How is Colgan?

[Justino]

What are your thoughts on Colgan as a point to start a regional career?

Pros/Cons welcome

Thanks
~J

 

[Capn Lucky]

OMG.. please do a search

You'd get lots of actual time in turbine aircraft and lousy schedules. The former looks good on a resume. If you are in the saab and don't commute, it could be a good situation. There is one distinct advantage and that is Colgan being a small company where you can actually call someone named Colgan (or their maiden name was Colgan) and you may get a favor.

 

[Justino]

Sounds great! Thank u for your advice!


~j

 

[tittyjet]

Try doing a search, sport. You'll get enough advice to keep you busy for the rest of the day.

 

[chperplt]

As Titty said, do a search. Once you do, you'll likely change your title to either How is a colon cleanse, or how is an enema...because that's what it feels like to work there... or how's this one... How is FAA enforcement action or Does Colgan offer loss of license insurance ... or what's it like to pound my head into a wall time and time again, because that's what it's like asking one of those Colgans, or people formerly known as a Colgan for a favor.

How's sim going Lucky?

 

[FN FAL]

Justino, don't listent to these guys. At one time, both of these guys jumped up on the Colgan's desk, put some sand down, put on their tap dancing shoes and pulled out their banjos.

During their interview, they were the smilingest, toe tappingest, banjo playingest negro's in the pool. That's how they got hired...and now they be bad mouthing their old master.

 

[climbhappy]

while your at it, do a search for the debate last year regarding whether or not all ex colgan pilots are pond scum. that was a hearty debate and one of which I belong to. For the record I don't think we are pond scum, but when you're sitting in a worn out ,faded ,texas looking paint job, miscellaneous cowl parts, oil film covered "C" model and the passengers are snickering as they board, you really want to change places with the ramper and wave
Ba' Bye, at the piece of crap with its leaky windshield taxi's off.

Bottom line, when you're sitting in it with your airline pilot uniform on,
you feel like pond scum and you'd rather be driving a taxi in San Juan looking forward to" Beer thirty"

 

[Justino]

Thank you all for your comments. I am confident that not everyones experiences are the same and some have had bad and some have had great times at any job. I look forward to joining and applying to companies like Colgan and to have the opportunity to work my way up to Captain. My moto is your never happy with what you are doing or flying until you are no longer able to do it. Remember guys, I am looking in on your job experience with great awe and envy while you sit and type a reply knowing that you will be flying in just a few hours. I guess in simple, take the time to look at yourselves and see what you have accomplished whether your flying a B1900 or a B-777 you are a professional pilot and have it better then most aspiring proffesional pilots could ever imagine.


Keep flying safe and V1 ---rotate.

Best
~Justino

 

[Jetmech41]

See attached photo.

Listen to the guys that worked there. I never have but, do have close ties to sombody, Actually a few ppl. that did work there. Im sure the maint. has gotten better or at least I hope it did. Good luck with what ever you decide.

 

[frjmx328]

Justino, don't listent to these guys. At one time, both of these guys jumped up on the Colgan's desk, put some sand down, put on their tap dancing shoes and pulled out their banjos.

During their interview, they were the smilingest, toe tappingest, banjo playingest negro's in the pool. That's how they got hired...and now they be bad mouthing their old master.

That was hysterical!

 

[Capn Lucky]

I just finished!! IOE Starts soon. Life is good so far over here.

For the record, Colgan called me and asked me to work for them and I never played the banjo. I don't think the assistant chief appreciates the genre.

 

[BRA]

deleted

 

[druglord]

Congrats Lucky,
Justino...it would be easier not to badmouth the company if our friends hadn't died while working there.

*waitint in anticipation for cherplts response*

 

[tittyjet]

No banjo playing here. As a matter of fact I had never even heard of the place until they called me, asking me to come interview. They must've gotten my resume off of the web (AEPS), as I was flying checks at that point in order to build time. When I interviewed with MK (those from back in the day will remember him), two questions were asked, "When can you start?" and "Do you have any questions for me?"


Speaking of back in the day, what ever happened to Jose?

 

[chperplt]

Simple fact.. The Colgans care more about keeping the buffet full than keeping their airplanes maintained.

what ever happened to Jose?

After he left Colgan, he went to work for ACA.. That lasted all of a month or so and then he took a job with the FAA. He's in charge of dispatch oversight for the SEA FSDO. At least that's where he was about a year ago.



What's up Drugdude?

Have a blast on IOE Lucky!! Give me a call next time you and the wife make it out to Vegas!

What's up BRA... No quotes??

 

[Justino]

Ok now what?

So who would you guys recommend me to apply to? Like I said I have about 1300 TT 400 MEL and around 200 (none ftd) IFR time.

I will be current again in about two weeks but have to wait until december to finish graduate school before I can apply for the jobs. So at about 10-12 hours a month of flying to build upon my total time, will most regionals blow me off or do you guys think I have a chance. Should I go back and instruct --again?

Thanks
~J

 

[FN FAL]

So who would you guys recommend me to apply to? Like I said I have about 1300 TT 400 MEL and around 200 (none ftd) IFR time.

I will be current again in about two weeks but have to wait until december to finish graduate school before I can apply for the jobs. So at about 10-12 hours a month of flying to build upon my total time, will most regionals blow me off or do you guys think I have a chance. Should I go back and instruct --again?

Thanks
~J

I would say based on the logic presented here against the Colgans and Colgan airlines, that you put your list of potential application airlines into two columns.

One column will be the airlines where maintenance was a causal factor in accidents and incidents, the other column will be the airlines where pilots were a causal factor in accidents and incidents.

In the event that an airline has both, use a ratio to determine which column the airline should belong in.

Take the column where maintenance was an issue and strike those airlines off your list of potential resume recipients.

Then take your remaining candidate airlines, cypher through the ones that have minimums you don't meet...then apply away!

 

[Justino]

Thank u

Thats a good idea! ~Thanks

 

[flyboy]

Really though, how many pilots do you hear on here screaming about how much they love their regional? I think it's safe to say that there is no perfect place. I've seen pilots on this board talk about how much they hate their job at: MESA, COLGAN, PSA, PIEDMONT, ASA, EAGLE, just to name a few. I'm certain that all of these places have definite downs, but unless you are planning on making a career at one of these regionals, I would say put your resume in and be as choosy as you can be. In the end, get your time in as fast as you can and move on.

 

[chperplt]

No, there are no perfect airlines. I don't know of any other however, that values safety as little as Colgan does.

I'm not saying that they don't care about safety, as I'm sure they do. They just value the cost benefit of not keeping the airplanes as safe as they should be a little more.

I just read an article in the NY Post about EAS service. It said that the Colgan LEB-LGA service is valued at 2.1 million per year in subsidies. For a company that has many of these routes, it is rediculous to think that they cannot or would not maintain their aircraft in a satisfactory condition.

You make your own decision about sending in a resume. Keep in mind that if you do work for them, you'll be asked to do a lot of shady things. You'll also be asked to do many things you can read about at www.ntsb.gov.

Fly safe and good luck!

 

[Capn Lucky]

I'm trying to be positive....

There is one thing Colgan, and several other carriers, can do which would make me believe they care about safety. That is to dump the 135 exemptions and treat Beech crews like a 121 carrier IE 30 in 7 and 100 a month. Any thoughts out there?

I feel better now

 

[chperplt]

dump the 135 exemptions and treat Beech crews like a 121 carrier IE 30 in 7 and 100 a month

But that would mean more pilots which would mean less options on the buffet line.

I think it's a great idea but will have to come from the FAA after a few more commuter (<19 seat) airplanes crash.

 

[av8n4life]

You all are freakin' unbelieveable. At one point (even if you were called by Colgan) you came to work for them...now maybe your gone and good for us. There is no reason that anyone out there should be flying an a/c that isn't airworthy. If you are, shame on you. As I have said here before, it is the crew that does the pre-flight and post flight inspections along with run-ups....the Captain has to agree that the a/c is airworthy. Reguardless, any pressure someone feels to fly an aircraft is put on by themselves, b/c you got the fars to back you up.

So, bottom line. Colgan is a great place to work especially if you want flight time and lots of it. Yes, the schedule may stink but what do you expect, you aren't a 15 year employee at mainline and with you attitudes you never will be...sorry kinda harsh but truth hurts!!!

 

[350DRIVER]

You all are freakin' unbelieveable. At one point (even if you were called by Colgan) you came to work for them...now maybe your gone and good for us. There is no reason that anyone out there should be flying an a/c that isn't airworthy. If you are, shame on you. As I have said here before, it is the crew that does the pre-flight and post flight inspections along with run-ups....the Captain has to agree that the a/c is airworthy. Reguardless, any pressure someone feels to fly an aircraft is put on by themselves, b/c you got the fars to back you up.

So, bottom line. Colgan is a great place to work especially if you want flight time and lots of it. Yes, the schedule may stink but what do you expect, you aren't a 15 year employee at mainline and with you attitudes you never will be...sorry kinda harsh but truth hurts!!!

well said my friend, I couldn't have said it any better myself.

Those who b!tch, whine, complain, etc, really are not conveying any points nor would I take any of it to heart if I were a new hire there or looking to go there. Last time I checked the FAA had not pulled their 121 certificate and they were in good standing.

Those who sign the release with equipment that is not airworthy can only blame themselves for accepting that aircraft. I would say some of this "bitterness" is probably coming from those who have moved on only to go to another regional, I surely wouldn't be overly happy and can see where this attitude is coming from but the bashing is pretty childish.

I would only hope the majority can see the big picture here. I spoke to a pretty senior captain there recently and he even said the place is no different from any other regional with regards to mx, procedures, etc, so take this "bitterness" that you are seeing with a grain of salt.


If you don't like it then leave, very simple and requires very little thought if any. I would have no problems putting family, friends, or myself on a Colgan flight.


3 5 0

 

[chperplt]

I would have no problems putting family, friends, or myself on a Colgan flight.

Why don't you then.. Hop on one of the 1900s and then tell us about it. Bring your whole family while your at it.. Well, you might want to leave at least on at home.

 

[350DRIVER]

Why don't you then.. Hop on one of the 1900s and then tell us about it. Bring your whole family while your at it.. Well, you might want to leave at least on at home.

I would have no problem doing so, been on them quite a few times in fact. I am still here to tell ya about it so guess they must not be that bad.

3 5 0

 

[Capn Lucky]

You all are freakin' unbelieveable. At one point (even if you were called by Colgan) you came to work for them...now maybe your gone and good for us. There is no reason that anyone out there should be flying an a/c that isn't airworthy. If you are, shame on you. As I have said here before, it is the crew that does the pre-flight and post flight inspections along with run-ups....the Captain has to agree that the a/c is airworthy. Reguardless, any pressure someone feels to fly an aircraft is put on by themselves, b/c you got the fars to back you up.

So, bottom line. Colgan is a great place to work especially if you want flight time and lots of it. Yes, the schedule may stink but what do you expect, you aren't a 15 year employee at mainline and with you attitudes you never will be...sorry kinda harsh but truth hurts!!!

That's pretty much what I said up front. However, those who have been piling on Colgan also have some valid points. I am not a disgruntled former employee. I left the company on good terms and I remain on good terms with people there. As I've said many times, Colgan was very good to me. However, Colgan is very comparmentalized and "senior" Captains in Maine have no idea what goes on in Pennsylvania because of the base structure. Also, until recently, Saab crews had no idea what life was like for Beech crews. That is changing with transisitons for beech cpt's. There are a few people who are still upset over the events of last August. I haven't formed an opinion because the final report has not been issued. They have a right to their feelings. For the record, every flight where I was a crew member was legal. I saw a few Captains have to talk to people in Manassas because of a write up, but as stated earlier, the FAR's prevailed.

If Colgan has offed you a job, take it. I hope you had half as good an experience as I had.

 

[BRA]

With 1300/400, you can probably apply anywhere. That seems to be pretty good time right now. By the time december is here the whole industry will look different. We may all have a better idea of the USair situation by then. For all we know colgan may have people on furlough by december...or it may be the place everyone wants to interview at. You never know. Over the past year every airline has been the hot airline of the month. (except allegheny) Comair was hot, now it has faded. Chautauqua was hot, then they furloughed people, then they got hot again. Skyway was on a bunch of threads, now they have faded. Now comair is the topic again. COex and eagle were no where to be seen, then they exploded. (1 year ago threads were talking about people quiting eagle to go to comair) 2 years ago i swear half the threads were about ACA interviews, pools, odds of getting the CRJ vs prop, and bases. Shortly after the threads were about how far back DOH was ACA going to furlough. Now aca is called independence and they still have people on furlough from 2 years ago. I suggest dice or coins for your decision.

 

[Justino]

Thanku

Thank you all for your words of advice they are surely appreciated. I am also considering going back to instructing full time with maybe a Mesa Pilot Dev school to teach students MEL SEL stuff. I figure this would bolster my credentials even more and get me back into the "swing of things" within flying. Man so man y decisions and fewer choices! All I know is that I would be so happy to be back in the cockpit even if it was a c-152 again or a Pa-44 (as long as it has a GNS 430) ! (joking of course)

Any advice on a good school to instruct at?

Thanks

~J

 

[jetops]

freakin' unbelieveable

You all are freakin' unbelieveable. At one point (even if you were called by Colgan) you came to work for them...now maybe your gone and good for us. There is no reason that anyone out there should be flying an a/c that isn't airworthy. If you are, shame on you. As I have said here before, it is the crew that does the pre-flight and post flight inspections along with run-ups....the Captain has to agree that the a/c is airworthy. Reguardless, any pressure someone feels to fly an aircraft is put on by themselves, b/c you got the fars to back you up.

So, bottom line. Colgan is a great place to work especially if you want flight time and lots of it. Yes, the schedule may stink but what do you expect, you aren't a 15 year employee at mainline and with you attitudes you never will be...sorry kinda harsh but truth hurts!!!

Well in response to what you say. There were people in the company (dispatch,managment) did pressure pilots to take unairworthy a/c before august (03) There were many times that I know there were a/c that had rigging problem that were flown for the rest of the day . Then have the crew ferry the a/c to MX BASE (HYA ALB HEF) @ night to fix it. This was a common occurrence prior too august. This was pretty common in the year of your absence from CJC. After The August crash they to10-20 cxl every day for mx problems for atlest 4-6 weeks that I know of Colgan Biggest problem is MX on the Aircraft. Too may a/c @hya, mnz, alb too few mechanics and aircraft parts to fix the aircraft’s. If the pilots did not go with mcjr plan for what he want to happen, They would find a way to pay them back IE(schedules , day off )and some how some cpt failed there check rides. And they don’t work for the company anymore. So to say that that type of stuff did not go on @ CJC is a bald-faced lie.

My take on what I seen @ CJC will probably be different from you and all the other people on the Flight Info Board. So I guess it all perception on it. I know most people blame DR,DN for a lot of the problems there but there just puppets .It goes higher than them for some of the decision that are being made on day to day problems . The bottom line is the Colgan Upper Management cares only about the completion rate of the daily flight. To say chperplt has an attitude problem kind of harsh considering that he is speaking the truth about what he seen @CJC.

My personal opinion it a ok place to work as long as you don’t rock the boat .The minute you start rocking the boat they will start making your life more difficult i.e. (day off schedules and brow beating you to death on insigant details that don’t matter ). After about 4 months after the accident it was back to normal status quoe as far how they treated Mx problems and carrying them through the day to the end of the night .Then repo to mx base. Also to spelling Nazi I could care less if you find any mistakes in this post . This is not a collage term paper