Great Lakes Training Contract?

[F9 Buff]

Anyone know if they are collecting on this or just sending letters to people to see if they pay willingly?

In years past I have heard they never came after some pilots while others reported that they got the letter but then never heard anything again, and then others were taken to court and had to pay it back.

Anyone have any info on the outcomes from recent times? I was under the impression that since they are not making new hires sign contracts anymore that all were thrown out even if they still had time remaining on them from last year.

 

[Flyin Tony]

Getting ready to leave?

 

[Lazy8]

I know folks that have got off clean...

I know folks that had police knocking on their door with a summons...

And I know folks that still got their gaurantee direct deposited 3 months after they quit.

roll the dice and have fun!

g

 

[texarkana]

Dude better companies are hiring!!!

 

[DoinTime]

You are always safe ignoring anyone's first attempt at communication.

 

[Trogdor]

Since when does Lakes not require new FO's to sign a training contract? Whoever told you that is wrong.

 

[Flex81]

Dude better companies are hiring!!!

this is true...

...that is, if he means companies that fly shiny RJ's and will require you to sit in the right seat for 2+ years. Then after you upgrade and start living on the $65/hr captain paycheck and the only major you can afford to go to is southwest because their first year pay is pretty good and you can't afford the paycut. So you finally make to southwest 5+ years later (if you're lucky) and your first captain after IOE is an ex Laker who went to southwest after 2-3 years and he is the same age as you.


The point is:

Different companies offer different advantages. For example...If your dad is a captain at southwest, FedEx, or any other airline that is a good place to work, then Great Lakes is probably the BEST company to work for because you get your time fast and get out (and you have connections to get you to that next level).

OR... flying an RJ might be in your best interests. You get paid more to do it. Your QOL is probably better. You will get more respect from non-pilots. You may have a wife and kids and you choose an RJ operator because it allows you to live at your domicile.

There are many different factors that go into this and "dude there are better places to work" is just a dumb statement... plain and simple.


Or maybe I got you all wrong and you meant your company that operates the ugliest plane known to man ...the SHORTS
Although it does kinda look like it's fun to fly

 

[Flex81]

Back to the original question, I would not go to lakes if you don't plan on upgrading and getting your 1000PIC. If you already work there, then I would stay at least until your contract is up. It may or may not cost you. But I don't think it will look good on a resume if you go there for 3-4 months and then jump ship (it shows a lack of loyalty).

Good luck

 

[Prop2Jet]

Why the heck would you fly there.... Everyone is hiring.... Don't sell yourself out.

 

[Trogdor]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the only people who bash Lakes are those who never worked there.

 

[CoAlpha]

met some lakes pilots, have one of my best friends there, that is a great guy with 2000+pic, and he can not get out. (prop pic in NOT as golden as turbofan time anymore, sorry to say, but its the truth)

I really think you should lets lakes die like MAG should be put to death (pilots excluded)

 

[flythere]

Since when does Lakes not require new FO's to sign a training contract? Whoever told you that is wrong.

Since atleast 2002, not sure how much longer before that!! Voss is a POS!!!

 

[AWACoff]

I worked at Lakes and I'll bash them all I want! On the other hand, it was dang fun flying there... It's a catch 22 if I ever saw one. I live for the day that D.S. gets junior manned on a day the C.P. promised him off so that he could attend a family member's funeral.

Once a Laker always a Laker!!!

 

[Flex81]

met some lakes pilots, have one of my best friends there, that is a great guy with 2000+pic, and he can not get out. (prop pic in NOT as golden as turbofan time anymore, sorry to say, but its the truth)

I really think you should lets lakes die like MAG should be put to death (pilots excluded)

Your friend may not be able to get out becuase he is an idiot/A**hole and nobody will write him a recommendation. Or he may just have bad luck too, who knows. Anyone can get out, it just depends on where they want to go. What sucks about Lakes is if you want to hold out for that dream job, you are making shi++y pay and they are JR manning your butt every other day while you are waiting.

Excluding Continnental and Jet Blue, I don't think Jet PIC is that more valuable than TP PIC, but that is your opinion.

 

[Flex81]

I worked at Lakes and I'll bash them all I want! On the other hand, it was dang fun flying there... It's a catch 22 if I ever saw one. I live for the day that D.S. gets junior manned on a day the C.P. promised him off so that he could attend a family member's funeral.

Once a Laker always a Laker!!!

Right on! I bash Lakes all the time but I am allowed to since I work there and have to put up with all the BS that goes on around here.

Once a Laker always a Laker!!!

 

[Prop2Jet]

No i will BASH them... You work for 15 bucks an hour... YOU ARE ALL SAD. YOU HAVE RUINED THE INDUSTRY BY TAKING THESE LOW PAYING JOBS....

 

[MALSR]

No i will BASH them... You work for 15 bucks an hour... YOU ARE ALL SAD. YOU HAVE RUINED THE INDUSTRY BY TAKING THESE LOW PAYING JOBS....

First of all, "alot" is not a word so go back to 3rd grade English. 2nd, I find it ironic that you work for Mesa and are telling another pilot that they ruined the industry. Grow up.

 

[Prop2Jet]

Malsr Blow Me

 

[MALSR]

Malsr Blow Me

Nice comeback...another display of your in-depth intelligence.

 

[Lazy8]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the only people who bash Lakes are those who never worked there.

Actually, I know 6 different people that worked there that told me to avoid it at all costs.

There was a time when a person had to have 3000 hours and an ATP just to barely be considered by Lakes. Times are different now. There are plenty of other operators that offer better pay, work rules, and the same upgrade time. The only folks I know that apply there think they don't have enough time to apply for other carriers or they want to live in Denver. Different strokes for different folks. A turboprop isn't going to get you to a better job any faster than a jet. Your connections at that better job will.

g

 

[thepotato232]

2nd, I find it ironic that you work for Mesa and are telling another pilot that they ruined the industry. Grow up.

Seconded. Lakes flies EAS contracts to places that the bigger regionals wouldn't even consider. We're at the bottom, and we know it. Mesa flies competitive equipment on competitive routes and undercuts the competition thanks to their atrocious pay and work conditions. Lakes couldn't screw up the industry if we tried. For Mesa, it's the stated business plan. You have no right to rant about other pilots when your airline is the poster child for what's wrong with the regionals. Lakers are poor because we fly little turboprops to airports in the middle of nowhere. Mesa's ten times the size of GLA, with a fleet of jets and a nationwide route structure. What's your excuse?

There are plenty of Lakers, past and present, who trash the place on a regular basis. Many of those people honestly got a raw deal from the company, while others simply didn't fit in with our... erm... "unique" culture and would be better off going somewhere else. I've listened carefully to disgruntled Lakers (past and present) to avoid the pitfalls that they encountered here. That said, I'm doing just fine at Lakes, and I would recommend the place to people who are willing to find out exactly what they're getting themselves into. We're goal-oriented, we're flying our butts off and having fun doing it, and we're an honest-to-God community. That's why there are so many more happy Lakers than people would expect.

 

[CoAlpha]

how many lakers went from lakes to mesa? jesus I hope zero. thats like eating a bag of crap for a year then deciding to drink a cup of piss. Anyways both your airlines are the floaters that dont quite make it down when you flush, and just spin around the bowl like feces. Noting to brag about/be proud being a part of.

 

[Prop2Jet]

MALSR.... I love you.....

It is apparent that you do not read any of my posts. I am never serious and just like to poke fun. We are all in the same industry and I would be the guy to first help you out if need be. I am sure GLA is a great place to work. It makes sense, why would people work for 15 bucks an hour if it were not a solid place to work. Just as an FYI, I don't work for Mesa.... I know better than that.

Anyhow, since you are unfamiliar with my style of immaturity on this "official" website I will extend an apology to you. In addition, my grammar, I can can guarantee and so can many of my book publishers, is greater than that of a third grader.

Anyhow, cheers and thanks "alot" (he he) for your inquisitive posts.

P2J

 

[Trogdor]

Since atleast 2002, not sure how much longer before that!! Voss is a POS!!!

Wrong again. I started in '05 and signed.

And yes, Voss is a POS

 

[Cardinal]

met some lakes pilots, have one of my best friends there, that is a great guy with 2000+pic, and he can not get out. (prop pic in NOT as golden as turbofan time anymore, sorry to say, but its the truth)

There are but a handful (likely less than 20) current lakers with greater than 2000 PIC, and I know every one of them. Heck, I was one of them up until last week. With only a few exceptions these individuals are either waiting for something particular to happen (the SWA or bust crowd, a few waiting for United to hire, etc) or are simply not trying hard enough (difficult to get hired elsewhere if you've never filled out a single application) or are lifers (I can think of perhaps 3) or are "difficult to work with" (even fewer). I was offered 4 interviews in the month of June, went to 3, and am going to my career airline. Bet you can't figure out which one. A fellow class mate found himself with 4 nearly simultaneous interviews as well this last March. I'm sure your friend is a great guy, but I just want to point out that his situation is rather rare. Sometimes you're just unlucky, admittedly. From my late 2002 newhire class of 19 there is only one left. Three are flying RJs, one is in a Citation but the remaining majority are in a Boeing/Airbus cockpit, content.

Now for the tough love: F9 Buff, stop looking for excuses, stop the belly-aching, and get off your rear and DO SOMETHING if you want to make a career in aviation. Not making a decision IS making a decision - ensure that it's one you can live with. You'll always be able to find a reason to stay in your comfort zone, whether it's the ZK training contract or whatever the BS reason of the day is. The world needs CFIs, stay put if you're happy. Pull the trigger if you want to fly for an airline. But make a decision.

 

[F9 Buff]

Oh, I have made a decision... It doesn't involve Lakes though which is too bad because I think that flying would be great, but for what they put the pilots through, I think I will look elsewhere for at least the moment.

And the point of the post wasn't for me or about me applying, it was just to get some info on the current status of the contract and if they are holding recent Lakes pilots to it right now.

Congrats on F9, you will enjoy it there, I did!

 

[Cardinal]

I can't remember if a certain new Lynxer left inside her 15 months, but regardless she'll make well in excess of what she would have pulled in the next year, enough to cover the contract if that's what needs to happen.

Thanks, and good luck.

 

[flythere]

Wrong again.

And yes, Voss is a POS

What am I wrong about???

 

[Trogdor]

Training contract.