Question for Mesaba guys

[QXbuzzard]

I am considering applying for a captain position with Mesaba. First, I have read the previous posts and I have a lot of respect for all the pilots who waited an enternity to upgrade. I am facing that where I work. I just need to ask a few questions.

Is DTW going to be the junior base for Saab captains and how long would it realistically take to get MSP?


How long would a street captain expect to be on reserve? This I know is probably long, but a ballpark figure.


What are the average days off for reserves? Are they the min days off, or are there some lines with more?


Those are just a few that I had to ask, I am just not feeling like I am going to move forward any time soon where I work and I need to consider my options. I don't see an upgrade at my company for atleast 3 more years. I have been there over 3 now. I just need to assure myself that I'd be making the right choice.

Thanks in advance. Fly safe!

 

[flyn96]

I am considering applying for a captain position with Mesaba. First, I have read the previous posts and I have a lot of respect for all the pilots who waited an enternity to upgrade. I am facing that where I work. I just need to ask a few questions.

Is DTW going to be the junior base for Saab captains and how long would it realistically take to get MSP?

Yes DTW is junior, MSP folks don't ever leave so your QOL is going to suck even longer



How long would a street captain expect to be on reserve? This I know is probably long, but a ballpark figure.

A long time, been here 7 yrs, I'm border line, line holder reserve, plus as all the fo's that are senior to you upgrade you will just be pushed down the list. Remember street captains will probably just be a quick fix, due to seniors fo's holding out for upgrade to avoid any seat locks.

What are the average days off for reserves? Are they the min days off, or are there some lines with more?

All reserve lines are 11 days off, min days off is 11.

 

[QXbuzzard]

You make good points. That's kind of what I was expecting to hear. I would really have to think about this a lot and so far I am not really ready to take that chance. Who knows

 

[updraft]

I am looking into the street captain as well. What kind of avionics they have on the Saab? I am looking at another year or so before anything will likely happen where I am at. Also what kind of pass benefits do they have for significant others? Do you have to be married to get them? How many hours a month would you expect to fly on reserve?

 

[Andrew_VT]

I am looking into the street captain as well. What kind of aviaonics they have on the Saab?

Really? You're basing a decision to become a street CA at mesaba on what kind of avionics are in the saab? Really?!?

 

[updraft]

heck I just wondered if they had fms or not.

 

[XJohXJ]

Yes, they have single FMS on the Captains side. It's Saab sweet.

 

[learflyer]

what about a colgan street pic position? that lady from hr calls me literally once every few weeks.

 

[fowingman]

Hey i'm a Mesaba pilot i fully encourage anyone who thinks that they can make it through training as a stret hire captain to come over here, almost a thousand people on the list now and probably half are f.o's so if you got hired as captain and you were 1,001 it would be a while until you got reserve, proabably a while and then you might get a line and then the next month you would be pushed back down when the hundreds of F.o's above you in seniority start to upgrade. single FMS that is on the F.O side of the center ped. 5 tube efis

 

[WMUSIGPI]

I am considering applying for a captain position with Mesaba. First, I have read the previous posts and I have a lot of respect for all the pilots who waited an enternity to upgrade. I am facing that where I work. I just need to ask a few questions.

Is DTW going to be the junior base for Saab captains and how long would it realistically take to get MSP?

Yes DTW is junior, MSP folks don't ever leave so your QOL is going to suck even longer



How long would a street captain expect to be on reserve? This I know is probably long, but a ballpark figure.

A long time, been here 7 yrs, I'm border line, line holder reserve, plus as all the fo's that are senior to you upgrade you will just be pushed down the list. Remember street captains will probably just be a quick fix, due to seniors fo's holding out for upgrade to avoid any seat locks.

What are the average days off for reserves? Are they the min days off, or are there some lines with more?

All reserve lines are 11 days off, min days off is 11.

Now that a January class has closed MOST FO's that are going to take Saab have already done so.... maybe one more award and after that with no changes to the seat locks most remaining FO's that can and will upgrade now are waiting for a jet captain seat. 6 months from now that probably will change when some of these newhires get the experience/confidence to take the Saab upgrade.