So what happens after?

[8HourPilot]

Mesa, what happens if you are there for a couple years and then you want to move on, can you?

Flame away, people want to know how it really is.

 

[JTrain]

Well I can say of the major airline pilots I've met over the years, it seems a disproportionate amount have come from Mesa......I guess working there is motivation enough to get your resumes sent out.

If you go to Mesa, work hard, keep your nose clean, upgrade, etc, then you'll join the literally thousands of others who are qualified to apply to the majors that are hiring, but aren't receiving phone calls.

Your best bet is to approach the regional job hunt with the intent that if you get stuck there, it's a place you'd want to be. I had the choice between Air Midwest (Mesa) and ACA in 2000 - I chose the Blue Ridge team. If things go well, I could be at national airline flying Airbuses in a few years, then again, we could also be gobbled up by Mesa (yuk!).

You would also do well to go to companies like Comair, ASA, Skywest, etc..., both which offer good career opportunities for regional airline pilots. Try to lose that mentality of "I"ve just got to get 1000 PIC, then I'm outta here." Believe me, I fly with plenty of good guys, good people, many with 2+ type ratings, multiple thousand hrs PIC, and these guys can't even get interviews, what do you think you and your 1000 PIC of Mesa time will stick out. Don't let me discourage you though, keep applying and good things will occur. I suspect when hiring resumes, the only Mesa people who may feel resentment are those who chose the Freedom route. A Captain I flew with put it best: If they aren't scabs - flying for Freedom Air- they're next worst thing. I don't have a problem with the hundreds of hard-working Mesa LNPs, and I can't see any interview committee holding much against them either.

Just my 2 cents

JT

 

[General Lee]

I don't think anyone from Mesa will have a hard time getting on with other airlines. If you were an original Freedum guy, you might have some extra questions in your interview, but I don't think you will be hindered in any way. It depends on your attitude and who you know in some cases.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[w4mch]

I run into a lot of ex-mesa drivers out there on the line. They wear many different uniforms and appear to be nice folks, so having mesa on your resume can't be as bad as some will tell you.

There is one universal theme that binds them together though: When asked, 100% of them tell horror stories of their mesa days and how much of an a$$ JO is.

So, what does that tell you?

 

[skootertrash]

It tells you that if any one of them had a sack they wouldn't be in this situation. I kow plenty of people who will NEVER forget what the pilots at MESA have helped to cause, and I know guys will never hire a MESA slime.

 

[8HourPilot]

bump