Colgan ??

[brew3departure]

Just a thought...

Yikes, Houston, Abilene, Tyler, Shreveport - I'd much rather be there than Altoona (?!!) or Presque Isle. Yikes. Didn't realize you had that many bases in the Northeast. Air Midwest must have all the crew bases that Colgan doesn't - right?

Good luck,
-brew3

 

[ShyFlyGuy]

Check here.

http://www.colganair.com/co-routes.htm

Sweet swirling onion rings, that's much better than mine. Who'da thought they already had it up on the website.

Seperate question...

Can anyone give an example of their schedule, days on/off, consecutive days off, commuting to work (where to/from) stuff like that? Much thanks.

Shy

 

[TheBigH]

I don't want to be stuck in the right seat for a year, is there a possibility of upgrading into the 1900 sooner? I'd take a type in either, but I assume the 1900 would be quicker.

AFFIRMATIVE, it's under a year on the Beech right now. Saab will be year and a half to two years probably unless we get a gazillion more Saabs.

Can anyone give an example of their schedule, days on/off, consecutive days off, commuting to work (where to/from) stuff like that? Much thanks.

Between 12-16 days off, depends on how they build the lines, usually 3-4 on and 3-4 off, we feed hubs so you can usually commute to/from work, if you make good trip trades and with some luck you can sometimes commute on the day you start working and go home on your last day, but that's more the exception than the rule.

 

[BSkin]

Between 12-16 days off, depends on how they build the lines, usually 3-4 on and 3-4 off.

Come on now, no way that schedule is the norm for the majority there. Unless, since I was there, Dot finally saw the light bulb and figured out how to make a better schedule. If that's the case, it's a long time coming, if not, I wouldn't tell folks that that's the type of schedule to expect if they come, even if that is your present type of schedule. From '02-'04 I saw every different type of scheduling setup you ever want to see, and not just mine. Luckily, I drove to where I worked in the NE, but I saw commuters get f-ed all the time. 2 on - 2 off ; 3 on - 2 off; 4 on 1 off,then 2 more on. I could go on and on. She does try, I'll give her that (barely), but with the COEX stuff soon happening, I hope you guys have someone in there that knows what they're doing.

 

[BRA]

BSkin, that picture has been giving me nightmares this past week!

 

[TheBigH]

BSkin, that picture has been giving me nightmares this past week!

I think that's what Colgan pilots end up looking like when they leave after years of built up evil ....


BSkin, "usually" may not have been the best word, but it's been mostly the case as far as I've seen. In some cases I've ended up with 5 and even 6 days off in a row, then again I've also had to work 5 or 6 days in a row. There have been some great months for some lines when there are long days but problems arose with timing out and such so now a lot of the lines are getting split or changed. Not perfect but it's not horrible either.

As far as IAH, I hope Dot either grows another head or they hire someone else to take care of their schedules. Otherwise we'll all end up with 1 on and 1 off for the entire year ...

 

[BSkin]

I think that's what Colgan pilots end up looking like when they leave after years of built up evil ....

As far as IAH, I hope Dot either grows another head or they hire someone else to take care of their schedules. Otherwise we'll all end up with 1 on and 1 off for the entire year ...

It was worse, I'm getting better!

But, BRA, my guy would've gotten along well with your guy. Too bad mine's dead and your's might as well be. Idol rocked when I was in high school. Nothing like going on a first or second date, blaring Rebel Yell. My avatar, if you don't know it, is a piece of the movie poster from Apocolypse Now -- had to downsize it to fit the size requirements (wish I could say that in other situations).

BigH, a litlle history on CJC scheduling. I first got to CJC in spring 2000, based in AUG and never had crap schedules. After 4-5 mos I went to upgrade (came in prior military w/2000 ME and 1000 PIC). Never had crap schedules after upgrading (1 mo. in PWM, then back to AUG). Soon after that, they were expanding with the SAABs, going over 200 pilots, and decided to try outsourcing the scheduling to people "trained" to do such. If I recall correctly, that worked for one month. The lines were fair to everyone but the senior Beech boys in Maine, and maybe some of the senior boys elsewhere, but it was more of a "real" airline schedule -- not MA&PA company that wants to treat the senior guys "special". Well, these senior boys got pissed and it went back to Dot. Sure, senior people deserve their due, but in my short experince at Airtran so far, has shown me that noone, including the most senior people, are exempt from working when they wouldn't like to (except maybe senior check airmen).

What is about to happen is beyond Dot's scheduling capability, even with Valerie's help. It will be a rough next couple of months (except for those senior beech dudes in ME)

 

[psysicx]

Is it possible to commute on the Beech?

 

[Kaman]

Scheduling at Colgan is like that line from "Forrest Gump". You look at the bid package and as the month progresses, you never know what you're gonna get. Overall, I am happy with the schedules that I have, but I live within driving range of my base. I've never had less than 12 days off a month, and only a few scattered reserve days. If you are going to the Beech, and can get into the bases in the south (SHD and BKW). Quality of life, schedules, cost of living, etc... is good.
I think this summer is going to be a scheduling nightmare for the SAAB crews until dust settles. Like anything new there is going to be growing pains and the IAH operation is no exception.
Latest rumor is that we will be going back up to 14 Beech lines from the current 9. Where the new Beech bases will be is an unknown. Could it be we will be picking up some Air Midwest EAS flying out of PIT. Logic would tell me that it would be good business decision on Colgan's part to seek out a "cash cow".
Upgrades are as quick as you have the time and recommendation. 2000/500 is the current numbers for the Beech and last four upgraded Beech F.O.s all had less than 12 months in the company. Unsure on the SAAB, but upgrades will be steady there as well as transitions and people departing for greener pastures.

Regards,

Ex-Navy Rotorhead

What do you say we do the "Southern Exposure Visual to 23 today?"

 

[TheBigH]

Is it possible to commute on the Beech?

INDEED

 

[English]

I just saw an advertisement Colgan placed for a new Director of Ops. What's up with that?

 

[chperplt]

I just saw an advertisement Colgan placed for a new Director of Ops. What's up with that?

The FAA... that's what's up with that.

 

[TheBigH]

I just saw an advertisement Colgan placed for a new Director of Ops. What's up with that?

Several of those new management positions are for Houston. That operation is going to be very independent of the rest of Colgan ops.

 

[chperplt]

Sorry big H.. can't spin this one away.

Unless TX will be a completely seperate company on a completely seperate certificate, you can only have one DO. Donnie a go go.

 

[Godfather]

New DO opening

I just saw an advertisement Colgan placed for a new Director of Ops. What's up with that?

Word from the CJC world Kremlin HQ is that a new DO position is opening up. DN stay stay. Feds want this DO position in. Been in works for some time now and it will be filled by someone already here. The new Asst. CP post has been filled too.

 

[English]

The new Asst. CP post has been filled too.

Was this EG? Is she still there? Or is a position in HOU?

 

[TheBigH]

Sorry big H.. can't spin this one away.

Unless TX will be a completely seperate company on a completely seperate certificate, you can only have one DO. Donnie a go go.

I see, thanks.

 

[Godfather]

Was this EG? Is she still there? Or is a position in HOU?

Word is EG is outta here headed somewhere else. There is suppose to be a new Asst. CP in MNZ and a new Regional CP in Texas. THe New DO position will over see day to day ops and report directly to DN and it's not DR!

 

[GWardMD11]

DO position

Is there a website to see or apply for that position? I know someone that's interested in it. Where is the current DO going?

 

[Godfather]

Is there a website to see or apply for that position? I know someone that's interested in it. Where is the current DO going?

I think's it at www.climbto350.com in the members only section. Our current DO is actually VP Ops. He's not going anywhere. This is a new position that will be in Manassas thanks to Eddie the Feddie. Chper is right just one certificate separate ops like CHQ TSA and Mesa.

 

[ShyFlyGuy]

Is there a website to see or apply for that position? I know someone that's interested in it...

Ah, the infamous "friend". I've got a "friend" who is looking to smuggle viagra from Canada for his erectile disfunction... Probibally the same "friend"... nudge-nudge, wink-wink, nod-nod.

Shy

 

[BRA]

my "friends" anus is sore after this past week of equipment problems. He said.

 

[Godfather]

Anus????

my "friends" anus is sore after this past week of equipment problems. He said.

the way things went this week, my whole bod is broke sore and in traction needing some viagra from Canada just to get out of bed. You'll love this one....DR said that my plane would be fixed in 30 minutes the other day during the BIG SNOW.......6 hours later........but the good news is your ferrying a plane to Texas when you get off after your 14 hour duty day. It never ends.

 

[YMICFI]

BRA'S "Friend's" anus

BRA- My "friend's" anus is also hurting. It was a bad week on the Beech to say the least. I have never had so many problems with multiple aircraft in a week's worth of flying. I was able to escape for a while, thank God!

 

[TheBigH]

BRA- My "friend's" anus is also hurting. It was a bad week on the Beech to say the least. I have never had so many problems with multiple aircraft in a week's worth of flying. I was able to escape for a while, thank God!

At least now I know it wasn't just a select few of us that got the big shaft all dry with no lube these past couple of weeks ....

you know things have gone down the tubes and around the corner when scheduling tells you will all seriousness "guess you're getting screwed again today" .......


living da dream fellas, just livin the dream ...

 

[Kaman]

It's going to be a long summer guys...

 

[Island Hopper]

I met with one of the Colgan pilots in Florida this past week and he told me that after you transition to the saab your QOL increases 10 fold. Personally I have been waiting 4 1/2 years to upgrade in a d-8, and it sounds like colgan has a great oppurtunity to get that all important PIC time. I got my papers in with them and if I get the call the colgan folks will definitly have a happy pilot.

 

[Kaman]

Island Hopper,

I can't speak for the folks flying the SAAB, but it appears that they have pretty good schedules/block time. The ORF crews in particular have a pretty good deal over there. You either fly 2 LGA turns in the AM or 2 in the PM. Not to mention the fact that Virginia Beach is nearby.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[TheBigH]

Island Hopper,
The ORF crews in particular have a pretty good deal over there.

only problem is you have to sell your soul to the evil one to get a captain slot in ORF ...

I too have heard that QOL does get better in the Swedish love machine ... especially if you get to fly one of those freshly painted Captain America saabs, saw it at LGA today, pretty snazzy .... wink wink

 

[Kaman]

Hello,
Yeah, I saw LVS in the hangar at HEF a couple of weeks ago. Airplane is one of two that they picked up from an airline in Mexico. Anyone heard anything more on the SAAB 2000 rumor?

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead