SkyWest vs. Mesa

[Gnarloo]

I have what I think is an interesting question. Say you got hired by both and you had to choose. I know the bias from this board would be to say, "F Mesa you idiot...I hate you for even asking this question you dumbass. Why don't you die slowly?" But if seniority is the most important thing to quality of life, wouldn't you as an FNG maybe want to go to a place where the employees are unhappy and more apt to leave? (If that is truly the case at Mesa.) It seems that people don't really complain at SkyWest and are generally happier, so they would stay for longer and not look for other jobs elsewhere, so you would be stuck at the bottom longer. Is this a valid thought or am I stupid? And if I am stupid, please tell me gently as I am very sensitive.

Thanks!

Plus...wouldn't it be more fun to fly the RJ than the Brasillia?

 

[Rogue5]

But if seniority is the most important thing to quality of life, wouldn't you as an FNG maybe want to go to a place where the employees are unhappy and more apt to leave?

Hmmm... Where to begin?

Nah, nevermind: I'll just sit back and watch this one unfold.

(Should be fun!)

 

[Mustang5.0]

you must be one of those "special" people.....go to Mesa, you will be very happy there.....I'll take your spot at Skywest

 

[Sioux115]

If you truly have to ask that question, Mesa is the place for you. I have worked at both airlines, everyday I worked at Mesa I was looking for a way out. SkyWest is hiring like mad right now while Mesa is slowing down. Plus there is always the fact that Mesa may furlough as many as 300 pilots due to US Airways. Trust me, SkyWest is the place to be! I gained 120 seniority numbers in a month and half there.

 

[RJET]

Go to Skywest, unless I lived in Phoenix or at one of their bases so you do not have to commute and if you do not mind working for free and contribute to lowering the pay trend.

 

[Brasgaucho]

Neither, go to ExpressJet.

 

[N8Dogg]

Based on the reasoning in your question you might be a perfect fit for Mesa. I don't know. Maybe you should consider why so many pilots at Mesa are unhappy. Personally I would rather build seniority at a good, reputable company than deal with Mesa management (JO). Just my $0.02. Good luck!

 

[halfmoon]

Whats stopping Mesa or the lowest bidder from taking over skywests routes. Isn't that happening at Air Wis right now?

 

[Doberman]

Hum....Lets go there because everyone is unhappy and looking for a way out .....and then I will gain seniority quicker. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Somebody lied to you my friend.

Isn't it QOL that you are after?

 

[CesnaCaptn]

Pilots are staying a lot longer at the regional level than in the late '90s. That being said, you might want to consider going to a regional airline you could see yourself retiring from. Even if you are in your early 20s, you might still be a lifer at a regional.

As for the AWAC comment. Their Pee Pee is being slapped for reporting profits even though they are privately held and didn't have to. That's not a smart move when you don't have a non-cancelable contract like SkyWest has.

 

[Furloughed80]

There is no such thing as "non-cancelable" in the airline industry.

 

[Rottweiller]

Whats stopping Mesa or the lowest bidder from taking over skywests routes. Isn't that happening at Air Wis right now?

It won't happen - AirWis will prevail.

Skywest unless you feel a need to be part of the most hated, scum sucking low lifes that ever crawled the earth on their bellies!

 

[BigHangar]

Okay, first post, but I couldn't just sit by without saying something.

I second the previous post about ExpressJet. I know you didn't ask about that option, but it's the best of both worlds.

XJT has been and will be hiring 64 a month for the foreseeable future.

Has a union to protect you. This is a biggy. No offense to the SkyWest guys, I have a hoard of friends over there, and it is a good company. The crews do however, get worked to the bone, and the company can and does pretty much change certain rules regarding quality of life issues. I won't even talk about Mesa, I feel bad that their CEO is Satan.

XJT also has the biggest fleet at 250 jets only and continuing that growth. How's 400+ soon to be 500+ lines for just the Houston hub alone sound? That plus the bunches of little technologies the company continues to put into the planes and systems really makes for a good quality of life at this level. Hell, there are things in the XJT contract that to my knowledge no other airline even has(majors included).

The company is committed to running a very solid airline. Many guys coming form the majors say it runs just like the major airlines, minus the pay, we all know about that (dam industry)! No offense to the Chautauqua (sp?) guys, I have friends there too. They fly the same plane as ExpressJet, and the reliability and completion factors are in the 80 something % range. No kidding, every single month XJTs controllable completion and reliability percentages are about 99.9%. Generally that is not the pilots doing, it's just how each management runs each airline differently, so choose wisely.

One more thing, XJT flies for Continental which isn't in or doesn't plan on being in bankruptcy anytime soon.

I could go on and on, but you get the picture...check it out.

 

[chperplt]

Isn't it QOL that you are after

You should know by now that QOL is so overrated!!!

Go to Mesa.. I hear they are getting free kosher hams for Christmas from JO.

 

[Jet_Dreamer]

go to skywest, there is absolutely no thought required in this decision.

 

[Beer&Brauts]

<<Go to Mesa.. I hear they are getting free kosher hams for Christmas from JO.>>

Yeah, and if you go to Mesa you get to wear one of those swanky windbreakers and you'll be the envy of all your fellow pilots!

Let me replace the original question with a hypothetical one to make it clearer:
Should you date a really hot, intelligent, generally fantatsic woman or a dumb, ugly, unpleasant hag since the latter isn't as likely to cheat on you?

If you're starting at a regional now I'm sorry to say you'll probably be there for awhile. Go to the better carrier. Life's too short to suffer from sh_tty jobs and worthless chicks.

 

[Sir Humpalot]

Why is it that whenever an individual asks a question about regionals, another person is trying to plug express jet? I dont work for neither skywest, mesa, or expressjet but i would say that skywest is the best option if you are living in the west coast. Stay away from mesa and although, expressjet is a good company....i wouldnt go there either.

The whole cheerleading issue that my airline is better than yours is crazy. Do what is in your best interest with qol and commute. I know many fine expressjet pilots, and they always seem to be selling their company. The biggest difference between skywest and expressjet is that skywest pilots dont plug their airline at every moment and expressjet pilots try to prove how good they have it. I wouldnt really worrry about the union issue at skywest since the pilots are treated fairly (unless its negotiations and we all know how that goes) and i havent met a skywest pilot who is pissed at the world.

Plus, i would rather fly crjs then that small dart.

 

[difete]

Just a thought

I am in class here at Skywest.
The company is good, and all my buddies that have been here for years like their jobs. They are generally happy with the way things run around here.

I also have been having a good experience here. I dont know much about Mesa, except for that reputation it has all over this industry, not just here in this forum.

Take everything said here with careful thought, make your own investigation on both companies. I know you want to move quickly through this career to something else bigger, and many here want the same.

Moving to something bigger at this time looks really risky. Three airlines in bankrupcy, many others loosing money daily, oil prices up, low fares all over the place... lots of furloughs... you catch my drift.

Hope you make the best choice,

good luck.

 

[sweptback]

The whole cheerleading issue that my airline is better than yours is crazy. Do what is in your best interest with qol and commute. I know many fine expressjet pilots, and they always seem to be selling their company. The biggest difference between skywest and expressjet is that skywest pilots dont plug their airline at every moment and expressjet pilots try to prove how good they have it. I wouldnt really worrry about the union issue at skywest since the pilots are treated fairly (unless its negotiations and we all know how that goes) and i havent met a skywest pilot who is pissed at the world.

I completely agree. People don't realize that there will still be newhires whether or not they recruit people from flightinfo to fill the spots or not.

After all, what's good today may not be as good tomorrow.