Mesaba/Pinnacle/Champion

[BengalsFan]

I have been thinking about doing the regional thing for about a year now. Obviously the pay is the thing that has been keeping me out of it.

My question is, which one of these places should I go to? I have quality time (1000 PIC, 1700 total) but want to fly for NetJets or CS, and the reserves is a slow way of gaining total time.

I don't want to commute, so being based in MSP is something that is a must for me. If I go Champion, I will have to sit on the panel for about a year or so, so that doesn't seem to make much sense.

Anyways... rambling over... would I be able to hold MSP at either Pinnacle or Mesaba within my first year?

Thanks

 

[dardar]

An almost positive yes at Pinnacle. Some guys get it out of training. Some classes don't offer it, but you could bid for it after three months or so.

 

[xjhawk]

why not go fly for NWA? but seriously, you can submit your application to the ones you want, but if they are hiring.....or they pick you......its not where you want to go, you can try.....but Mesaba is in reduction mode, Champion...well, i hear they were hiring.....but not many. Then there is the compass.....option.....we will see where that goes.

 

[BengalsFan]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I realize with a seniority based system that my desires aren't the determining factor... I was just looking for my chances...

And we all know that NW is not doing well... Like I said, I am looking for a faster way to build time, to get me in a competitive position for the fractionals, because that is the type of flying I prefer to do.

But thank you, and if anyone else has info on this subject please post.

THanks

 

[YourPilotFriend]

Champion is 2000TT and compass is based out of dulles. Mesaba is not hiring so I'd say pinnacle is where your going.

 

[BengalsFan]

THanks...and FYI Champion is not 2000TT... that maybe what they are advertising, but it isn't what they are hiring.

 

[arthompson]

Compass is only IAD while the paper work is being finalized. The domicile will be in MSP.

 

[TurboAWD]

And we all know that NW is not doing well...

I dissagree. I think they are doing quite well. And particuarly with the way labor bent over, I would expect realitvely good fincancial results over the next few years.

Turbo

 

[OOflyer]

Is anybody at MSP even hiring? Don't know if you can be based there right away anyways. What I do know is to stay away from any aircraft painted sliver and red. Mesabe isn't hiring, future at Pinnacle is uncertain(even if it was, it's the last place you'd want to be). My advice would be fly a citation or learjet or something charter. Look around you local airports or bizjetjobs.com or others and find a spot. This will better prepare you for flying nj/flexjet or others. As far as the 727 panel, why step back in time, there is a reason why technology improves. Try automation, make your life easier.

 

[arthompson]

Pinnacle isn't that bad. We can't all be industry whores like you skywest guys, flying for multiple carriers and insisting that if we win the RFP we don't conform to the rest of that carriers connection system.

 

[pipejockey]

Look around you local airports or bizjetjobs.com or others and find a spot.

Can't there be a place where available jobs can be posted and viewed for free? I guess it would be the end of the world if someone didn't pocket fistfuls of cash.

Pathetic!!

 

[RP170]

Pinnacle isn't that bad. We can't all be industry whores like you skywest guys, flying for multiple carriers and insisting that if we win the RFP we don't conform to the rest of that carriers connection system.

That's a bold statement from a Pinnacle guy. Last I knew Skywest's contract was far superior to yours.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

As far as Champion, even there, you won't be based in MSP right outta class... You'll be in DTW or STL for a duration of time...

 

[Workin'Stiff]

THanks...and FYI Champion is not 2000TT... that maybe what they are advertising, but it isn't what they are hiring.

And FYI, 2000+ is now competetive over at Champion... Tons of furloughed guys interviewing... Gonna be tough will lower time that that... There have been a few hired below that, but I don't see that happening again soon...

 

[MJ42]

Pinnacle isn't that bad. We can't all be industry whores like you skywest guys, flying for multiple carriers and insisting that if we win the RFP we don't conform to the rest of that carriers connection system.

Rather be a SkyWest whore instead of a Gulfstream whore!

 

[IHateMgmt]

Reality Check

Champion will not currently or anytime in the foreseeable future hire you with less than 2000TT, plus you won't get MSP anytime soon. They also have a history of seasonal furloughing.

XJ is in the process of downsizing with 146 pilots on furlough. While this will probably be temporary, when they finally do start hiring, again you won't get MSP anytime soon.

Pinnacle... at your own risk. Do a search if you don't know what I mean.

NetJets doesn't have home based options as of Nov 2005. They are currently hiring pilots for LAX or CMH only.

Sorry to be a downer... welcome to the airlines.

-IHM

 

[IHateMgmt]

Rather be a SkyWest whore instead of a Gulfstream whore!

Do we need to split you two up? For god's sake, grow up.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

They also have a history of seasonal furloughing.

Furloughs haven't happened for the last 3 or 4 years, from what I'm told...

 

[IHateMgmt]

Furloughs haven't happened for the last 3 or 4 years, from what I'm told...

That's true, and I think probably you'll be fine at Champion, Workin'Stiff. My point was that in the past, Champion has rather consistently hired at the start of the NBA season and furloughed at the end. Plus being that they are under NW's little finger, you gotta admit that there's a least a chance of being furloughed. But then, name an airline where there isn't, I guess.

Besides, this guy was looking to build time. Considering you sit sides for about a year (which gets you zero time) and then you don't fly very much relative to a regionals, Champion is one of the last places I would go to build time. Please don't take this as bashing. Champion is a fine airline... I just don't think it's the right fit for this case.

-IHM

 

[Crizz]

I have been thinking about doing the regional thing for about a year now. Obviously the pay is the thing that has been keeping me out of it.

My question is, which one of these places should I go to? I have quality time (1000 PIC, 1700 total) but want to fly for NetJets or CS, and the reserves is a slow way of gaining total time.

I don't want to commute, so being based in MSP is something that is a must for me. If I go Champion, I will have to sit on the panel for about a year or so, so that doesn't seem to make much sense.

Anyways... rambling over... would I be able to hold MSP at either Pinnacle or Mesaba within my first year?

Thanks

I'd happily walk your resume into Mesaba...

 

[DoinTime]

My advise would be to get on with PCL spend 6-12 months building part 121 jet time while working in your home town then move on. Our attrition is such that even if we do lose airplanes we probably won't need to furlough or even quit hiring. It seems to work for a lot of people and with your millitary time you shouldn't have any trouble moving on.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

That's true, and I think probably you'll be fine at Champion, Workin'Stiff. My point was that in the past, Champion has rather consistently hired at the start of the NBA season and furloughed at the end. Plus being that they are under NW's little finger, you gotta admit that there's a least a chance of being furloughed. But then, name an airline where there isn't, I guess.

Besides, this guy was looking to build time. Considering you sit sides for about a year (which gets you zero time) and then you don't fly very much relative to a regionals, Champion is one of the last places I would go to build time. Please don't take this as bashing. Champion is a fine airline... I just don't think it's the right fit for this case.

-IHM

No harm, no foul... I definitely see where you're coming from and I completely agree with almost everything you've said. I walked into this fully knowing the past and all... It just a situation where this is going to work well for me, but wouldn't be a good fit for someone else.

 

[Knightball]

Anybody know anything about Sun Country's hiring, or lack thereof? I know they were recently looking for systems instructors...growth or just attrition?

 

[PCL_128]

Pinnacle isn't that bad.

Yes, it really is.

 

[nellie2110]

Just a sim guy for Sun Country. They still have enough on furlough for the size of the company. I don't think there are any plans for growth.

 

[Longhorn]

MJ42

Arthompson is not a gulfstream guy. I know him and can at least share that with you.

 

[mayoplane]

I hope you move on.

Yes, it really is.

You hate your job so much, I hope you move on soon. You emit so much negative energy. We can always complain about something no matter where you are. Talk to some folks in Colgan, Mesa, even 'better' regional airline pilots complain about a lot of things.

At Pinnacle, people who have been on line barely 6 months are getting 14 days off line. People who have been on line barely 1 year are getting 16 days off. My friend who has been at ASA for well over a year is getting 10 days off buildup/reserve line.

Yes, our contract needs to get better, but I sure don't think that we have it sooooo bad my life is miserable. It's about your attitude.

 

[Charmin]

Careful when you jump over to pinnacle 6-12 months is about all you will have left before the rapture begins. Where do you think the next bullseye will be pasted.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

Yes, it really is.

At Pinnacle, people who have been on line barely 6 months are getting 14 days off line. People who have been on line barely 1 year are getting 16 days off. My friend who has been at ASA for well over a year is getting 10 days off buildup/reserve line.

You forgot to tell him that his rookie 3500 hour a$$ wouldn't have being a Captain as fast as he did here in any other place.
All this rookie Generation Xr. do is whine

 

[JoeMerchant]

Yes, it really is.

Won't the almighty ALPA change that? Surely you guys are going to change that and make it a great place aren't you?