PC12Cowboy
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Colgan Air
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PC12Cowboy
Berry Beery Bad
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whiskytangofoxt
Guesswork in a tie
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Colgan
Colgan does pay moving and relocating expenses when they close your base, but not when you move on your own request. Unfortunately, they base at outstations and base closings or equipment changes happen. I have been with Colgan for about 4 years now and changed bases probably 7 times and only once was it because of a base closed, once when I upgraded in the Beech, another when I went to the Saab. All the others were at my request, and I wouldn't expect the company to pay for.
Getting back to the original question, Colgan is a lot better now then when I started in 2001, but since then they have paid for 2 type ratings. With the addition of 9 or 10 Saabs in IAH upgrades are going to be quick. If I knew then what I know now, I would have been happier for my first couple years.
So, suck it up and pay your dues, get the PIC time and consider it an experience.
Colgan does pay moving and relocating expenses when they close your base, but not when you move on your own request. Unfortunately, they base at outstations and base closings or equipment changes happen. I have been with Colgan for about 4 years now and changed bases probably 7 times and only once was it because of a base closed, once when I upgraded in the Beech, another when I went to the Saab. All the others were at my request, and I wouldn't expect the company to pay for.
Getting back to the original question, Colgan is a lot better now then when I started in 2001, but since then they have paid for 2 type ratings. With the addition of 9 or 10 Saabs in IAH upgrades are going to be quick. If I knew then what I know now, I would have been happier for my first couple years.
So, suck it up and pay your dues, get the PIC time and consider it an experience.
About 250 now, and looking to hire 80-90 more this year. Upgrades are fast if you're qualified. If you are expecting to upgrade after a couple months, that is not going happed. If you have some flying ability, are willing to learn, be a part of the team, and play well with others you will move along quickly.
I see more upward movement in the Saab now, but the Beech is a great start, especially if you like to fly.
I see more upward movement in the Saab now, but the Beech is a great start, especially if you like to fly.
BSkin
GATORS
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outtahere said:
You'll find that no place is a piece of cake to work for in 121. Maybe your equipment you fly on gets better, but you're like probably many of CJC FO's who've bailed, only to be stuck in the right seat of an RJ for years and years, hoping for an upgrade w/in 5-7 years. I know it's nice not to get the smart a$$ remarks from the passengers, but you gave up an opportunity to further your career. If you had just put up with the sh!t you get at Colgan from time to time, you would've probably already upgraded. And let me tell you, PIC in a B-1900 is a he!! of a lot more valuable than FO in an RJ. So you can talk about how much of a sh@t hole it is, and I can't completely disagree, however, I left less than a year ago, and will most likely be seeing an upgrade in either the 717 or 737 in less than 2 years. How about you?
Let these people ask, and get some info about them without you putting them down. You went on, let these people begin, or continue their careers. It is a good opportunity for many, esp. if USAir hangs on for a while and the Cont. Conn. goes well
chperplt
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Times are changing my friend.. Beech 1900 PIC time (just B1900 PIC time) aint worth a hell of a lot right now. Airlines that use to love 1900 drivers aren't very interested in them anymore.
If the money and QOL are right, what's wrong with being in the right seat of an RJ? Plus, many of the FOs that bailed went to carriers that continue to grow and still offer a relatively quick upgrade. Some others went to a new carrier for QOL.
Either way, what's right for one may not be for another.
TheBigH
FA love u long time ...
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chperplt said:
Nobody is leaving Colgan w/out time in the Swedish love machine (Saab) unless they're 1. Street captains w/ time in other stuff or 2. FOs bailing for the RJ QOL
The way things are going right now we Beech folk are looking at left seat in the Saab within 2-3 years from new hire ...
chperplt said:
I think we're all finally starting to understand each other ...
outtahere
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BSkin said:
Congrats on the job at Airtran, but lets be honest, no longer can you go to airtran with turbopop pic time. Furthermore, when I went to Colgan, I had no idea what a terrible airline it was and I think it is very beneficial to anyone contemplating them to know the full truth. The maint. sucks, the sched. sucks, the commute sucks, and the management sucks. However, after two years there, except for a couple, the crews were great. Something about being in the sh@t hole together makes everyone closer. For anyone planning a job at Colgan, it is not like anywhere else you will ever go. Currently I am at ASA and let me tell you, I was totally astonished at how much different and better it was. Colgan is not an airline, they are a 135 outfit with a regular schedule.
TheBigH
FA love u long time ...
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To anyone contemplating a career with ANY regional, there are people at each and every one of them that either hate it there, love it, or are somewhere in between. Colgan ain't the best for everyone, but for some of us it's better than other airlines. So once again you can't generalize and you sure as hell can't judge Colgan if you haven't been here in the past year. Ask anyone that's been here longer than that and they'll tell you how much things have changed...
Seems like all you guys who jumped ship to sit on the right seats of RJs have a bone to pick with Colgan, is it regret or just bitterness ?
Seems like all you guys who jumped ship to sit on the right seats of RJs have a bone to pick with Colgan, is it regret or just bitterness ?
outtahere
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TheBigH said:
Seem's to me that all of the ones who stayed behind and now find that the turboprop time is not all it's cracked up to be are the ones regretin'. Dude Colgan killed two pilots, Colgan. Now, I don't know how you define hate but come on. I was at Colgan less than a year ago and I don't recall seeing any changes. The only change you are seeing is perhaps from the left seat you feel more important, and maybe you have a say. Hell, your Avatar says it all, "Looks airworthy to me" now thats a good Colganite. By the way, I turned down the upgrade to go fly one of those RJ's you keep talking about because the chances of having my ticket pulled or punched for that matter were alot less. Just for giggles, how long have you been at Colgan? With 2000 hrs probably not that long. This is not a personal attack, you just need to quit defending the undefendable.
Wow some misplaced anger.
Now I'll agree Colgan isn't an RJ operator..and probably will never be one. Colgan did not kill those two great guys, Someone with a wrench did. Pilots have died while working for ASA as well.
I'd disagree with anyone that says that SIC jet is better on a resume than PIC turboprop, otherwise all the airlines that are hiring would specify 1000 SIC jet in their requirements instead of PIC time.
Now QOL is what many of us are looking for and Colgan fits mine right now. It may fit some of the people asking on this board. Let them come here and make up their own mind on if this QOL works for them.
Now I'll agree Colgan isn't an RJ operator..and probably will never be one. Colgan did not kill those two great guys, Someone with a wrench did. Pilots have died while working for ASA as well.
I'd disagree with anyone that says that SIC jet is better on a resume than PIC turboprop, otherwise all the airlines that are hiring would specify 1000 SIC jet in their requirements instead of PIC time.
Now QOL is what many of us are looking for and Colgan fits mine right now. It may fit some of the people asking on this board. Let them come here and make up their own mind on if this QOL works for them.
Flying_Corporal
Well-known member
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outtahere said:
People who fly RJs say that right seat is more valuable than pic in a turboprop. I've heard that for a long time.
The chinese proverb says sth like this - it's better to be a head of a chicken than a tail of a cow. I think flying 4-5 years right seat in a fancy jet is like being a tail of a cow, my friend.
chperplt
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BigH
Regret or bitterness... You have got to get your head out of your ass. You're going to miss a lot in life with it up there so far!
727
I'm not saying that SIC in a jet is better than turboprop PIC time... Not at all. What I am saying is that Beech 1900 PIC time alone won't get you very far.
At one time, carriers like America West, Airtran, Spirit, and the like hired out of the 1900... Those times are gone. The 1900 is a great airplane to cut your teeth on, but it's not going to prepare you for a glass cockpit, FMS, or autopilot management.
That's not a dig at Colgan Big H.. It's a reality of the industry we see today.
Regret or bitterness... You have got to get your head out of your ass. You're going to miss a lot in life with it up there so far!
727
I'm not saying that SIC in a jet is better than turboprop PIC time... Not at all. What I am saying is that Beech 1900 PIC time alone won't get you very far.
At one time, carriers like America West, Airtran, Spirit, and the like hired out of the 1900... Those times are gone. The 1900 is a great airplane to cut your teeth on, but it's not going to prepare you for a glass cockpit, FMS, or autopilot management.
That's not a dig at Colgan Big H.. It's a reality of the industry we see today.
chperplt
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USA
I know quite a few RJ FOs that have been hired by SW in the last 6 months.. How many Beech 1900 captains with nothing else on their resumes do you know that have been hired there?
I also know a few RJ FOs with 0 turbine PIC time that have been hired at America West recently.. We both know how many 1900 pilots have been hired.
I'm not knocking the 1900 one bit. It's a great airplane that will generally make a good pilot great. It's a lot tougher to fly than an RJ and deserves more respect than it gets..
I know quite a few RJ FOs that have been hired by SW in the last 6 months.. How many Beech 1900 captains with nothing else on their resumes do you know that have been hired there?
I also know a few RJ FOs with 0 turbine PIC time that have been hired at America West recently.. We both know how many 1900 pilots have been hired.
I'm not knocking the 1900 one bit. It's a great airplane that will generally make a good pilot great. It's a lot tougher to fly than an RJ and deserves more respect than it gets..
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Just a little tension....anger management
I know the 1900 side of colgan is very different from the saab side so I can't comment on that, but the QOL on the saab side surpasses any airline out there if you live at your base.
As for who will be working for airtran, amwest,fedex....does not matter what kind of experience you have, it's all about who you know. Didn't your CFI teach you that on your first lesson?
Do you think they hired those RJ FO's with zero pic because they were more qualified than the 10,000 others pilots who sent in a resume? really?
Do you think SIC time in an RJ is worth more than PIC turbine. Come on.
I know the 1900 side of colgan is very different from the saab side so I can't comment on that, but the QOL on the saab side surpasses any airline out there if you live at your base.
As for who will be working for airtran, amwest,fedex....does not matter what kind of experience you have, it's all about who you know. Didn't your CFI teach you that on your first lesson?
Do you think they hired those RJ FO's with zero pic because they were more qualified than the 10,000 others pilots who sent in a resume? really?
Do you think SIC time in an RJ is worth more than PIC turbine. Come on.
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