Pinnacle...?

adreamer · July 2nd, 2006, 20:06

I know I am just a CFI. However, there are few mesaba pilots around FBO. Just wondering about this particular airline's reputation? According to these guys - "Friend do not let friend fly for pinnacle"

adreamer

Alchemy · July 2nd, 2006, 20:57

Well, the pay is average, maybe a little below average for the 50 seaters they fly, and from what I understand they are chronically understaffed. That means you could be junior manned frequenty, have your days off rolled, etc etc. The professionalism of their pilots was also tarnished a bit by the crash they had in 2004, but it's probably unfair to project the behavior of those two pilots onto the entire group.

That said, nothing is going to be paradise at the regional level, and I'd certainly rather be at Pinnacle than Mesaba right now. If I lived in MEM, DTW, or MSP, there's no doubt that Pinnacle would be an attractive place to work. If you're going to commute or are willing to re-locate, there are probably better outfits to shoot for. You can go to http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com to compay pay and benefits among the regionals. Hope this helps.

We have a few Pinnacle pilots on here, hopefully they will respond and help you out.

JEP · July 2nd, 2006, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by adreamer

I know I am just a CFI. However, there are few mesaba pilots around FBO. Just wondering about this particular airline's reputation? According to these guys - "Friend do not let friend fly for pinnacle"

adreamer

Rather odd coming from an airline that is loosing half of their fleet while the other is hiring like mad.

Baronman · July 2nd, 2006, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEP

Rather odd coming from an airline that is loosing half of their fleet while the other is hiring like mad.

While it sure is not enviable to be Mesaba right now, I'd say that the rate at which an airline hires isn't a good measure of the type of company it is.

JEP · July 2nd, 2006, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baronman

While it sure is not enviable to be Mesaba right now, I'd say that the rate at which an airline hires isn't a good measure of the type of company it is.

Which was exactly my point!

blee256 · July 4th, 2006, 06:39

ALchemy pretty much summed it up about pinnacle. If you live in one of the bases, its one of you best options. Living in base is HUGE....I would rather work for an airline based at home rather than commuting to a slightly better regional. The works rules and pay difference really cant make up the QOL of living in base.

Pinnacle is a regional. its in contract talks so the work rules should get better. But remember a regional is a stepping stone to the majors.....treat it as that, and you will be fine. I like it here for the most part, my biggest gripe is second year pay.

kellwolf · July 4th, 2006, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baronman

While it sure is not enviable to be Mesaba right now, I'd say that the rate at which an airline hires isn't a good measure of the type of company it is.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Would you say that XJT is a bad company b/c they were hiring tons not too long ago? I know I wouldn't. Hiring here is based on a couple of things, some good, some not as much. We do have captains leaving for majors (flew with a guy yesterday that starts groundschool w/ SWA next Wed). Some FOs get in, get the turbine time, then go to fractionals or other regionals. Some FOs realize the glossy ads didn't really do a good job of portraying the industry and bail altogether.

Like most regionals, 9E has its issues. There's a LOT of bad blood b/w Mesaba and Pinnacle, mostly due to NWA pitting one against the other for flying. Like Brian said, living in base is HUGE as far as QOL goes. First year pay is more or less on par with the other regionals, but the second year pay is abyssmal. Hopefully, we can get that worked out before March of next year.

blee256 · July 4th, 2006, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellwolf

First year pay is more or less on par with the other regionals, but the second year pay is abyssmal. Hopefully, we can get that worked out before March of next year.

March of NEXT YEAR, you selfish bastard!!! Thursday (7/6) is my hire date anniversary...I want it now...haha....God knows we cant count on retropay

kellwolf · July 4th, 2006, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by blee256

March of NEXT YEAR, you selfish bastard!!! Thursday (7/6) is my hire date anniversary...I want it now...haha....God knows we cant count on retropay

Dude, I just saw the latest vacancy posting. DTW? Are you crazy?

jtrain609 · July 4th, 2006, 22:05

WHat's wrong with Detroit?

blee256 · July 4th, 2006, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Dude, I just saw the latest vacancy posting. DTW? Are you crazy?

Yes...but did you see the 2 letters after DTW?? it was CA, baby!! el capitan!!

haha.....i am kidding...believe it or not there are 2 blee's in MSP. He is senior to me by a year or so.

July 2nd, 2006, 20:06	#1
adreamer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: AZO Posts: 1,331	Pinnacle...? I know I am just a CFI. However, there are few mesaba pilots around FBO. Just wondering about this particular airline's reputation? According to these guys - "Friend do not let friend fly for pinnacle" adreamer __________________ CFI/CFII/MEI/Right seat

July 2nd, 2006, 20:57	#2
Alchemy Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 1,752	Re: Pinnacle...? Well, the pay is average, maybe a little below average for the 50 seaters they fly, and from what I understand they are chronically understaffed. That means you could be junior manned frequenty, have your days off rolled, etc etc. The professionalism of their pilots was also tarnished a bit by the crash they had in 2004, but it's probably unfair to project the behavior of those two pilots onto the entire group. That said, nothing is going to be paradise at the regional level, and I'd certainly rather be at Pinnacle than Mesaba right now. If I lived in MEM, DTW, or MSP, there's no doubt that Pinnacle would be an attractive place to work. If you're going to commute or are willing to re-locate, there are probably better outfits to shoot for. You can go to http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com to compay pay and benefits among the regionals. Hope this helps. We have a few Pinnacle pilots on here, hopefully they will respond and help you out.

July 4th, 2006, 06:39	#6
blee256 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: lower canada Posts: 1,614	Re: Pinnacle...? ALchemy pretty much summed it up about pinnacle. If you live in one of the bases, its one of you best options. Living in base is HUGE....I would rather work for an airline based at home rather than commuting to a slightly better regional. The works rules and pay difference really cant make up the QOL of living in base. Pinnacle is a regional. its in contract talks so the work rules should get better. But remember a regional is a stepping stone to the majors.....treat it as that, and you will be fine. I like it here for the most part, my biggest gripe is second year pay. __________________ According to a report by Goldman Sachs economists, "the most important contributor to higher profit margins over the past five years has been a decline in labor's share of national income."

July 4th, 2006, 22:05	#10
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,322	Re: Pinnacle...? WHat's wrong with Detroit? __________________

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