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Messaba CRJ

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xcr600

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2005
Posts
67
Mesaba CRJ

OK XJ guys I am looking for your opinion on this. I have been recently hired by Mesaba to start next month in what I am told will be one of the first CRJ classes. What kind of schedule do you think I am going to end up with in the short / long term. I am thinking being in the early CRJ class should give me a good chance at holding a line right out of IOE, is this reasonable? Also I have heard rumor of other FOs switching to the CRJ. Will they do this? the way i read it if they take a voluntary AC switch they will be seat-locked for another 24 months. And if others do switch to the CRJ will they be able to out bid me for a line? This is all so exciting yet confusing at the same time.

Thanks
 
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crj

i dont know why anyone would give up another 2 years just to fly the jet, at mesaba you upgrade to captain in the saab anyways. Plus the pay is the same. I would think that you would get a line right away and I hope to join you soon.
 
I'm sure its all based on senority...and since Mesaba F/O's can bid between AC you may be senior on the CRJ for a few months until prooving runs and stuff are all finished then any F/O who is not seat locked can come in above you.
 
You're probably gonna see very few FO make a lateral shift to the CRJ. Most who are eligible to do it will stay put until they upgrade. There's very few reasons to do it. Regardless of which aircraft we fly, FO's get paid the same. And the seatlock is a big negative. So I wouldn't worry about FO's switchin' to the CRJ.
 
So by a 'big negative' do you mean that the seatlock does not exist or just the fact that it does so most will not be willing to be seat-locked for another 2 years?
 
I recently heard that the XJ CRJ program is running well behind schedule and CRJ's won't be flying at Mesaba until December? Any truth to this? I can't imagine that they would start training (FO's especially) for an aircraft that was five to six months from flying.

When we started getting CRJs the FO's that were assigned that position sat around doing nothing for months while all the captains were out flying together trying to get off high mins.
 
We really haven't heard too much in terms of a progress report as of lately. We just had a vacancy notice a couple of days ago looking for the ICLCA (Initial Cadre Line Check Airmen). But since the announcement, they said that the first classes will start rolling in August for captains and FOs. And we haven't heard anything contrary to that, as of yet...
 
First class starts July 25th (initial cadre). Next class starts in mid August. How do you know that you are going to the CRJ? They are running classes in all aircraft each month and 2 classes a month in the Saab until September (maybe longer but I just heard September). You sound a little to confident that you are going to the CRJ. From what I'm told, they don't tell you what aircraft that you are going to until you get to class. Not to rain on your parade, but all three aircraft are taking FO's. You sound like you could be one of those Avro FO's hired 6 years ago saying "They hired me specifically for the jet!! I'll never touch a turbo prop!!" Give me a break. Just be lucky to have a job with a good company, regardless of equipment. If others do switch to the CRJ, then yes, they out bid you. It's all based on seniority. However, good news is, things are moving. Regardless of equipment, you will move in seniority. Remember, for every CRJ captain position, it's a backfill of at least two other positions. I heard that all APD and fleet manager positions are filled for the CRJ. Is it true that all systems training will be in MSP and sim in Montreal? Anyone know for sure when sim will be in MSP?
 
Okay, I just re-read my last two posts, and I think I probably came across as an a**hole. And for those ready to take pot shots, go ahead. However, I just got rubbed the wrong way with this post. I've flown with a ton of FO's that's been sitting reserve for numerous years and it just edged a nerve with a new hire coming in saying "I'm going to the jet" (remind anyone else of Avro FO's years ago?) and "When can I get a line?" There are a lot of FO's, (okay, I'll quit Avro bashing), on both A/C that have sat reserve for a long time. I really don't care if this new hire gets a line right away when these other guys have been busting their ass on reserve for how long? And again, I'll admit, I probably took it the wrong way, but for a new hire, looking for a line, spells it MESS ABA instead of mesaba, pissed me off a little. For those ready to bash, sorry for having company pride and thinking those already here deserve more than a new hire.
 
Curious, how long have you sat reserve? Did you battle out a contract over how long? Did you watch your company shrink? Did you get furloughed how many times? Did you play the management games? Did you sit while the company shutdown and the union battled it out for the pilots? Nice reply. Got anything else?

There are numerous Mesaba FO's that have been furloughed more than once with this company, and are still back here and have positive things to say about Mesaba. They deserve a line before any new hire. Try again.
 
Regional4life:

Why you gotta be that way? He/she was asking simple questions...Clearly the initial misspelling of Mesaba would give you a clue.

Your questions, on the other hand, were confrontational and error ridden:

"How long have you sat reserve?"
"Did you battle out a contract over how long?"
"Did you get furloughed how many times?"

These statements leave something to be desired, grammatically speaking...
You are correct in that this field is seniority driven, however with regard to your less than professional diatribe, perhaps it is you who should "try again".
 
As a newhire what difference does it make when you can hold a line. Just be happy that you got hired by a decent company that is growing. Remember, before you can bid anything, you must pass indoc, systems, and sims. Good luck to you and don't worry about things that are beyond your control.
 
Yudso said:
As a newhire what difference does it make when you can hold a line. Just be happy that you got hired by a decent company that is growing. Remember, before you can bid anything, you must pass indoc, systems, and sims. Good luck to you and don't worry about things that are beyond your control.
Click to expand...

Obviously, you don't have a wife and kids...and you don't care about QOL. Being on reserve at ANY regional $%cks...unless you live at the domicile...
 
I went to an interview with Mesaba and Pinnacle in the same week and was offerd the job at both companies.............I choose Pinnacle....:( I thought that I could upgrade faster. Now I clearly see, and will always regret the choice I made. Some guy named Mike Anderson from Mesaba called me the other day and asked me if I wanted a class date, I told him I was at Pinnacle and he said "mmmmmmmmmmmm, well your more than welcome to come here still". Any advise for a depressed Peanukkle FO?
 
Workin'Stiff said:
Don't walk, run!
Click to expand...

LOL!

First off, why would you want to leave? Ask yourself if it is really worth it to give up the seniority. I know of some guys that are wanting to leave 9E for CHQ. I think the upgrade there is 2500hrs or something. Not sure how the whole CHQ/RP/Shuttle America thing works, but if it's good for them... A regional is a regional is a regional. Growing pains, an evil empire watching from above, stupid pax, and SJS. It's pretty much as bad as you make it though. I'm at 9E and I like the people I work with, don't have issues with rampers, do my job, go home. If you let a job affect your personal life (extensions/junior assignments notwithstanding) then worrying about what regional you end up with is the least of your problems.



But don't go to Go jets;)
 
See I got a call about a month ago from a HR person out there at "MESABA" ;) and she told me that they are planning on putting me in the CRJ but I would have to wait till Aug to get a class date. From what I understand the Aug 340 class is all upgrades and no initial FOs. And I dont understand why this post is rubbing some people the wrong way, I am happy to just have a job but since I do have this little bit of information about the AC I think I will be assigned I figured I would try to obtain some information about it. I would ask the same questions if I thought I was going to get the 340 or avro but we all already know how the schedules work for those AC.
 
The latest vacancy is for an August 1 class of 6 FOs (2 avro and 4 saab). So, you could get either. There are no FOs in the CRJ class slated for August 1. Maybe in the next vacancy we'll see FO spots.



FO
 
XCR600,

Welcome aboard!! Please don't let the sensitivity factor of some lower your excitement level. Things have been tough here for a few years and some people haven't bounced back as quickly as others.

Things are good here and will be for at least a few years, barring any unforseen problems.

All FO positions will continue to move quickly, so there isn't a bad seat in the house.

As for the CRJ life for early FO's. For the first 6 months or so, expect a bumpy ride. Even if you receive a line, a majority of your trips will be pulled for IOE for new hires and new CRJ CPTs. You are "pay protected" for those pulled trips but will be put on reserve during the original trip period. This may sound bad, but it is 24hr call-out reserve vs. "be at the airport in 90min." Since the majority of the flying will be training, there will be very little open time, so count on a lot of "off time". To anyone that's been around awhile, this is exactly what we want.. Full Pay without going to work. For a new guy, it can suck because you are excited to be out flying a new plane in a new environment.

Eventually it will mellow out and you will be bidding the lines you want and "livin da dream".

Good Luck and Congratulations.
 
For what it's worth -

Take the first class offered, don't worry about the aircraft. Seniority is everything. Hope to have you in class soon.
 
I would love to fly anything as quick as I can I have ZERO say in what equipment I get, heck i dont even understand how the pick that. I know people I interviewed with that are in training right now it frustrating sitting around waiting for something to happen with just a letter in hand.
 
Regional4life said:
Okay, I just re-read my last two posts, and I think I probably came across as an a**hole.
Click to expand...

DING! DING! DING!

Don, tell him what he's won!

;)

Don't start rippin' on the noobs, man! Those are the guys who get the guys that were the guys on bottom of the list off the bottom, guy.

I know, I know - some FOs were on reserve for three freakin' years. However, we should be happy that things are getting better at Mesaba, not complaining that new hires have it easier than some of us did.

If my math is right, an FO would have to remain an FO for at least 4 years if they switch to the CRJ from SAAB or AVRO. With upgrade approaching 2 years, I hope noone has SJS so bad that they'd give up about 2 years of PIC and Cpt pay.

Good luck and welcome aboard!
 
With upgrade approaching 2 years, I hope noone has SJS so bad that they'd give up about 2 years of PIC and Cpt pay.
Click to expand...


Two year upgrades at Mesaba? Funny, I know a four year guy who just made a captain preveiw for the first time.
 
I have a friend thats been there 4 1/2 years that just got the upgrade. I don't think it's down to 2 years yet.
 

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