Owned a C310Q for 15 years. Went to Comair in 2000. Flew the EMB120 for 2 months and then the CRJ200. Seven years in the left seat, displaced back to the right seat of the CRJ700/900 because the bottom-feeding, Mesa pilots signed a sub-par industry contract and undercut us replacing 1/3 our flights in CVG.
BTW: Jason - Mesa Sucks!
I couldn't agree with you more, Mesa does suck. Which is why I am so proud to be free of them, and a member of LAMA (life after mesa airlines). One thing for sure, the pilots working there are in a world of hurt. When I came on board I barely had 2500 hours and was one of the less qualified people. At that time Chautauqua was being paid less than we were and we were losing flying to them. So, in the infinate wisdom of our CEO Jonathan Ornstein we were forced into lower wages. Chautauqua raised its pay and we became the lowest paid in the industry at that time.
Almost overnight, new pilots qualifications were dropped to just 250 total time, and our life went to shit. Ready reserve for 6 days straight for 12 hours in a closet sized crew room 1800nm from my wife. Cancelled vacations because of the mass exudus. It was ugly Stuck in the airline with no hiring to speak of I did the one thing that made sense to me, quit with no other job lined up. I took my ATP cert and shredded it, threw my logbook in long term storage and decided to get into mortgages... Just in time for the meltdown...
Out of neccessity I applied to fractionals because I have had it with the airlines. I was lucky to get interviews with two fractionals. Avantair paid a little less but I wouldnt have to commute. And here I am, upgraded in about 8 months... and been loving life ever since.
CL... I assume your hatred of Mesa is directed to the airline and not the people. Some very good people are stuck in a really bad situation over there. My wish is that when Mesa goes out of business they will be forced to get batter jobs... so in the end it will be an overall good move for those guys.
This industry sucks, if you are on top one minute, youre on the bottom the next. And no one is getting paid what we should anymore. Its impossible to get ahead. I got your PM before and know EXACTLY what you feel because I have been there and done that my friend.
Clear skies and tailwinds
Jason