Q's for Colgan pilots...

[CFINY]

Hi all,

I have few q's for you guys:

- bases ( I heard that LGA is one of the bases now days ).
- flight schedule, let's say out of LGA.
- upgrades in 1900's and 340's.
- pay FO/CPT 1st, 2nd, 3rd year, 1900/340.
- how hard is to get a base of your choice?
- quality of life in general.

I guess that's it for now,
Thank you.

 

[Justino]

Check out the Colgan Site, also check out willflyforfood.com for pay.

 

[halfmoon]

bases. Look at the colgan website. Too many to list. aprox 25 bases in the north east.

schedule. Most have 4 on 4 off schedules, but then again there are exceptions. most line are 12-16 days off month. aprox 80hrs.

upgrade. hard to say. ALL upgrades now are for expansion. Hardly anyone is going anywhere. Beech1900 transitions to the saab are happening because there are no SAAB FO"S with 2500TT (min for uprade on the saab). They are getting 2-3 more saabs so expect upgrade at least 2 years if you get in now.

Pay. saab fo i think is 22/hr. $2/hr raise each year. Captain 41/hr first year 1.5/hr raise yearly

Some bases have high turnover due to costs (new england) or bordom. But there are slots available most places within a few months.

QOF. OK. If you live at your base you will be home EVERY night. Most days are not too long 9 hrs unless your delayed. If your an FO you can easily hold another job. They haven't closed a base for a while but who knows what will happen when usairways liquidates.

 

[mwmav8r01]

I just left Colgan, I really didnt have much to complain about there. The SAAB guys (i was one) seem to have a MUCH better quality of time and life while there. I was based in Manchester (i was #1 there after 2 months). So my schedule was as good as i wanted, 80-90 flight hours a month and pay credit near 100. The BIGGEST problem at Colgan is that there is NO per diem unless you over night. And there werent many overnights in the system. Although the LGA base would have more overnights i would imagine than the other. Its a good place to stay for a few months build your time and get out.

Matt

 

[John_W_Thompson]

I have big questions about Colgan too. I have jumped ship from my current job to get a quick upgrade at PNCL, but things arent looking to rosy. Colgan is my next try. I have almost 500 in the 340, 3500 TT. Would LOVE to get PWM or PQI, but what I really want is turbine PIC (and would much prefer the 340).


Big question: why has the site been revamped recently? Is USAir going to dump more flying on them? Also, I've heard rumors they're going to try to get some other business from other means. Colgan is a survivor.

Info MUCH appreciated!

S C

 

[BRA]

You jumped from a saab operator to go to an RJ for a quick upgrade, now want to jump off the rj into a 1900 or saab at colgan to get a quick upgrade which only flies usairways colors? Everybody is leaving here to get to the rjs. You never know what you'll read next on this site.

 

[John_W_Thompson]

PIC baby ... PIC

I have discovered that left seat in the B1900 is infinitely more valuable than right seat in the RJ. My maneuvering has been dodging furlough and the vain pursuit of PIC.

 

[BRA]

Well it makes more sence with that last reply. You gotta admit...it sounds a little crazy at first. If you join colgan.....would that mean you have like 3500 hours, and close to a years worth of ground school under your belt? 2 months per plane flown times 4 planes equals 8. Well maybe 6 months worth of ground school at least. You must be awesome at learning a new plane by now.

 

[John_W_Thompson]

Yah it's been a bit of a drudge. May 2000 hired at Eagle, Saab 340. Got into the ERJ there, logged about 500 hrs each B4 9/11. Furlough imminent - quick upgrades reported - I bit at ACA (July 2002) and logged 1100 CRJ hours - would be furloughed this coming Jan but I have the UG mins and jumped over to PCL, but I think I've missed the window.

Plus I am in Bangor at the moment (grew up in CAR). and PWM or PQI would be rather sweet, but I'd take anything.

Space

 

[SEFlyer]

Never seen anyone with your times trying to get INTO Colgan. That's like a converted shoplifter looking to get back into jail from what I hear from my friends over there. Take your KY with you when you go.

 

[FN FAL]

Well it makes more sence with that last reply. You gotta admit...it sounds a little crazy at first. If you join colgan.....would that mean you have like 3500 hours, and close to a years worth of ground school under your belt? 2 months per plane flown times 4 planes equals 8. Well maybe 6 months worth of ground school at least. You must be awesome at learning a new plane by now.

Maybe this will help add some clarity...

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=41488

 

[BSkin]

Where to start!

"I just left Colgan, I really didnt have much to complain about there. ...... Its a good place to stay for a few months build your time and get out.

Matt"

Matt, make up your mind. Nothing to complain about but go for a few months and get out?

SEFlyer, I happily went, with KY in hand, BACK to Colgan with more hours than that after leaving for Vanguard -- which folded. Sucked it up and moved on to a better job after close to 2 more years with them. Can't say it was the most pleasant experience but it hepled me get to a better place!

Space Cowboy, very true that PIC in any part-121 aircraft is better than RJ FO. Also, if you should decide to go there and have a choice, go to PQI over PWM, unless you're single -- not much to do there. A little farther drive from BGR but the people up there at the airport are awesome. Plus, you can stay at the Presque Isle Inn for a bargain as a crashpad. I was based at both places in the BE1900 and now they're both solely SAAB bases.

 

[chperplt]

IF you get to PQI, say hi to Lisa in the PQI Inn restaurant for me. Great Lobster Bisque there!

 

[climbhappy]

my first night starting ioe in PQI, the ramp guy hands me a grilled cheeseburger.

my second time in PQI on a substitution flight, the same guy again hands me a grilled cheeseburger. never mind i had been eating sugar packs all day trying to live on 550 dollars a week as a 1900 captain. if you have family, you'll need a second job. ( my opinion)

they pass around broke airplanes there from base to base like somone passing a joint at a rock concert.

 

[John_W_Thompson]

Tell me more (about the broke airplanes, not the awesome burgers). It seems so hard to get straight info on them.

 

[chperplt]

What's going on Climb? How's everything going?


Space

Do a search on this site.. You'll find more than enough information to keep you reading for hours. You'll find the truth in there.