Piedmont or Mesa for a new Dispatcher?

[clr4theapch]

Since I have been here at COA for awhile, I am a little out of touch with the US Air regional carriers. My son has recently completed school and has his ADX. He has been offered a interview with Mesa in PHX and Piedmont in SBY, hopefully more to come...I know about the equipment each company has, but I don't know where to tell him where the better experience, QOL, commuting and pay etc...will be for him other than to just get in and get your feet wet.

He currently lives north of Orlando with his family and really does not want to relocate for another year due to the kids school, I have told him he will eventually have to move closer to work..

I have observed the general comments about Mesa here, nothing on Piedmont
so I would really like to get to the real scoop from those that work there.
Any information from those dispatchers regarding your company would be great, via PM or direct posting.

 

[SKC]

I haven't worked at YV for 8 years (and all those were prior to the move to PHX), so my opinion would only be based upon my friends that were there until just recently.

I don't know anything about Piedmont.

A PHX-MCO commute "shouldn't" be too hard with the options that CASS offers.

 

[shooter]

He currently lives north of Orlando...quote]

does airtran have an asst Dispatcher program he could get in to? maybe?

 

[woxonwoxof]

I spent over 10 years with Piedmont. The main reason I left was because of their cloudy future. Being a wholly-owned of US Airways, you're basically around until they decide they can no longer use you. If you're looking for an initial Dispatcher position, I think Piedmont would be fine, but there is no real room for advancement. If I had a dolllar for every time we were told we might be getting new A/C (i.e. RJ's and Dash 400's) I'd be a rich man.
As far as Mesa, they definitly control their own future. Needless to say, they're a lot bigger than Piedmont. I'm pretty sure the pay is alot better also.

 

[clr4theapch]

He currently lives north of Orlando...quote]

does airtran have an asst Dispatcher program he could get in to? maybe?

Thanks for the suggestion, I already checked with some friends, Airtran has no asst. dispatchers, they have a flight follower, but everyone is required to have alot of experience before they work there.

 

[clr4theapch]

I spent over 10 years with Piedmont. The main reason I left was because of their cloudy future. Being a wholly-owned of US Airways, you're basically around until they decide they can no longer use you. If you're looking for an initial Dispatcher position, I think Piedmont would be fine, but there is no real room for advancement. If I had a dolllar for every time we were told we might be getting new A/C (i.e. RJ's and Dash 400's) I'd be a rich man.
As far as Mesa, they definitly control their own future. Needless to say, they're a lot bigger than Piedmont. I'm pretty sure the pay is alot better also.

Thanks for your point of view, however I hear through the rumor mill that Mesa is actually the lowest paid in the industry, I was hoping to get concrete information from someone that works there. As to Piedmont, it did seem strange that the old Dash-8's are running to 56 cities, looks like US needs them for something, but was unaware of their positoin with US.

 

[whatfuelpolicy]

Mesa pay sucks considering the cost of living in PHX. They start at less than $12/hr. Piedmont starts at I believe $12.84/hr, PSA is hiring and starts at $12.50/hr with a $.50 raise after 3 months and another $.50 raise after 1 year. Republic is hiring in IND, but they start at like $11.25/hr or something like that. If he is looking to stay in Florida, check out alot of the jet charters. They are relatively easier to get on with.

Also, I believe ATP in Jacksonville may be looking for another dispatcher. No flight bennies at ATP, but pay and other benefits are well above regional airline level. Call their number and ask for Mike in Dispatch. 1-800-255-2877.

 

[RJAA]

ASA in ATL hires from time to time with 14.92/hr with great delta bennies (subject to change due to SkyWest ownership) although I do not recommend any dispatchers to commute especially when they are starting out especially between ATL and MCO.

 

[clr4theapch]

Thanks, Happy New Year

Thanks for the help gang, I just found out Mesa pays its dispatchers $10.89 an hour to start...I almost fell out of chair.....I am still trying to find out what the pay raises are, this just cant be it for the first year or can it?

On ATP, I see they have a new DAB campus listed on the web site, you said the job is in JAX? I will pass this info to my son, thanks fuelpolicy!

Anyway being the holiday weekend, I dont expect to hear much except from us working stiffs on duty....keep the leads coming...

Happy New Year to all