Anybody get October Class calls at Lakes?

[N8Dogg]

At $15.30/hr (fo pay) I don't think Lakes is even in the same league as Mesa (comparing pay for equipment type). The jets at Mesa are a different story but it is disturbing to see people bash Mesa and then go to Lakes. On a positive note the 1900 is a great machine and those who fly it definately are at the top of their game.

 

[crashpad]

A company with a jet does not a pilot make,
for a quick upgrade and flying skills, go to Lakes.

 

[BlackPilot628]

I have to agree. I interviewed with Express Jet and ASA; could have gone to ASA. But, instead I chose Corporate Airlines for now($19.00/hr). I also just got a call from GLA this past week, but i'm already flying now. Corporate Airlines may not have jets or all the fancy officies and training departments, but it will be the best training and flying you'll ever get. (Along with GLA's BE1's) I also know for a fact that my upgrade at Corporate will be 3 to 4 years earlier than it would have been on a RJ. (avg. time from DOH to 1000 hours PIC is 32 months) Look at the big picture, don't look for that instant gratification. Also, Remember; Money is not everything. I know pilots that went out chasing the money and now they home wishing they hadn't burnt there bridges with the small guys.

No matter which route you take, Best of luck to all!

 

[propjockey]

Money is not everything. I know pilots that went out chasing the money...

I'm here to tell you that PIC isn't everything. Right now 1000 hrs of 121 PIC and a nickel won't buy you a cup of coffee. After my upgrade, I had friends urging me to stay and build my PIC. Now, a year later, those same friends have been asking me to help them get on at SkyWest.

PIC will take you nowhere in the current airline market. It's all about Quality of Life, and money is a big part of that. As a 2nd-yr RJ FO, I'll be making a little more than my friend at Lakes who is entering his SIXTH year as a 1900 captain. I went from flying lines with 5-on-1-off-4-on to holding decent 4-on-3-off trips with Sundays off.

There will be plenty of time for me to start building PIC again. In the meantime, I want to get some enjoyment out of life. I don't regret one bit getting my start at Lakes, BUT if I could have started at SkyWest when I started at Lakes, I would have! And I would now be holding a decent Brasilia capt line in DEN instead of looking forward to 2nd-year FO pay. All I'm saying is think before you decide where to get your start -- don't be a slave to the Left Seat (and I do mean "slave" with those wages and work rules).

 

[BlackPilot628]

PropJockey,

I respect that. I was just putting out the way I feel. I know personally the Asst. Chief Pilot's for Delta and AirTran. They have both explained to me, that it is best to get my 121 PIC time as quick as possible. Now, For someone else in a different age bracket, they may not have the time to get there 1000 hours PIC and go to a Major or company like AirTran.
But for me at 23 years old, I hope to have my 1000 hours by the time I'm 26-27 and on to a B737 or a B717. I was told from both chief pilots when I get close, around 800 hours PIC to send my resume in. Because that is what they look for.

 

[crashpad]

You are correct Propjockey. The quality of life will definitely be better at any place else other than Lakes. Blackpilot is also correct. To the folks in HR, all the SIC time in the world won't mean squat.
I never worked at Lakes, but know full well how the whips are cracked across the pilots backs. Even so, my goal would be the experience that would take me to the next level as quick as possible.
And don't lose sight of the fact that no matter how good you think the quality of life is at a feeder, the QOL at the next level will seem like early retirement.

 

[Damich]

BlackPilot628, are you for real or is this some kind of joke?

 

[BlackPilot628]

Damich.

I'm telling the honest truth. Do you think I would sit on a prop job making $19.00 bucks an hour for fun? Hell no! (and Yes I know the Chief Pilots)
Although I enjoy the company that I currently work for and the flying is great "ole" stick time; (No Autopilot here) If I knew that Airtran, Southwest, or any other major airlines that may hire in the future didn't care about the PIC time, I would have taken the first jet job that came to me. But I know that where I am now is a better opportunity for me to get my time and move on. If I were flying a CRJ or ERJ, you and I both know that upgrade would be anywhere from 3 to 6 years. Where I am now, I'm looking at having my 1000/hrs PIC (121 time) in 3 years. I mean, don't get me wrong; flying a RJ would be sweet and the money would obviously be better. But I'm looking at the big picture. I may have to pack my soups and tuna kits now and for the next few years, but it will all pay off a lot quicker if I just stay put.
That's just my opinion.

 

[RSRVWINDSURFR]

Black Pilot,


What's that noise? Oh, I think it's your phone ringing. Maybe it's the Delta CP calling to offer you a job!!!!

 

[Tooslow]

I heard USAir and United will be hiring soon, better apply......

 

[mightybeechdrvr]

I took the other route. Felt time on the 1900 would give me a great background in hand-flying & make me sharper with the scan. Spent three years going from FO to Captain to Line Check Airman. Three years!......now I have a class date with Southwest 1'st quarter in 2005. Keep your eye on the ball......get yourself qualified.......move on! RJ wages & lifestyle sometimes regrettably make folks just comfortable enough to forget why we are doing this to begin with.......to MOVE ON! Good luck guys!

 

[propjockey]

Not all of us have the $6 - 7000 to plunk down on a type rating (or the willingness to do so). Also, I started at Lakes with such low time that it will take me another couple more years before I'd even BEGIN to be competitive in the total time department anyway.

 

[N8Dogg]

I guess there is more than one way to skin a cat. Good luck to all.