Going to Mesa interview 11/4, 11/5?

[Tatoosh65]

A-V-8er
I do understand where your coming from. I really do. Your going to do what your going to do, no problem. I'm just trying to shed a little light on the reality of this industry and how it really operates once you get that job and you think its your big break. The attitude of essentially "I'll fly for free, just let me in the door" is killing "us" and your included, and eventually if not already you will see this. Mesa management is now priding itself on having the lowest labor costs in the regional industry, and will continue the cycle of degradation. Also, aside from all the ethics and industry stuff, lets just chat a moment about happiness/satisfaction/quality of life/whatever you want to call it. This is the most important thing in our lives right.? Believe me man its not fun to go to work everyaday and have deal with the BS and constant struggle of working for a company that is out to constantly police you and intimadate you. I worked for an Airline like that and its not fun. Moral is low all the time, angry, bitter, and just all around takes the buzz out of you. Its a hard thing to do to work for a company when everyday you come to work and you feel like your not getting a fair deal. It just down right sucks.
Theres more to life than just flying airplanes, we can't just be pilots. At least I can't, I wouldn't be happy. A friend of mine is like yourself and is waiting for the "call." And he asked me what I thought about him going to work for a small regional out of I think Albany. The first thing I asked him was, "where do you want to live?" Because this is no longer a little two or three year adventure this very potentially could be a long time. He said, Portland Oregon. I replied, then no way. Hold out for an interview at Skywest or Horizon, and in the meantime work on getting a job at Ameriflight, Airpac, Lifeflight, or Corprate if your sick of being a CFI. Those jobs are still out there. Why because all of those would be better than living anywhere that you don't want, or livinging a crashpad and commuting across the country with no money and no life and on top of all of that maybe the company sucks. It will just take you that much longer to get you back to that quality of life you had when you were a CFI. Everybody's situation is different. But this is from someone who's been there and done that. For what its worth. There is validity to this I promise.
NO MORE STEPPING STONES. LIVE FIRST
My two cents, good luck

 

[Frank Abagnale]

did everyone miss the part of the interview where JO said:

JO: pilots are still overpaid

How do you figure?

JO: because I dont have a problem filling new hire classes

(this is not a dirrect quote, it is the jist of it)

 

[a-v-8er]

"Tatoosh65"

I hear what you're saying and it makes total sense. I am a little apprehensive about getting onboard with a company that I don't see myself commiting long term to, but everybodys situation is different and having recieved little appreciation, worked long days with no or little pay as a CFI for two and a half years without hardly any vacation time I'd be willing to take my chances. If I had an opportunity to actually choose where I wanted to go, then YES I would wait for that option, but as it stands now with limited choices my quality of life right now would honestly be improved by a move to any of these regionals. Could I regret this later? Possibly, but I got to look at what I have right now and not hold out for a hope of a better quality life later when the current quality of life really isn't there! I appreciate you help though and I think I do realize what I might be getting into. Just don't blame someone else for making your own job situation worse by taking a job than improves their situation. Now PFT or working for free is just going too far, but when I say I would be working less and making more money (and steady) at these low paying regionals than I do now, that to me seems like a start! I litterally cannot afford to wait out for a better chance to come along right now... but thanks for all the input and if things on the table were different I would obviously choose happiness, job satisfaction and quality of living over any pilot position. For me it's just that right now that position seems so much better than the present and maybe I'll want to kill myself for saying this after I've worked and commuted for some time at a place like this, but it seems so much better right now than trying to turn every penny over while recieving no thanks for all hard hours at work. The only ones giving you some appreciation of your hard work are your students, unfortunately the owners and paycheck have a very different story to tell...

 

[texanpilot]

av8r,
I am sure you know this but putting regionals and long-term in the same sentence is a bit of an oxymoron. You go there to get trubine experience, slide to the left seat, and kiss them good-by. Thats it.

 

[BAe3100FO]

Getting back to where we started...

I interviewed 11-05:

My experience:
Very relaxed atmosphere, perhaps a little too relaxed. Not sure if that's just a way to see if you'll "slip up somewhere".
Have to love it when the pilot group who interviews you goes out of their way to ease any jittery nerves.

I feel good about the whole experience. Would definately take anything offered to me. And seeing as how Chautauqua, SkyWest, or Horizon haven't called me...I'd be a fool not to gain valuable 121 turbine time. Perhaps six-months from now, I'll be singing a different tune...until then I'm happy to of had the opportunity.

I've read all about how "negative" pilots feel towards Mesa. And I understand where some of the feelings come from, however I'm not an expert and do not claim to be. (even though we did stay in a Holiday Inn).

But to all those who interviewed or will soon be, best of luck to all of you. I feel they ask the questions based on the individuals specific background/experience level...not so much as far as total time is concerned. So where ever you stand, be ready for those types of questions. But read at your own risk...as I have yet to be called with a "thumbs up"

 

[Piedmonster]

Dude just remember one thing

I have nothing against any pilot that works for Mesa, but just remember this...... Everyone hates what Mesa stands for and that means when you work for them you will probably get bashed even if undeserved. Help our industry out and go elsewhere if you can

 

[GogglesPisano]

av8r,
I am sure you know this but putting regionals and long-term in the same sentence is a bit of an oxymoron. You go there to get trubine experience, slide to the left seat, and kiss them good-by. Thats it.

And move on to where, exactly?

Crunch the numbers. We all can't take the few hundred slots at AirTran, JetBlue and SWA next year, or the year after.

The old "But I will. I'll be the lucky one," mentality is ruining this profession.

 

[sf3boy]

As Texan put it: go the regionals to get the turbine time in the left seat and get out. That is great advice and the career plan for many aspiring pilots.........10 years ago. I have been an FO for close to 5 years with no chance of "sliding" to the left seat in either a prop or a jet.

If you get on with a regional, be prepared to make it a career move, that is, until that crap hole (formerly known as "The Great Regional Job") goes under. You can insert any regional carrier into the Crap Hole slot. Lakes, Mesa, Eagle, Express I, Air Willy....They are all the same.

Soon to join the list of "Formerly Great Regionals", is Mesaba Airlines; dba Mesaba Holdings, INC. Wait, they have been there for a couple of years now.

 

[VinMingie]

You Stupid B@st+rds

If your still reading this I want you to remember how this tread was started.
Anyone going to be in Phoenix overnight before interview on Wednesday? Staying at the hotel want to cram? I know we should relax but am very excited and would love to field questions and answers if someone would be hanging out.
Somewhere along the line a bunch of pissed off losers who just got off a 12-20 hour duty day saw the word Mesa in the post and figured I make 18,000 a year as (ASA, COMAIR, CHQ, amongst other) FO that PFT, thats 6 dollers more then Mesa, I'm going to piss on this poor kids parade really because I cant afford to eat right now and my family doesn't love me.
You regional guys are a complete and udder joke all you do is sit around here and bitch and moan about money and contracts, What you all fail to remember is that none of you make any money and you never will at any of you crappy regionals.
I respect this kid who is excited about his interview. Unlike yourselfs he still has a love for flying where all you self hating idiots never really liked flying you just thought you'd get paid alot and maybe even get laid for the first time....I'm going back to Corporate

 

[RUhiring?]

Who's the stupid one?

Somewhere along the line a bunch of pissed off losers who just got off a 12-20 hour duty day saw the word Mesa in the post and figured I make 18,000 a year as (ASA, COMAIR, CHQ, amongst other) FO that PFT, thats 6 dollers more then Mesa, I'm going to piss on this poor kids parade really because I cant afford to eat right now and my family doesn't love me.

1. Run on sentence
2. 18,000 what? $?
3. Dollers?
4. Improper use of the word "then", should be "than"
5. Missed apostrophe (thats vs that's)

You regional guys are a complete and udder joke all you do is sit around here and bitch and moan about money and contracts, What you all fail to remember is that none of you make any money and you never will at any of you crappy regionals.

Udder: A baglike organ containing the mammary glands, characteristic of certain female mammals, such as cows, sheep, and goats.

6. Run on sentence
7. Inproper capitalization of the word "what"
8. Inproper use of the word "you" on 3rd to last word (you vs. your)

I respect this kid who is excited about his interview. Unlike yourselfs he still has a love for flying where all you self hating idiots never really liked flying you just thought you'd get paid alot and maybe even get laid for the first time....I'm going back to Corporate

9. Run on sentence
10. yourselfs?
11. alot is not a word.

Normally I can overlook posts that are hastily put together. But when someone accused others of being stupid, and does it in such a poorly written manner, I find it humorous to point it out.

 

[wscrj]

Substitute?

Are you subbing ENG-101 on your days off?

I think his point was (before the emotion took hold) that this thread was an honest attempt to do some last minute interview prep. It was started by someone excited for the interview, as anyone here would be at his stage in the game.

All sarcasm aside, there is plenty of thread hijacking on this board, and certainly no shortage of MESA bashing.

It's unfortunate that someone can't come to flightinfo.com and ask a question without a load of BS being tacked onto his post.

Had to de-ice twice last week, winter here already!?...**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**....

 

[wscrj]

Good catch RU

A lot...2 words. Good catch RU, always a pet peeve of mine.

Later.....

 

[ProPilot5]

Thanks WSCRJ, finally we are back on track!

After no good feedback, studied myself and came away with a good solid interview, none the less. Yes, quite funny how these strings can get off course, to put it politely.

Well, I will take my good interview, await a future with MESA and enjoy, left seat, right seat Beech 1900 to CRJ700. Oh what posibilities. The rest of you can just keep going on complaining and complaining...There is always a variety of opinions from the Good to the Bad to the Ugly. The advantage to living in America is that you are all blessed with the right to hold and voice your opionions.

Thanks to all who had such colorful input to my origional post for study partners for the interview. I pray we now put this string to bed and I will not get anymore e-mails about more followup conversations.

 

[hyperboy]

RU 4 Real

RU--
You are a joke.......Where do you come from??? that is all you have to respond to VIN? To pick at ones grammar is a lil' low but now we know who dresses as a pilot but aspires to be an english teacher. That is what you respond with. I should bill you for that crap I had to read .Good luck! Since you had nothing to respond about the actual content. What a bitter man!? So you got the job but not the lay , then I'll try to relate to your bitterness. Maybe we should start a grammar page so you can proofreed our resumes and random thesis papers we write periodically onj our free time? Have a great day (if that is possible for you)!!!!


P.S. I have created a lil' game for you to cover some of your freetime.....
1.How many grammar errors have I made in my post?

2.Now the twist..................How many were purposely placed there and how many did I just not no the correct grammar for.

HINT: Ending a sentence in a preposition would for sure count!!!!

 

[hyperboy]

propilot

Nice job man. it's sounds that everything went very well for you. The hard work has finally paid off huh? I to was very impressed look forward to meeting you some day. Congrats....Let us know when you hear the good news!!!!!!!!!!!