That is one hell of an accusation. What kind of corners are we talking about here?
Flying all day with oil pressure gauge reading zero, after Mx says " write it up tonight"; power back operations without any marshallers or wing walkers; cancelling IFR more than 100 miles from destination; leaving notes for the next crew about worn brake lines, holes in boots, tread bare tires instead of writing those items up; disregarding duty time regulations just to get home...
I have quite an extensive list of these type of events. Maybe I was just too straight laced to fly the Colgan way. That is why I left (not to go fly a big bad 170, as someone else accused). There was a reason why I was ramp checked nearly every week in LGA when I was at Colgan, and why I was shadowed by the FAA on numerous walk arounds. In my post earlier, I did recognize that there are many respectable pilots at Colgan. I also fingered other groups outside of the pilot group for questionable behavior. I know it comes across as insulting, and I was on the receiving end while I was there, too. I recognized though, that many of the accusations I received were dead on descriptions of many of the captains I had met and flown with. I made the choice to go lateral, but I also made the choice to improve my work environment and improve my chances of keeping my license. The Shuttle accident you refer to was not a result of a corporate culture of landing in poor weather. It was a result of decisions made by a crew, decisions that most every other pilot at the company would not have made. But at Colgan there was a corporate culture of not writing up mx issues, of pushing duty regs, and of disregarding SOP. I use the word was because I am no longer employed there, and all of my direct experiences are not current. however, friends who currently work there have offered anecdotal evidence that little has changed.
If I offended you, then good. By taking offense you are showing that you do strive for better, and you take pride in your efforts. You are one of the good ones.
And the comment about small airport mentality was not a "redneck" comment, but a reference to the "do what I want" and "big brother isn't watching" actions I witnessed many times during my tenure. Yes, i know Colgan operates out of big airports. Been doing it for years. That still didn't change the overall mindset.
I am going to stop posting on this thread, as I am derailing it severely. You may endlessly bash me now if you like, but that won't change what i saw and why I left. Good luck to Colgan in getting new business and in changing common perceptions.
