Colgan bases and schedules

[threegreen]

How long's it take to hold a line out of BOS or LGA? What's the schedule like, and how long's it take to go to the left seat?

 

[Prop2Jet]

Upgrade About 14 Months
Hold A Line Right Out Of Training, Average About 80 Plus Hours A Month.

 

[Snaab]

Check out our website for a list of bases. We don't have a base in either LGA or BOS. Left seat? I've heard 2000 TT and/or 800 in type; or about 12-15 months on line for the Saab; 9-12 months for the Beech. Schedules are typically 4 on/3 off; or 5 on/2 off; or whatever they need. I have a mix this month. You're usually back at your base at the end of the day, which is great if you live in base.

 

[Freeze_gopher]

I'm curious about the days that you do work. How many legs in a day, average duty day etc. I would assume it's all out and backs 1 hour or less flights, true?
Thanks

 

[cpierse]

I'm curious about the days that you do work. How many legs in a day, average duty day etc. I would assume it's all out and backs 1 hour or less flights, true?
Thanks

Depends on the base... Some have it pretty good: LEB was usually 4 legs, about 5 hrs block time in 8 hours of duty. Some not so good: SHD - which is a great place - often had pretty crappy lines: 4 legs, 3.5 hrs block time in 12+ hrs duty. Not so good.

In some bases you'll do a long day of 7 legs and 6-8 hrs half the month, and a short day of 2 legs for 2 hrs half the month.

If you're based somewhere nice and you can live there, your QOL will be very good. If you have to commute, your QOL will suffer. I commuted for three years and it was painful...

 

[Drill Sgt. Dad]

I am interviewing with Colgan next week.

 

[Prop2Jet]

welcome to the dark side..... hahhahah Good luck!

 

[lookingup]

I have read that the ATP written is not a requirement for an FO position at Colgan but I have also heard that there are a bunch of ATP questions at the interview. Do I need to have the ATP written done beforehand in order to do well at the interview?

P.S. This is my first post on flightinfo so go easy on me.

 

[flyupder]

I have read that the ATP written is not a requirement for an FO position at Colgan but I have also heard that there are a bunch of ATP questions at the interview. Do I need to have the ATP written done beforehand in order to do well at the interview?

P.S. This is my first post on flightinfo so go easy on me.

ATP written is required within a year of hire. Having it before hand will help you out in the interview. You will take a written 50 question test before the interview starts. Go to aviationinterviews.com to get the gouge. 600/100 currently, prefer 1000/100 for hiring. The IAH base is a great base, plan to sit reserve a couple months if you get it. Upgrade's on Saab... currently see guys hired Dec. 04 getting upgrades in Jan. 06. Good company, great pilot group. Lines in IAH are mixes of stand-ups and 2, 3, 4 day trips. IAH you get per diem. Other bases you do not have overnights. Good luck.

 

[HughBeamont]

I would recommend the place, been there over three years. Just get to a good base (read: not a maintenance base - MNZ, ALB, HYA - or one with crummy lines, e.g. SHD), fly 80-90 hours a month and keep your head down.

A number of Saab FOs could not hack the upgrade lately, so understand that while a 12-15 month upgrade may be offered to you, you have to have your sh!t together if you are going to succeed.

 

[Kaman]

I'll second the previous post. Sitting reserve at a maint. base sux! Comes with the territory, but you won't be on reserve too long and there are some great places to be based here. I know that some people would disagree, but it's simply a matter of personal taste.
I will also say that upgrade is no gimmie and if I were to offer any advice; "precision and accuracy".

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[Prop2Jet]

Stay in the books, try to study once a week for about 30 minutes just to keep tight on the knowledge (there is a lot of it too) And you will be more than prepaired for upgrades. Now just following my own advice would be good for me!!!
Good luck and happy holidays!

P2J

 

[BRA]

Having flown both types there, I would say upgrade is not easy either. The final checkride will make you feel like you are in the military or something. And, you get zero points for previous accomplishments on that ride, you are starting from scratch. I am suprised as many people do pass the type ride. FO rides are simple compared to the type ride.

 

[Drill Sgt. Dad]

Thanks for the heads up. My interview is for a B1900 CA seat.

 

[BRA]

Check out our website for a list of bases. We don't have a base in either LGA or BOS. Left seat? I've heard 2000 TT and/or 800 in type; or about 12-15 months on line for the Saab; 9-12 months for the Beech. Schedules are typically 4 on/3 off; or 5 on/2 off; or whatever they need. I have a mix this month. You're usually back at your base at the end of the day, which is great if you live in base.

Of course all commutes can present a level of frustration. I did it while I was there myself. I recall a specific MCO-PHL leg that was just totally not my finest hour. I'm sitting in first class and the captain emerges from behind the flight deck door and says: "Sir, if you can't stop farting, I am going to reseat you in coach." Now in truth, I had been farting most of that flight, in fact, I had been farting inside the terminal and throughout most of the walk down the jetway... but you can't tell me this dude was really smelling it up in the cockpit. That's one magic fart to make it under the re-enforced cockpit door and up to his nostrils. This modern day James T Kirk should stop policing the back of the plane and keep his eyes up front. On top of that, the rest of the flight was total awkward silence between me and the lady sitting next to me.
Just make sure you know what you are signing up for before joining Colgan. Late

 

[dashboy]

What is the minimum days off at Colgan, And is it contractually Protected.

Thanks
Dash

 

[Visceral]

What is the minimum days off at Colgan, And is it contractually Protected.

Thanks
Dash

There is no union, so there is no contract. I've seen very few lines with 12 days off a month. Most have 13-14.

 

[dingo222]

min 10 days off a month. It's in the FOPP

 

[ss278]

What is the flying like out of Manchester? All Saab or a mix with the 1900? Same day out and backs to LGA or do you get to head off to one or two other locations before returning.

Thanks.

 

[727PAA]

Mht

MHT is all out and backs with your first leg to LGA. From there it changes monthly. Right now early shift starts at 6:00 am ends at 5:15 with 6 legs. Late shift shows at 4:40 one R.T to LGA during the week. Weekends are a little different. Base is very senior for CPT's junior for F/O's.

Saab only base.