PACE interview for MESA

[labbats]

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/content/view/67/18/
http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/content/view/64/18/
http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/content/view/81/18/

The other ones are not that much better...

I did a poor job just linking some pay rates. A lot of people on this Training section aren't aware of anything more than this to differentiate between the various regionals. Mesa doesn't pay block or better, which means that if you were to fly a leg from Atlanta to Miami that was scheduled for 2 hours, but due to delays it took you 4 hours... you'd get paid for 2 hours. That adds up
Also, the per diem they pay when compared to an average regional with a 300 hour away from base line, would add up to about $150 a month after taxes.
Then compare how staffing treats you. How many days off a month are you guaranteed at Mesa? Everywhere else?

This rant is my own way of letting those who don't know about airlines, and just getting into the business know that all of them are not created equal.

I've got plenty of gripes at my own job, but I honestly enjoy the job. I'm also one of those that went into it with my eyes wide open. I doubt many of those signing on the dotted line at MAPD know all this.

 

[Earl Williams]

Labbats, amongst others, seem quick to stereotype Mesa as being the "bottom paying airline", yet the evidence provided seems to contradict. I'm in no way attempting to defend Mesa, trust me. However, I think everyone needs to realize that there really isn't THAT much difference between regional carriers (at least according to PAY, which is what is being judged here). According to the link, of the regionals that fly comparable equipment (50+ seat jets), a quick look at first year FO pay reveals the following: Skywest: $19, ASA: $19, Pinnacle: $21, Mesa: $21, Chautauqua: $22, Comair: $23, Mesaba: $24, Horizon; $27.

At least based on the facts, Mesa appears to be about average. And, yes, I realize that this is strictly based on first year FO pay (and doesn't include per diem, nor "waiting in the ORD penalty box without pay"). Yet, unless one is content on making a regional a career move (I would assume that most pilots at Mesa are not) it really doesn't justify comparing 15 year CA pay at Mesa to, for example, Comair. For all that I hear, very few look at a regional such as Mesa as a career move, and thus don't go there for the prospects of what they'll be paid as a Captain 15 years later.

If you want to criticize Mesa, feel free...I have no desire, nor reason, to stop you. However, do so intelligently, and base your reasoning on facts, not rumors, or what you "hear in a crew van". I'd bet Mesa pilots would be the last one's to stop you from criticizing their contract or sub-par QOL. I'm sure they would prefer to be paid block or better, have duty rigs, and a few more days off per bid. But when it comes down to it, THEY are the one's that have to live with whatever they got themselves into. Why not just consider yourself fortunate that you don't, and leave it at that?

Assuming Labbats, based on your times, you're a regional pilot...and obviously don't work for Mesa. Good for you. But instead of slamming Mesa pilots (who, other than a crappy contract, aren't much different than you) why not just be happy that you don't work there, and cut them some slack. Call JO every name in the book (he deserves it) but to stereotype and demean the entire pilot group is, in my opinion, pretty immature and classless.

In the infamous words of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along, man?" http://forums.flightinfo.com/images/icons/icon26.gif

 

[rtmcfi]

Think long and hard before going to any ab-initio program. Labbats is right. The senior mesa pilots pay is ok. The growth at mesa is slowing. You will be an FO for a long time. Compare 5th year fo pay rates. QOL at mesa sucks. Lots of people leave Mesa to lateral to other airlines where they are treated like humans. I am not going to get into the history of mesa's contract. Let's just say it did not make the rest of the industry too happy.

If a guy goes to PACE and drops $20K to skip flying the pattern in a 152 with a student while earning $15K a year for a couple years of flight instructing, that is his choice. If he wants to build time doing traffic watch or aerial photography or banner towing or dropping parachuters out of planes, then that is his right as well. Some guys drop close to $200K attending Embry/Riddle. You can't fault them for that. The way you choose to walk is up to each individual, and no way is the "right" way for everyone.

True enough, but incredibly short-sighted. This type of pay for training program destroys the very career you are attempting to buy your way into. Mesa realizes that after you fork over the $, you are theirs. Plain and simple. No one else will hire you. You have painted yourself into a corner. Mesa pays you dirt, treats you like dirt, and passes this savings on to Delta, United, Airways, whoever. Mainline outsources more of their domestic routes to Mesa. The good airline jobs literally are replaced by bad ones (yours). Other regionals follow mesas lead. Repeat this over and over. The myth of 1000 pic and out the door is what fuels this. Realize that you are probably going to be at a regional for about 7 years or so. Choose wisely.....