HOW MANY more is Mesaba going to hire

[captpetefam]

xjhawk - couldn't have said it better.

I think xjhawk is reading my mind. First, I agree you have to take everything with a grain of salt. As one XJ Saab Capt I look up to once said, "I'll believe the rumor when I'm sitting in the front of it, starting the engines." I realize the CRJ options are going to be dangled like a carrot over Mesaba, Pinn., and other underbidders. My hope is that since XJ just signed a "happy" contract with NWA, there will be less mess having them come to XJ.

However, what Mr. J said about needing 90-100 in the next 12 mo just makes logical sense. The current number add up to XXX which is 90-100 short. Obviously, things could change (routes no longer needed or even park an AvroRJ) but the current numbers just make sense.

Those that have been sitting reserve for 3+ years, I respect you for sticking it out and I will do my best not to hurt your feelings if I move quickly. I do know it is tough and I'm sorry you've had that experience. HOWEVER, If I sit reserve for 3 years, BIG DEAL! As is sometimes said in my home state, "It could be worse." Think about the US Air guys who were hired in the 80's and are now walkin' the street; those guys were older in years and probably had a lot more at stake than just college debt. Think about sitting reserve for 3 years as an FE flying sideways on the 72' and then getting "upgraded" to the Deisel? All I'm saying is I respect you guys for sticking it out, just be careful what you sob about.

Blue Side Up!

 

[Simon Says]

I hope MGT is not feeding an overdosage of Kool Aid to the prosective pilots in the interviews. It all sounds good when you hear things like 100+ CRJs, prospective growth, etc... Sure Mesaba is a fun place to work, but I've heard some fairly outlandish stories that new hires are telling us. Like 8-9 month upgrades??? uh no.. sorry to burst your bubble, but the most junior captain award at the moment is around "5 years". And yes we're in good position to receive CRJs.... but so is Pinnacle, Mesa, Skywest... anyone that decides to underbid us is in good position. Sure the most logical choice would be us, but just remember nothing is guaranteed in this business.

On the hiring note, straight from the training center's mouth, May is most likely the last 15 newhire class and they plan to trickle it down to 5 per month after that, or 5 every other month, indefinitely. Attrition is expected to pickup as a handful of pilots are expecting class dates at greener pastures this summer.

And because attrition is virtually non existent, the only "movement" we'll ever see is due to growth=new airplanes. Expect reserve for quite some time.

Thats right, I apolagize. Too many numbers.

 

[mesaba2425]

t-handle, Great post. You have experience drinking Kool-Aid and everyone would be smart to take your advice.

 

[scabseeker]

I've beeen here five yeARS UPGRADED downgraded, f**** so many time by this company it's sick. Do not come here this place sucks if your a FNG your not even worth talking to unless you've been here 6 months because your probably going to get furloughed at least three to four times. As far CRJ's goes I ve heard were going to get CRJ in MSP. DTW, MEM, LAX, BOS, CVG, ATL and every other city in the lower 48 for the past five years and I've seen zippo!!!! As far as upgrading in two years go to pinnacle and fly with a bunch camel back water wearing F**** who are a bunch of idiots on the radio and even worse in the air and if you think I lying just ask any ATC dude in DTW, MSP or MEM. I have to listen to these idiots everyday. I can't beleive were losing to these guys!!!!

 

[sf3boy]

Wow, that was a lot.

Back to the topic, the most junior line holder in the most junior base, MEM, was hired in Aug '00 in the Avro and Mar '01 for the Saab. So, for anyone out there who has dreams of working at Mesaba, plan on being on reserve for a long time.

I do think something will shake lose when 9E starts up with negotiations. NWA will lay the wood to them, threaten furloughs, route closures, aircraft taken away, you name it. Why do I think this, you ask. NWA did it to us for the last 3 years and they did it to Express in 1996-97.

 

[captpetefam]

That'd be fun!

Wouldn't you just love to be on a 4-day with Scabseeker?! Ahhh, bitterness is so entertaining.

Just because it happened the last 3 years, doesn't mean it's going to be the same for the next 3 years. I have a very good friend who was hired by Mesaba in 1993 and Capt. in 1995! He had a great experience at Mesaba.

As with anything, I think xj is cyclicle. I think we will see a few years of prosperity but then woe to the guys that get hired there in 2009! If I'm wrong, at least I'm still getting paid to fly once in a while! If I'm on reserve a lot, that just means more will get done on the house and I'll get to spend more time with the kids. There's bigger things in life than being upset at an airline.

 

[cvoav8r]

captpetefam,
I do hope that it is as they said it will be. I myself am teetering on skeptism. With that said you have no worries cause If they don't treat you right, you know I'll get you set up in corporate with me!



PS. My buddy B called me this morning...a long standing all 91 flight dept just offered him 15K to relocate 600 miles and starting pay at 90K, with two weeks paid this year and three weeks paid next year. Our goal is to get all of us one a place. Am I tempting you yet...

 

[xjhawk]

yes the bitterness

hey scabbie seaker! why don't you just !@#$'in leave! yes, i have been given a furlough notice, am i bitter, no, its a part of the industry, though sad, but true. It is all cyclical! Your Bad attitude and dislike for anyone new is pathetic! Its the new pilots that give you yor buffer zone " and will let you become a captain again, though i am sure you are a **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ty one that is terrible to fly with. If i fly with a asshole be sure i will not be too scared to speak up and put you in your sorry pllace Yes i have been here over six months, maybe if i am lucky, i will recognize your bull**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** and tell you to **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** off for all the new guys you so dislike!

 

[captpetefam]

Say it like it is...

Amen, XJhawk! I realize I am the greenest of greenies at XJ but I have never seen how an attitude like that can be healthy for any company. If you (scabseeker or anybody else) have such an attitude for the company your with, it might be time to go someplace else. As it is, your not happy, the pilots you fly with aren't happy, the company's not happy, and the passengers aren't happy. So.... why are you still there?

cvoAV8er - I'm there! You're not gonna make me live in some God-forsaken place like HPN, are you? Either way, we've sailed the San Juans; maybe next time it's someplace carribean!! Mmmmm, nice an warm! I bet I could find us a Geocache with Travel Bugs on it. Did I ever show you were the Travel Bug is now that we left on that Island? It's in China now. Anywho, let me know when you need your Falcon 50 FO!

Blue Side UP!

 

[justmeinmsp]

Re: yes the bitterness

hey scabbie seaker! why don't you just !@#$'in leave!

He could always come to work at Pinnacle. From the description he gives of us, he would fit right in.

 

[cvoav8r]

China?!

I think we should skip out on this whole flying thing and start a sailing charter business> what do ya think?!

 

[AvroJockey]

I've beeen here five yeARS UPGRADED downgraded, f**** so many time by this company it's sick. Do not come here this place sucks if your a FNG your not even worth talking to unless you've been here 6 months because your probably going to get furloughed at least three to four times. As far CRJ's goes I ve heard were going to get CRJ in MSP. DTW, MEM, LAX, BOS, CVG, ATL and every other city in the lower 48 for the past five years and I've seen zippo!!!! As far as upgrading in two years go to pinnacle and fly with a bunch camel back water wearing F**** who are a bunch of idiots on the radio and even worse in the air and if you think I lying just ask any ATC dude in DTW, MSP or MEM. I have to listen to these idiots everyday. I can't beleive were losing to these guys!!!!

Now hold on!!!
I've been in the same boat you have for the past year and a half. I've been upgraded, downgraded, in the Avro and the Saab. I've seen both seats in both aircraft, and have been through 6 training events in the past 1.5 years. Minus our contract negotiations, this company is very good to work for!

Training is excellent, middle management is good (a few exceptions), and crew scheduling is good (always willing to help for commuting, and releasing early).

You need to relax, and be a professional! My family saw much heartache, when my pay was halved during the downturn. Do you see me bitching?

 

[captpetefam]

Classes reduced but running...

Just talked with Training Department:

Class will be reduced to approx. 10 new hires per month BUT they are planning classes each month untill MARCH 2005!

(my lawyer requested I add this disclaimer regarding the following statement to avoid sensless whining from people who are pesimistic and bitter) Obviously many things can change from now untill March 2005 but the mood was very happy and hopeful for some more aircraft soon. Even if no new jets come to XJ, classes untill next March sound nice. I would have to believe the guys who have been sittin' reserve for the last few years will be doing alright.

Blue Side Up!
captpetefam
Rom. 8:18

 

[xjcaptain]

Just saw another vacancy for 10 FO's for a June 4 class. I think the split was 6 AVRO, 4 Saab, but I'm not sure.

 

[Crizz]

Re: Classes reduced but running...

Just talked with Training Department:

Class will be reduced to approx. 10 new hires per month BUT they are planning classes each month untill MARCH 2005!

(my lawyer requested I add this disclaimer regarding the following statement to avoid sensless whining from people who are pesimistic and bitter) Obviously many things can change from now untill March 2005 but the mood was very happy and hopeful for some more aircraft soon. Even if no new jets come to XJ, classes untill next March sound nice. I would have to believe the guys who have been sittin' reserve for the last few years will be doing alright.

Blue Side Up!
captpetefam
Rom. 8:18

Easy there tiger... dont be starting any rumors. You think we need the competition?

 

[scabseeker]

We may be running new hire classes but the latest vacancy notice only shows spots for 2 Saab captains. Looks like if you are still on reserve it's gonna stay that way. A new airplane will be the only thing to solve this logjam and those won't be announced until both NWA and Pinnacle are well into negotiations.

 

[Gator1999]

That's great that there are still people out there that want to be a part of this airline. Unfortunately, Mesaba hasn't experienced any growth in several years now. I have been here for a few years and am patiently hoping for an upgrade in the near future, however, I am not convinced that Mesaba possesses the kind of growth potential as it once did in the past. Therefore, I believe that it will never be the size of Comair, Continental Express or Eagle. Mesaba is a company that has very deep roots in the Midwest and will never seek to become the biggest and the grandest in the land. Whatever potential Mesaba still has all depends on big brother and whatever scraps they choose to throw our way. I don't know about other people here at Mesaba, but in the few years that I have been here, I have never heard a lot of interest from the Northwest side to make us bigger than we already are.

I have heard that we plan on hiring as many as 100 by the end of the year, however, that number is only to allow for the added flying that NWA has given us. You all know what happens when they reduce our flying schedules as they have numerous times in the recent past. (I'm sure that those that have been furloughed and recalled a few times can attest to that.) Best of luck to those new hires and interviewees.

 

[Gator1999]

As a side note, I think that it's sad that a crewmember tries to sell a POM on ebay to try and make some money. To whoever it was, you are a disgrace to your Mesaba brothers and sisters.

 

[avrodriverj85]

Don't talk too much.

Just some words of advice for the new-hires. Plan on sitting reserve for a LONG time and with the companys track record, a furlough notice in September. If you make it past that, good for you. Also, don't go around the crew rooms jawing about upgrades. There are FO's here that have been sitting in the right seat for 4-5+ years and won't see upgrade for a few more.. you won't make any friends by complaining about upgrade times as a new-hire. The days of the 1 year to upgrade are over.

 

[xjcaptain]

One year to upgrade?.....When did that ever happen?