not a very good reason to stay. Is this time line really going to hold true for you. How many people were on the property when those people got hired. How many are there now?


On the flip side,

You have no idea what your going back to. I would delay, delay, delay and when it's your last chance to go back then start worrying about it.

 

[Longhorn]

I would stay where you are. Mesaba can and has changed things at a whim. I was on the other side at PCL and the whipsawing between the red tails was almost criminal. Whats to say that you get recalled and go back only to be furloughed when the next whip is layed down? With so many changes at NW with the 170's and crj's things can and do change overnight. If your job is stable, and upgrade is around the corner, get the PIC time and move on asap. I still have friends at mesaba that are at 5+ years and still Fo's

 

[Johnny Utah]

I'm pondering the same thing, moved on to Chautauqua, really like the company so far. However, it is hard to pass up being based at home (MSP) with upgrade in the near future.

I'm leaning toward saying NO just on principle.

 

[5ontheglide]

yuck, meatloaf.

After being spanked enough times for jumping on the table to try to get food, eventually my cat learned that it should not do it. I take a lesson from my kitty and I choose to let Mesaba continue to eat it's meatloaf by itself. For those of you who are tired of being force-fed meatloaf and can't find anyone else to help you finish your plate - Leave the table and run away from home. Not one cent! And no I don't want Vienna Sausages because I'm tired of meatloaf!

 

[XJohXJ]

No need to worry at all until the final "come back or resign" recall notice. That isn't going to happen for a while yet. How long? Who knows.... Long enough to eat away at that 2 year training contract some more.

 

[MagnoliaAve]

Just a question for you guys, don't you have 2 year training contracts at Republic? Good luck whatever you do.

It's actually a one year training contract, and I've been told by many differnt people that it's unenforceable under Indiana law.

 

[mynameisjim]

It's actually a one year training contract, and I've been told by many differnt people that it's unenforceable under Indiana law.

With a thought process like that, you could be in management. If you keep it up, you could someday hope to ruin 2000 lives as well.

 

[YourPilotFriend]

If you have 200 some on furlough they could all be back working with the CRJ-200's. If they so choose, they could whipsaw you against 9E for the 900's, in which case pinnacle would be lower.

 

[MesabaDriver]

Milk em both until you get what you need from each of them. Neither one cares about you our your family or what you want in life. Id stay at Rep. until you absolutely have to give up your number at XJ. Then decide which has better QOL and the closer upgrade and all that garabage you never get at a regional anyways. Stay at the one that will prepare you for you next step in your career the fastest and most applicable to what you are comfortable with living with. BE SELFISH CAUSE GAURENTEED THE AIRLINE WILL.

 

[XJohXJ]

Absolutely. No pilot owes these crappy regionals anything at all. Be selfish, and do only what is best for you. These companies wouldn't hesitate at all to f*ck your life up if they thought it would give them a bigger bonus, and that is the pure truth.

 

[SplitBar]

I'm pondering the same thing, moved on to Chautauqua, really like the company so far. However, it is hard to pass up being based at home (MSP) with upgrade in the near future.

I'm leaning toward saying NO just on principle.

What is wrong with this statement?

 

[YourPilotFriend]

Milk em both until you get what you need from each of them. Neither one cares about you our your family or what you want in life. Id stay at Rep. until you absolutely have to give up your number at XJ. Then decide which has better QOL and the closer upgrade and all that garabage you never get at a regional anyways. Stay at the one that will prepare you for you next step in your career the fastest and most applicable to what you are comfortable with living with. BE SELFISH CAUSE GAURENTEED THE AIRLINE WILL.

You sure that's not the mission statement of the senior mainline pilots?

 

[immelman79]

that contract is enforceable, they will get there money from you. If you only have a month or at the most two, they might wave it. Any more then that, plan on paying or going to court

 

[Napoleon TNT]

What is wrong with this statement?

everything

 

[Fallingbrick]

that contract is enforceable, they will get there money from you. If you only have a month or at the most two, they might wave it. Any more then that, plan on paying or going to court

Not according to a few people I know who left the 170 long before the 2 years. The company didn’t say a word to them about it.

 

[immelman79]

they will, it takes time. they will hit everyone in a big group all at once. i've been through it and have spoken to a few lawyers. it holds up in court, i had to pay and no a few also who had to. i have never personally met some who went to court and won. if your lucky who knows, maybe they won't come after you.

 

[johnsonrod]

Get some time on the E170 and hang in there. Not such a bad aircraft to hang around in. Much nicer than a CRJ.

 

[YourPilotFriend]

It's going to be fun to watch the junior guys tell the more senior guys on furlough not to come back so they move up.

 

[Whataboutbob]

Well if you know a good lawyer Im sure he could figure out away to get you out of that contract. You could plead temporary insanity or something along that angle. Maybe mention you were threatened that you would be let go if you didn't sign it and that you were just laid off so you needed the money. I don't know but think of something. There isn't a single regional that would care for one second about giving their employees the short end of the stick. Look at it this way XJ is almost to the end of the beating for a couple of years, while Chautaqua could start at any time.

 

[YourPilotFriend]

Starting in December Mesaba will be taking over the stations that were supposed to go to GroundCo aka compass, for Northwest.

 

[Regional4life]

First of all, good luck to you guys, which ever way you decide to go. Secondly, make sure you make an informed decision and do what ever is best for you.

In my opinion, do you really want to leave a stable job just yet? They aren't doing a full recall yet. Just recalling to cover line flying for the next few months because we are "short staffed". . . Thank you very much crew planning. . . Regardless, we haven't announced growth yet. If you leave to come back now, there is a possibility that you will be furloughed yet again in a few months once everyone has been trained into their 49-0 position. At that point, with no growth, you are on furlough again. However, if we do grow, obviously you are in a good spot. So, why not wait until the growth is announced and then come over? They have to call you again and make it through the entire list. This isn't a one time shot for you. You might want to hang onto your job, see what happens, and then make a decision with the next round.

But, if you are willing to gamble, roll the dice man. If you like Memphis or wherever you are, good for you, and if we grow, you are set. If not, you're screwed. If you do come back, we welcome you fully back into a great bunch of guys. First round is on me.

 

[Dodge]

What is wrong with this statement?

There are no upgrades at XJ, quick or otherwise. Just ask the folks hired in 1999. Being based in MSP is not always/ever a good thing.

Stay away from XJ until you have to resign your number. At that point, take stock of the situation and go from there. Just ask the guys that were furloughed multiple times from XJ.

 

[TAWS]

Mesaba USED to be the place to go to, but who was running the show back then?
Was 9E around (as we know it today)?
Was Compass on the horizon?

Let's see, in order:

Bedford
No
No

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm .................... I think you'd be nuts to go back, besides, what if Bedford (still with family ties, I've heard, to the NWA board) has something cooking with NWA. What would it cost NW to start a 170/5 program for Compass, as opposed to selling the whole deal to Bedford and have RAH do the flying? That would never happen, after all Neil Cohen is in charge and .............. Hey, wait a minute, did he do the MidAtlantic thing at USAir? ............ He did? Wow, who did they sell that to again?

That's right!

Let's see, the other possibility is those CRJs. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm ......... They must be going to XJ or 9E, as RAH hasn't got a CRJ pro........... Hey wait a minute! CHQ has a CRJ program aswell!!

Nah, they wouldn't screw XJ over! ............................. Would they????