Messaba CRJ

[RampTower]

To clarify, PHX is only in our hotel list (in our monthly bid packages). But yeah, who knows til NWA updates their timetables and PARS. Our first CRJ revenue flight is scheduled til October.

 

[flap operator]

My guess for why we have PHX in the bid pack is because of Honeywell PHX. We have lycoming/honeywell engines on the avro and Honeywell has an engine repair/overhaul facility at Skyharbor. If you look in the bidpack at the PHX hotel it says "Honeywell rate" or something like that.

CRJ cities... we know DSM and CWA will be at least 2 of them, since that's where overnight mx will be done. I'm guessing the XJ CRJs will take over some saab flying or maybe avro flying, but I doubt anything new will come of the CRJ, at least in the beginning.


FO

 

[Chris9702l]

Initial 4 CRJ captains

Initial CRJ captains are for the line checkairmen (instructors). Classes for the normal people start in Sept. Talked with Eric today and Sept classes are tentatively on the 5th (4 capt) and later in the month (2 capt). Suppose to be 3 weeks in MSP and 3 weeks in Montreal (CPT and sim).

 

[RampTower]

Initial CRJ captains are for the line checkairmen (instructors). Classes for the normal people start in Sept. Talked with Eric today and Sept classes are tentatively on the 5th (4 capt) and later in the month (2 capt). Suppose to be 3 weeks in MSP and 3 weeks in Montreal (CPT and sim).

Every time I have called Crew Planning to get the low down on the CRJ training, it's a different answer from every planner. Last time I spoke with them, the first "regular" class was supposed to start on August 15th for newhires and 22nd the captain upgrades come in.

And now they're saying only 6 captain upgrades in September? Thought they wanted to do like 12CA and 12 FO per month. So much for a mid-October first revenue flight. Whatever......................

 

[Rook]

Every time I have called Crew Planning to get the low down on the CRJ training, it's a different answer from every planner. Last time I spoke with them, the first "regular" class was supposed to start on August 15th for newhires and 22nd the captain upgrades come in.

And now they're saying only 6 captain upgrades in September? Thought they wanted to do like 12CA and 12 FO per month. So much for a mid-October first revenue flight. Whatever......................

You guys actually have crew planning? We have a crew planning answering machine. I'm convinced that either no one actually works there or they just laugh at all the messages and requests.

 

[sf3boy]

Yeah, we have a crew planning dept. They cancel vacations 70% of the time since 1999 and furlough pilots (numerous times) as soon as we are staffed to where we don't have to cancel vacations. I believe Mesaba's COO stated that vacation cancellation is a last resort. Funny how Mesaba has been operating in a last resort mode (either way) since I was hired 6 years ago. Planning.....yeah.

 

[dondk]

CRJ cities... we know DSM and CWA will be at least 2 of them, since that's where overnight mx will be done. I'm guessing the XJ CRJs will take over some saab flying or maybe avro flying, but I doubt anything new will come of the CRJ, at least in the beginning.


FO

The little bit of buzz I have heard for the XJ guys is an increase in CRJ flying for the fall through spring in MSP.. Something to the tune of 20% more flying. 9E is not in much of a position to do much if any of that flying. I would but $$$ that it is XJ and westward and overlap on 9E flying.

Regardless, it is good to see XJ on a growth spurt!

 

[Regional4life]

XJ to initially take over some 9E MSP routes while 9E expands MKE and Indy. Then, due to Flaps 8 and whatever else to make it more high and hot, head west young man, head west.

 

[405]

Alb-msp

Maybe XJ will get the ALB flights. Jeff will be your new nightmare.

 

[Tram]

So, what is the upgrade time at Mesaba if you get in the SAAB? I've always liked the SAAB.

 

[sf3boy]

Around 4 years currently.

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

Hey, we've got like 30+ flaps 8 airplanes.... too bad they are all used to go to FWA and TYS.

 

[Irish Pilot]

So is there any new info out there with the CRJ base etc. yet? Ive got about 1800TT 400 Multi-Turbine and 75 121 Turbine PIC (and growing at about 80-100 a month). I really want to get back home to MSP and have been considering Mesaba for months (though I have been trying to find a corporate gig out of MSP).

My primary concern would be getting MSP as a base but would love to be in the CRJ. Ive read how they will be assigning new hires over the next few months....do you think with my qualifications I would get a CRJ slot (having turbine time already etc.)

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

As far as qualifications go . . . in the past it didn't mean squat. I had jet time and a type and got the SAAB. Others got the AVRO without more than 100 hours of Dutchess time (and prolly 50 hours of that as "safety pilot").

Nowadays, who knows. With the CRJ based only in MSP, if you got the CRJ, you're all set. Unless of course they open up other bases . . .

Just wondering: Any XJ flap monkeys plan on bidding over to the CRJ before upgrading?

 

[arthompson]

I have been hearing that around the office that 9E will reduce flying in MSP because of our growth in DTW and the IND/MKE mini-hubs. It is an expectation that came as an almost immeadiate result of the CRJ's being placed with XJ.

 

[DoinTime]

Initial XJ CRJ routes out of MSP:

Moline, Ill. (MLI)
Central Wisconsin (CWA)
Bismarck, N.D. (BIS)
Little Rock, Ark. (LIT)
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
Aberdeen, S.D. (ABR)
Waterloo, Iowa (ALO)
Appleton, Wis. (ATW)
Des Moines, Iowa. (DSM)