Only Mesa, Pinnacle, and XJet respond plz!

[yasir1212]

I'm at XJT and absolutely love it. I've heard too many horror stories out of other operations. Not to say XJT is perfect, but I'm really enjoying it here. Good luck.

 

[BigHangar]

Take it from a guy who has seen the operation of other regionals, XJET is a wise choice.

 

[Earl Williams]

I can't attest to the other carriers mentioned, yet can give you my personal opinion of Mesa (as, unfortunately, I work for them). I commend you for doing research and soliciting advice...I only wish I would have been more thorough in doing so before I chose to work for the first company that offered me a job.

On the outset, Mesa may appear to be similiar to other regionals, but until you live our contract (or lack therof) you have little idea of just how much better life can be elsewhere. I know quite a few ex-Mesa pilots that were able to sweat it out here and get on with the big boys, yet considering the size of Mesa's pilot group, that's not unexpected. However, the turnover rate here proves that job satisfaction in an oxymoron.

I had little idea of just how poor our contract is...versus other carriers such as Comair, ExpressJet, just to name a few. However, here a just a few major differences that will give you a glimpse of what to expect. First, we get paid for segment times. For instance, if it historically takes, on average, 1:30 minutes to go from PHL to CLE, you get paid for 1:30...nothing more, nothing less Sometimes, you actually make it to CLE in less time than that, and so you actually get paid for MORE than you flew. However, oftentimes you WON'T fly under, or even come close, to the segment time, and that's where you get di**ed. Whether it's the endless wait for takeoff or getting a gate (PHL is a perfect example), or waiting out a ground stop (PHL again!) or that common hold due to traffic flows or weather, you get the same pay no matter what. Sound criminal? It is!

Another example are cancellations. We at Mesa don't get paid for cancellations due to weather, and oftentimes won't get paid for cancellations due to MX (the company has to meet a controllable completion factor in order for us to get paid for anything mechanically f**ed up). Try a year in PHL (or our new base ORD) and see how many cancellations you get...and subsequently subtract all that potential pay from your check. It's mind-numbing!

And, finally, just when you think it couldn't get any worse with regards to pay...you find that, once again, there is a discrepency in your paycheck! "How", you ask "can they shortchange me AFTER I wasn't paid for cancellations, and all those hours I spent without pay waiting for deicing, rampers to load my bags, gates to open up, etc". Well, they can, and they will!

Those aformentioned examples are primary indications of why you may want to re-think Mesa as a career move. Now, having said that, I can honestly say that I work with a fantastic, professional group of pilots. Here in PHL, we have a jet-for-jobs agreement with US Airways mainline furloughed pilots...most having upwards of 15 years experience at US Air alone! I can't think of how fortunate I have been to be mentored by such an experienced, first-class group. Unfortunately, with the pending merger, those J4J guys and gals may be gone...a travesty at that. Overall, the crews here get along great. It's almost as if with all the s**t we get from crew tracking, scheduling, and our crappy contract, we can all relate and make a positive experience out of what we CAN control. Maybe it's the old adage of "misery loves company".

The only other positive that I've found is the lack of time, personally speaking, of sitting on reserve. I spent a month before getting a hard line, and average around 80 hours a month (should be more than that in pay, but reference the above cancellation gripe). However, that's just my case...others have been sitting reserve for what seems like ever. And let me tell you, there is NO worse life that sitting reserve at Mesa!

So, overall, you make Mesa what you want of it. If you can stay away from the negativity of the crew room, look past the abuse you get from our pathetic contract, and appreciate the joy of flying airplanes, then it may in fact be something to consider. Personally, I tried that for as long as the kool-aid was being served, then I came to the realization that this place sucks. As far as the potential of getting PHX anytime soon, I would have to say that it would be a stretch. Our Denver base closed, and added even more pilots to an already senior PHX base. I'm closing in on my year, and don't even see PHX as an option for many, many months. And having said that, you could count on ORD or IAD as a newhire base (PHL as well, yet that will be short-lived). Mesa makes every effort to ensure trips start early and end late (thus eliminating commuting prior to show, or after release). And with minimized days off, I highly doubt you would see your home in PHX often.

So, that's my take. I wish you the best in your decision-making...it's not easy. As for me, like the rest of my classmates, I'm looking for another regional to go to. Live and learn I guess.

 

[Superpilot92]

YOu should come over to XJET. From what i have just read you would be in heaven here. Everyone i know that went to mesa ended up leaving as soon as they hit the one year mark.

 

[Spinplate]

Damn Earl!!! Thank you for the insight!! I met with a friend of mine for 3 hours the other day (hes a CRJ Capt. for Mesa) and he said nothing but great things about the pilots from J4J!! Thanks for taking the time to distinguish some important differences between Mesa and others! I have alot to think about over the next couple of weeks.

 

[Spinplate]

What kind of schedule does a new hire FO get at Xjet? If I had to commute, Im wondering if it would be worth commuting for the better job. Are the days off like 3 and 4 days off between trips, reserve, etc. ? And are they commuter friendly? Thx guys!!

 

[azpilot]

What kind of schedule does a new hire FO get at Xjet? If I had to commute, Im wondering if it would be worth commuting for the better job. Are the days off like 3 and 4 days off between trips, reserve, etc. ? And are they commuter friendly? Thx guys!!

You will be on reserve for 4-6 months depending on base. It is pretty easy to get weekends off while on reserve. You will only get 11-12 days off per month. Yes, you can get 3 days off but 4 would be rare. EWR and CLE you will get a line sooner. If you commute from Phx it can sometimes be a challenge. I have yet to do any 2 leg commutes though. It just depends if you try to do a day of commute or day before. Commuting sucks period. It makes a part-time job a full-time job.

I would rather commute though than work at Mesa. Xjet is a great company and I have no regrets. I know many airlines have great pilot groups. The company not trying to screw you any chance they get makes the difference.

 

[Cloudroller]

you dont want to commute it sucks. the best regional to work for it the one that has a base where you live. As far as Mesa FO's going to Skywest - its because, after 3 displacements, Mesa no longer has a DEN base for the Jet. Skywest is growing DEN.

 

[Rook]

Good replies by all. I'm not hating life all that much at 9E but I live in base and that makes life a heck of a lot easier. Originally, I wanted Eagle when I knew the FR8 doggy gig was getting old but for the life of me I couldn't score an interview. If Eagle had called, I'd be no where near being a CA there however I'd be able to hold DFW which is home for me and back then that would've been the motivating factor for me. After maturing and getting past the 1000 PIC Jet hurdle I can fondly look back and ask...Ok now what?

Good luck on your decision. Lots of Buddies at XJET and 2 of my former students are CA's at Mesa so just go where you think you'd be happy.

Rook

 

[Superpilot92]

Reserve isnt bad here. I usually have 4 on 3 off sometimes 5 on but typically its 4 and 3. I have commuted home everytime.

 

[captjim]

Rarely do I make any comments about making a choice now a days. However, if the amount of Mesa pilots applying to XJT is an indication as to working conditions at there present employer, I'd suggest not wasting your time with Mesa.

 

[145EXR]

ive been with xjet for just over 6 yrs now...ill attest to what everyone else has said here..great work rules, great reserve rules, pay could obviously be better...ive lived in base and i now commute so i can tell you that you need to look at mesas contract vs us and pinnacle...im not positive but i think you only get 8 days off a month as a reserve and 10 as a lineholder at mesa(minimum...im guessing you can eventually bid lines that have more days off)...as a lineholder at xjet you have unlimited trip trading which allows me as a commuter to take a crappy line and turn it into 14-15 days off a month, fully commutable on both ends...reserves get 11 or 12 days off a month with 2-3 day off blocks (sometimes 4 ..you can aslo request to move your reserve days before the start of the month to get more days off in a row)...reserves also get 150% pay if your day off is rolled (paid ABOVE line value) and you also get that day off restored..we get full cancellation pay, leg-by-leg pay (block or actual, whichever is greater),and we also get hotel rooms provided in base if your overnight is cancelled...as far as training you get positive space to/from training any time you have days off an xjet pays your hotel and gives you a check for expenses in training...im sure any jet job sounds nice to you now but you need to consider the fact that "quick upgrades" and "getting my 1000pic and off to a major " are gone..you WILL be at whatever regional airline you choose to go with for at lest 5-10 yrs so pick wisely and think about where youll be in a few yrs (married, kids, house etc)....quality of life is #1 and you probably will get that at xjet even if you commute (i know several phx commuters here at ewr...am west and cal both have serveral flights a day here)....i want to also say all the mesa and pinnacle crews i have met on layovers are great guys and im sure you will be flying with some great people no matter where you go...best of luck to you in your decision.please feel free to pm me if you have any other questions.