Mesaba Quality of Life?

[061984]

Looking for info on the quality of life at Mesaba, ie. minimum days off, typical schedules, overall relationship between pilots and management. No real complaints about where I'm at, just looking to get closer to home beings that I commute.

 

[othello]

11 days off Min.

Most line are 14-18 days off (base pending) Dtw and Msp 15-18 Mem Cvg more like 13-15.

Creidt is 85-95 Hrs, It is easy to pick up more flying if you want it.

Reserve had been running 3 yrs but its has been droping more like 1 or less (base pending) Msp is more seinor.

Management is dumb just like everywhere.

We just finished yr 1 of our new 5 yr contract. We have lots of $$ in the bank and are poised for some growth. (but we have been for a while)

If you live in base I think it is as good as any regional.

 

[Towelie]

Most line are 14-18 days off (base pending) Dtw and Msp 15-18

15-18 days off average in MSP??? Maybe two years ago. The days off have been bad for a while and getting lower.

 

[T-handle]

The max number day offs in MSP, saab FO, is 15 and has been like that for over 6 months. the MSP avro FO lines max days and avg days off are better.

In general the saab lines for both CA and FO have been going way south recently. The problem in MSP for the Saab crews is that the average block time per flight is much lower than DTW and MEM. So we have to fly more per day/week to make up the lower hours.

Word has it that crew planning is only running the optimizer once or twice, when they normally run it 4 to 5 times.

 

[T-handle]

The overal QOL is better than most regionals. No contract is perfect and if you ask 100 Mesaba pilots from all bases and status (CA and FO), lineholder, or reserve line, you'll get 100 different answers.

Just be prepared to do lots of 4 day trips, followed by another 1 or 2 day trip. Some lines though have lots of 1 day trips, and like Othello said, QOL is much better if you live at base. commuting sucks, no matter where you commute from, even if it's just a 15 minute flight.

If/when we start receiving new airplanes, I think QOL will be much better.

 

[oldskoolbronco2]

What is the Average upgrade time on the Saab/Avero?

 

[cathal]

Over 5 years for the Saab right now, a long long time for the Avro.

 

[Terry Hunter]

061984...
If that is your DOH at your employer, you may wish to consider staying there

Mesaba has a "Call in Honest Program" for commuting; try to catch two flights to commute, and can't make it; no prob- scheduling has you covered from there.

TH

 

[Dodge]

In the Saab in MEM, the most junior base, the #1 CA and FO get 14-13 days off. Everyone else 11-12. MSP and DTW are way better, but they go to more than 7 seven different cities.