Great Lakes info?

[JetMonkey]

I don't see too much about them on this site. I got a buddy who I think might want to try them but I don't know much about the company anymore other than all the old negetive stuff from the past. Can anyone shed some new light on them? what's the environment like over there nowadays? work, mgt, upgrade times, do they still just operate the "mighty beeches"? what are their pilot bases. Thanks for any info...

 

[Cardinal]

A half dozen pretty junior people hired within the last year and a half were able to upgrade within 6 months. Plan on upgrade taking a year. No strike just yet, we haven't been released, who knows if we'll ever be released. You'll get at least 30 days notice, anyway Lakes is a lousy company, don't get me wrong, and they always turn up new ways to suck just a little bit more. Yet at the same time you can be happy here, especially if you have few external commitments, like a family. I like it, have fun, enjoy the flying, and the airplane (of course it has it's annoyances) but go to work expecting to be screwed, and am not dissapointed. The old-timers say that alot of things have improved operationally since 2001. If you plan on leaving inside 15 months, they'll hunt you down for the $7500 non pro-rata training contract. As far as prorities, if you put your QOL even a little bit ahead of fast-track career progression you'll be unhappy. If you don't mind an as$pounding for a few years, you'll love it. The people are great. 30 some Beeches, 5 Brasilias now after Mx blew up number 6.

DEN is the only base, maybe PHX in a few months but that will go dinosaur-senior and stay that way for a long time. We already have more PHX commuters than will ever be needed to staff the base. Prepare to be cold in winter, hot in the summer, get stupid comments from pax everyday on every flight, throw bags to get out on time and make your commute, be distrusted by mgmt, be the flight attendant b1tch, and get paid nothing. If that sounds like fun to you, well then come on home. I posted a pairing a while back in this thread: http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=44543

 

[psysicx]

I don't think that you could be more honest.

 

[crzepilot]

You're retarded, it is also known as Great Mistakes

 

[Cardinal]

Incidently, the Chief Pilot cruises these boards from time to time. Let it be known, lest any Lakers get too personal in the information they divulge. For example, I posted those pairings before they were awarded to anybody. Isn't this cloak 'n dagger stuff fun?

 

[JetMonkey]

Thanks for the info, mucho grass.

 

[Guitar Guy]

As a former Laker, I will say that you'll get a lot of valuable flying experience. I can't think of too many other regionals that fly as regularly into moutainous and high-altitude airports as Great Lakes. Also with no autopilots and most of the 1900D's not having a flight director on the F/O's side, you'll definitely learn to FLY.

If you can put up with the pay, it's a good place to work and build time. And with the small pilot group, you get to know your co-workers very well. You won't have that sort of comraderie at a bigger outfit.

 

[Cardinal]

Whats up, JD? Nice of you to join us. I trust your pastures are greener?