Colgan lands codeshare with Continental/USAirways Express will continue

[Godfather]

The Godfather back to clarify the latest happenings at CJC

Officially announced in Manassas 01/14/2005 Colgan signed on with Continental as Continental Connection feeding IAH hub beginning with 2 Saab 340Bs March 3 from Del Rio and Tyler, TX. The deal is for 5 years and will utilize all Saab 340Bs initially (NO BEECHES GOING TO TX) with 8-10 new Saab 340Bs in Continental livery by June 05. Other city pairs from IAH to include Shreveport/Monroe/Alexandria/Lake Charles LA and Tyler/Victoria/San Angelo/Killeen/Beaumont/Waco/College Station/Abilene, TX.

CO DEAL WILL NOT EFFECT CURRENT USAIRWAYS EXPRESS OPERATIONS and will expand in 2005 with additional Saab 340Bs coming to replace some Beech routes later in the Summer. The last C model Beech N210CJ will be retired by Feb 28.

Some other Colgan notes and Rumor killers...

Pilot Hiring-Classes of 20 new hires per month until further notice mainly going to the Saabs with some new hires going to the Beech to cover those transitioning to the Saabs.

50 seaters-Let's be realistic...Colgan's future bread & butter is the Saab 340B. No larger planes or RJs coming for quite some time. Colgan is exploring the possibility of starting a 50 passenger turboprop fleet. Continental would like to see 50+ seat props but current scope clauses and contracts at Jetlink may prevent that. Saab 2000s are being mentioned but it will take Saab & the Feds 1 year minimum to certify the 2000 for FAR 25 & 121. RUMOR KILLER about any RJs, Dash 8-300/Q300/Q400s and ATR72s. Ain't gonna happen.

2 Separate Ops-TX CO Operation will be separate from current USAirways Operations. Dispatch/Crew Sched/Admin/Training/Headquarters stay in Manassas. Crew bases for the TX operation will start out @ IAH initially and will expand to the outstations. Tyler, TX will be Primary MX base. IAH will have line MX/small ops support staff (Inflight/Asst Chief Pilot/MX etc.). CO uniforms to be used in TX.

New Saab 340s-From Eagle & Saab. Rumor Killer...NO SAAB 340 "A's".

Pass Privileges/Jumpseating-CJC will have both CO/US pass privileges. USAirways has the better deal on that. Colgan already has a Jumpseat agreement with CAL.

TS

 

[Sticky]

Wow, Colgan is hiring! Great! Just think, now we can add 40 more pilot careers starting at dog$hit wages. Well heck, you get to wear the cool uniform, right? Love to see the bottom feeding companies expand while others fail trying to earn a respectable and livable pay. I for one would never and will never be apart of this downward spiral.

 

[T-Gates]

Love to see the bottom feeding companies expand while others fail trying to earn a respectable and livable pay. I for one would never and will never be apart of this downward spiral.

Exactly what other regionals have "respectable and liveable pay" in the first year? Especially flying turboprop equip?

 

[I.P. Freley]

Exactly what other regionals have "respectable and liveable pay" in the first year? Especially flying turboprop equip?

I'm sure the goateed guy with 1700TT in Pipers and Cessnas will tell us any second now...

 

[BRA]

Dude if that actually is a picture of yourself....we want you as a street captain/checkairman. Bring your friends too!Hats may be optional on the CO side of the house.

 

[getout]

Bottom feeder? What is that? A company that can operate without a scope cluase or union up its ass. A company that makes money. The downward spiral happend when pilots started flying RJ's instead of 737's. But now the industry just found out that they can know longer charge anuff to put gas in a RJ and make money. So I guess the bottom feeders get to expand. And how does a guy flyin a 310 call anyone a bottom feeder? Go back to flight instructing

 

[sgu]

do not get comfortable

This deal is reviewable after one year. Continental still will have the chance to kick colgan to the curb after the 1st year. If it can happen to SKYW then it can happen to colgan.

 

[Sticky]

You guys never cease to amaze me. Let’s see...where to begin...



T-Gates: First year? Tell me again the pay at Colgan after 5 years? Even that is below a true professionals pay. Even a little piston driver like me knows that.



I.P. Freley: You think it requires flight time to be knowledgeable enough to have an opinion of the industry? Let me guess, it's exactly the hours you have, huh? So, in others words, a pilot with 10,000 hours can correct you because your time is only half of his/hers? Of course, since you have never flown, and probably never will fly a 747 for a major airline, you cannot comment on the state of major airlines? Get over yourself.



BRA: Finally, a sense of humor. Of course that’s not me! Just like everyone else, I use pictures or stills from videos that I come across as my avatar. If that was me, think I'd have a chance at COEX? Seems like I'd fit right in! Just kidding COEX folks!



Getout: AH...the classic tunnel vision pilot. Although you are correct with your RJs instead of 737s statement, it is possible to apply the "downward spiral" in terms of overall pilot pay. Why does the type of aircraft I fly affect my creditability? I have news for you bud, there is more is the pilot career other than CFI, regional and major. In fact, I only have 50 hours dual given. I hated CFIing. It took alittle bit of investigating, but found an alternate path. Now I'm only one of about 150 pilots in the country qualified by research companies to fly their equipment for production as well as processing data. So, you calling me a bottom feeder because of your assumption of the C310 job couldn't be further from the truth.



Guys, why do you attack someone who refuses to contribute to the problems in the airline industry?

 

[Kaman]

If you aren't going to contribute your professional skills to the airline profession. I think you would be better off keeping your uninformed opinions to yourself. I think that Colgan compares better than a few regionals for pay and benefits for the first few years.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[ilkwamh2]

I think people need to realize that things are changing and stop complaining about the low wages. If you don't like the low wages, then quit and find another job. Don't accept the job knowing you get paid like crap and then complain. The airlines are not profitable because everyone provides the same service and there's very little differentiation. Basically there's a price war going on out there and no one will win. Colgan can provide the same service as SKyW, and if Colgan can do it cheaper, then I'd do the same if I was CAL, it's a pure business decision. But if SkyW can differentiate itself from Colgan, and that differentiation has value, then it might be worth it to stay with them. The worst thing that happend in aviation was when the government deregulated the airlines in the 1970s. Instead of giving these loans to "save" the airlines, they need to come back and regulate this industry.

-W

 

[chperplt]

I actually think Colgan is the highest paying turboprop operator...

 

[I.P. Freley]

If you're talking about Saab rates, Colgan is not the highest-paying turboprop operator. I don't know who IS, but Mesaba (to name one) pays more per seat per year than Colgan... unless airlinepilotpay.com is lying.

 

[Sticky]

Kaman- Are you saying that since I don't have airline experience, I can't comment on the pay scales? I'd understand your point if I was complaining about the pilot seat in RJ, because I've never flown one. Isn't this alot different though?

 

[dkwid]

I actually think Colgan is the highest paying turboprop operator...

You're just joking...yes?

Although Colgan pay is not terrible. They are not near the top of the turpoprop pay in the industry. Additionally, they have no match on their 401K..and of course no retirement plan (few do). My guess, based on lack of other benifits is that their medical is mediocre at best.

 

[I.P. Freley]

What was I thinking??

You guys never cease to amaze me.

Ditto. Your "opinion" means little or nothing to most people who post and read here, especially since that "opinion" is nothing more than a flame. We've seen this mindless "lowering the bar" doo-doo a thousand times before, so don't be surprised that you get the ol' pile-on.

Let me guess, it's exactly the hours you have, huh?

Careful, your Sense of Inadequacy is showing...

So, in others words, a pilot with 10,000 hours can correct you because your time is only half of his/hers?

Of course that's not what I'm saying, you doofus. My point is that your professed level of experience, and what you profess to fly, indicates you aren't in the airline biz... And therefore your spouting off about "bottom feeding" and "the downward spiral" is coming from the keyboard of someone who has no direct involvement in airline flying. You are flinging insults yet have no reason to. This is not an "opinion" as you call it, it's flinging invectives, hoping for a fight... When, since you are not in the airlines, this development with Colgan has no effect on your line of flying.

And when you GET that fight, you get your nipples in a twist. Figures...

Of course, since you have never flown, and probably never will fly a 747 for a major airline, you cannot comment on the state of major airlines?

I "comment" on the state of the major airlines. I don't insert myself in major airline threads calling JetBlue "whores", for instance. I don't feel the need to jump on the bandwagon and flail away at CHQ for their contract, at USAir for stealing my tax dollars to stay in business, FedEx for stealing the mail contract from Kitty Hawk, just to bring up a few classic topics from various threads over the years about companies of all sizes.

Your "comment" included slams on Colgan's wages, insinuated they are just jerks who want a uniform, called them "bottom feeders", etc. If you don't see the difference between a "comment" and "flame bait".... Never mind, you know full well what I'm talking about.

Clearly you read enough threads around here to get the lingo down, just waiting for the perfect time to pop up with your oh-so-clever, oh-so-fresh comments. I, for one, am bowled over by your expansive wit.

Get over yourself.

I'll try to do that. Now look in the mirror and try the same.

BRA: Finally, a sense of humor.

Ahhhh! NOW I see! You were supposed to be FUNNY!!

I wonder why anyone would have thought different? Now you're bowling me over with your unbounded humor!

Now I'm only one of about 150 pilots in the country qualified by research companies to fly their equipment for production as well as processing data. So, you calling me a bottom feeder because of your assumption of the C310 job couldn't be further from the truth.

OMG!! Hey, everybody, now we have one of the 150 greatest pilots in the world on this message board! Remember... Flying for a research company is NOT bottom-feeding, but Colgan is!

Guys, why do you attack someone who refuses to contribute to the problems in the airline industry?

Now I REALLY understand. You are actually BETTER THAN ALL OF US, because you were too smart to go the airline route. Lord knows none of us could ever figure out how to fly for a research company "to fly their equipment for production as well as processing data"... Only 150 people in the country are qualified to do that, and we all know that Colgan pilots especially couldn't do it.

Again, I wonder why you would give a rat's ass about Colgan or its' pay scale, when you are too smart to go into airlines yourself?

Now why don't you take your own advice, which in case you forgot, was:

Get over yourself.

Have a nice day.

 

[Jet Skiing]

In regards to the original statement....How comfortable is the Saab cockpit jumpseat? For those of us hoping to catch a ride from one of these no name TX cities to IAH, is the Saab cockpit j/s more or less comfortable? thanks

 

[getout]

It sucks!!! On the AE ones the company bought if you can raise your knees over your head you should be fine. The good news is if you can do that there is another career for you

 

[getout]

Ah, ah, ah.....

Edited because of just a plain lack of style, class and substance.

 

[I.P. Freley]

How comfortable is the Saab cockpit jumpseat?

As getout said, it sucks. BAD. I've ridden in that jumpseat around 60 or 70 times, and every time is torture.

Imagine a 1/2-inch layer of foam over a 20"X15" metal plate and you get the idea.

 

[Sticky]

Oh my good Lord. You know, we could spout out names to each other until we're blue in the face like some grade school kids. The only reason I brought up the flying I do is because of the rude comments about my experience. I certainly don't think I'm smarter or better then any other pilot. In fact, if you read some of my other posts, you'll see that. Of course most pilots could do exactly the same thing I do. Believe it or not, thats part of my point. Very few people look into other areas of aviation.

 

[Sticky]

Go fly your 310 JackA$$ and until you can tell us about your fight with scheduling, crew plan and the owners. Your last Sim ride at flight safety with a half baked Operator or your crash pad, just shut up. Oh know just go take your own life

Now thats a new low. Really unbelievable, almost speechless. Your ignorance is astonishing.

 

[getout]

Now thats a new low. Really unbelievable, almost speechless. Your ignorance is astonishing.

you Have not spent alot time on this. Cuase I can assure it gets worse. Now go back and fly your 310 and wonder what it will be like

 

[I.P. Freley]

The only reason I brought up the flying I do is because of the rude comments about my experience.

The only reason you got to hear rude comments about your experience is because YOU made rude comments about a company, and a whole segment of this great poo-poo sandwich known as professional aviation, when you're not involved with either and apparently aren't affected at all by this Colgan deal or what they pay their pilots. Otherwise, noone would probably think particularly well or particularly badly about what it is that you DO fly for a paycheck, or how many hours you have.

Ya dig?

 

[Sticky]

you Have not spent alot time on this. Cuase I can assure it gets worse. Now go back and fly your 310 and wonder what it will be like

HAH..you fly a Saab and you think you're that much better then me? Hey..if thats what allows you sleep at night. At least I truely don't think I better then ANY pilot. I just question the decisions they make.

 

[getout]

The only reason you got to hear rude comments about your experience is because YOU made rude comments about a company, and a whole segment of this great poo-poo sandwich known as professional aviation, when you're not involved with either and apparently aren't affected at all by this Colgan deal or what they pay their pilots. Otherwise, noone would probably think particularly well or particularly badly about what it is that you DO fly for a paycheck, or how many hours you have.

Ya dig?

I love the screen name and the post. Can you be my chief pilot

 

[I.P. Freley]

At least I truely don't think I better then ANY pilot. I just question the decisions they make.

And that, dear Sticky, is why you are a raving hypocrite. Since you didn't make the decision to go 121 (because you were smart enough to find "an alternate path"), since you "refuse to contribute" to the "problems" in the airlines, you clearly think you are better than those who work for "bottom feeders" (your term, not ours)... At the same time trumpeting how your survey job is so f****** hard to do that only 150 people in the whole U-S-of-A do it and pooh-poohing a Saab driver. You know, a Saab-driving idiot who wasn't smart enough to have the Oracle find him "an alternate path" and is contributing to "this downward spiral".

Why is it that I feel like I'm on Candid Camera? You DO realize how full of sh1t you are, right?

In the future, you might recognize that your ability to make a contribution (or as you call it, a "comment") on regional flying would be immeasurably helped by your having actual experience in regional flying. Otherwise you look like a troll, which by any definition you ARE. Parroting the "lowering the bar" nonsense hits your credibility like a 120mm shell when everyone realizes you have no stake in this end of the business.

 

[tittyjet]

GRRRREAT...Colgan and TX, LA TRWs just in time for spring...this should make for some fun conversations between dispatch and captains. Those are your kind of folks down in the bayou, Tone; you'll have a blast.

Can someone PM me Moberly's email address, or number?

 

[Turbojet23]

For crews going to TX, word has it that you will be there a minimum of 1 year if you come over from the USAirways side before they let ya go back. Dispatch/Crew Sched/Admin/Training/Headquarters will stay in Manassas. Crew bases for the TX operation will start out with IAH initially and will expand to the outstations just like we're doing now. Tyler, TX has been selected as the Primary MX base. IAH will have line MX and a small operations support staff their (Inflight/Asst Chief Pilot/MX etc.).

Other city pairs from IAH to include Shreveport/Monroe/Alexandria/Lake Charles LA and Victoria/San Angelo/Killeen/Beaumont/Waco/College Station TX.

Has anybody spent any time in these places? What outstations would make a decent place to spend your nights?

I am trying to decide weather or not I would make the jump from the Northeast to the deep South. Although upgrade might eventually dictate that.

 

[JetLinkin Park]

Has anybody spent any time in these places? What outstations would make a decent place to spend your nights?

Turbo,

I've have been to all repeatedly. Unfortunately, they are about as bad as it gets. Corpus being the best of bunch. A few are down-right depressing, San Angelo and Killeen come to mind. Aside from discounted hotel food and the occasional happy hour- there's nothing to get excited about.

Monroe- Mall by airport
Corpus- College town, tolerable on occasion
Waco- Crickets (literally)- a ton of them
San Angelo- Desert wasteland
Killeen- Can you say "La Quinta"; I've also got a story about a cockroach
Victoria- Stand up overnight
I must have blocked out the others from memory.

If you get the upgrade to do it- that's a different story.

Good Luck.

 

[Kaman]

Hello,

By looking at the list of COEX destinations I think that the loads will be pretty heavy on many of those flights. I say this, because many of these cities have a large military base. ex: Kileen (Ft. Hood, largest US Army base), Shreveport (Barksdale AFB, B-52 base and 8th AF HQ), etc...As for me I hate the heat down here and will stay in the hills!

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead