Colgan...cut out of IAH???

[HughBeamont]

Colgan's maintenance issues are a direct result of their outstation basing. When you have no maintenance (or just contract maintanance that may or may not be available) where the aircraft overnights, night after night, nothing is done proactively and the MELs just build up. And even when the aircraft do hit a maintanance base, they have only the manpower to clear the MELs that are immediately due. 4 MELs in 6 months at XJet? How about 4 MELs on just about every release I've looked at in the last 6 months.

That being said, I still like working here.

 

[BRA]

I wrote up four MELs in 6 minutes the other day. Still had 10 minutes before departure to get another 6 things DMI'ed, beat that hotshot. And i got in a piss and coffee.

 

[CA1900]

For starters, rumorhasit isn't a pilot for XJT. Secondly, yes, we do pride ourselves on the quality of our operation. Why? Because it is one of the best out there...

Yes, one of the best out there, I'll agree with you -- they do a fine job at flying airplanes around. But the contention that "no one can do it better than XJT" just smacks of egotism, not company pride.

I have seen other operators do it better than XJT. That's not meant as a slam on your company, but a reality check that you guys are not the only quality operation out there by any means.

And Superpilot92, I don't work for Colgan, thanks. Didn't hurt my feelings one bit.

 

[BluDevAv8r]

Yes, one of the best out there, I'll agree with you -- they do a fine job at flying airplanes around. But the contention that "no one can do it better than XJT" just smacks of egotism, not company pride.

I have seen other operators do it better than XJT. That's not meant as a slam on your company, but a reality check that you guys are not the only quality operation out there by any means.

And Superpilot92, I don't work for Colgan, thanks. Didn't hurt my feelings one bit.

Hence I said "one of the best" and not "the best." It would be foolish to think that there aren't other quality operators out there.

-Neal

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Yes, one of the best out there, I'll agree with you -- they do a fine job at flying airplanes around. But the contention that "no one can do it better than XJT" just smacks of egotism, not company pride.

I have seen other operators do it better than XJT. That's not meant as a slam on your company, but a reality check that you guys are not the only quality operation out there by any means.

And Superpilot92, I don't work for Colgan, thanks. Didn't hurt my feelings one bit.

I do think you are making a big issue over something rather silly myself. They do the job well, that was the only point.

 

[E-2ckid]

Actually not very many delays due to MX a lot of WX delays though. Funny that the rampies have a choice of not re-entering ramp after thunderstorm for 30 minutes.

It would not surprise me....although I have not heard this. What I have heard is that maintenance delays and cancellations have been very frequent since Colgan started at IAH.

 

[FCNelson]

Amen Neal.

I honestly feel that XJT is simply one of the best RJ flyers in the industry. This goes beyond the pilots. Our MX is incredible--- in my 6 months online I have seen a total of 4 MELs. And none of which were more than 2 days old. Just the other day I observed 2 mechanics ground an airplane when it was a marginal decision (windshield de-lamination-- apparently there is a certain amount permissable)

The pilot group really tends to work hard to get things done in a safe and professional manner. And our Work rules are better than a bunch of majors!

As a pilot who knows that 2007 can bring some degree of uncertainty-- We need to do everything in our power to make sure the product that our company provides is beyond compare to any one. Right now I feel pretty secure in saying that right now... Put XJet against Mesa, CHQ, Skywest I guarentee we provide a superior product. This is not meant as a dig towards pilots of those other airlines it is just that with a motivated pilot group ; soon to be 274 airplanes with 3000 pilots, and a system that we have been flying in for the past 20 years (in some cases), I think we have pretty much optimized our operations.

Dear flatspin7,

Congratulations on a very eloquent post that described the strengths of ExpressJet (dba Continental Express).

Now let me be the first to assure you that when 2007 comes around and CAL is considering renewing your contract or dealing with other regionals as well, none of the good you guys do will count. The only thing will matter will be the cost of your company's operation, and since you guys have a good pilot contract as far as regionals go, not to mention a stable, fairly senior workforce, good maintenance, outstanding facilities, etc, you guys inevitably will be more expensive than Mesa or Trans States, who will also put in bids. And you know what - they'll get a piece of CAL flying, while you guys stagnate. Then they'll get bigger and bigger while your company stagnates more. You'll see 4-5 year 'professional' RJ FOs, and it won't matter how few MEL's you fly with, how safe your company does its job, because Chautauqua can underbid you, they'll win. If you don't believe me, just ask any Air Wisconsin or ACA/Independence pilot about how secure they felt with United a few years ago, versus now....

Best of luck, but trust me, history will repeat itself in this profession.....

FC Nelson

 

[HughBeamont]

I wrote up four MELs in 6 minutes the other day. Still had 10 minutes before departure to get another 6 things DMI'ed, beat that hotshot. And i got in a piss and coffee.

LMFAO! Totally classic. You just painted a better picture of a 20 minute Colgan turn than I thought was possible.

 

[Superpilot92]

Dear flatspin7,

Congratulations on a very eloquent post that described the strengths of ExpressJet (dba Continental Express).

Now let me be the first to assure you that when 2007 comes around and CAL is considering renewing your contract or dealing with other regionals as well, none of the good you guys do will count. The only thing will matter will be the cost of your company's operation, and since you guys have a good pilot contract as far as regionals go, not to mention a stable, fairly senior workforce, good maintenance, outstanding facilities, etc, you guys inevitably will be more expensive than Mesa or Trans States, who will also put in bids. And you know what - they'll get a piece of CAL flying, while you guys stagnate. Then they'll get bigger and bigger while your company stagnates more. You'll see 4-5 year 'professional' RJ FOs, and it won't matter how few MEL's you fly with, how safe your company does its job, because Chautauqua can underbid you, they'll win. If you don't believe me, just ask any Air Wisconsin or ACA/Independence pilot about how secure they felt with United a few years ago, versus now....

Best of luck, but trust me, history will repeat itself in this profession.....

FC Nelson

Thanks for your optomistic outlook, I guess we should look at things like you and lower ourselves down and cut our days off and cut our pay. Whats the matter did you get turned down for a job at XJET and still have a bad taste in your mouth.

 

[vmc-hound]

For starters, rumorhasit isn't a pilot for XJT. Secondly, yes, we do pride ourselves on the quality of our operation. Why? Because it is one of the best out there and is hopefully our ticket to continued business and prosperity with CAL.

-Neal

I don't think rumor ever said he was a pilot for XJT, it seems as if he is responding to the operation of xjt!!! Lighten up on the guy....

 

[BluDevAv8r]

I don't think rumor ever said he was a pilot for XJT, it seems as if he is responding to the operation of xjt!!! Lighten up on the guy....

I don't think he ever said he wasn't a pilot for us, either. With that said, I also echo'd his sentiments. People on here, in my opinion, need to be a little more forthright in their current position when posting, so others can consider the source of the post and put it in relative context. With that said, I wasn't intending on being negative towards him in any way - just clarifying a fact because some people on here did assume he was a pilot for us. The fact that he isn't a pilot for us (but rather, an employee in another capacity) does not in any way diminish the importance of his opinion. But it does help to know where he's coming from with his posts, in my opinion.

Lastly, I have communicated with him several times over the past year or so and have answered many questions of his about flying for us, etc. I encourage him to keep building experience so that he can one day fly for us.

Hopefully this clarification will put this issue to rest.

-Neal

 

[vmc-hound]

I don't think he ever said he wasn't a pilot for us, either. With that said, I also echo'd his sentiments. People on here, in my opinion, need to be a little more forthright in their current position when posting, so others can consider the source of the post and put it in relative context. With that said, I wasn't intending on being negative towards him in any way - just clarifying a fact because some people on here did assume he was a pilot for us. The fact that he isn't a pilot for us (but rather, an employee in another capacity) does not in any way diminish the importance of his opinion. But it does help to know where he's coming from with his posts, in my opinion.

Lastly, I have communicated with him several times over the past year or so and have answered many questions of his about flying for us, etc. I encourage him to keep building experience so that he can one day fly for us.

Hopefully this clarification will put this issue to rest.

-Neal

well it seems from your posting regarding the guy, and I am sure he reads them, I would think he would no longer ask you for any advice!!! I hope you are not so quick to release info on someone you "answered many questions" for!!!! Real classy man, the guy was just indicating HIS opionion here along with the rest!!!!

and for the Record I AM NOT A EXPRESSJET PILOT...NOR AN EMPLOYEE OF IT!!!!

 

[BluDevAv8r]

well it seems from your posting regarding the guy, and I am sure he reads them, I would think he would no longer ask you for any advice!!! I hope you are not so quick to release info on someone you "answered many questions" for!!!! Real classy man, the guy was just indicating HIS opionion here along with the rest!!!!

and for the Record I AM NOT A EXPRESSJET PILOT...NOR AN EMPLOYEE OF IT!!!!

Not quite sure what you are talking about. I haven't released any information on this person's identity nor would I ever do that.

-Neal

 

[vmc-hound]

EveryoneS opion on here is exactly that!!!! NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO SAY WELL HE'S REALLY NOT WHATEVER!!!! IF YOU DISAGREE THEN FINE SAY YOU DISAGREE BUT TO CALL SOMEONE OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT A PILOT OR WHATEVER IS PI$$ POOR!!!! THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT

 

[BluDevAv8r]

EveryoneS opion on here is exactly that!!!! NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO SAY WELL HE'S REALLY NOT WHATEVER!!!! IF YOU DISAGREE THEN FINE SAY YOU DISAGREE BUT TO CALL SOMEONE OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT A PILOT OR WHATEVER IS PI$$ POOR!!!! THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT

Dude, let it go. It just isn't worth it. But if you want to keep going, there's a lot I could say...but for right now however, I'll refrain. I think you know what I'm talking about. Seriously, let this issue die.

-Neal