Mesaba is Hiring

[bri5150]

the above quote....the first part is only my quote, I know for a fact that not all of the future flow eligible pilots will flow. I am not sure about the last batch.

Yeah, everyone needs to make their own choices, and I respect that. It really sucks for us below the line because not only did we not get to flow, but now those that CAN flow won't be going anywhere so we don't even get the seniority bump. Oh well.

 

[DoinTime]

They see a need for pilots since pinnacle is so short and it will be a lot harder to get pilots in the future. They might as well pick up some now to replace the "might as well be gone flow pilots" at mesaba.

There are about 120 pilots who can flow and all of them will as far as I can tell. None of the flow spots will be wasted.

From what I've been hearing, there are only about 70-80 flow positions left after the last round of DAL hiring late last summer and DAL has suspended pilot hiring for 2011 and late summer 2012 being the next likely window. Also hearing that its likely that there will be fences between properties for a good while anyway as part of the SLI so hiring at Mesaba won't do Pinnacle or Colgan any good. Those pilots will be stuck within their pre-merger group.

 

[Flyer1015]

I don't mean to sound like the village idiot, but if a pilot at Mesaba declines to flowthrough (when he first did express interest), why it can't go to the next guy who DOES want to flow? Why make it stick to only 100 or so guys, and those 100 may or may not choose to go, leaving a wasted flow spot if one declines? What pilot/union decision sold that away?

 

[Flyer1015]

Also hearing that its likely that there will be fences between properties for a good while anyway as part of the SLI so hiring at Mesaba won't do Pinnacle or Colgan any good. Those pilots will be stuck within their pre-merger group.

Is this rumor or fact? Or, a combination of both? And by those fences you speak of, does this mean pilots can't jump from one carrier to the other until said fence expires?

 

[xjgearbtch]

I don't mean to sound like the village idiot, but if a pilot at Mesaba declines to flowthrough (when he first did express interest), why it can't go to the next guy who DOES want to flow? Why make it stick to only 100 or so guys, and those 100 may or may not choose to go, leaving a wasted flow spot if one declines? What pilot/union decision sold that away?

It wasn't in our control when NWA was bought by Delta. Delta wanted to stop the flow thru dead in it's tracks we were lucky to even get what we got. Our union had no control over it but negotiated as best they could for us.

 

[xjgearbtch]

Is this rumor or fact? Or, a combination of both? And by those fences you speak of, does this mean pilots can't jump from one carrier to the other until said fence expires?

Pure rumor wait till mid may to get the facts from the arbitrator. It's all speculation till then.

 

[Raskal]

if Mesaba is hiring what is the new hire base and is it for the CRJ900. I saw their min WOW!!!!! it was 600TT and 50 multi. Now i don't think that will be for the 900 flying.
they must be really desperate for pilots if the min is so low. That is the lowest i have ever seen any regional go so far.

Don't worry, it will be lower and probably already is. Word from a couple of management types is that we (and I mean all 3 companies) are unable to fill new hire classes. The recent "agreement" with one of the colleges, wmu I think, is evidence of that: jobs without an interview.

We'll be right back to hiring 250 hour guys and we aren't even in the upswing we were before. Yay.

 

[jynxyjericho]

At this point it boggles my mind why anyone would actually choose to stay at this joint when they had the option to get out to a better place.

Eh, 100k a year and 18 days off is hard to give up.

 

[Raskal]

Eh, 100k a year and 18 days off is hard to give up.

Is that really all it takes anymore? Even with all crap treatment? Not judging, just curious.

 

[SEVEN]

Is that really all it takes anymore? Even with all crap treatment? Not judging, just curious.

I would suggest to you that 100k+/yr and 18 days off is hardly "crap" treatment.

 

[bri5150]

I would suggest to you that 100k+/yr and 18 days off is hardly "crap" treatment.

And cherry picking your trips from PBS...

 

[Raskal]

I would suggest to you that 100k+/yr and 18 days off is hardly "crap" treatment.

I would suggest otherwise when the job at the regional level is what it is and other avenues are available, however to each his own. When I say treatment, I mean a usable sick policy, a usable retirement and a usable health care package. Not to mention hotels, scheduling and such. I guess we are all willing to draw the line somewhere.

I find money and days off alone don't define nor do they a good career make. The brass ring is not what it once was.

 

[Flyer1015]

Eh, 100k a year and 18 days off is hard to give up.

Right. Ask Comair pilots how the 100k a year and 18 days off is working out for them. A regional is a contract feeder, and that contract mothership can decide to screw you in an instant. Bottom line, get in, get your time, and get OUT of the regional. Mesaba included.

 

[DoinTime]

Also hearing that its likely that there will be fences between properties for a good while anyway as part of the SLI so hiring at Mesaba won't do Pinnacle or Colgan any good. Those pilots will be stuck within their pre-merger group.

Is this rumor or fact? Or, a combination of both? And by those fences you speak of, does this mean pilots can't jump from one carrier to the other until said fence expires?

I didn't present anything as fact but fences are very likely even if they only last until full operational integration is granted from the FAA (this is very very typical). Even by the company's own plans, operational integration is about a year and a half out still. This type of fence restricts pilots from bidding vacancies within any of the other pre-merger groups until all of those pilots have had an opportunity to bid on them. For example, if PCL posts a vacancy for DTW CRJ CA, all pre-merger PCL pilots can bid on that position before anyone from within either the Colgan or Mesaba groups despite their relative ISL number.

A brief review of past arbitrators awards will lead you to this conclusion. Google is your friend if you are looking for that kind of info.

 

[DoinTime]

Pure rumor wait till mid may to get the facts from the arbitrator. It's all speculation till then.

Arbitrated seniority lists have followed a well defined pattern over the past couple of decades. Its hardly speculation to believe that this one will end up with similar terms to the well established precedents.

 

[SEVEN]

Right. Ask Comair pilots how the 100k a year and 18 days off is working out for them. A regional is a contract feeder, and that contract mothership can decide to screw you in an instant. Bottom line, get in, get your time, and get OUT of the regional. Mesaba included.

I agree. But a pilot approaching 50 has to decide if the risk vs. reward is worth the leap to the bottom of an LLC or legacy carrier. For most, the risk is too great to give up pay and QOL and to make up the years of lost wages. If you're 40 or younger, I would say the regional job must be a stepping stone.

 

[Raskal]

I agree. But a pilot approaching 50 has to decide if the risk vs. reward is worth the leap to the bottom of an LLC or legacy carrier. For most, the risk is too great to give up pay and QOL and to make up the years of lost wages. If you're 40 or younger, I would say the regional job must be a stepping stone.

Now that is the issue: what is the cutoff point? I'm not 40, yet, but I'm not that far away that I don't think about it. There's a lot to consider there.

 

[bri5150]

Now that is the issue: what is the cutoff point? I'm not 40, yet, but I'm not that far away that I don't think about it. There's a lot to consider there.

I am not close to that decision yet, but at 40, you still have 25 years left. GO!! I would even consider it at 50. I think I am in the minority though. At that point, company will be matching 125% 401k as well. That is tough to give up.

 

[johnpeace]

I am not close to that decision yet, but at 40, you still have 25 years left. GO!! I would even consider it at 50. I think I am in the minority though. At that point, company will be matching 125% 401k as well. That is tough to give up.

Not to mention the QOL issues...try giving up weekends off and go to leaving your 3 kids to go sit reserve at Kennedy every weekend.

Bummer.

 

[xjgearbtch]

Arbitrated seniority lists have followed a well defined pattern over the past couple of decades. Its hardly speculation to believe that this one will end up with similar terms to the well established precedents.

Nevermind