Stay Away
I had a hell of a lot more fun at Great Lakes than I did flying for that Northern Craptucky Airline known as Comair.
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Stay Away
I received an email from Great Lakes saying call to set up an interview. Just a little background on myself. I have 1600TT 250 multi and about 50 turbine sic. I flew for Comair and was furloughed after finishing IOE. I'm about four numbers from the bottom of Comair's senority list, so I'm not too hopeful for a call back any time soon. I am back to flight instructing now, however in this economy there aren't any students to instruct. I have read all the past threads on Great Lakes on this site and other websites. One thing that concerns me about Lakes is the high washout rate. I have read in past threads that in some classes it is up to a 70% washout rate. I have also read that training is not that bad and most people have been making it through training. Can any Lakers chime in on the training, and how recent classes have been doing? Worry about yourself, not how others are doing. Go in prepared to study! Lakes is very through and they don't care if you fail. If you try, you will do fine. Just focus.
I am confident in my flying abilities, but when you hear of such a high number of washouts it becomes something to think about. Another question I was hoping some Lakers could comment on was Frontier being in bankrupcy.
In my research I could not find how much flying Lakes does for Frontier. Lakes does zero flying for F9. They are strickly EAS flying.
How much of and impact would it be on Lakes if this flying is taken away? None.
It seems to me that Lakes is somewhat of a gamble. For some people that went there and washout of training that could affect them the rest of their career. These people did it to themselves. Focus on your abilities and you'll do fine.
However, I have read many Ex-Lakers say it was the best career move they made because of the fast TPIC. No so fast today, but still there.
Any comments on Lakes training and the best crystal ball guess on the future of Lakes would be appreciated, especially from current and former Lakers. Lakes will be around as long as the government can fit the bill.
Thanks!
I was at Lakes for many years. If you are worried about doing an NDB using only an RMI then Lakes is not the place for you. You will be flying into many non-radar environments and doing the full approach when you can't get the visual. During the winter months you will be doing it down to minimums on snow covered runways. You will become a very profficent pilot and it will show in your future job interviews.
If you rely heavily on moving maps then you will be behind the curve. The training is tough but if you have the right attitude and work hard you will succeed there.
I am greatfull for the great people I worked with there and the experience I attained. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I may have moved on, but I will always be a Laker.
That being said, if Q asks you to go boating, beware.