Colgan

[Visceral]

Along with quite a few others, I got an offer to interview with Colgan last week. I got the good news, and I will be headed to TX for ground school in April. I've got just a few questions I can't seem to get answered via PMs, so I figured I'd throw it out to the Colgan masses.

1. Is all the SAAB training done in IAH?
2. Can you positive space any place while in training?
3. How much time do you get to move once you finish training?
4. What types of subjects are covered in Indoc? FARs?
5. Are there any study guides to get ahead of the game, or should I just wait?
6. When do buddy pass/family travel type privileges get granted? Is it based on date started groundschool, or date passed checkride?
7. Are the privileges worked out yet for the Continental side?

I'm sure I'll get all these questions answered in groundschool, but I'm trying to edumacate myself a little prior to getting there.

Many thanks for any help!

 

[Kaman]

Hello,

I'll see if I can answer your questions as best I can.

1. I think that most of the training is in Texas, but they have done it locally in Manassas (ground school) and used the sim in St. Louis.
2. Unless you are travelling on company business, they won't "must-ride" you, however, jumpseating from IAH to just about anywhere should do the trick to get you home.
3. I am not sure about the operation down in Texas, but after you complete training they give you 5 days off.
4. INDOC: A large portion of that is devoted to the FOPP (Flight Operations Policy & Procedures manual). This is the day-to-day, how you are supposed to do business. General, Ground, Flight, Dispatch, etc...not too exciting, but no less important than the airplane systems. In fact, I would rate it much higher, because not knowing the FOPP can get you onto trouble with the Feds and the company. Other topics covered during INDOC are TCAS II, EGPWS, CRM, Weather, etc...Some of the stuff is dry, but some is quite interesting. You also do an aircraft familiarization and egress/emergency equipment drill.
5. I wouldn't sweat the study guide thing, you are going to be better off learning what they want you learn vice wasting time on superfluous stuff. Relax as much as you can before you head down therw would be my advice.
6/7. Pass privileges begin almost immediatly for you and your family. It's free on USAirways. Not sure about Continental.
Training is a challenge, but it's also a rewarding time and you'll make some great freinds. The sim is humbling to say the least...Like one of our senior instructors said after his first encounter in the "box". He said, "I felt like burning his ATP certificate". I felt the same way too. It does come together though, and it really pays to work the "cardboard cockpit" with your sim partner as much as possible. Flows are the bread and butter of a professional airline pilot. They are designed to make your job easier and more efficient, but take practice to get them down. In a couple of months on the line it's like a lightbulb comes on. I'm not the brightest guy in the world, so if I can do it anyone can Remember, be humble, be professional and have fun!

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

ex-

 

[heywatchthis]

1. Is all the SAAB training done in IAH?
Some of it is. The March 17th class did INDOC and SYSTEMS there, and then sims are STL and IAH.

2. Can you positive space any place while in training?
NO, you can't positive space anywhere except from you home address to initial training and back when you done.

3. How much time do you get to move once you finish training?
NONE.. Maybe some, it depends. No set rule.

4. What types of subjects are covered in Indoc? FARs?
Far 91, 121, OPS SPECS, and Company procedures.

5. Are there any study guides to get ahead of the game, or should I just wait?
Not to much to prepare for. Just make sure you know how to fly instruments. They can teach you how to fly a SAAB or BEECH but no time to learn how to fly instruments.

6. When do buddy pass/family travel type privileges get granted? Is it based on date started groundschool, or date passed checkride?
Your seniority is based on date you get hired. Jumpseat privileges when you get your company ID (weeks), Family benefits take some time to get your card. I think 90days with Continental and 30days with USAir. You must choose one side, you don't get both. No buddy passes on Continental, only on Colgan and USAIR, if you fly on the USAir side.


7. Are the privileges worked out yet for the Continental side?
Jump yes, family yes, buddy no.

 

[Visceral]

Thanks for the information guys. As for the sim, I was humbled enough during the sim at the interview just trying to keep the dirty side down. You mean I've got to do flows and work abnormal and emergency procedures in there? From what I read from BRA, I should bring a few items to training to include a toothbrush and deodorant at a minimum. I'm excited to have the opportunity, and look forward to beginning training.

 

[TheBigH]

Thanks for the information guys. As for the sim, I was humbled enough during the sim at the interview just trying to keep the dirty side down. You mean I've got to do flows and work abnormal and emergency procedures in there? From what I read from BRA, I should bring a few items to training to include a toothbrush and deodorant at a minimum. I'm excited to have the opportunity, and look forward to beginning training.

Take an extra deodorant in case your roomie has a lapse of judgement ....

 

[BRA]

also dental floss and chapstick. Anything a hotel doesn't usually have. May be earplugs too if your roomate snores.