Mesa DHC-8

[ukaviator]

Ok guys, before someone wants to give me a swift kick where the sun dont shine ... I just have a few questions.

1) What are the latest street captain hiring mins into the DHC-8 for Mesa?
2) Everyone loves to bash Mesa on this board for one reason or another, but I ask you ... wouldnt it be worth going there if you could get on as captain, just to build the PIC turbine, serve you sentence and then get out to someone like SWA with a bunch of time under your belt?

Surely its got to be one of the fastest tracks to better paying jobs?

FYI: Ive trawled through previous threads, without much luck on the very up-to-date info.
Be gentle!

 

[UPSer]

That sounds like a good plan. UPS hires with LESS than 1000 pic turbine.

 

[PA31Ho]

Ok guys, before someone wants to give me a swift kick where the sun dont shine ... I just have a few questions.

1) What are the latest street captain hiring mins into the DHC-8 for Mesa?
2) Everyone loves to bash Mesa on this board for one reason or another, but I ask you ... wouldnt it be worth going there if you could get on as captain, just to build the PIC turbine, serve you sentence and then get out to someone like SWA with a bunch of time under your belt?

Surely its got to be one of the fastest tracks to better paying jobs?

FYI: Ive trawled through previous threads, without much luck on the very up-to-date info.
Be gentle!

my thoughts exactly... it would be used as a stepping stone. i heard 1500 total and that's it... some guy just got hired from american eagle w/ 1500tt and nothing but saab sic.

 

[AWACO]

Wow.........Just use Mesa as a stepping stone, that must be a new idea right? Every 18yr old flight instructor there has that plan buddy.

 

[NoJoy]

ukaviator-currently they are hiring for Street CA if you have an ATP. I would suggest that you have at least a few hundred hrs of turbine time either 135 or 121 time under your belt, or you stand a very good chance not making it through training. The Best thing to do, is get hired on as a FO in the Dash regardless of your ATP status and get used to the Dash and the Approaches, airports that go with it. Then when you comfort level is up in a few months, put your stuff in for CA. PM me for more info.

 

[NoJoy]

UPSer I thought the mins for UPS were 1000 turbine PIC.

 

[Quiet Flight]

If you can get the captain gig, take it. That PIC time is what counts. If you can spell your name and count to 10 you can fly the Dash. That plane is phenomenal. I flew it at PDT. Then I used GIA as a stepping stone when they were hiring street captains in the summer of '04. Worked out OK for me. I just got on at a cargo outfit in MEM that is doing pretty well. Good luck!

 

[Beantown]

Just remember, street CA are normaly on RSV for a VERY VERY long time. RSV at Mesa is the worst. 8 days off a bid (9 a month), ready reserve everyday, ect. ect. Save yourself and go somewhere else.

Please don't go to Mesa. We need everyone to boycott Mesa. -Bean (Mesa pilot)

 

[NoJoy]

Because most Freedom DHC-8 pilots will be off the street (do to contract fences) most will be able to hold a line. The initial street CA and FOs will hold lines in the various bases unless the contract fences come down. The only way that will happen is if Mesa can not get enough street hires.

 

[Jack Mehoff]

if you are on rsv.. watch out JFK will be the resv base and all the line holder flying will be from the outstations. Anyone know where the dash100's are coming from?

 

[rickair7777]

if you are on rsv.. watch out JFK will be the resv base and all the line holder flying will be from the outstations. Anyone know where the dash100's are coming from?

RUMOR says worn out ex-PDT birds.

 

[ukaviator]

Thanks for the info fellas.
So does anyone know what the requirements are?
I Know they want ATP mins, but what about multi req and/or turbine req?

Also, could someone provide a list of where the dash 8 domiciles are aside from CO and JFK, thanks

 

[wheelsup]

I found this on www.mesa-air.com:

• 2000 hours Total Time
• 350 hours Multi Engine, Fixed Wing
• ATP Certification
• At least 100 hours logged in the preceding six months
• Current flying job
• 121/135 flight experience
• 4-year college degree
• Three letters from pilots who can attest to applicant’s flying skills, having flown with applicant previously

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Mesa wants a 4 year degree? hahahaahahaha

 

[ukaviator]

Ive heard people saying upgrade time is between 4-6 months providing you meet the captain mins for the dash 8.
Is this actually true or a bunch of BS?
Can anyone attest to that first hand?

 

[taxicabdriver]

True, on the 1900 as well
directly from YV pilots, one of which is on the interview board

 

[twighead]

Mesa wants a 4 year degree? hahahaahahaha

that also stood out to me when i looked at it. what a joke.

 

[mamba20]

I actually considered it, but at the same time I'm done making lifestyle sacrafices for this career. I am at the worst of it now and if it gets worse then I'll find something else to do, flying is fun, but not that fun. Mesa goes against all of my principles and I just couldnt go through with the interview. I agree it could be a good stepping stone but just FYI it will probably be one of the worst personal experiences of your life.

 

[ukaviator]

Upgrade time

So has anyone got first hand experience on upgrade time in the dash 8?

 

[rickair7777]

So has anyone got first hand experience on upgrade time in the dash 8?

At Mesa? Right Now? If you have ATP times the DHC-8 upgrade should take about one day. You'll upgrade when you start new-hire training.

 

[ERJFO]

I would suggest that you have at least a few hundred hrs of turbine time either 135 or 121 time under your belt, or you stand a very good chance not making it through training.

Sounds like a great Training Department

 

[Hypoxik]

The word around MPD was that the DHC8 training was more difficult than the jets. Due to the fact that a bunch of good ol boys run it. That may be a great thing though...can't hurt to have more qualified pilots being turned out.

 

[Soverytired]

Have a pulse and a pilots license?

The word around MPD was that the DHC8 training was more difficult than the jets. Due to the fact that a bunch of good ol boys run it. That may be a great thing though...can't hurt to have more qualified pilots being turned out.

Dash program used to be tough, but more than fair (at least when I went through it).

For a few years after that though, they had a new sheriff in the dept that seemed to like high wash-out rates. That changed a few months ago, however. Not sure what the current classes are like, but I'd say GO FOR IT. There's plenty of Mesa gouge that you'll get for the book-learning side when you get there.

Just don't expect excessive hand-holding (or extra sim time). And Mesa needs D8 pilots yesterday for the Delta operation, so this is about as good as it gets for new-hire pilots at Mesa.

 

[Flyby1206]

Thanks for the info fellas.
So does anyone know what the requirements are?
I Know they want ATP mins, but what about multi req and/or turbine req?

Also, could someone provide a list of where the dash 8 domiciles are aside from CO and JFK, thanks

I read somewhere that the bases were: PVD, ALB, RIC, ORF, BWI and there were maybe 3-4 others around the northeast area.

 

[psysicx]

I thought upgrade mins at Mesa were 2500hrs? Are any of these pilots being based in Den or GJ?

 

[Soverytired]

Yes, and no. Plus, he who hesitates is lost.

I thought upgrade mins at Mesa were 2500hrs? Are any of these pilots being based in Den or GJ?

The 2500 is an ICAO requirement. This can be waived at the company's option; they may very well do this, as (purportedly) few wish to upgrade to the Dash and get seat-locked into the equipment.

Personally, I think this is a mistake --- CRJ CA upgrades have slowed WAY down.

Most, if not all, of the new Dash flying will be done on the east coast for the new Delta flying. Current Mesa Dash pilots just don't want to go to the east coast.

Also . . . anyone who wants to do this ought to get going YESTERDAY. Quite a few D8 awards for new hires have been announced. Although they are listed as "FO"'s, they might very well be given CA stripes at the completion of training if they're qualified.

 

[rickair7777]

I thought upgrade mins at Mesa were 2500hrs? Are any of these pilots being based in Den or GJ?

The contract says 2500, but they don't seem to actually hold to that.

You need at least US ATP mins (obviously).

Normally you also need ICAO ATP mins which means 1200 PIC (there is a formula that allows some credit for 121 SIC time). The company can waive this for domestic-only operations if it is convenient for them.