Mesaba's race to the Bottom

[MesabaDriver]

Management's request for cuts puts us at the bottom of the pay and benefits scale for any regional carrier. Things that others sacrificed for, 2 years ago will be wiped out. I find it ironic that the same company that wants to put 130 or so pilots on the street and has threaten to sue furloughed pilots for training costs is offering some type of profit sharing in our new agreement. What will the profits be if no one wants to work here. Mesaba has never been a bottom feeder but managment has no problem turning us into one in order to line their pockets and keep big daddy NW happy. Lets go do some flying for other national and major carriers, since we are going to be one of the lowest paid, why not become whores at the same time. Mesa and Chataqua carry for god knows how many airlines. That E170 that they roll up on the ramp in at MEM sure looks nice crewed by Rebublic or what ever subsidary its it operating it. Although they get paid far less than the should be payed to fly it, we ought to be able to be competitive with our new pay rates if they get accepted. Here is my question to all those out there who fly for a regional that rapes you more and more everyday....If aviation safety is so critical and procedures are so technical, why do we insist on going with the lowest bidder, the least experienced pilots and why do we insist on rewarding bottom feeding regionals with all the flying. I think pretty soon the industry will be filled with nothing but junk like GJ (Trans States black eye), Freedom Jet (Mesa's Black eye). Thank god Mesaba piltos were smart enough to scope Big Scare in Montana to 19 seats. Whos gonna win the next race to the bottom. My vote MAIR and all its pawns. They will just have to race without me and alot of other pilots that actually care whats happens to Mesaba and its employees.

 

[airjackson]

Here's a question for you. What, exactly, was your number one reason for joining Mesaba when you began shopping your resume around the regional world.

 

[MesabaDriver]

Decent equiptment, good contract, great union representation. Hoped to get in at the begining of growth since we hadnt had any in five or so years figured we were due. Lived in MSP at the time. Just you average surface observatioin reason.

 

[airjackson]

I wish you guys the best. I've enjoyed meeting your MEC chairman on several occasions, and he has worked hard to support many of us at other carriers. Unfortunately, your management has no-doubt been taking notes from other management teams on how to tear apart pilot contracts and it seems that they have all of us over the collective barrel. Good luck.

 

[miles otoole]

Here is my question to all those out there who fly for a regional that rapes you more and more everyday....If aviation safety is so critical and procedures are so technical, why do we insist on going with the lowest bidder, the least experienced pilots and why do we insist on rewarding bottom feeding regionals with all the flying. .

Are you saying Mesa or CHQ pilots are any less safe than Mesaba's because they are PAID less? When you got your private license, did you ask about the prices or did you go to the highest priced school because in your theory, the more you pay, the better training and instruction you'll receive.

 

[wheelsup]

has threaten to sue furloughed pilots for training costs

I hope you're not serious. I would hope a judge would throw this out in a heartbeat...

~wheelsup

 

[MesabaDriver]

Its not about the pilots personally. Its about all pilot groups allowing managment to undercut us. These airlines that allow merger of non union lists inorder to pererve their job and sign TA's with low pay set a standard that all the other regionals follow. Ex. Fredom Jet and Go Jet. Its everywhere. We even had it with Big Scare when we went through our contract. We need to hold the line and say enough is enough.

 

[MesabaDriver]

I am sure that Mesa and all the others a safe and qualified. My issue isnt personally with one airline group its with the whole picture.

 

[CarRamRod]

Just look at your fellow employees

Look around at who you are working with. Are they there to better the industry in America or get their minimum time and jump ship(USA). I have given the jump seat to many regional pilots that are here to get the time and get out. They could give a squirt of pee what the future of their or any regional airline could be. They will agree to unreasonable wages and working conditions, just to get the time. If you are planning on staying in this country and would like to have a career in the future, we better stand together. If not I hear that many asian countrys are looking for 474 pilots. So my last jumpseater told me.......

 

[MesabaDriver]

Exactely, if we arent careful and stick together we will beocme expendable to the lowest bidder. We will be outsourced and flights will no longer be flown by American Pilots. Just like the flight attendants at NW with flights originating in Asia with Asian attendants. Its only a matter of time till it becomes standard practice.