MAPD and future hiring.

[Thesaurus682]

Mesa and future hiring.

(Wasn't sure whether to post this under Training or Regionals, but Regionals seems to get more traffic.)

I've been seriously considering the MAPD ab-initio program for some time. While I've gotten the impression that Mesa isn't quite the hottest airline to fly for right now (understatement of the year?), I certainly don't intend to be a Mesa lifer. With this in mind, when it's time to move up to a major (if they ever get hiring again), do you think my training and the fact that I flew for Mesa could impede on my chances, or affect their perception of me?

Just exploring my options ...

 

[norskman2]

I have some friends who have gone through the MAPD program. The training is high quality. Having MAPD or Mesa on your resume won't have any negative effect on your career. The question is, can you stand the low QOL and pay at Mesa. Upgrades will slow at some point, and could even reverse if Airways goes Tango Uniform and you COULD end up being a Mesa lifer!

 

[Smacktard]

There's is no substitution for experience. Get good training, find a job and live a normal pilot's life. It's all about QoL and you will find that out after 2 months on the line. Your fast track for that crappy organization is a detriment to your career me thinks. But in the end, you're the one that has to live the life, so knock yourself out and tell us how it goes.

 

[BoilerUP]

Go wherever you think is best for you, be it MAPD, ATP, Delta Connection Academy, Pan Am, Flightsafety, etc...all are good schools with good programs and good fleets (I think, at least).

Make sure whatever program you do, you get your CFI and CFII at a minimum, MEI preferably, to make yourself employable. Do every other professional pilot a favor and PLEASE don't pay for your job, ie TAB Express or Gulfstream.

However, if you decide PFT is best for you and you got the cash to do it, more power to you. I think you'd do just fine at MAPD...Best of luck on your decision!

 

[ASH]

There are so many other options......don't do it.
And yes, their are alot of pilots who take serious issue with Mesa (most), and chances are you will be sitting across from one begging for that first break into the big iron.
Think hard

 

[TexaSWA]

There was a guy in my SWA interview group in March that graduated from MAPD a few years back and was a 1900 and CRJ capt. He'll be in my class in June.

There is not a major airline pilot out there who gives a crap about what regional you worked for. Especially one with a level enough head to be selected to do interviews. If you paid for your job it may be a different story but MAPD is CLEARLY NOT paying for your job.

I have another friend who finished there a few months back and is now flying the ERJ and loving it. Money may not be the best but its not the worst of the regionals either.

Its a legitimate path.

 

[350DRIVER]

This is by far the quickest route to the right seat of a CRJ, ERJ, D8, 1900, etc. You will earn everything you get by the time you get to the line, difficult but well worth it. Many who have went through this program are now at the majors.

Best program for the money out there present day.

If you paid for your job it may be a different story but MAPD is CLEARLY NOT paying for your job.

I am sure our EJ clowns on this board who bought their jobs and who are stuck would probably argue this one.

3 5 0

 

[Cosmo1999]

Dont worry about what the guys say on here. Guys at mesa move on just like at any other airline contrary to what they say on here. You will be faced with many choices on where to work in your career, ultimately your the only one that can really answer whats best for you

 

[mesa rocks]

going to MAPD or mesa does not effect you one bit.
THere are plenty of MAPD grads at every major out there.
and they are still getting hired today in this difficult environment.

Just ask two of my friends that just got hired and are now in the pool at southwest.

(former MAPD grads and 1900 CAs)

 

[searching]

MAPD is a good route. Coming from Mesa will not likely hurt you at any major interview.

There are also very few major airline pilots who give a rats behind about coming from Gulfstream, TAB or Eaglejet either, there are just some who like to think there are. Experience is experience.

Many off spring of major airline pilots are attending these programs right now. All of them, from MAPD, PACE, the ASA deal with Flight Safety, Gulfstream, TAB, RAA, whatever. The only place you are likely to catch any flack is at websites such as this one.

My vote would be MAPD, because at least you get at some sort of an education out of it. It sometimes comes down to that educational piece of paper.

Good luck.

 

[aviatrix]

Tons of Mesa pilots are getting hired by majors right now.......mostly at Southwest, Frontier, AirTran, JetBlue, America West, and FedEx. There is a lot of movement and seniority moves up very quickly. Take that for what it's worth!
You'll make a few bucks less and have to sacrifice on a couple of QOL issues, but you'll be there for a shorter period of time. Mesa IS NOT a career airline!!!! The way the company treats its employees makes people there very motivated to move on.......and they are.....quickly!!!!

 

[Superkell]

Make sure whatever program you do, you get your CFI and CFII at a minimum, MEI preferably, to make yourself employable.

Hang on. No CFI program at Mesa. All CFIs who teach at MAPD come from other sources. Reason: Mesa hires virtually all candidates. 93 % last year and 95% historically. Average amount of time at hire is 300hrs. The phone recruiters don't mislead you at all. What they say is golden. A friend of mine started in Jan and will be in ground school in Phx later this month.

Also Mesa is expanding very rapidly right now which helps with senority, security, and upgrade times.

 

[flyallday]

MAPD

I too was considering going to the ab initio program. I know nobody can make a prediction as to what Mesa will look like in 2 years but Im sure everybodys guess is better then mine.

With the current condition's of USairways and United do you think it is a smart move to go to MAPD. If one of those airlines goes out of business Im sure even if I get hired after the program I will have to sit in a hiring pool for sometime. Do you think Mesa has a good back up plan if something were to happen to US or UAL?

 

[General Lee]

Go to Mesa and everything will be ok---unless they pull another Freedum deal and you take it----like the 737-300 program for $40 an hour as a Capt out of PIT. Just get your time on the Dash or CRJ---and then apply to the Majors that are left or the LCCs. You will do fine.

Bye bye--General Lee