Wesb737fo,
Thanks for the advise. I did work at Lakes for a short time before getting furloughed and Mesa was a world of change. However, it could and should be far better then it is but it is work in progress. I do look forward to moving on to someplace bigger and better in the coming years like yourself, but not before I upgrade and get my PIC time.
After finding out I would be furloughed, I emailed, faxed and mailed resumes to 22 companies. I had 9 scheduled interviews (
Air Wisconsin, American Eagle, Chatauqua, Colgan, TranStates, Horizon, Pinnacle, PSA and Mesa) within a week. Fortunately, I had internal references at 5 of those companies. I interviewed at all 9 companies and talked to
pilot mentors in the industry of my choices. I relentlessly researched each company, their balance sheet, length of time to upgrade, equipment, work rules, bases in my home area, and junior bases. Some companies had excellent work rules, compensation packages, balance sheets. Air whiskey and Horizon compensation were the best of the regionals I interviewed with but I still saw them as an intermediate stop along my journey. The length of upgrade at both were not appealing to me.
During the interview I was told that upgrade would be 6 to 8, possibly 9 years (Air Whiskey). Eagles route structure and ties to American was attractive but my private and intrument instructor had been there for 6 years and he was still an FO, warning me of the AA flowback still in effect. PSA had gone through a recent furlough and I just wasn't touching that after being furloughed in the first place. Pinnacle did not pay you in training, did not take care of the hotel charge so they were out, and I'd have to commute from Philly. Colgan had their own work rule issues but the 6 month upgrade for me was tempting, I also wanted something above the 25,000 lbs requirement of some carriers and they offered me a position in the B1900 since I had the experience. Horizon had offered me a class date but I had to wait until Dec 2005 when they would be having a class for Dash 8's. I'd have to commute to the pacific northwest plus sit around for about 8 months before starting class. No way. Transtates, I just did not have a good feeling, you know that gut feeling. Plus, I did not want to commute to St. Louis. Finally, it came down to Chatuaqua and Mesa. They both offered quick upgrade (2-4 years), had bases in Philly, were diversified in their code share agreements, offered some of the lowest cost in the regional industry (job security I was hoping), had great balance sheets and they were hiring like crazy(seniority). I was offered a class date on the same day for both companies and it came down to a friend at Chatauqua calling me and telling me of the imminent base closure in Philly. Another thing was I wanted to fly the CRJ, I just thought they looked sexy. The buddy from Chatuaqua has just upgraded and he's been there for 2 years. Great guy and he emails me constantly about when I'm coming to Chatuaqua (LOL) ...yeah and give up my seniority.
For obvious reasons, people hate being based in philly. Anyone who flies into Philly knows what I talking about. However, philly in one of Mesa's most junior bases. I live in the area, and I have improve tremendously in seniority due to all our hiring. Out of 95 lines, i can hold within the top 40. Lines 82 thru 95 are captain only lines though so for FO's there are 81 lines.Another thing is our bid is for only 28 days. On the latest bid, lines 1-5 have 15 days off, 6-43 have 14 days off, 44-76 have 13 days off, 77 & 78 have 12 days off, 79 & 80 have 10 days offand 81 has 9 days off. Believe it or not I got my second choice. A line in the top five. After integration, I'll have 16days off this bid which includes every single weekend & credited for 90 hours. That's 16 out of 28 days.
Now, not all is fine and dandy. I've had bids from late last year where I had serious issues with compensation after a maintenance cancellation. I've had crew scheduling not call and tell me flights were cancelled before my 530 am show, been junior assigned eventhough I was a line holder, and a number of other issues. Per diem being far below the government average.
However, I speak to people from other airline including the majors who have had those problems so it is not only Mesa. In fact, I had a mainline jumpseater the other day, great guy by the way who was explaining the problems they were having now and it was an eye opener. Constant junior assignment, company does not pay protect you so if after junior assigning you, you're illegal for a trip you had on your line, they don't pay you; max pay of 95 hours so if you fly more it is all a donation to airways.
Well enough babble for now, hope I don't bore you too much but for me atleast, the ride to that dream job someday via Mesa has not been so bad, them again as you stated the honeymoon may be coming to an end soon. I'll continue to fight the little battles I can win and hope that when contract negotiation comes around, things would be corrected. I personally don't ever want Mesa to be the highest compensated airline out there because we'll be shooting ourselves in the foot. I want a fair and livable compensation package, atleast meet government standards on per diem, improve work rules, 100%enforcement of the contract as is written, and better management/employee relations. I fact, maybe southwest should start a bootcamp for other airline execs to visit but that would be helping the competitor.
well, that's all folks. See you on the rebound.
Antonio
