Great Lakes good or bad

[planejockey]

I am just curious if you guys think great lakes or even tran states are good airlines to work for.

 

[Dave Benjamin]

I've had a couple of FO's that used to work at Lakes. QOL sounded pretty crappy and the pay is very low. They do a lot of EAS. Seems like most people that go there do so in hopes of a quick upgrade to build PIC time. Some get stuck for a while. Others move on. Seems like F9 has picked up some of their guys. My advice is to try and get on somewhere that won't be a bad place if you're still there in 5 years. Others will disagree. I'm happy with the choice I made 5.5 years ago. Luck plays a large role.

I haven't flown with anyone from TSA but some of the guys I work with used to work there. Right now I'm not sure how bright their future is given the situation with G0-Jets. Another posted shared a link to the recent NMB decision in which ALPA's single carrier petition was denied. Some current TSA pilots will have better info for you.

Judging by your profile it looks like you've got less than 500 hours. You could just work on building time so you can get on with a decent regional or take any offer that comes along and then try to get on with a better airline. I know Lakes has fairly low minimums and I'm pretty sure Mesa does as well. It's all a matter of how much crap you want to put up with. If you're young and single you might not be too picky. Ultimately you need to decide what's right for you. None of us on this board know you well enough to do much more than throw out free advice which may be worth exactly what you paid.

Good luck.

 

[Batplane]

I flew for Lakes ten years ago on the 1900 and I was able to log over 500 hours in six months (then I got furloughed). I was able to use that time to get a job at a commuter with better QOL and slightly better pay. Lakes is a good time and experience builder so don't expect a lot, have some fun and move on. Good luck with your career.

 

[Guitar Guy]

I can't comment on Trans States, but I did fly for Lakes for 4 years. The pay is incredibly low and sometimes the junior-manning (involuntary, reverse-seniority manning) gets out of hand. But if you go into Lakes with realistic expectations, you will likely upgrade more quickly there than about any other place in the 121 world. And given that their 1900's don't have autopilots, you WILL develop a scan, which will come in handy not only on line but also in interview sims. You'll also get exposure to a lot of operating environments that other people may not, such as moutainous airports, high-density altitude operations and cold-weather flying (WY gets darn cold in the winter).

As has been hinted at previously in this thread, pilots have made the jump from Lakes to a lot of quality places, both inside and outside the 121 world.

Bottom line: if you go in with realistic expectations, you'll likely build up hours quickly, upgrade and move on. I must say that you'll find a lot of characters at GLA and make a lot of good friends along the way.

 

[propjob27]

Here's the deal with Lakes:

Back when I was there (1999), you had basically two kinds of pilots:

Type One, stayed 5 or 6 months, got just under 500 SIC turbine, and then quit for a better regional (SkyWest, ASA, ACA, Horizon, Eagle, etc).

Type Two, hung it in there, upgraded in 5 to 6 months, stayed another year after that to get 1000 PIC turbine and then try for United, American, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, FedEX, UPS. (Everyone was hiring back then)

I chose to quit after 6 months and went to SkyWest. I've bounced around quite a few airlines, Lakes, SkyWest, ATA, Continental, and finally FedEX.

Do NOT go to Lakes expecting it to be a good place to work. It's NOT. Go there expecting to rack up some turbine time, and have your sights set on another commuter airline from the 1st day you finish IOE. Or, if you're the second type of guy, upgrade as soon as you can, get some PIC turbine and try for something more ambitious.

Bottom line, there are a lot of ex-lakers all over this industry, many of us now have decent jobs. But it's not a great place to work. Good pilot group though....

 

[JJs Cantina]

Lakes has its ups and its downs. Now that Captain Dewald is gone im sure its a much better place. Atleast Lakes pilots should be getting to work more often anyway. (and I meant Dewald, not the other infamous one that rhymes starting with E)

 

[Guitar Guy]

Wow - why the vitriol towards one person?

 

[JJs Cantina]

Guitar Guy... hmmm.... as I remember, JD used to carry a guitar when he flew. (a cheap immitation fender as I recall) I'm bettin that you're him. How's it going? Been weight restricting people off your flights lately? Had any trash in your V file lately? LOSER. Everyone hated you at lakes, if I had known you were going to leave, I might have stayed.

 

[Cardinal]

Jesus....Guitar Guy wasn't universally hated, and there wasn't a "thank god he's gone" party thrown. It'll be okay, GG And who hasn't benefitted from that comprehensive VNAV analysis of his?

 

[Cardinal]

And can you hold my Chai?

 

[planejockey]

I appreciate the help guys, I have put in my resume to both places and I am pretty sure I want to stay with them as long as possible not only to build the time but most importantly to build the experience. what kind of things should I do as an applicant to make myself look eager to get the job as I am?

 

[TheGreatChecko]

Is it true you have to pay for your Jepp charts? Or was that a scary pilot story told to pre-solo students....

GreatChecko

 

[Knob]

No, but occaisionally the pax have to pay for their own gas!

 

[B777]

Here's the deal with Lakes:

Back when I was there (1999), you had basically two kinds of pilots:

Type One, stayed 5 or 6 months, got just under 500 SIC turbine, and then quit for a better regional (SkyWest, ASA, ACA, Horizon, Eagle, etc).

Type Two, hung it in there, upgraded in 5 to 6 months, stayed another year after that to get 1000 PIC turbine and then try for United, American, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, FedEX, UPS. (Everyone was hiring back then)

I chose to quit after 6 months and went to SkyWest. I've bounced around quite a few airlines, Lakes, SkyWest, ATA, Continental, and finally FedEX.

Do NOT go to Lakes expecting it to be a good place to work. It's NOT. Go there expecting to rack up some turbine time, and have your sights set on another commuter airline from the 1st day you finish IOE. Or, if you're the second type of guy, upgrade as soon as you can, get some PIC turbine and try for something more ambitious.

Bottom line, there are a lot of ex-lakers all over this industry, many of us now have decent jobs. But it's not a great place to work. Good pilot group though....

What kind of uniform are you issued in freezing WY? Do they come with snow boots? and did you have to shuv snow? just kidding actually what I wanted to ask was about the interview process. Do you be honest with them and tell them I am looking to stay for 1 or 2 years and move on, or bullshit?

 

[propjob27]

What kind of uniform are you issued in freezing WY?

You aren't issued anything. You buy your own standard white shirts. You buy your own London Fog black trenchcoat. You buy your own black pants and black tie. I think they forced us to buy the hat, which not one person I knew ever put on, not even once. The only thing you are issued are the epaulets and silver shirt wings.

Do they come with snow boots?

You buy your own black boots or shoes.

Do you be honest with them and tell them I am looking to stay for 1 or 2 years and move on, or bullshoot?

Back then, yes, they wanted you to show some ambition. Jeff Davis asked us all during the interview, "Where do you see yourself in two years?" I said, "United". (this was 1998) Everyone else pretty much said the same thing. If you said you saw yourself still at Great Lakes, then you were not hired. They wanted an ambitious pilot who just wanted to put in some time and get the hell out of there. Great Lakes is not the kind of place you can stay more than two years and still keep your sanity. They know it, and they know you know it. Now, don't say you are going to quit for another commuter in 5 months (that was my plan). But yes, say you wan't your 1000 PIC turbine and then will try to move on.

 

[Ride Orange]

To be honest even with all the bitching and absolute lack of pay it was a cool place to fly. Fun flying and the best pilot group. Something about being sH#% on by MGMT that really makes people stick together. Lots of people there act unhappy but I bet none of them regret it. Besides, whats better than flying the Beech 1900D Super Luxury Liner. Thats the shiniest of all shiny planes (except for the hodge podge faded blue and gray painted over the logo UX colors).

 

[Cardinal]

Do you be honest with them and tell them I am looking to stay for 1 or 2 years and move on, or bullshoot?

In the post 9/11 environment, they asked me "where do you see yourself in 3 years?" My truthful answer was as "a captain at Great Lakes." "Good answer" was the reply, and they hired me. Just don't say Skywest, cause just mentioning the OO cult will get you booted from an interview in no time

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I think they asked me were I say myself in 2 years, I said capt at Lakes. Remember you are going to sign a 15 month training contract and they get pissed when people break it. I think Misty takes it personally when someone quits for something better, even if you have been there a while.

 

[Flyingdutchman]

Like the former Lakes CP (A.R.) once told me... "Only women fly for SKyWest, Real men work at Lakes" !

Funny crap. Great guy. He went too F9, good for him.

FD

 

[Guitar Guy]

EK had just become CP when I started ground school in 2000. He came into the class to introduce himself and his first words were, "I don't want to see any of you here in a year, two at the most." Interestingly, EK was gone a little over two months later himself.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

I just took a peek at their website.

Minimums are:

750 TT
50 ME

I bet it isnt hard to get hired there.

 

[planejockey]

I think so, I really would like to work for them.

 

[CFI2766]

I just took a peek at their website.

Minimums are:

750 TT
50 ME

I bet it isnt hard to get hired there.

If someone had slightly less tt(600), but 75ME, do you think I would have a chance of being called for interview, or do they strickly want 750tt? And whats the main reason people complain about working there besides pay, just very busy schedules, or something else? thanks

 

[Palmtree Pilot]

STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM TRANS STATES AS YOU CAN.

This place is turning into a sweat shop! All I've ever seen since 2000 is this pilot group getting railed year after year! Seriously do not start a 121 career at a hole like this. The Indian that run this company is the true poster child for their cheap ass cultural business values. I'm related to a guy from India, and when I tell him stories, he can't believe me.

You'd be better off flying 135; so that must mean Lakes must be better.

Bye the way I have no experience with Lakes, but I will tell not to go to HO JETS!!!!!!!!

PtP

P.S. your better off going to India and being an airline pilot, they are making a lot more money.

 

[rfa]

Seems to me that every Laker I talked to hated the pay and schedules, but overall they did not say "stay away!". I would compare it to boot camp I guess - you hate it when you are there, but laugh about the good times you spent there after you get out - hehe.

Heck, the money is about the same as instructing, so might as well fly a 1900 around, eh? ...but I'm more of a Scenic Airlines type myself though.

 

[Crossky]

Lakes has its ups and its downs. Now that Captain Dewald is gone im sure its a much better place. Atleast Lakes pilots should be getting to work more often anyway. (and I meant Dewald, not the other infamous one that rhymes starting with E)

BTW JJ where you at now? I'd like to know so I won't apply there. You showed real class naming and attacking a fellow Laker like that. So what if someone flew by the book and the rules, and you still have a grude because you missed your commute? Sound like you should've been a better schmoozer with the gate agents.

Just because someone wasn't cool enough or cowboy enough for you is no reason to flame him publicly. JD is a professional and Lakes is better to have had him. Grow up, please.

 

[ePilot22]

Lakes hiring times

If someone had slightly less tt(600), but 75ME, do you think I would have a chance of being called for interview, or do they strickly want 750tt? And whats the main reason people complain about working there besides pay, just very busy schedules, or something else? thanks

From what I've heard lately, Lakes has hired people with as low a 4XX TT and around 40ME. Some have a 1900 type rating. If you know a current pilot or can have your resume walked in, I believe you'll have a better chance of getting an interview.

Good luck.


eP.

 

[CMRaviator]

What is the upgrade forecast currently at Lakes? How many years?

 

[Uppercrust]

I think so, I really would like to work for them.

No you don't!

 

[commuterpuke]

Like all of us I wanted the uniform, to fly a cool jet as quick as possible, to feel equal to my friends, have hot chicks look at you during boarding while you flip switches and look cool, and all that other stuff