Where to go from here?

[SEVEN]

I am a furloughed Mesaba guy and need advice and input on where to go next. I don't want to commute but I would have to be insane to go to Pinnacle right now being the fact that they will probably be in the same position as Mesaba in the next year. The regionals I'm looking at are: Air Wisconsin, and Republic ( I really want to fly the E170 and could be based at IND). Feed back would be great from guys at both airlines. If I have to commute, I want to make the best choice. Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Rossa]

I would definately apply to Air Wisconsin! Those guys are still relatively small; are well respected; have awesome work rules; are well positioned to grow rapidly, should USAir/AWA require more growth.
I think you could do alot worse than go to a regional that has a strong MEC, which shut down mngt's attempt at a B-scale!
ReShuttleQua is led by a guy who certainly knows how to grow an airline! But he did that to XJ - now look at us! He's demonstrated that he's not afraid to race to the bottom (not quite as bad as MESA) and if he needs to, he'll throw the pilots under the bus. Things look good there at the minute, but if it slows down, you might see more of them on this board griping!!!
Definately try AWAC first - great bunch of peeps!!!!!!

 

[blueridge71]

I'd go to Air Wisconsin. They have survived their mainline contract crisis and are stable for the moment. They also have a pretty good contract.

 

[Willy21]

I would look for something out of the airline business. By what your profile says you are not a first year guy, do you really want to start this game all over again?

 

[wmudriver]

SEVEN, I'm in the same boat as you. Even thoough I'd like a DTW base, I wouldn't even consider PNCL right now. I'm looking at possibly REP. It seems like anywhere we go is going to be a crap shoot. I'd really like to see XJ pull out and get recalled but how long can we keep our lives on hold while XJ, NWA settle this stuff in court?

 

[BenderGonzales]

Any particular reason you're so fixated on an airline? There are many other paths within aviation that could result in a career, with better job-security, and an improved lifestyle.

 

[avrodriver]

Out of the options you listed....I guess I would pick AWAC. Everthing we have on the property ( with the exception of a handful of BAC-Jets leaving in three weeks) is "supposed" to be here for the next 9-10 years (under contract with US Airways).

CHQ/RP/SA still has to get through this Delta bankruptcy ( although I admit I know nothing of the situation...ie if they already have affirmed contracts for all of the flying). Chop a couple of 135/140/145's here or there and who knows???

This is just from what I see of todays picture.

Honestly though if I were in your shoes ( you have quite a bit of time)...I'd say screw the regionals and start researching the Fract outfits. There is too much sh*t going on at this level industry wide.

 

[wmudriver]

Any particular reason you're so fixated on an airline? There are many other paths within aviation that could result in a career, with better job-security, and an improved lifestyle.

I do realize...I have flown cargo, done the regionals, all thats left is corporate/frac stuff. I'm keeping my eye out for a decent place for that.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Unless you're considering Fracs or Corp - Air Wisconsin would be my choice. Good luck!

 

[Mysteryofflight]

I was in your shoes, furloughed XJ and went to the repubilc airways group ( under CHQ ) and have been quite happy with it so far ( granted I'm still in training ). Any other furloughed Mesaba guys need a hand getting a job over here PM me and I'll try to walk in a resume in for you when I get the chance.

 

[SEVEN]

Any particular reason you're so fixated on an airline? There are many other paths within aviation that could result in a career, with better job-security, and an improved lifestyle.

I flew 135 passenger charter for 3 years. I was ready for a change and wanted to try the airlines. I only had about 500 pic turbine from the King Air I used to fly. I didn't quite meet the competitive mins for Frontier or Continental so I chose Mesaba. With the exception of the normal BS that goes on with any airline it wasn't bad at all. I was holding 16-17 days off a month with weekends off after 5 months. I actually liked my job. Then all the Northwest snowball crap started happening.

All that to say....I'm one of "those guys" who loves the flying part of aviation and worked hard to get there. I don't want to just throw in the towel. I can't think of any career I would enjoy more than flying. I would consider a corporate job but those are hard to come by right now in my area.

On demand charter sucked and was'nt for me. Hopefully the airline thing will work out long term.

 

[Flyer1015]

Out of the options you listed....I guess I would pick AWAC. Everthing we have on the property ( with the exception of a handful of BAC-Jets leaving in three weeks) is "supposed" to be here for the next 9-10 years (under contract with US Airways).

Remember this press release from AWAC regarding United Express service?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2003

UNITED AIRLINES AND AIR WISCONSIN FINALIZE CONTRACTS
FOR UNITED EXPRESS SERVICE​

APPLETON, WI, -- October 1, 2003 - Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation (AWAC) and United Airlines have finalized contracts for AWAC to provide flight and ground handling services for United Express. The new contracts take effect today, October 1.
"We are pleased to be continuing our relationship with United," commented Geoff Crowley, President and CEO of AWAC. "Our partnership has helped us grow and become a carrier customers select with confidence. The professionalism our employees display and their commitment to our partnership with United should only help to increase this confidence."
The new flight contract provides for an eleven-year relationship between the two airlines. Under the contract, AWAC has the right to operate 60 50-seat CRJs. This represents 17 more aircraft of this type than AWAC currently operates for United Express. In addition, the agreement allows AWAC to operate 17 BAe-146s through 2005 and at least 10 of the BAe-146s beyond that.
The new ground-handling contract has a two-year term that allows AWAC employees to ground handle AWAC-operated United Express flights at Denver and Chicago, as well as at 18 other stations served by United Express.
"Air Wisconsin continues to provide a high-quality product," said Greg Kaldahl, director-United Express. "We are pleased to have finalized our agreement with AWAC, a long-standing United Express partner."

- More -​

AWAC operates more than 400 departures per day to 56 cities in 24 states and two Canadian provinces. The fleet includes 17 BAe-146 jets and 52 Canadair regional jets. As a United Express carrier, it feeds United Airlines at Chicago O’Hare, Denver International and Washington Dulles airports. As AirTran JetConnect, the company feeds AirTran at its Atlanta hub, as well as providing service within the state of Florida.
- End -

I guess the point is that anything can happen to a regional airline at anytime, even with an "agreement" in place.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Im in the same boat, furloughed at Mesaba.

In the pool at RAH.

Class date with ExpressJet.

What to do?

 

[SEVEN]

Im in the same boat, furloughed at Mesaba.

In the pool at RAH.

Class date with ExpressJet.

What to do?

I thought about Express Jet too. CLE would be an easy commute from DTW. I'm staying away from them right now because of the threat to park 69 jets from Continental. The last thing I need is to go to another regional like Express jet or Pinnacle and get furoughed again the day I start IOE and then miss the call back from Mesaba when and if that happens. I'm leaning towards Air Wisconsin.

 

[AvroGuy]

Im in the same boat, furloughed at Mesaba.

In the pool at RAH.

Class date with ExpressJet.

What to do?

Flip the coin..
Furloughed XJer with Republic class on the 170 and waiting for AE to call. Easier commute. One of the big things, I think, is quality of life. No matter what company you go to, you will find things you don't like. Be it mgmt or upgrade time. I am not chasing the upgrade time. i am looking for something that will be an "easy" commute and doesn't put all of its eggs in one basket. I know AE does, but on the other hand they are owned by AMR not contracted by AMR. That gives me a little more security. But as soon as I get on with one of them, in three months something will go south and I will be in the same situation.

 

[avrodriver]

I guess the point is that anything can happen to a regional airline at anytime, even with an "agreement" in place.

Anything is more likely to happen to a regional carrier when they are dealing with a major that is in bankruptcy and the agreement can be jacked around with. (ASA-sold, ComAir-paycuts, Air Wis-paycuts & dropped, ACA-dropped & dead, Mesaba-where to start??, 9E-threats, Mesa-crappy contract, Skywest-temporary one rate for 50-90 seaters that turned permanent...etc,etc)



I know nothing of the fractional industry...but Citation Shares and NetJets seem to be worth looking into

 

[SEVEN]

Hey guys...thanks for all the feedback. I'll take as much as I can get.