Mesaba Chief Pilot and Recruiting

[Yudso]

Well, the XJ pilots didn't burn it down because, after all the crap, the concessions essentially amounted to a 5% pay cut over 2 years. From 2-4 years, the cut works it's way from 5% to 0%, ending up at where our previous contract would be in 4 years. That place is: middle to upper middle of the road, with above average work rules

So your pay will be at 2005 levels while everyone else has moved on with (hopefully) better agreements. I guess that's fine for those who are part of the claim, but it screws the newhires.

 

[SEVEN]

I was told in 99 during the interview that I would be a CA in 2-3 years due to growth. End result was that it took over 5 years. There was no more growth. A models started to leave with no replacements. Down rades/furloughs in 2001. Routes given to Pinnacle in DTW and MSP. Downgrades/furloughs happened again, Avros sent to the desert in 2003....rinse and repeat in 2005.

As stated before, the top 200 are not leaving, ever. Those are CA slots that will never come open. 36 new CRJs to REPLACE the lost Avros will leave 85 planes.

So the questions you have to ask yourself is: How long will it take for me to get in the top 400? Can my career endure a 5+ year FO tenure at a regional?

Without any growth at all, new hires at XJ will probably have to wait at least 4 yrs to upgrade. But for some of the "senior" involuntary furloughed it will be a 1-2 year upgrade on the SAAB with only the 36 replacment a/c. Nov 2004 furloughed pilots are in the 500's for seniority #. With any attrition at all, that would put them in a junior capt. slot in the saab.

 

[xjlifer]

One thing about this whole thread...THERE AINT NO CRYSTAL BALL.

On a more realistic note.....
Looks like they want 1000/100 wonder if that will hold.

 

[YourPilotFriend]

One thing about this whole thread...THERE AINT NO CRYSTAL BALL.

On a more realistic note.....
Looks like they want 1000/100 wonder if that will hold.

Not a chance, regionals with the best contracts can't even fill classes at 500 TT/75ME.

 

[Yudso]

Don't forget about 3-4 year upgrade into a 50 seater (more money) at other carriers.

 

[xjhawk]

here is the deal...in terms of growth....replace the 35 avros, 11 Saabs which have left property. then replace the 35 crj's that were suppose to come on property. 81 new planes, then it will be postive growth!

 

[flap operator]

Splitbar - I was under the impression one had to return from furlough to get their share of the claim. Of course furloughs are eligible, but I can't imagine a furlough getting to collect their portion of the claim, with no intentions on returning. Perhaps I'm wrong. You make it seem like furloughed guys are getting a payout just because they're on the list. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the claim being allocated to those who will work under the concessionary deal?


FO

 

[xjcaptain]

here is the deal...in terms of growth....replace the 35 avros, 11 Saabs which have left property. then replace the 35 crj's that were suppose to come on property. 81 new planes, then it will be postive growth!

Actually it's worse than that. At our high point we had 76 saabs and 36 avros. The 11 you are refering to are the most recent that have left. In the years prior there were 16 others that were returned.

 

[xjhawk]

oh great.....I just cannot wait for the claim money to be divided! Imagine the rates at which people will leave then. I do not beleive that those who can get something worth leaving for will stop leaving for a mere 35 jets. Airtran, SWA or any major will be just as pleasing....not to mention the many leaving for corp gigs.

 

[profit]

Actually it's worse than that. At our high point we had 76 saabs and 36 avros. The 11 you are refering to are the most recent that have left. In the years prior there were 16 others that were returned.

ACTUALLY, it was 83 Saabs. 49 B+, 11 B- from pinnacle (returned to PNCL), and 23 A models (returned to Saab Leasing and under litigation). But that was only for a short time.

 

[xjcaptain]

ACTUALLY, it was 83 Saabs. 49 B+, 11 B- from pinnacle (returned to PNCL), and 23 A models (returned to Saab Leasing and under litigation). But that was only for a short time.

We'll, your math works, but the timing doesn't. Some of the "A" models were returned well prior to the first straight "B" from 9E. Then again it doesn't really matter. I think we both agree that we need a bunch of airplanes to get even where we once were, before it is considered "Growth".

 

[Spinn555]

From inside the HR walls at XJ...

The website has advertised for just a few days openings for Pilots. They AVERAGE 100 resume submissions a day.

No matter what happens, there is still someone out there willing to work in a bad situation, as long as it is a jet pilot job.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

well between the current (never furloughed) pilots and the recalls bidding the jet good luck any new hire getting a jet seat....

 

[WMUSIGPI]

besides that any fool putting in a resume here instead of spirit or pinnacle (yes in that order duh) may God have mercy on thier soul... naw never mind they don't deserve it...

 

[SplitBar]

besides that any fool putting in a resume here instead of spirit or pinnacle (yes in that order duh) may God have mercy on thier soul... naw never mind they don't deserve it...

Why Pinnacle over XJ? The XJ contrat is still better than Pinnacles...not to mention the professionalism of the pilot group. XJ is the one in growth mode now, not 9E. As far as spirit, CFI's coming out of the pilot factories aren't competetive or qualified to fly for Spirit. I take it your not taking the recall?

Didn't you just ask this question the other day..... "so do we need to fax that form in again with the CR9 choices or can we use the electronic form like before furlough?"

So new hires are Fools for applying but your the smart guy for taking the recall. Whats the difference? Too bad you don't deserve any mercy on your soul

 

[YourPilotFriend]

From inside the HR walls at XJ...

The website has advertised for just a few days openings for Pilots. They AVERAGE 100 resume submissions a day.

No matter what happens, there is still someone out there willing to work in a bad situation, as long as it is a jet pilot job.

Those hundreds probably applied to every other regional as well.

 

[saabservant]

The only difference between a pinnacle pilot and a mesaba pilot is whether they paid for their training, and the quality of their training department.
I hear this crap about our (mesaba) contract being so much better; in reality the work rules amount to about a 6% improvement over pinnacle's, but the fact is, a Pinnacle captain is making a LOT more money than a saab captain, with likely half the seniority, and is based where that saab capt. would like to be. Where will that saab capt. most likely be in two years with the 36 crjs?
On the saab...
Who has the better deal?

The other thing in common between the groups is the opportunity to be whipsawed by not only the three mgmt. teams, but mainline and natl. alpa.
Why anyone would consider making a career here as a red tail fee for departure pilot is beyond reason, and is based on the illusion of security...

 

[xjhawk]

yeah and about the differences between the two XJ and 9E is that if I was hired there at Pinnacle, i would be a crj captain by now making 60 something an hour. Now the best bet I have at Mesaba is a possible upgrade to a saab making what, 48 an hour for a 5-6 year capt. Oh thats a crappy schedule out of memphis....yeah I am real excited about doing that.....but most likely I will. The best thing that could happen is we get 50-90 crj 900's and attrition stays steady. I am sure the attrition will be greater than the averaged they have forcasted.

 

[saabservant]

xjhawk: but just think of what a fancy crashpad you(and/or) I can get with the proceeds from the bankruptcy claim payout! You'll be living high in Melvis...

 

[Vspeeds]

Compass Airlines

Does anybody have a web address or physical address/Fax for Compass?

Appreciate any info!