Colgan Air, then what?

[SmellsLikeAvGas]

I am a low time pilot with two offers on the table right now. One, flying a jet with Mesa, where I'd have to commute to IAD, ORD, or JFK. One with Colgan, where I could potentially be based at home, flying either a SF340B, or the Dash 8 Q400. My question, primarily to Colgan and ex-Colganites, has flying turboprops been hindering anyone from getting a job later on at a major/big cargo airline? I know upgrading is a big one, and it looks like similar upgrade time at both companies, so that's not really an issue. I really, really like the idea of having a shot at a home base, but I'm just wondering if anyone from Colgan has been turned down b/c they "lacked jet experience?" When people leave Colgan, where do they tend to go next? Thanks in advance!

 

[WSurf]

No you won't have a problem at all. I work for Piedmont and we have had Captains and FO's hired everywhere from SouthWest to Cathy Pacific.

If you have a chance to be home based while at a regional then I would do it. Makes your life much better while at the regional.

I think that Mesa and a jet is where you don't wanna be.

Good Luck

 

[thepotato232]

Well, United has an RJ fetish, and a lot of overseas operations would rather see jets than props. JetBlue and some others won't consider anything below a certain MTOW (20,000 lbs). Other than that, props will get you hired just about anywhere else and are generally kickass. I'll go ahead and do my civic duty as a FI member and remind everyone that Mesa is making new and exciting discoveries in the field of employee abuse. All this, and you could be based at home with Colgan? Not even close - take the Colgan job.

...not that either of these places are exactly full of flowers and sunshine right now.

 

[Prop2Jet]

Run Fast From Colgan. Hell Is Present In Every Line!

 

[30West]

First, don't buy into the whole "jet time is better" BS.

Second, ALL regionals suck. No matter where you go, pay blows. But not having to commute to the one you do work for is golden.

As for SJS, airlines currently hiring turboprop guys-
Southwest
Air Tran
Delta
Continental
United
USAirways
Spirit
North American
Every ACMI cargo company

 

[EMB170Pilot]

Are those 2 companies the best you can do? not a good start. keep trying

 

[contrail67]

I am a low time pilot with two offers on the table right now. One, flying a jet with Mesa, where I'd have to commute to IAD, ORD, or JFK. One with Colgan, where I could potentially be based at home, flying either a SF340B, or the Dash 8 Q400. My question, primarily to Colgan and ex-Colganites, has flying turboprops been hindering anyone from getting a job later on at a major/big cargo airline? I know upgrading is a big one, and it looks like similar upgrade time at both companies, so that's not really an issue. I really, really like the idea of having a shot at a home base, but I'm just wondering if anyone from Colgan has been turned down b/c they "lacked jet experience?" When people leave Colgan, where do they tend to go next? Thanks in advance!

Get the Jet time..period.

 

[OnTheRocks]

Are those 2 companies the best you can do? not a good start. keep trying

stay the hell away from colgan at all costs, im with this dude.....keep on looking

 

[suupah]

Remember props are for boats. Real pilots fly jets.

 

[BSkin]

stay the hell away from colgan at all costs, im with this dude.....keep on looking

Yeah, Colgan sucks. I spent 4 years there and 4 years later am a Captain at AirTran. But, as an above post said, all regionals suck!. I'd go with Colgan, Mesa has even a worse rep than them, plus that Q-400 might be a gold mine with the way oil prices are going!

 

[CX880]

You're one of the lucky ones that actually has an airline base at the home airport. I wouldn't even think twice take Colgan. Being home based will make life a lot easier and in my opinion worth not flying a jet. As far as future jobs get the 1000 hours of TPIC then worry about that. The only TPROP, "now a days" that might be a problem for majors is the B1900 because of weight and other things. The Dash8 and the SAAB 340 are as good as jet experience and probably more fun. Good luck

 

[Turtlesfly]

yeah, go to work for the non-union carrier - that's a great way to ensure job security - right after they lost the pinnacle arbitration.

Neither of those options are good.

 

[OnTheRocks]

i'd opt for an adequate payscale, and some work rules, just in case there is no "then what" .

 

[WestHouston]

I am a low time pilot with two offers on the table right now. One, flying a jet with Mesa, where I'd have to commute to IAD, ORD, or JFK. One with Colgan, where I could potentially be based at home, flying either a SF340B, or the Dash 8 Q400. My question, primarily to Colgan and ex-Colganites, has flying turboprops been hindering anyone from getting a job later on at a major/big cargo airline? I know upgrading is a big one, and it looks like similar upgrade time at both companies, so that's not really an issue. I really, really like the idea of having a shot at a home base, but I'm just wondering if anyone from Colgan has been turned down b/c they "lacked jet experience?" When people leave Colgan, where do they tend to go next? Thanks in advance!

What is your time (TT/ME)? Are you a CFI?

 

[DoinTime]

I am a low time pilot with two offers on the table right now. One, flying a jet with Mesa, where I'd have to commute to IAD, ORD, or JFK. One with Colgan, where I could potentially be based at home, flying either a SF340B, or the Dash 8 Q400.

Where is it that you live? If you live in EWR then JFK is hardly a commute.

 

[On Your Six]

Avoid Mesa. Go to Colgan and request the Q400 if you already live in the area. The Saab would be OK because it would also give you a lot of operating experience in the busy NY area. That said, I would still request a Q400 slot because Colgan is desparately looking for pilots - you have some leverage. Have you applied to Republic?

 

[SmellsLikeAvGas]

Yes, I did apply to Republic, but my time is very low (about 330 and 55.) No CFI, either. lol, no I don't live near JFK; I live in PIT.

 

[DoinTime]

Yes, I did apply to Republic, but my time is very low (about 330 and 55.) No CFI, either. lol, no I don't live near JFK; I live in PIT.

If you live in PIT you are going to be a commuter. I have heard that Colgan has closed (or is going to close) the PIT domicile. The Q400 would have never been based in PIT anyway.

 

[Grey Ghost]

Do what every other Colgan guy does and go to Allegiant! After all, Allegiant is Colgan with jets!!!!

 

[TNHillbilly]

If you live in PIT you are going to be a commuter. I have heard that Colgan has closed (or is going to close) the PIT domicile. The Q400 would have never been based in PIT anyway.

There is a Q400 base in PIT at this time, with no current plans to close it.