Mesa Dash Captain

[eagleatr]

I've got an interview this weekend for a slot as a Mesa Dash 8 Captain. Without getting into how bad working for Mesa is (I already know a lot of the details), there is some information I would like to find out.

* What are the schedules like and are they commutable?
* Are they going to be outstation based?
* Why doesn't anyone within Mesa want these slots?
* Are you paid during training and is a hotel room provided?

Please refrain from all the Mesa bashing. I would like more information prior to the interview so that I can make an informed decision if they offer me a job.


Thanks

 

[labbats]

So you applied for a captain position at Mesa and you
1) Don't know the schedules, or much about the work rules
2) Don't want anyone to point out how much you sold out

What color is the sky in your world?

 

[psysix]

Yeah, but he'll get the coveted 1000hrs of PIC turbine that will allow him to get on with a major while you still yank gear in your RJ.

 

[climb2slow]

outstation basing
new operation, so no schedule history....delta jfk is the operation you will fly in
most mesa fo's would rather wait 6-8 months for jet captain
you are paid during training, but you pay the hotel for the systems portion, and then the company pays the hotel from sim onward

 

[taxicabdriver]

there are a lot of 300 hour wonder pilots that don't have the time to upgrade, plus a lot of people don't want to get tied down to the 2 yr seat lock that comes with upgrading on a T-prop, they would rather wait for the jet

 

[FR8mastr]

Yeah, but he'll get the coveted 1000hrs of PIC turbine that will allow him to get on with a major while you still yank gear in your RJ.

"get on with a major" now thats funny!

 

[psysix]

"get on with a major" now thats funny!

What's so funny about that? Don't YOU want to get on with a major?

 

[shamrock]

eagleatr
A/C Flown: ATR, J31, DA20, B737
Ratings: ATP
Curr Position: Furloughed
Total Time: 5000


Might he have already made it to a Major?

 

[gear goes down]

One of my old flight instructors got hired as a street captain for the 1900 at mesa a few months ago. He had no airline or 135 experience. While he was going through training he said that it was really tough. He was with some FO’s that were upgrading to captain and a good portion of them did not make the cut. Because so many of them were failing he decided to op-out and just start of as a FO for a while.

Looking at your profile it looks like you have 121 experience, so hopefully you should do fine. Good luck and have fun with mesa!!! (if you get the job)

 

[Soverytired]

I've got an interview this weekend for a slot as a Mesa Dash 8 Captain. Without getting into how bad working for Mesa is (I already know a lot of the details), there is some information I would like to find out.

* What are the schedules like and are they commutable?

Unknown, as its all out of new domiciles. HOWEVER, Dash bases tend to have pretty good schedules . . . 80 "ish" hours of flying, expect a minimum of 10 days off per 28, and PROBABLY more like 12-13. 8 if you're on reserve, which might be your fate in ORF.

* Are they going to be outstation based?

Domiciles have been posted elsewhere. Not sure what you mean by "outstation" . . . nearly all of the crews will be based at the smaller bases. Some would consider this an advantage, as there are no reserve pilots (usually) at the "outstation" bases. And trust me, you do NOT want to sit reserve at Mesa. It's pure, unmitigated hell.

Most of the outstation bases will be somewhat commutable, but the lines are never tailored exclusively for this purpose. BDL, PHL, BWI, and Richmond would probably be reasonably commutable.

* Why doesn't anyone within Mesa want these slots?

Jet captain fever. Why take D8 CA with a seat lock (18 mo or 3 years, I forget), when you can drive a jet in the next year . . . . maybe? Also, there were some rumors about the D8 training being unfairly difficult with a high wash-out rate . . . but frankly, if you know how to fly, the Dash is alot of fun and not particularly difficult to learn (IMHO). The sim training is unforgiving to those who are either 1. unprepared or 2. weak instrument pilots, but if you're either, you probably shouldn't be a D8 CA anyway.

Additionally, Mesa traditionally requires 2 in-house CA recommendations and 2500 total hours (ICAO req for international ops) for captain upgrades. This is currently under review for this start-up, and may be waived, thereby opening up alot of slots for fo's who otherwise wouldn't have the time requirements . . . only need 1500 TT if they get waived. Expect more in-house upgrades if this is in fact waived.

* Are you paid during training and is a hotel room provided?

As posted elsewhere . . . You are paid during training, but you pay the hotel for the systems portion, and then the company pays the hotel from sim onward. Best bet is to share a hotel room with another street-hire captain or fo.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Good luck in your interview. Mesa may not be perfect, but my fondest memories of 121 flying are flying the D8 (who can forget diving into Aspen at night on the visual approach?) It's a tank, and alot of fun to fly.

If you're gonna work for Mesa, may as well do your time as a D8 captain rather than waiting 3-4 years as an fo hoping for a jet captain spot.

 

[Slice121]

* What are the schedules like and are they commutable?
* Are they going to be outstation based?
* Why doesn't anyone within Mesa want these slots?
* Are you paid during training and is a hotel room provided?

Thanks

1. Depends, in general the schedules at Mesa suck and it can be difficult to commute for some.

2. DL flying out of JFK is what they are looking for, so plan on NYC for now.

3. Already answered above.

4. You are paid your guarantee for the seat you will occupy from day one.(wouldn't be surprised if they pay you the Dash FO rate until you pass your checkride though, but not sure. That's how it is when going from FO to CA. Hotel is on your own dime till you complete GS. It is provided by the company for the sim.

5. Get your time and get out! Pray for a lot of street CA's because you will learn the horrors of reserve at the company if guys already on the list decide to go over to the Dash! Two words: Ready reserve...

 

[whaleroast]

I've got an interview this weekend for a slot as a Mesa Dash 8 Captain. Without getting into how bad working for Mesa is (I already know a lot of the details), there is some information I would like to find out.

* What are the schedules like and are they commutable?
* Are they going to be outstation based?
* Why doesn't anyone within Mesa want these slots?
* Are you paid during training and is a hotel room provided?

Please refrain from all the Mesa bashing. I would like more information prior to the interview so that I can make an informed decision if they offer me a job.


Thanks

Here's my words of advice:
If you suck your belly in, you look skinnier.
Do it.
And dude, you're going to get so many chicks if you get on with Mesa.
"Call me captain, Crystal. Put your meth down while I show you my cockpit."
What fat girl doesn't dig a Mesa Dash 8 captain? I wager you'll be in hog heaven. So do it, little man. Be a Mesa Captain. Be something our children can only dream of acheiving:
"I am your captain. Please, enjoy the ride and thank you for flying America West Express, owned and operated by Mesa Airlines, regional airline of the year for 2001!"

 

[Soverytired]

What you, like 12 or something?

Here's my words of advice:
And dude, you're going to get so many chicks if you get on with Mesa.

Wow.

(Someone took the movie "Top Gun" a little too seriously. . . heh dude, it's FICTION)

Although I do agree with the basic premise of whaleroast that if your goal is to be a pilot in order to impress girls . . . that's so f'ing pathetic that it's not going to matter. (uh, you do realize this, right whale? . . . please tell me you don't wear your pilot uniform and RAYBANS while casually walking through the mall trying to pick up 15 year olds . . . )

 

[whaleroast]

Wow.

(Someone took the movie "Top Gun" a little too seriously. . . heh dude, it's FICTION)

Although I do agree with the basic premise of whaleroast that if your goal is to be a pilot in order to impress girls . . . that's so f'ing pathetic that it's not going to matter. (uh, you do realize this, right whale? . . . please tell me you don't wear your pilot uniform and RAYBANS while casually walking through the mall trying to pick up 15 year olds . . . )

Yeah...I have visions of grandeur flying a Saab. The only girls I get now are the stoned A gate rampies at Memphis and even they aren't impressed by my status, unless I show them the exit wound I got in my shoulder when my Grand Marquis got hit by a stray bullet, with me passed out in the backseat, near Graceland.

 

[eagleatr]

For those of you that answered contructively, I appreciate all the information and your time for posting it.

For those of you that didn't, your mild attempts at humor were not very entertaining.

While I understand that no one here knows me, and anything can be posted as to my quals, I have already been a 121 captain, and I also have much more than 1000 hours TPIC. I have also already made it to a "major", hence my status shows "furloughed."

I am currently already a captain at a lower tier fractional, and I'm looking for something better for me. I understand what Mesa is, and a lot of it's issues, since I've already spent 6 years at Eagle (hence the name).

 

[eagleatr]

Not sure what you mean by "outstation" . . . nearly all of the crews will be based at the smaller bases.

I meant "outstation" as not at a hub. One is not necessarily any better than the other, but sometimes it's easier to commute from the hub.

 

[whaleroast]

For those of you that answered contructively, I appreciate all the information and your time for posting it.

For those of you that didn't, your mild attempts at humor were not very entertaining.

While I understand that no one here knows me, and anything can be posted as to my quals, I have already been a 121 captain, and I also have much more than 1000 hours TPIC. I have also already made it to a "major", hence my status shows "furloughed."

I am currently already a captain at a lower tier fractional, and I'm looking for something better for me. I understand what Mesa is, and a lot of it's issues, since I've already spent 6 years at Eagle (hence the name).

Why are you crawling to Mesa for a job?

 

[updraft]

anyone know if you get the travel companion deal at MESA?

 

[psysicx]

Don't other regionals have 1500 TT upgrades?

 

[Wiggums]

More Questions

At Mesa can you bid from one certificate to another? Could a Dash 8 captain for Freedom bid for Phoenix or Denver?
How long is the seat lock?
How senior is Phoenix for the Dash and CRJ?
Where are the 12 airplanes coming from?
What is so bad about Mesa reserve?
How many hours guaranteed per bid period?

Thanks.