AWAC or Colgan

[Prop2Jet]

5 to 7 MELS? This dude is on crack. At most I have flown with 3 the worst being MEL Lav and Synchrophazer (SP?). If you can MEL it than its not that big of a deal. Man kid go fly cargo and see what types of crap your allowed to fly with broken: Left Engine Inop, O well! hahahah

Welcome to the real world out of flying singles from a 141 school.

 

[dh82dvr]

I worked at Colgan for almost 6 years, less than 1 as FO. I was never yelled at to fly a broken plane. If you can back yourself with facts then you are ok. If you are just being a pssy then you will probably be pushed. 5-6 MELs on every plane. Nope. Sometimes though. Usually all backlights. And I lived at my base for three years and probably got stuck away 1 or 2 times a year for mx. Anything is what you make it. Doesn't matter where you are aeroplanes break (which makes commuting suck more than working). Get over it and grow up.

 

[BRA]

I was never pushed to fly a broken plane either.

 

[sociald]

Colgan is horrible, I block 85+ hours a month, have four day weekends EVERY week, work with good poeple and fly aircraft with a MEL now and then...its hell

 

[GEORGE DUBYA]

Stupid March bidlines! I have to have weekends off and block 87 hours. I am quitting and going to Awac I want to sit reserve and work weekends

 

[Snaab]

Wow,

Interesting reads! I'll throw this out there: I'm based at one of Colgan's Mx bases and I flew a plane a cpl weeks ago with 6 MELs. Were they dire MELs? Absolutely not! I forget what they were, backlighting, a recirc fan, and an overhead bin I think... BFD! Some people might complain about that, but I'm not one of 'em. I'm obviously an F/O, but have never heard of any intimidation to fly a "broken" plane. Also, I flew b/w two of our Mx bases the other day with c-l-e-a-n/MEL-free airplanes.

That being said, AWAC is a great place, I've heard. A former student of mine wants to work there and asked me for a letter of recommendation. I happily wrote him one; I hope he gets the job. I'm from the Mid-Atlantic area and Colgan and AWAC would be the airlines I'd check out if I was a CFI all over again. To each his own.

I love the Saab, have great instrument skills, sleep in my bed 98% of the time, and really enjoy the people I work with. That's important to me. What's also important to me is getting PIC time and getting into a Boeing, Airbus, or Mad Dog sooner rather than later. I do not subscribe to the "go to a place where you could see yourself for 12 years" mentality. Some people might, and great for them.

I forget who started this thread, but whoever you are, good luck. I think you'll be happy at either AWAC or Colgan. Both are great places to work, but if you have a tough time choosing, flip a coin. If it lands for Colgan, I'll see ya on the line.

Snaab

P.S. The people who don't sound like they're 11 years old on this thread do bring up some valid points about both places, btw. To all the 11-year-old whiz kids who bitch about an MEL: get a life, go back to 'Riddle, hope I never fly with you.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

If you choose Colgan, make sure those ailerons and elevators move inthe right direction.

MX is pretty over-worked and on occasion get things crossed.

Maybe examine the accident history of both airlines to get a better idea. (Hint: start with Colgan's first)

 

[flyupder]

You don't even work for Colgan so what do you know? Colgan is a great place.

I have worked for Colgan, and sir you are wrong in saying it's a "great" place.

I will say that I have not had any problems working at Colgan as far as MX and other items. I never seen or heard someone being yelled at to fly a broken airplane. The work rules are not something to be proud of. They will try and make you work as much as possible. There is reserve still there when based in IAH. They will make you sit from 9am and cancel 4 legs of flights and fly 1 more to an overnight with no pay guarantee. Things can be crappy, but then again... they can be anywhere.

AWAC is your better choice by far for companies that take care of you. At least at AWAC you get paid while you sit. So most schedules will not have you sit at all. Someone mentioned sitting reserve. For the lucky ones that got hired on from the past month and previous... reserve is non-exsistent in a few bases. But you will not sit too long. Things will be slowing down in hiring though after the BAE's stop service I believe.

Good luck on your choice.

 

[GEORGE DUBYA]

I have worked for Colgan, and sir you are wrong. It is not a great place. AWAC is your better choice by far for companies that take care of you. Plus the duty rigs are awesome.

What do you mean I am wrong? I think it is a great place. They have taken care of me so far. Duty regs are for flight attendants and embry riddle graduates. So what big deal. Sometimes I work in double digit hours. It builds character. I work hard and play hard. I eat raw meat and piss heinken in my off hours. I am not afraid to get my fingernails dirty. THey only thing I would be concerned about its the upgrade time at AWAC. That is a long time. I think I am gong to get a Colgan tattoo. I am a lifer.

 

[BRA]

I'm a riddle graduate.

 

[IdRtherBsailing]

I don't know anything about colgen so I won't say comment on that.

AWAC is great though. A few weeks ago the company wanted to ferry a plane from BGR to PHL at Midnight. We legally had about 8 hours of duty left but when I told dispatch that I had been up since 2am commuting it was done. No grief just "no problem we'll have somone do it in the morning".

Also twice in Jan I got called from Scheduling telling me they need my trip for OE so don't bother commuting out to phl and I was off with pay.

The list goes on and on, but AWAC truly is a great place to work.

"Duty regs are for flight attendants and embry riddle graduates." I hope thats a joke. I thought I hear a GJ guy say the same thing in ORD.

 

[HughBeamont]

It's a gamble. Colgan worked for me, but I happened to join right before a period of significant growth.

I chose Colgan about 4 years ago because they had bases where I lived. I sat as an FO for two years (the longest I have heard anyone sit FO in the past five years) and have been a captain for two. I came with Cessna/Piper experience and about 1000TT, and I now have about 4000TT with 1500PIC with Beech and Saab type ratings. I fly 80+ hours a month, have 15 days off, and will make about $50K this year with a little over-guarantee.

It easily could have gone some other way, but it has worked out for me. This advice and $1.33 will get you a small coffee (with the airport discount).

 

[Mr Wu]

This advice and $1.33 will get you a small coffee (with the airport discount).

96c in ALB for a medium.