Colgan Air-Commuting

[PJaxPilot]

Is there any way someone can please tell me if it is possible to commute from cmh to many of the colgan bases? If unable to give me a clear answer, how about an average schedule? Ya know, 4 on 3 off, 5 on 3 off or something like that.

 

[GreenFolder]

Colgan

Typical schedules range from 5 on 2 off to 4 on 4 off, depending on base. At my base 4 on 4 off is the norm with an occasional 4 on 3 off or 3 on 4 off. At the bases I'm familiar with there is a morning shift from 5 or 6 until 2ish and an evening shift from 2 until 11 or so. (7-11 hour duty days on average) I'm not sure what the commute from CMH would be like, I know that the JST crews fly there from PIT. Your best base bets would probably be BUF, ROC, and CRW (Larger airports with more flight options). At any rate, you'll need a crash pad where ever you go if you commute, because Colgan puts you back in base every night (unless you're based at IAH). Good luck.

 

[PJaxPilot]

thanks I do appreciate the sincere reply. I've got an interview on Saturday so we'll see what they have to say. Currently, I fly turboprops but I have no where the hours to go to a jet commuter. In addition, I fly quite irregularly with maybe 3 months of straight flying and then another 3 of working A&P and no flying whatsoever. Any suggestions?

 

[GreenFolder]

Just present yourself as a professional and be honest about all the flying you've done. They want someone who can handle the slightly quicker upgrade and who wants to work for Colgan.

 

[PJaxPilot]

I dont think its a good idea if I tell them "hey, just so ya know there is no way I'm gonna move b/c my wife makes too good of money at her job." Now, I wouldn't mind flying outta DCA or IAH where the commute wouldn't be all that bad.

As far as being able to handle PIC quickly, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Part of the reason I want to leave my current job is because I will never see captain. (we only have 6 aircraft) Not to mention, no medical, dental, 401, or really any benifits at all whatsoever. (Legitimate gripe)

In my opinion, Colgan seems like a decent place to work. Quick upgrade, 2 crew environment and turboprops. I'm used to flying 2 crew and I work for a 121 operation.

 

[GreenFolder]

It sounds like you'll be fine. Houston currently takes some time to hold, but I would think any of the bases I listed would make for an alright commute and are attainable out of training. So far as Colgan goes, it's not a bad place to be. FO pay is terrible, but it's like that everywhere. The schedules are pretty good and if you happen to live in base it can't be beat.

 

[PJaxPilot]

IAH, sounds really attractive to us because we did some research into the cost of living, houses and comparable pay. It's about 15% cheaper to live than here in CMH. You would be shocked to see how much 150,000 gets you in a house. Anyways, thanks of the honest posts. If I have any more questions, is it OK to PM you?

 

[Mr Wu]

1700 hrs, Pt 121 experience in a turboprop. You're going to the 1900. Upgrade at 500 in type.

 

[PJaxPilot]

Wow, that's a quick upgrade! Why does everyone quit? If I could make Captain and be home everynight I would never leave. To bad CMH is my home.

 

[msuspartans24]

They want someone who can handle the slightly quicker upgrade and who wants to work for Colgan.

what are upgrade times right now?

 

[Becks]

see everyone on Sat @ LGA should be good times

 

[IslandDriver]

Upgrade times change all the time. I agree that the 1900 could be 500 in type for the upgrade. The SAAB is much longer. 16-18 months right now. That is a fluid time as well. There is now an interview for upgrade and a lot comes into play. You will have to have your 1 year PC or a special ride if you are in the SAAB and want to upgrade faster than one year. They are passing on guys that don't do so good on the PC. You are allowed 2 TP's (train to proficiency) to pass the ride but don't expect an upgrade at 13 months if you have to use a TP or 2 to pass the FO sim check. In addition the seniority number in upgrade right now is 150. That means there is at least 150 folks ahead of you for upgrade. There would have to be a big expansion or exodus for the company to upgrade 150 folks in the next 12-15 months.

Just my 2 cents from my friend who works there.

 

[bender]

CMH would be an easy commute since Colgan runs a CMH-PIT route. You would get priority over any other pilot for the jumpseat, provided Colgan doesn't cancel the flight. I'd say go for any base that's in the PIT system, i.e. JST/CRW/ABE/HEF

You probably won't be able to get IAH for 6 months. Then you'll sit reserve for another 6 months. Most FOs hold lines in the NE until they can hold a line in IAH.

Plan on upgrade taking 24-30 months. That's taking into account 4 upgrades per month and 40 FOs leaving for better regionals.

 

[It will roll]

Island Driver, talked to Dot, yesterday, she said #183 was in upgrade right now. Not that it really matters. Its gonna be a while for me....

 

[Visceral]

Seniority numbers get skipped around for upgrade. Its entirely possible to see a 150 and a 183 together.

 

[mckpickle]

XJT currently runs from CMH to IAH. Colgan is almost in cass so the commute should be too much of a problem on XJT. CHQ however will pick up the route next year. I'm not sure how they are to commute on.

As far as time for the regional I wouldn't sell yourself short. If you've got the time to get hired at Colgan I'm sure XJT would at least look at you and we are HQ'd in IAH. No problem getting based there. Of course who knows what will happen with the 69 a/c and all.

Good luck.

 

[IslandDriver]

150 os on IOE right now so that is like one month apart. The point is that the numbers do not always matter....have to have the time....a good repor with managemet / scheduling and no TP's on the PC. The numbers will jump around.

 

[PJaxPilot]

This is a little off beat but here goes.

I was supposed to have an interview tommrow (saturday). It got cancelled last minute (which is good b/c I only had 3 days to study). I know just about everything part 121. What is on this written test? The aviation interviews is pretty vague. All they say is know your 61, 91, some 121 and weather (straight outta the ATP written).

I'm not too worried about the sim ride because I'm still fying the 580 right now. I have no access to a sim either so paying to use one is a non-issue. So what I have been doing is Flight Sim 2004 and going over the holding crap (b/c we all know that happends in the real world).

What more can/should I do? I am not driving 2 hours to go fly some frasca.

 

[iflyjets4food]

What is on this written test? The aviation interviews is pretty vague. All they say is know your 61, 91, some 121 and weather (straight outta the ATP written).

What more can/should I do?

Get your hands on the red Gleim ATP book and study the all the questions from those sections that don't have a refer to figure on them. That is as specific as you need. It isn't a real difficult test. As far as what else you can do, just relax. You will do fine. It isn't rocket science. Just be yourself, fly instruments like you were taught, and RELAX and everything will be fine.

 

[Mr Wu]

going over the holding crap (b/c we all know that happends in the real world).

You better believe it happens in the real world. You will have plenty of experience holding when you are flying around at 9000' going to BOS or LGA.