Mesa CRJ-900s - Questions.......

[Heavy Set]

I just watched a MESA CRJ-900 land at Burbank - it looked like an America West MD-80.... I couldn't believe how long it was. A few questions for the lucky Mesa guys who get to fly this elongated airplane:

1. How many CRJ-900s does Mesa have on order to fly with America West? What is the expected delivery rate?

2. How many will be flown for USAirways? Where will they be based - Charlotte? Starting when?

3. If you fly the CRJ-900, how do you like it compared to the 50 or 70 seat versions? What are the plusses and minuses? As a passenger, I am sure it is cramped after 2 hours...


Well, I was impressed with how the CRJ-900 looked, now I'd like to hear more about what it is like to fly. Thanks for your comments.

P.S. To the USAirways ALPA negotiators who threw away the opportunity to fly this bird for their members, great job! I am sure their members will love to fly FO on an ERJ out of Dayton instead... Well, USAirways pilots' loss is Mesa's gain... Great news for the Mesa guys....

 

[145EXR]

i wouldnt call these pilots "lucky" to fly them...ask them what they get paid...plus they are probably those freedom sc*mbags that applied and worked there while alpa told them not to since it was an alter-ego airlines

 

[328dude]

Sorry to bust your bubble Heavy Set, but apparently your not very well informed about the plight at Airways or ALPA.

Mesa will be flying CRJ700 under Airways colors. The 705 varient is a 900 series fuselage with 76 seats.

I assume your talking about the 50 seaters in Dayton right? Well, it's the CRJ not the ERJ.

Keep trying young pup, youll eventually get it right. Better get back to the end of the runway to watch more come over head.

 

[bahjaus]

To answer your questions:

1. Mesa has a firm order for 25 CRJ-900's to fly under America West codeshare.

2. None will be flown for US Airways, they have a scope limit at 70 seats, the CRJ-700 is the biggest airplane Mesa can fly for US Airways.
The only base for the CRJ-900 is Phoenix.

In the new Mesa contract, the CRJ-900 rate tops out at $104.39, with an 80hr line it should add up to $108,565 per year.

 

[CRJ Driver]

I just watched a MESA CRJ-900 land at Burbank - it looked like an America West MD-80.... I couldn't believe how long it was. A few questions for the lucky Mesa guys who get to fly this elongated airplane:

1. How many CRJ-900s does Mesa have on order to fly with America West? What is the expected delivery rate?

That would be "THE FREEDUMB SCABS" I would not call them lucky, they made the choice to work there. A lot of them are mesa mgt people, fu#$ dumb$$ scabs. I dont care if the list is merged, your still a scab. You guys swallowed J.O.'s load. How did it taste.

 

[Heavy Set]

Hey 328 dude,

Have you ever landed a 747 in Hong Kong or Dubai? Nope. Didn't think so... Good luck. I am furloughed you a$$hole. I watched the aircraft land as I was driving by - young pup. Let me guess, you have problems with your manhood and you have to put others down to feel better? I knew it.

I am well aware of the USAirways situation and the 705 varient - I have read all of the articles and I have many friends who currently work at mainline who are not fully aware of the regional plans. I am also VERY WELL AWARE of the MESA pay situation and the arguments - I did not intend to address them with these questions...

My questions were directed more to the Mesa pilots who fly the CRJ-900. It is a nice looking airplane - ain't it? I can ask questions in this forum - can't I? Is that ok 328 dork?

So 328 dude, how long before you join a major? 10-15 years? Good luck with all of the other regional JET pilots and mainline furloughees out there.

I appreciate any of the Mesa guys who want to answer the questions. Thanks.

 

[CRJ Driver]

It's real tuff doing a ILS, BFD. How about a circling app at night in the blowing snow at MTJ, HDN, ASE. Yeah I thought not.

 

[Rizzo]

P.S. To the USAirways ALPA negotiators who threw away the opportunity to fly this bird for their members, great job! I am sure their members will love to fly FO on an ERJ out of Dayton instead... Well, USAirways pilots' loss is Mesa's gain... Great news for the Mesa guys....

You make me sick! this just shows how ill informed you are. first of all they wont be flying ERJ's out of Dayton, because we are getting CRJ's. Second, Im glad they didn't let the CRJ 705's come to any of the wholy owneds. It's called drawing a line. If they were to let the 705's come here what else would be next? The mainline pilots can't let managment keep trying to break the scope. you should know somthing about that mr. 12000 hour super pilot. get a life!

 

[Bluestreaker]

That last one was by me.

Hey, sorry Rizzo i didnt know that i was posting under your name. I guess you were still logged in at Charlotte.

 

[wscrj]

Heavy:

1) 25 -900's to HP, with 5 on certificate at Freedom Airlines now and approx. 1 a month for the next 18 months.

2) As was posted, only the -700 will fly for US, as well as our "supposed" new UA deal.

3) I have not flown on a 700 or 900 ( I am Mesa, not Freedom), but have heard the extra power is nice, and many of the 200 bugs have been rectified. Pax seem to like the 1st class seating and the new, higher windows.

 

[Heavy Set]

Hey - sorry if some people didn't understand my sarcasm.... I realize flying into blowing snow at Syracuse would be extremely challenging...

I just didn't like 328 Dude's tone - I ain't no "young pup." Did anyone else notice his demeaning tone? I know that PSA will get the CRJs vs. ERJs - and my statement was not meant to be derogatory at all - sorry if you guys misunderstood.

As far as drawing a line is concerned, that is understood, but USAirways guys should not expect the "big bucks" any time soon anyway - I personally think that getting furloughed pilots back into the cockpit flying the 705 varient (at a negotiated wage hopefully close to the EMB-190 Capt/FO wages) would be preferrable to the mainline guys - and it would be good for the PSA guys as well because fewer mainline guys would be sitting in your seats over a long period of time. For a mainline pilot, flying in-house on the 705 varient would probably be preferrable to flying in a j4j position. Am I wrong?

Now, back to the CRJ-900 question. Any Mesa guys out there who have flown this bird?

 

[Jet_Dreamer]

apology accepted heavy set.

everyone lets play nice

to administrator: we need a flame and sarcasm board.

 

[WileE]

Pretty comfortable.

I haven't flown it, but I've been a passenger in the back of a 900 many times. Personally I think it's at least as if not more comfortable than a lot of the mainline jets (especially older ones like the MD-80 or DC-9) that I've ridden on. At least you'll never be stuck in a center seat trying to suck your elbows into your ribcage.

The jumpseat sucks though, two hours in that thing would really suck. The only real difference I can tell right away in the cabin is that the overhead space is a lot smaller.

 

[fmnmetalbender]

A CRJ 705 being a 900 with the 76 seats... skip the whole pilot pay and all of the other issues but what a dream flight for the passengers in back. Being 6'5" it would be great riding this as opposed to the center seat back row of a scarebus 320...

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

Also try and remember everyone, that not all at Freedom are the F*ckers that helped start the thing.

Several of them are memebers in good standing with ALPA that went over, with ALPA's blessing (and request I might add), and kept some of those alter ego boys from ever sitting up front.

 

[mesajock]

700/900

Other post so far are is pretty close.
Bombadier lowered the floor 1 inch and raised the windows giving the feel of more room.
Up front is a definite improvement over the 200. 700/900 identical up front except for one flap speed difference.
Much more automation in the bleeds and fire system etc. Hoever being an A/C aircraft often is necessaryu to shift/alt/delete.
The 700 has a lot more power than the 900 both will do close to .85 both will climb out faster than the packs/pressure sys can keep up.
Both are a bitch to land with the straight gear (200 as trailing edge) the 900 is worse, the ass end likes to fall out of the sky at 10-20 feet.
All of the 7/9's have 6 1st class which is nice!

 

[meanstreak]

Hey Mesa guys,

Don't start bragging so soon that your going to be flying 70 seaters at US Airways. You guys signed a letter of Intent. This is not a done deal yet. I find it amazing how your company continues to win new contracts at the expense of everyone else. I know this isn't the pilots fault completely, but ALG amd PDT really got screwed bad over the RJ plans. I hope these airplanes end up being sent to a wholly owned where they belong. I'm tired of US Airways contracting all their flying out to substandard companies.

 

[Russ]

Heavy set
I guess you have figured it our by now. Ask a question and then sift through the immature replies to find what your looking for. I wish at times this BB has some process to verify name, age and professional standing. Might send the kids somewhere else.

Mesajock
I have heard that the 50 and 90 seaters are roughly the same in performance, any truth to that? . As you posted, the 70 is the stud of the family. What is your normal cruise Mach number in the 70?
Thanks.

 

[big dog1]

meanstreak I'm tired of US Airways contracting all their flying out to substandard companies


What makes Mesa so substandard,wouldnt that make the WO's also substandard!

 

[328dude]

Heavy Set: Sorry if I took your post the wrong way.

Mainline pilots screwed their furloughed brothers by sending managment packing with no place to send this airplane. (705). Crystal City had no choice but to switch the order around. We had some serious concerns about bringing this airplane to PSA. Let me address a few. I recieved alot of phone calls from FO's chomping at the bit about bringing this airplane here at 100 percent so that they could upgrade ASAP. THat's not the case. If the 705's came here at 100 percent flown by mainline, PSA could fly 25 CRJ's staffed 100 percent by PSA pilots. However, this 25 aircraft staffed 100 percent by PSA is for any aircraft AFTER the 705. There was no guarentee that we would get anymore aircraft beyond the 60 CRJ's. Many people thought that the the First 25 CRJ's we got would be 100 percent us. That was not the case.
If the 705 came to PSA 100 percent mainline, they would ultimatly have more furoughed pilots on the senority list than PSA pilots. We felt uneasy about this because they would have the majority vote for MEC Elections, and so on, and could certainly vote the right's of PSA pilots away.
Third, Base rights. Say they will fly the 50 seaters and the 70 seaters out of Dayton. Then a few onths later, Crystal City says that they want to move the 50 seaters to Jackson, Mississippi. They would have no choice but to move.
PDT and ALG had alot of the same concerns, but now they have to deal with some very tough decisions in the near future.

 

[Intruder One]

Yes the a/c Mesa will fly for Us are the CRJ-900's they have just been converted to 70 seats,first class will take some room.As far far as not so fast for the wholly owns your dreaming.No one is going to get these away from Mesa with their cost structure.Very sad but true.

 

[DoinTime]

In the new Mesa contract, the CRJ-900 rate tops out at $104.39, with an 80hr line it should add up to $108,565 per year.

That payrate won't be in effect for over four years. $98.36 is what top out is right now and that is for 20 years of serivce. Has anyone been at Mesa that long? If so, they must have a pretty loose a$$ by now. The current Mesa 76 seat+ rates are a shade below the current Comair 40-50 seat rates when stopping at the 18 year longevity mark. Mesa will continue to fall behind over the terms of their respective deals.

 

[stillaboo]

Yes the a/c Mesa will fly for Us are the CRJ-900's they have just been converted to 70 seats

I thought US changed the order with Bombadier so the planes won't be the 705's (the 900 re-configured) but 700's, just like the ones Mesa operates for HP. Mesa can't fly 705 w/o violating US scope language.

328 dude: tahks for the different thought process on why PSA shouldn't take the 705. I hadn't seen it from that angle (I think inside the box).

Either way, it is disappointing that furloughed mainliners will stay on furlough while Mesa hires new FO's to backfill the upgrades into the US CRJ's. Is this deal with Mesa J4J?

-Boo!

 

[328dude]

Intruder, the order was put back to CRJ-700's series for MESA to fly. Mesa cannot operate the CRJ900 series due to scope clause restrictions. The weight issue not only affected the wholly owned, but also Mesa.


Copyed from a Press Release on Thursday.

“Mainline management underestimates the operational and cost efficiencies of using its integrated resources, including employees intimately familiar with the US Airways operation through years of exposure to it,” Holm added. “We fail to see this as a meaningful step toward successful economic recovery. According to Mr. Bruce Ashby, president of US Airways Express operations, Mesa airlines is already behind on current obligations to US Airways, and recently also made additional commitments to United Airlines. The result could be an inferior product for our customers,” he said.

US Airways said today that it has notified Bombardier Aerospace that it will not be taking delivery of the 25 CRJ-705 regional jet aircraft ordered in May, and instead, will contract with Mesa Airlines to fly at least 25 CRJ 700 aircraft, and perhaps as many as 55 70-seat regional jets under the US Airways Express name.

Here's the kicker Intruder and this is a plus for ALG and PDT. In their J4J language, it states that any aircraft that is financed by Airways, must be flown at a wholly owned. How they can give this to Mesa, is an interesting thought one that Alg and Pdt are in the process of filing a grevience. Even Ashby stated that Mesa would not finance this jet. However, even if Alg and PDt win this grevience, that language states that it must be flown by a wholly owned company. There's nothing saying that they give the 700's back to PSA and still do away with Alg and Pdt. A risk, but one that I would be willing to take if I was on thier MEC. One that they are going to take.

If that happens and they decide to place these jets here. We are back to the concerns stated in my previous post's. Would they go to ALG or PDT? Maybe, and I hope, but they would have more concerns then ours especially without any firms orders for 50 seaters. If they do go to Alg and PDT, I would caution our brothers and sisters about this. Your MEC is very aware of these problems.

Mesa only signed a letter of intent to fly these Jets under U colors. Mesa would have signed the deal that day if they could but managment at U refused. Why? Scare tactics and stalling technique. Unless all else fails between ALPA, U managment and the mainline to MEC, then Mesa will probably sign the deal. First airplane is not supposed to arrive untill 2004. There's alot more time for things to change.

 

[CRJ Driver]

In the new Mesa contract, the CRJ-900 rate tops out at $104.39, with an 80hr line it should add up to $108,565 per year.

Your on the crack pipe, at 104.39X900hrs a year thats 93,951.00 Yep the 8th grade was my senior year! LOL

 

[Russ]

CRJ driver

Perhaps I missed something along the way, correct me if I err.

80 hours a month x 12 mo. = 960 hours.

960 hours x $104.39/hr = $100214.40 per year.

The number still differs from the original posters sum also. I know nothing of the Mesa pay schedules, but at other airlines soft pay could easily make up the difference to the $108,565 sum. Or perhaps he made a simple error in his math such as you did. Who knows, I might have missed something along the way and I am the one who should be working at Enron.

 

[WileE]

Minimums.

Minimum per bid at Mesa is 70 hours. Mesa runs 13 bids not 12 so that is a minimum of 910 hours per year. If you flew 80 hours per bid you would have 1040 hours in a year, that's where the figure came from.

Remember some bids you might actually fly 90 while others you might only fly 40. But since if you fly less than 70 you still get paid for the 70 hour minimum. That way you can be paid for more hours than you actually fly and it would be more likely that you'd average close to 80 hours per bid.

A lot of assumptions here of course and this is only flight hours, not including per diem. Since just about everyone makes a lot more per diem than Mesa, that's another big difference for the calculations. Sure we got a 15% increase, but it's still crap compared to most everyone else.

 

[bahjaus]

Your on the crack pipe, at 104.39X900hrs a year thats 93,951.00 Yep the 8th grade was my senior year! LOL

Here some facts for you about Mesa:

Mesa has 13 bids of 28-days per year.
A regular line usually has 80 hours per bid.
After 5 years at Mesa you get 3 weeks of paid vacation per year at 21 hrs per week.

So you actually fly for 12 months and 1 week:
80*12.25=980
And get 3 paid weeks of vacation:
21*3=63
So:
980+63=1043
Divided by the number of bids:
1043/13=80.23
It still works out at about 80 hours per bid.
Back to the original top rate at the end of the contract for the CRJ 900:
104.39*80*13=$108,565

What was it you said about 8th grade?

For those of you curious about career earning expectations for somebody starting at Mesa, here are the numbers. Call me crazy, but some people can actually have a nice lifestyle based on these numbers provided they don't live in Manhattan and don't buy a new SUV every 3 years

5 - year CRJ200 CA: 63K
10-year CRJ700 CA: 77K
15-year CRJ900 CA: 96K