Colgan

[BRA]

I don't think the beeches are a whole lot older the 10 years? I think they are all around 1995 or so. I think IAH will get better with time, it is having a lot of growing pains. Overall, i think this company has only gotten better and better since i started here. IAH is probably causing the company to go backwords a little, but it will go forward again. It's nice not being completely under the usair umbrella, a few months ago I remember the big question around the company was "what if usair sinks, and when are we gonna get another code share?" I know in january a lot of people here were really watching the news for stuff on usair like hawks, i know i was.

 

[heywatchthis]

Well I'm over it. The only thing I really complain about is when the schedule gets bad. My schedule is my life. With a good schedule I think my QOL will be good. Thats all I am looking for right now, and I have hopes that when things get figured out in IAH, COLGAN will be a good deal for me.

All the people in IAH are great, so thats a bonus. If I could just get on schedulings good side. Hummmm. Not that its there fault, but I got to blame someone.

Keeping the fingers crossed.

 

[chperplt]

Originally Posted by Spitfire
About maintenance. Sure I've seen 6 stupid MELs, or even some stuff not get fixed coming out of a maintenance base. It's not that big a deal.

Dude,

You need to get your head out of Mikey Colgan's ass before you die. Do you realize the history of that MX department? Were you paying attention a few weeks ago when another SAAB lost an engine.

With that mentality, I feel bad for all your passengers as you'll obviously accept a sub par aircraft because it's not that big a deal....
.

 

[HughBeamont]

There is no doubt that Colgan is going through some major growing pains, and they like to share the pain with as many people as possible.

I can't speak about the Saab side of the operation, but currently they are short Beech FOs. So the Beech FOs get the shaft - less days off, changed schedules, etc. Not having work rules gives the company great flexibility at the expense of the pilots.

To a large extent, outstation basing causes the majority of misery at Colgan. If someone calls in sick in the afternoon, the morning crew keeps working (since it's extremely unlikely that anyone at the base is on reserve). If you have a check airman at your base, you'll be pulled off the schedule, put on reserve. And the aircraft maintenace suffers greatly, as they only see maintenance bases infrequently. This last point screws not only Colgan employees (who expect a certain level of screwing), but our flying customers.

 

[dh82dvr]

surely it depends what the mels are right?

i've seen long lists of every possible cabin and cockpit light...big deal.

at the end of the day you are the one who decides if the thing is good to go. If you are right you are right, but you need to know your stuff and back yourself up.

Just remember, its your ticket and you worked hard to get it. Don't subsidise any airline be it Colgan, southwest or whatever with it.

 

[tuna pimp]

Just curious...how difficult is it to get the base that you want? This outstation base system is pretty different to most carriers.

I live in ATL so a base somewhere up in Maine would obviously be problematic however Augusta is just a chip shot away for me.

 

[Spitfire]

Of course it matters what the MELs are. If it's cabin lighting or some basic cockpit lighting then big deal. If it's bigger and more important, then I'd deal with it and consider NOT Flying. Don't think for one second that my head is up a Colgan rear-end, nor think that I'm willing to fly just anything. But if I pick up an airplane at a maintenance base with 3 MELs still on it and they're all pretty benign, then it's just not that big a deal.
Basing planes at the outstations is definitely part of the equation.Maintenance isn't always on top of every little tiny thing, but this is no Southwest, and I've yet to be asked to fly anything even remotely unsafe.

 

[MECH]

If you look at Continental's current hiring practices you will see that they are hiring pilots from the right seat of a CL-65 or EMB -145. They are not hiring to many turbo prop captains.

This might change in the future!

There is no promise of going any where after you get the majic 1000 hours PIC. So I would only look at companies that I could retire at. Hopefully I will be able to move on. But if not, I do work for a company that will provide a good career.

 

[JATAGA]

I live in ATL so a base somewhere up in Maine would obviously be problematic however Augusta is just a chip shot away for me.[/QUOTE]

You do know thats Augusta ME?

The bottom line is you get based where they need you. I don't think its the norm to get the base you want until you can bid into it.

 

[tuna pimp]

Yikes! A bit more than a chip shot...I thought maybe Colgan was doing some 1900 flying for USAirways from CLT or something. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[BSkin]

Yikes! A bit more than a chip shot...I thought maybe Colgan was doing some 1900 flying for USAirways from CLT or something. Thanks for clearing that up.

No worries, the Augusta Country Club (in ME) is pretty sweet, though only open about 5 months (if that) out of the year.

 

[beechcowboy]

2 WORDS for everyone....Scott and Steve...

Once again my casino faring brother, you have nailed it on the head. Any plans for a 2 year memorium for our brothers in the sky? It's hard to believe it's been 2 years and MX still doesn't get it.

Amen, I'm glad someone will say it out loud. MX so quickly forgets, and so it seems, do the Colgans.

 

[scott's girl]

Thanks

Thanks everyone for not forgetting about Scott and Steve. Remember them always.

Lisa

 

[Thurman Merman]

Not that bad....

There is a world of difference between the Saab and Beech crews, though that difference seems to be diminishing somewhat. The Beech crews get screwed a lot more since Colgan treats them like a 135 operation. As for the Saab it depends on where your at and the standing in the company. As an FO it didn't take long until I had good lines with no less than 80 hours with weekends off. This was with a lot of attrition and I became a senoir FO rather quickly.

Now as a Captain I've had my fair share of headaches with the new idiots they have answering phones, because they have not earned the right to be called dispatchers or schedulers. Since in the left seat I have not flown less than 90 hours with days off ranging from 13-17. I am single so I don't mind picking up open time. Keep in mind this is a relatively small company still so you can make an impression. I have helped out scheduling and saved their butts on a few occasions and they have repaid the favor. The reverse is also true, if your a problem, upgrade will not come as quickly and Brink will call. In the past I've been able to put on a bid sheet I need a day off and sure enough I get it the following month's schedule. You do have open Mel's a lot and you also have to get creative to get a day done on time. "Home early and overblock" is a good motto.

Obviously you have to remember this is a business and Colgan will screw you in order to get the job done. 34 passengers do not care if you just flew 5 days in a row with this being your 6. It all depends on perspective If you get a good base with good flight time for everybody then you'll build hours for upgrade and get a decent paycheck. If your single then why not work on your days off to get more experience, they will remember you as a go to guy but remember your days off are just that, "yours." Do not answer your phone if you don't want to work. If you do, be proactive, call up scheduling and ask for open time. If you do have to ferry to manassas turn it into a positive. Use it as an oportunity to talk to dispatch and crew shceduling face to face so next time you talk to them on the phone they can put a face to a name.

Before anybody brings out the whoop'n sticks this is only a microcosm of life at Colgan from one person, these are my views and no one elses. I am someone who enjoys my job and most people I fly with, even on a bad day I'm relaxed with a smile on my face. Yes it could be better, but it could be a heck of a lot worse as well. From time to time Colgan will do you wrong as they have with me and I have stood my ground knowing I was in the right. I did not do it in an obnoxious manner, so know how to deal with and treat people repectfully not subserviantly.

If you do get a base with anyting ending in ....town keep requesting a new base. And avoid being based at the mothership (HEF). It should also be said that I have not not been here 5+ years so I could be posting something with a little different tone in years to come if i am here.

 

[Tram]

Wow.. good thread..