Messaba CRJ

[Rook]

Don't walk, run!

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

 

[Rook]

So why am I not allowed to type the name of Trans-States alter ego airline?

 

[xcr600]

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.

 

[flap operator]

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

 

[LivinDaDream]

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.

 

[fly4ever]

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.

 

[xcr600]

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.

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

Okay, I just re-read my last two posts, and I think I probably came across as an a**hole.

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!

 

[DoinTime]

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.

Two year upgrades at Mesaba? Funny, I know a four year guy who just made a captain preveiw for the first time.

 

[XJslave]

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.

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

IF! I said if my math was right!

Okay, I guess I heard wrong, the most junior Captain would be Mar01 hire. Still, I think that if you switched seats, you'd miss the earliest upgrade.

This is moot, because we all know that as XJ and E9 pilots we will be FOs on NWA70 EMB170s inside of 2 years. (It's a FACT! Somebody who KNOWS told me!)

 

[fly4ever]

You're getting closer. The most junior (system wide) captain is from the Jan 01 class and was awarded on the last vacancy. The next vacancy will be awarded on 7/12. It may continue to go junior for a couple more classes then as Sept/Oct roll around it will probably swing back to more senior FOs taking those openings.

 

[Chris9702l]

It will come down fast

The upgrade will come skyrocketing down soon. Starting in Sept-Oct we will be getting 3 CRJ's a month, which equals 15 people upgrading to the CRJ, which equals 15 people upgrading on the Saab. This is assuming that all the new CRJ captains come from the Saab (a few will come from the Avro). And heck if we get the next 20, which I can't see why not (XJ won't invest all this money for just 15), then the floodgates will remain open. Just hope the B model Saabs stay around (suppose too).

Chris

 

[WMUSIGPI]

The reason upgrade times will drop so much is because of the nearly 2 years that we didn't hire anyone. When looking 1 number up the seniority list means a 2 year difference in date of hire that's a big change in upgrade time in the blink of an eye.

 

[fly4ever]

You are forgetting that there are 160+ FOs that have more than 4 1/2 years here and have been bypassing for the summer. While it's true upgrades will continue for some time don't expect them to go very far down the list for the first 15 CRJs. The next 20 are likely to come but until we see any of them with our name and sitting at our gates don't assume too much.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

Very true. I don't see things remaining as junior as they are currently. But my point was at some point when the upgrades hit that part of the list then there will be an immediate 2 year reduction in wait time because there was a 2 year gap in hiring. Let's say that you were the one hired August 01 right before the cutoff. Let's then say I was one hired on July 03 (I'm not btw) If upgrades then come along for say 12 captains we could be sitting in the same class just a couple seniority numbers apart but a 2 year difference in date of hire. And following classes would all also be 2+ years junior to you even if they are right behind you in the seniority list. Are either of "us" in the example looking at an upgrade right now, nope. Will this happen if the second group of CRJ's show up right on the heels of the first batch? Maybe.
That is what I was talking about with upgrade times dropping 2 years. (unless we go through another 2 year freeze right at that point in upgrades)

 

[Yudso]

Mesaba is staffed at a little less than a 1:1 captain to fo ratio. If mesaba hires 110 fo's from july to december wouldn't that equate to about 110 upgrades?

 

[fly4ever]

The ratio is generally a higher number of captains to FOs since captains have more accrued vacation time. You need more captains to cover the time off. (doesn't apply though when the company cancels vacations like they have been doing forever).

 

[DoinTime]

If mesaba hires 110 fo's from july to december wouldn't that equate to about 110 upgrades?

No...that would equate to 55 upgrades. Everytime you add a captain you need to hire two more FO's because the new captain used to be an FO.

 

[Detroitpilot22]

Has anyone else ever wondered where these airlines park these new planes? I mean Mesaba is scheduled to get 15 or 30 at MSP. I was just at MSP not to long ago and it seemed packed. Where the hell are they going to put these things?