Question about Colgan training

[BRA]

I would say you will average 65-70 a month your first year. It could be a lot more...but probably not a whole lot less. Some bases are blocking people on the beech at around 100 hours a month. Lines like that usually only last so long though. At first the flying may be slim due to all the new FO's in the system. If past performance is an indicator of future results...we will be short on FO's again. I think out of the 7 that got online a few months ago...3 have already quit. We are losing around 8 FO's the next 2 months to upgrade. I believe all have been here about 2 years. They are upgrading to beech captain. I think we have around 210 pilots total now. Don't dread the training. I just wanted to give a heads up to anyone that has had a history of difficulty with any aspect of instrument flying. We are not a place that tries to wash out people...infact most people think very highly of the people that teach the classes.

 

[TheBigH]

Sounds good BRA, from your experience which are the bases with the higher times ? I was informed that Hyanis is a good one ( I imagine mostly in the summer .) My #1 pick would be White Plains because I have a place to stay about 20 minutes from the airport.


Thanks for all the info ...

 

[English]

We are not a place that tries to wash out people...infact most people think very highly of the people that teach the classes.

Gotta interject here...when I went through training at Colgan, every FO that went through training on the Saab washed out, except for one that went through a few weeks later. Every single one of them was fired before they went to their checkride. My poor sim partner was floundering and received absolutely no help whatsoever, except what little I could give him. The training was atrocious, compared to where I came from (American Eagle). The Saab was a relatively new aircraft for them, so it was kinda understandable. They had no one flying the airplane with more than a few hundred hours in type.

In defense of maintenance, it actually seemed pretty good, compared to Eagle. Planes were clean and carried no write-ups. Of course, that was the Saab, not the Beech, and that was several years ago. I can't speak for what goes on there now.

Scott was in my new hire class, so I will be the last to defend the place. Just interjecting to give a fuller picture from the Saab side of the company.

 

[BRA]

I am speaking for the beech side of the house myself. Although i think your stories are in the past now. I believe they have a good handle on both sides as far as training goes. Whiteplains has been one of the bases that seems to fly the least. May be around 65 hours a month? If one is willing though...you might be able to pick up open time else where during the month. I would guess all the other beech bases are a gamble. It depends on how many FO's are based there. If one quits during the month...the other guys usually inherit that flying. This may happen automatically.

 

[TheBigH]

Cool, I guess 65 a month will be just fine in exchange for being able to stay at home. I actually learned to fly there so it'd be kinda nostalgic, at least for the first few flights ....

Thanks again ...

 

[BRA]

Well that could be fun. Don't expect to get it right away though. That way you won't be too dissapointed if you don't. I assume you got the 1900...because HPN is a 1900 base. It's hard for anyone currently working here to tell you what to expect with your experience here. The company is growing and bases are changing. Bases, upgrades, hours....will all be different then what we have seen in the past most likely. I think 65 is a good guess for average hours flown per month though.

For all we know, with the saab growth...HPN may be a saab base in the future.

 

[TheBigH]

True, with my luck I'll be stuck in Altoona or some other fancy place like that ... lol


Are you close to upgrading to the Saab or you sticking with the 1900 ?

 

[BRA]

No, I shall remain on the 1900. Rumor is their is no room for cowboys on the saab as of late. With the flight attendent and drinks for example...banks over 45 degrees are frowned upon. Not my rules. Why do they need to be drinking on that thing anyhow? Altoona is a fine place, i hear it features a hooters. I was interested in that base until i recieved this letter:

Dear applicant,

We appreciate your interest in the Altoona domicle. We wish you the best in the move, however we regret to inform you that we will not be in attendance.

Sincerely,

teeth, deodorant, and undergarments


So, whatever, that turned me off. But otherwise i hear it's a fine place.

 

[TheBigH]

ROFL

Dude I hope I get to fly with you someday, I do like that about the 1900, my flying buddies prefixed my last name with "Cowboy" so I hear what you're saying...

I indeed have flown into Altoona .... and Johnstown, and State College, etc ... during my brief stint as a Asstek cargo pilot I met a fellow that got to sit in the airplane at Altoona for 5 hours a day waiting for checks ... and people on this board complain about a their contracts ....

H

 

[tittyjet]

We are not a place that tries to wash out people...infact most people think very highly of the people that teach the classes.


I'll tell you one thing, you'd have to look long and hard to find a finer individual than Ed Yarid.

 

[BRA]

i figured you would have been more interested in the "this may happen automatically" line You guys always miss the sleeper lines.
The thread was getting a little dull. Anyone ever get this letter?

Dear Colgan New Hire,

It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to our base. You will enjoy all that the Johnstown domicile has to offer.

Sincerely,

Rust, mullets, bad breath, and depression.

or

Dear Colgan New Hire,

We are excited to welcome you as the latest addition to our community. Warm wishes for a pleasant experience in Buffalo.

Sincerely,

People still pissed off over Scott Norwoods wide right at Super Bowl 25

( i also heard of one from SYR that said the same thing that was from ice scrapers, salt, and girls with upper lip hair)