Great Lakes Airlines?

[Can8dn]

We are doing everything but MKE and ABQ out of Denver. All of the STL trips now leave out of Denver fly out there for 2-3 days and return back to Denver. The only TDY they are doing now is ABQ out of Denver and MKE out of St. Louis.

 

[CX880]

Wow, that's amazing looking at that route map. I can't imagine them scheduling all those runs out of DEN. So you actually get to stay in a hotel at the end of the day, that must be nice especially since you're flying a Beech.

 

[7574EVER]

The process has not gotten any easier though and there is a high wash rate in upgrade. Only "street ca's" on property right now are returning lakers on furlough.

So what happens when you "washout" of upgrade training. Are you on the street or do you simply return to your FO seat with a black mark on your record and a bruised ego?

 

[ePilot22]

http://www.readytocopy.com/

 

[Cardinal]

I think Frontier is the only airline that flys A318s here.

Nice to see somebody paying attention.

So what happens when you "washout" of upgrade training. Are you on the street or do you simply return to your FO seat with a black mark on your record and a bruised ego?

The real killer is the "pretest" which takes place just prior to beginning upgrade training and is a prerequisite. Fail this and you just return to the right seat the next day, with some stipulation that you can't try again for 6 months or whatever. This is where most fall down. The pretest is not a formal event to the feds and won't show up on a PRIA request.

Assuming some actual training took place and you were discontinued then you get dequaled, which requires a checkride to regain your FO seat. Obviously, it's very important to pass. Usually a 2 strikes you're out type of scenario. The discontinuance will be in your file.

 

[JSky26]

GLA and commuting

Anything new at Great Lakes lately? Are they still hiring? What's their commuter clause like? Would it be possible to commute out of ORD/MDW to one of their bases and still have a life?

 

[Can8dn]

Still hiring but we are starting to get a bit saturated with FO's it's possible to commute but our contract say something along the lines of having to get on 3 flights prior to the last flight that will get you there for your show time. Denver is pretty much our only base now with STL slowing down. If your on reserve you have 1:45 callout. So commuting on reserve would require a crash pad.

 

[Trogdor]

To clarify, the commuter clause at Lakes is basically useless unless you live in one of the cities Lakes serves and commute ON a Great Lakes flight. The contract does not protect commuters on any flights except for Great Lakes flights.

 

[JSky26]

What's going on the the MKE flying? Any plans for that to expand anymore or is that just a temporary thing? Any crews based out there?

 

[JoeBoy26]

I live 5 min. from MWA...we could commute out of there

 

[Cardinal]

What's going on the the MKE flying? Any plans for that to expand anymore or is that just a temporary thing? Any crews based out there?

We are doing everything but MKE and ABQ out of Denver. All of the STL trips now leave out of Denver fly out there for 2-3 days and return back to Denver. The only TDY they are doing now is ABQ out of Denver and MKE out of St. Louis.

Don't expect it to make sense.

 

[7574EVER]

I just faxed my stuff in today. How long does it usually take to hear something back?

 

[ALIMBO]

Dude do not sell yourself to that level.

 

[Can8dn]

What's going on the the MKE flying? Any plans for that to expand anymore or is that just a temporary thing? Any crews based out there?

Doesn't sound like anything else is happening but who knows. The MKE pilots right now are the only pilots who are based out of STL. They are out there on temporary displacement lines meaning they collect per diem the whole month. So most of the guys out there are there by choice.

 

[Can8dn]

I just faxed my stuff in today. How long does it usually take to hear something back?

If you have and Internal LOR it could be quick if you meet the hiring mins. If not it may take a bit longer we are getting pretty saturated on the FO front right now.

 

[7574EVER]

If you have and Internal LOR it could be quick if you meet the hiring mins. If not it may take a bit longer we are getting pretty saturated on the FO front right now.

No internal rec.; but, far above the mins. Maybe I'll give the HR department a call "just to make sure they got my fax."

 

[waveflyer]

Dude do not sell yourself to that level.

be careful- lakers are everywhere in this industry. and they're really god- damn good at what they do.

but to your point- Bush's nmb completely screwed those guys- and noone outside of lakes cared. There is a valid argument that lakes undercuts less b/c they are not taking away former mainline routes.
that argument can go round and round.

iow... don't talk about what you don't know.

 

[ALIMBO]

be careful- lakers are everywhere in this industry. and they're really god- damn good at what they do.

but to your point- Bush's nmb completely screwed those guys- and noone outside of lakes cared. There is a valid argument that lakes undercuts less b/c they are not taking away former mainline routes.
that argument can go round and round.

iow... don't talk about what you don't know.

Only said it because he has the times to get into some other outfits and I'd rather not see him make less than he should.

 

[waveflyer]

depends on the situation-- where are you career wise- if you need pic time- lakes seems like the spot... what rj operator can be counted on for upgrades these days? Once you get pic turbine time- then you can look into what opportunities are out there.
No matter what-- only advice is to make decisions LONG term, not short term.

 

[rod farva]

Five weeks of training with no pay, A $7500 training contract, Low FO pay for at least 300 hours before becoming a CA (probably 4 - 5 months)

...and a line out the door, around the corner, and down the street.