Mesaba questions

[Caboclo]

If I start as street captain on the Saab, what is the upgrade time to RJ CA? Probably the same as a new hire RJ FO? How is the training and pass rate?

 

[WMUSIGPI]

You will be seat locked as a Saab Captain for 24 months after completion of training (fed ride). If you come in as an FO then you will NOT be subject to a seatlock for upgrade to either Saab or CRJ captain, only to switch planes as FO. It's a gamble as far as will CRJ captain upgrades hit the bottom of the list so that you could bid it. Saab upgrades already have and as such you could bid that and get it without technically being a street captain.

 

[OttoPilot]

You will be seat locked as a Saab Captain for 24 months after completion of training (fed ride). If you come in as an FO then you will NOT be subject to a seatlock for upgrade to either Saab or CRJ captain, only to switch planes as FO. It's a gamble as far as will CRJ captain upgrades hit the bottom of the list so that you could bid it. Saab upgrades already have and as such you could bid that and get it without technically being a street captain.

Also, if CRJ Captain does hit the bottom of the list, your seat lock would be released to allow you to move to CRJ Captain to prevent the hiring of a "Street Captain."

 

[Beergut]

If I start as street captain on the Saab, what is the upgrade time to RJ CA? Probably the same as a new hire RJ FO? How is the training and pass rate?

I'd bet a dollar to a doughnut that says you don't pass the checkride. Not that you're not a good pilot, that "off the street captain" line is probably just a hook. Then oddly enough you bust the checkride and now you're an f/o at new hire payrates. GOTCHA!

 

[submachXJ]

I'd bet a dollar to a doughnut that says you don't pass the checkride. Not that you're not a good pilot, that "off the street captain" line is probably just a hook. Then oddly enough you bust the checkride and now you're an f/o at new hire payrates. GOTCHA!

Its no hook. No FOs where qualified(ie atp mins) or elected to take the last up grade they need people in the left seat.

 

[Caboclo]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Flybet3]

I'd bet a dollar to a doughnut that says you don't pass the checkride. Not that you're not a good pilot, that "off the street captain" line is probably just a hook. Then oddly enough you bust the checkride and now you're an f/o at new hire payrates. GOTCHA!

And there it is. There's always one in every Forum.

 

[XJohXJ]

Hey, Mesaba might not be perfect, but they have a good training dept, and absolutely do not pull any of that gotcha crap.

 

[Flybet3]

Hey, Mesaba might not be perfect, but they have a good training dept, and absolutely do not pull any of that gotcha crap.

I really dont think there is any regional out there that will purposly do that. Atleast none that I know of.

 

[MEL'ed]

Saab questions

Being that the Saab doesn't have an APU, do they routinely hook up any kind of air cart on the turns? What about first thing in the morning? Up in Michigan/Minnesota during the winter how long between door open and door closed and engines started again on an average turn? Also, does the Saab have any kind of direct-to capability while navigating or is it vectors and airways everywhere? Thanks.

 

[arthompson]

I've seen Saabs hooked up to air carts in the hubs, but I couldn't say what XJ's policy is.

 

[Mesabi Miner]

Being that the Saab doesn't have an APU, do they routinely hook up any kind of air cart on the turns? What about first thing in the morning? Up in Michigan/Minnesota during the winter how long between door open and door closed and engines started again on an average turn? Also, does the Saab have any kind of direct-to capability while navigating or is it vectors and airways everywhere? Thanks.

1. Nothing as far as getting necessary air resources is "routine" at Mesaba. In the summer and winter, they're getting better about getting air hooked up at the hubs. At the outstation, 48 times out of 50 you will not be hooked up to an environmental cart. You will be accustomed to waking up to a cold-soaked airplane in the morning and, if the situation deems it (Captain's call) will start an engine with the HP's going for 10 minutes to "warm" the plane prior to boarding pax.

2. Turn times with door open is less of an issue in the winter than in the summer. Average 15-20 minutes, but once last person leaves in winter, door is shut to conserve heat. In summer there is no such thing as conserving cool.

3. Saabs can go direct anywhere now in the enroute structure with the commissioning of our antique "FMS"'s. Not quite of this decade, but they do the job.

MM

 

[xjlifer]

You mean the Saab does not have a APU????????

 

[xjhawk]

Yeah the Saab has two APU's! One on each wing..........and its cooler than any plane I have ever flown in, and in the summer it has the best heating system as well! But as I always heard, they people at the smaller stations make it all worth it! To some extent that is true, but I still miss a comfortable plane. But If all the Saabs were to disappear in the next 6 moths, I would not be a captain so I will not complain. Who knows, maybe in a couple years, all of us captains will have the opportunity to be shiny jet captains! But know this, if you come to the SAab, just accept that you will be dripping sweat and freezing your fingers off! I for one have some really nice winter gear planned for this winter. Nice gloves, fleece face gator, wool hat and long underware! I even plan on working new years! I hope its thunder bay for me, or INt falls!

 

[On Your Six]

Being that the Saab doesn't have an APU, do they routinely hook up any kind of air cart on the turns? What about first thing in the morning? Up in Michigan/Minnesota during the winter how long between door open and door closed and engines started again on an average turn? Also, does the Saab have any kind of direct-to capability while navigating or is it vectors and airways everywhere? Thanks.

How does the Dash 8 compare? I guess it depends on the model/age - right?

 

[MEL'ed]

How does the Dash 8 compare? I guess it depends on the model/age - right?

Can't speak for all Dash operators, but all PDTs have a KNS or UNS with direct capability. All major airway fixes and FAFs programmed and the capability to input any point in there with a known direction and distance from a VOR or other preprogrammed fix.

 

[Mesabi Miner]

You mean the Saab does not have a APU????????

That's it, Lifer... I'm throwin' down the next time I see you. Of course, then I'm have to go to the B concourse and why would I go there? I'm not worthy...

MM

 

[XJ-spartacus]

Miner,

If you can manage to slap "lifers" tri-focals off before he is able to grap you, I think you might stand a chance. Either way, tangling with an elderly man is a lose-lose. Good luck...

-Spartacus

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

Yeah the Saab has two APU's! One on each wing..........and its cooler than any plane I have ever flown in, and in the summer it has the best heating system as well!

LOL. Nice.

 

[xjhawk]

Did you see the new vacancy award? looks like XJ will be hiring 13 captains to be going to DTW and MEM. And until christmas, even the crj900 is going junior. Then it might go senior, but I think we will soon run out of old timer Saab captains to fill those spots. Then I guess its a seat lock release on a one for one basis. Any word on if the seat lock is only going to be for one year? How about the word of whether those options will be picked up for more CRJ's or even the EMB's? My bet on the EMB's will be 195's at mainline....thats if aviation does not take another dive.....can anyone say tough times ahead.....wow did i ramble on...