Any colgan guys out there?

[Prop2Jet]

Coolside, is it really that bad? I have not worked for another regional. I hear they too have issues like us.

 

[CoolSidePillow]

Coolside, is it really that bad? I have not worked for another regional. I hear they too have issues like us.

Hey all places have issues. There are guys at every regional, mainline, cargo, corporate, fractional etc... that complain about something. I think Colgan has some pros and cons like any other place. I like my job and I like a good portion of the people I know, known, work with and worked with. There are some facts though that have nothing to do with opinion. The planes are old, hot, and some smell real bad. Nobody likes flying on them. They break... a lot. We fly to a handful of places. We almost never have a crew room at any place we go even our bases and sometimes our stuff is out in the hallway. No APU's. The company does reactive maintenance and not preventive. They dont do enough to make the planes nicer. Simple fact.... if you are going to buy and fly old planes especially A-models you HAVE to do more to keep them running and to make them presentable to your customers. They have been saying since I was hired that "we sell service". Well not really. We sell something because we are cheap to operate and there are fewer and fewer T-prop operators to compete with. If your planes dont have APU's then you have to make sure the ECS filters are changed and cleaned and that the ducts have integrity and dont leak out the cool air before it enters cabin. When something is written up and MEL'd they should either fix it or get a part for it but not just sign off the MEL to get it back in service to be written up 7 times. The training should be a bit better. I have seen FO's who dont know how to do their paperwork or dont know what to check on a walkaround. So is Colgan the worst there is? Of course not but to think you can upgrade quick and get 1000 PIC and move on is fantasy. Most of the guys you did move on went to places that were low on anyone's list and they did it after 5 years on the line and many were check airman. So if someone asked me if they should come here I would say they might want to consider one of the top of the line jet operators like Republic, Air Whiskey, or even ExpressJet once they get back on track. Yeah you sit FO for longer but 1000 hours is a 1000 hours. Jetblue will look at you better with 1000 PIC turbine jet, glass than t-prop and first generation EFIS. Colgan is good if you LIVE at your base. Then you are home every night and 90% of pilots would love that unless they dont like who they married. Colgan is good because there really isnt reserver and you start flying right away. Colgan is good because they fly markets that most dont want or cant afford to do, so for now the biggest thing that can hurt Colgan is Colgan. If you have to spend many years at a regional and dont live at your base anyway you might as well fly nicer equipment and make more money is all I am saying.

 

[30West]

There are whiners at every airline. I know people who are like that everywhere they go. Guys will bitch and moan about how bad the company they work for is. Then they get hired flying a bigger jet. A few months after IOE what are they doing? Bitching and moaning.
Your airline experience is what you make of it.
You want to move? Get the PIC as fast as you can, and MAKE CONNECTIONS! That's what gets you in. There are ex Colganites at Gemini like myself as well as Jet Blue, Air Tran, Continental, Southwest, Kalitta, North American to name a few.
Don't think for a second when you finally get hired at one of these places you're not going to get bitch slapped a little.
Had a long day? If Jet Blue gets their way, you'll be doing JFK-LGB TURNS. Going to Gemini? Plan on a 16-18 hour day flying from Brussels to Lagos, then on to Entebbe. That's 12 hours on the Hobbes in some of the most primitive airspace on Earth. APU? What's that? Oh, right that's that thing that's MEL'd 90% of the time. Ask the Piedmont or Allegheny guys about that one.
Going to Southwest? You'll STILL be doing 6 legs a day with 20 minute turns. It ain't any easier in a bigger airplane. The time I spent hand flying raw data approaches to the nuts with 8 MEL stickers in my face for the Colgans prepared me more for flying the big rig than 1000 hours of shiny new RJ time.
Personally I enjoyed my 5 years there and would recommend it to anyone.

Fly safe

 

[30West]

Most of the guys you did move on went to places that were low on anyone's list

Like Jet Blue, Air Tran, Southwest, Continental? All have ex Colgan pilots flying for them at the moment.

Who's "list" are you reading from? Gemini was my first choice, actually. You should see the stack of resumes on our DO's desk right now.

 

[30West]

The planes are old, hot, and some smell real bad. Nobody likes flying on them. They break... a lot. No APU's. The company does reactive maintenance and not preventive. They dont do enough to make the planes nicer. When something is written up and MEL'd they should either fix it or get a part for it but not just sign off the MEL to get it back in service to be written up 7 times. The training should be a bit better. I've seen FO's who dont know how to do their paperwork or dont know what to check on a walkaround.

Is this by chance your first airline? Your entire post could have been written by anyone at any airline. Just the nature of the beast these days.

P.S. In 5 years of doing PC and line checks I've seen captains do much worse than dick up the paperwork. it happens everywhere, all the way up to heavy jet skippers, more than you think.

Fly safe

 

[BRA]

Is this by chance your first airline? Your entire post could have been written by anyone at any airline. Just the nature of the beast these days.

P.S. In 5 years of doing PC and line checks I've seen captains do much worse than dick up the paperwork. it happens everywhere, all the way up to heavy jet skippers, more than you think.

Fly safe

Taxi in reverse 2000 feet down a runway in BOS? Or navigate by sextant?

 

[BRA]

Is this by chance your first airline? Your entire post could have been written by anyone at any airline. Just the nature of the beast these days.

P.S. In 5 years of doing PC and line checks I've seen captains do much worse than dick up the paperwork. it happens everywhere, all the way up to heavy jet skippers, more than you think.

Fly safe

Accidentally spit a chew out on a passengers small child, while on a fed ride??

 

[30West]

Leave an aircraft completely unattended during a single engine turn?

 

[BRA]

Leave an aircraft completely unattended during a single engine turn?

Just the cockpit was unattended, unless you have something better?

 

[Prop2Jet]

Great points about the pros and cons. I think that the new guys should read this stuff while they determine which airline to apply to. I for one agree with both sides but understand that I am happy here, like cool said, being home every night is great. I for one am having a good time no matter how bad the day is or how many MELs are on the airplane. Nothing could be worse than flying single pilot night IFR cargo in the winter and summers in the Mid-West with a strike finder! I am always optimistic about the day and if (we) get the shaft then I make the best of it.

C yahs

 

[suupah]

Colgan is what it is. I have been flying here for not quite a year have never had a reserve line and have flown like 850 hours. I have flown in all kinds of weather to all kinds of airports.

I came here to fly and upgrade. Not that a thousand pic will get me the world, but when the majors start hiring again i want to be ready. I also think the 50 seat world is going to get smaller soon.

the upgrade is slow now, but with colgan you never know. they may pick up some flying at any time and BAM! we are frantically looking for upgrades again.

there are many things that are great about this place.

Unfortunately some of the issues that coolside brought up are true as well.
many planes smell like a locker room. it is embarrasing. the cooling systems do suck on a lot of them. the cockpits are DIRTY! it is disgusting sometimes. some of the interiors of the planes are atrocious (when compared to say express jet).

But it is what it is and for me it is good

 

[Metro752]

Can you get Providence out of training?

 

[EBE]

Just two more questions:
Anyone have any info on which bases are in greatest demand for FOs?
Also, are the health benies available for spouse and child?
Thanks...

 

[Prop2Jet]

Benefits are good, not the best but they work.

 

[Beech Balls]

Bases really run the gamut. If you look on the website, every outstation (with a few exceptions) is a base or domicile. Getting something or another out of training really depends on how many spots are open, where they need you, and what plane (beech or saab) you get. There is no set pattern to anything at Colgan.
That being said, the company's been good to me. Lots of flying, never sat reserve....just here to get some time and move on.

 

[bender]

Can you get Providence out of training?

Most likely not.

 

[GEORGE DUBYA]

Colgan rules! I just took the dressing off my Colgan ankle tattoo. I says SAAB 2000 then underneath that Colgan rules. Prop 2 jet you are so nice. You constantly give good advice with tame humor. You are a really good poster. Can you F ing stop it. I want to throw up at the thought that I know you. Go stick it in the wrong hole with that woman of yours and stop wasting our time and embarassing the company.

 

[lepus]

Fly Colgan Air yesterdays equipment in to the future
Fly colgan Air we have an MEL for any thing and every thing
Fly Colgan Air pissing the world off 19 to 34 seats at a time
Fly Colgan Air where ferry permits are a way of life be we get you there.
Fly Colgan Air we use KY
Fly Colgan Air on a wing and some thing

 

[Capn Lucky]

From my experience here's the good and the bad about Colgan.

Good:
If you have a problem you can call some who will at least listen to your problem and may even help you out.

Movement!!!! need I say more.

Experience you can brag about if you're flying ILS's into RKD and BHB on winter nights.

Having good answers to furure HR questions when it comes to "How did you deal with a difficult Captain?"

Bad:

Outstation basing!!!!

The Colgan reserve tours

HYA MX (I guess it may have improved, but it was really bad when I was there)

REPO flights. Colgan does more part 91 than some flight schools.

PQI in January & February

Sitting on reserve in BHB during a snowstorm and getting call from scheduling to drive to Augusta while you cannot even get to the road.

Did I mention Outstation basing?

My advice to the future colgan pilot is have an electronic logbook. The combination of pt 91 and 121 flying can make you illegal real quick. That and alot of patience will go a long way.

 

[rhino3040]

Well here is my take. Deal with the crap for one year, get your type....deal with the crap another year in the left seat............transition.........deal with the crap for a couple more years....and land a kick ass spot somewhere else. Good plan huh?

 

[suupah]

Fly Colgan Air yesterdays equipment in to the future
Fly colgan Air we have an MEL for any thing and every thing
Fly Colgan Air pissing the world off 19 to 34 seats at a time
Fly Colgan Air where ferry permits are a way of life be we get you there.
Fly Colgan Air we use KY
Fly Colgan Air on a wing and some thing

you forgot

Fly colgan air....we're not happy until you're not happy

 

[dvrdwn]

Colgan PVD Base

What would be the likelyhood of getting PVD as a base? Sr. or Jr.?

 

[bender]

What would be the likelyhood of getting PVD as a base? Sr. or Jr.?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Metro752
Can you get Providence out of training?


Most likely not.

 

[dvrdwn]

OOps my bad. I missed that earlier post.

 

[Mr Wu]

Fly Colgan Air yesterdays equipment in to the future
Fly colgan Air we have an MEL for any thing and every thing
Fly Colgan Air pissing the world off 19 to 34 seats at a time
Fly Colgan Air where ferry permits are a way of life be we get you there.
Fly Colgan Air we use KY
Fly Colgan Air on a wing and some thing

Yawwwwwwwnnnnnnn

 

[heywatchthis]

Well here is my take. Deal with the crap for one year, get your type....deal with the crap another year in the left seat............transition.........deal with the crap for a couple more years....and land a kick ass spot somewhere else. Good plan huh?

Thats 4 years. And if that "kick ass" job doesn't happen, deal with crap another year, and another year, and another year.

Sounds pretty risky to me. But maybe those kickass jobs are really easy to get once you get that 1000PIC.

 

[Prop2Jet]

George you are just to funny.... C u in Houston again - beer is on me this time. O yeah the Cuban is living in a trailer now! Dee DoW

 

[Prop2Jet]

I think guy makes more than me!
http://www.funnyjunk.com/pages/burger.htm

 

[Michigan_Flyer]

What does the newhire contract consist of? How long is it?

 

[lepus]

What does the newhire contract consist of? How long is it?

One year

go get a jet job you will be better off.