Masaba new hire question.

[Jaypilot04]

A question that keeps comming up on the interview is, "Which airplane would you rather fly the Saab or the Avro?"

Just wondering what the reserve times were on both aircraft?

 

[fly4ever]

urbanjason,

Unless we see new aircraft allocated to us expect to see a long reserve time on either aircraft. There are quite a few of us who have been here three years or more and are still sitting reserve. Attrition has been slow for obvious reasons but it is still happening and will pick up a little over the next few months but don't expect a lot of movement for some time. If you have been given a class date, welcome aboard and good luck with training.

 

[Gator1999]

A question that keeps comming up on the interview is, "Which airplane would you rather fly the Saab or the Avro?"

urbanjason...When asked which aircraft you would rather fly you in turn ask where the longer reserve sit is? Is this the basis for your decision?

Both aircraft are great flying machines and maybe you should base your decision on which aircraft you would like to fly on a different reason. As fly4ever stated, there are plenty of pilots that have been at Mesaba for more than 3 years that have been on reserve. Before 9-11, would you have turned United, Delta or American down if you knew that you would have been an FE on the 27 for 10 years on reserve?

Of the people that I have come to know here at Mesaba, those FO's and Capt's on reserve are the most humble and professional bunch, and are wonderful people to fly with. Sure, they would rather prefer a schedule but they still come in everyday, ready to fly, and do their best.

All the best to you if you have been hired, good luck in training, and whether or not you're on reserve for 5 months or 5 years, it's still a good place to work because of the pilots that we have working here, regardless of what aircraft they fly.

 

[fly4ever]

Well said, Gator1999.

 

[Mel Sharples]

Not to be picky, but you should really know how to spell the name of the company correctly first, before you decide which plane you like better.

It's MESABA. Like MESA with a BA on the end (not MASABA).

And not comments on the Mesa part, please.

 

[mainah]

Mel Sharples,
LMAO at you avatar! Brilliant caption! Love it!

 

[CWASaab]

While fly4ever and Gator1999 have given you plenty of good info to think about, and I agree with both of them, I will offer my opinion:

While movement will take a while to happen, I believe that it is now only a matter of time until it does happen. Most likely the bulk of the movement will be into a 44-50 seat type. Since our FOs are for the most part not allowed to switch between types, FOs in a new type will be mostly new hires. The Captains, and where they come from will create the movement here. Unless we see scope relief from the NWA pilots, then there will not be a higher paying aircraft coming. With that in mind I doubt the senior Avro guys will take a downgrade in pay to fly a new type.

The way I see it, the first guys to go to a new type (44-50) will be mid level Saab Captains. With any new type the schedules will be poor until there are a decent number of planes on property. I see this as keeping the senior Saab folks waiting until the schedules improve with numbers, due to QOL issues.

The movement out of the saab will be somewhat offset by a reduction in saab numbers, but I think there will be vacancies. Those will be filled by senior FOs, and as of now I would have to say that the Avro has more of those folks, as many who were downgraded went to the Avro. There are plenty of senior saab FOs eager to upgrade as well and I think the sheer numbers of saab postions will mean you would have a better opportunity to get off reserve in the saab before the Avro. Just my opinion.

Either way, I think it will be a while before you see a line, so be prepared.

Another thing to think about is where you want to upgrade too, and which airplane. I have to say it is a big benefit to upgrade into a plane you flew as an FO, and at Mesaba there will be little chance to switch between airplanes as an FO (not impossible, but you have to be here for 3+ years without the chance to upgrade and then are subjected to a seat lock for 24 months). I have to assume that the Saab would be your first chance at a left seat position.

Either way, the plane will be great, both are a blast to fly although very different types of operations.

If you have gotten a class date, congratulations, and welcome aboard!!

 

[SigAV8R]

Base Assignments

Just out of curiosity, what's the current ranking of the 3 bases for Mesaba? Which one is senior over the other two? Which one is most likely for newhires?

 

[CWASaab]

Just out of curiosity, what's the current ranking of the 3 bases for Mesaba? Which one is senior over the other two? Which one is most likely for newhires?

Actually, Mesaba has 4 domiciles currently. I just happen to have done time in my fair share of the three of Mesaba's recent 'out station' domiciles: RHI, CWA and CVG.

RHI and CWA are no more, but CVG lives on as a crew domicile in addition to the hubs. While the three hubs are both SF34 and RJ85 bases, CVG is only a RJ85 base.

For new hires I think MEM is fairly likely on both the SF34 and RJ85. MSP is still King, undisputed for both aircraft and both positions. For the Saab second in line is DTW, followed by MEM. On the jet DTW is still second, and for FOs I think it would be followed by CVG then MEM. For Captains, switch MEM and CVG as the last reduction notice cut some MEM spots, making the most junior RJ85 Capt positions in CVG.

I don't have the vacancy notice associated with the hiring here in front of me, but I think new positions created in dtw/msp would likely be filled by transfers rather than new hires.

 

[Simon Says]

Not to be picky, but you should really know how to spell the name of the company correctly first, before you decide which plane you like better.

It's MESABA. Like MESA with a BA on the end (not MASABA).

And not comments on the Mesa part, please.

Here is my favorite, when somebody jumps on another person for incorrect spelling and they spell words wrong too.

NOT=NO

hehehehehehe
bustin ballz

 

[Mel Sharples]

I meant to say that. Honest, I did...

You are right -- mea culpa (sp?)

I just think getting the name of the company correct is a big deal if you want to work there. I didn't mean to bust that guys chops, I just think it's funny to make that mistake. Same as mispronouncing the company name.

But you were right to bust my balls. Eye shud no beter then to ripe sumwon for speeling porely.

 

[CWASaab]

follow up

Just to post some follow up for the folks interested:

The Vacancy Notice that was posted associated with the new hiring has been awarded and already revised at least once (I guess a new contract doesn't mean that our management types are any more competent than before, unfortunately).

14 new hires start class 09 Feb. Here is the new hire breakdown:

4 RJ85 postions
2 in DTW
2 in MEM

10 SF34 positions
3 in DTW
7 in MEM

 

[GARFF]

Quote
"Another thing to think about is where you want to upgrade too, and which airplane. I have to say it is a big benefit to upgrade into a plane you flew as an FO, and at Mesaba there will be little chance to switch between airplanes as an FO (not impossible, but you have to be here for 3+ years without the chance to upgrade and then are subjected to a seat lock for 24 months). I have to assume that the Saab would be your first chance at a left seat position."



If your seat locked for 3+ years, does that hurt because isnt Upgrade in either plane 3-5 years anyway?

Just curious, I am a new hire as well. Just tring to figure it out if I Actually get a choice of aircraft.

 

[CWASaab]

Quote
If your seat locked for 3+ years, does that hurt because isnt Upgrade in either plane 3-5 years anyway?

Just curious, I am a new hire as well. Just tring to figure it out if I Actually get a choice of aircraft.

First off, congratulations on getting the job.

As far as the upgrade and seat lock goes, well it will depend on a lot of factors. There were times here when pilots upgraded in slightly less than two years. Granted it would take a lot to make that happen again, and we are unlikely to see a similar situation. However, I do not think that upgrading within five years is unreasonable. If you are willing to agree to that, then switching will hold you back as it would be at least five years until you could upgrade (three years as an FO then the switch, followed by 24 months as a seatlocked FO).

If you are certain that you will be an FO for more than five years anyway, then it may not matter. Ultimaltely it has to be your call, and if you want the Avro more than anything (yeah, I know four engines and all that glass is pretty enticing) then go for it, and deal with upgrading to the Saab (or the CRJ - I don't think the Avro left seat will be in play for the bottom half of the list for quite some time).

If you want an easier upgrade (in my opinon), some flying in the IFR system without having your hand held the entire time, and pretty good chances of getting a better schedule go to the Saab.

Like I said either airplane is great, different types of flying though.

Enjoy it!