?'s for Lakers

[meatwallet]

I've started a couple threads on Great Lakes Airlines, but want a little more info. Before all the bashing starts, could any current/former Lakers please help:

1. Is commuting realistic?
2. How much of a problem is junior manning, and can it be avoided at all?

Thanks!

 

[Knob]

Commuting is very realistic, on the Embraer we have 2 or 3 CAs out of 12 that don't commute. Junior manning depends on how short the company is on FOs. For the past 6 months, quite a few CAs have been flying right seat on the 1900. I have been junior manned 5 times in 2 years on the Brasilia. 1900 guys get it all the time from what I hear.

 

[AdSo81]

Ive been junior manned twice in over 3 months...as a low to mid seniority 1900FO.

 

[BarbrPole2theOM]

It all depends on timing. If you can get away with not commuting, do it. Quality of life is much better if you don't have to commute. Many of our pilots do commute. Jr-Manning has its cycles. Sometimes you cant call off duty without getting Jr-Manned. You basically will fly to the limit of the FAR's with 10 days off. Then other times you won't be Jr-Manned for several months. Unfortunately when they are Jr-Manning, it is usually pretty intense. Sometimes it will be captains, other times first officers. The FO's on the Brasilia tend to be less effected. The company has, in the past, paid the FO's captain wages if they have to delay their upgrade until they get a replacement for them. The only way they seem to get short is if someone leaves for another company. Captains on the Brasilia also tend not to be effected as much, but if several leave in on month, it may be bad for awhile till they can get someone through the pipeline to replace them.

If you are willing to pay your dues and realize that you are not going to have the best quality of life for a few years, it will pay off ten fold in the future. Captains in the last year or so have left her for Airtran, Southwest, Fedex, Alaska, Frontier, ATA, America West, etc.... Like it was said on a different thread, around 10% of our pilot group has left to fly a Boeing, or Bus in the last 6 months. All with only turboprop time in their logbook and almost all of them with less then 5 years seniority, many with less than 4 years.

 

[Rook]

It all depends on timing. If you can get away with not commuting, do it. Quality of life is much better if you don't have to commute. Many of our pilots do commute. Jr-Manning has its cycles. Sometimes you cant call off duty without getting Jr-Manned. You basically will fly to the limit of the FAR's with 10 days off. Then other times you won't be Jr-Manned for several months. Unfortunately when they are Jr-Manning, it is usually pretty intense. Sometimes it will be captains, other times first officers. The FO's on the Brasilia tend to be less effected. The company has, in the past, paid the FO's captain wages if they have to delay their upgrade until they get a replacement for them. The only way they seem to get short is if someone leaves for another company. Captains on the Brasilia also tend not to be effected as much, but if several leave in on month, it may be bad for awhile till they can get someone through the pipeline to replace them.

If you are willing to pay your dues and realize that you are not going to have the best quality of life for a few years, it will pay off ten fold in the future. Captains in the last year or so have left her for Airtran, Southwest, Fedex, Alaska, Frontier, ATA, America West, etc.... Like it was said on a different thread, around 10% of our pilot group has left to fly a Boeing, or Bus in the last 6 months. All with only turboprop time in their logbook and almost all of them with less then 5 years seniority, many with less than 4 years.

That's one of the best responses to a question on this message board I've seen in a while. Bet the Lakers pilot group is a nice bunch to tip back a few with.

Rook
Looks like a high overcast.
Better ask for Type IV.

 

[Cardinal]

BrbrPole said it well. Commuting can be done, but will be painful. Historically plan on 10 days off for 5-6 months of any given year. Show times vary from 0740 to 2000, with lots of 1400 to 1500 starts.

Junior manning can't be avoided, but can be managed. By picking up time and trip-trading you can work things to "protect" a day off that is important to you.

 

[no_desk_for_me]

is frontier realy hireing lakers again? I thought that stopped

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Frontier is not hiring anyone

 

[gt1900]

That's one of the best responses to a question on this message board I've seen in a while. Bet the Lakers pilot group is a nice bunch to tip back a few with.

Rook
Looks like a high overcast.
Better ask for Type IV.

Tip back a few??????? You will tip way more than that back with Lakers. The company drives you to drinking.....But its worth it in the end!

 

[Rook]

Tip back a few??????? You will tip way more than that back with Lakers. The company drives you to drinking.....But its worth it in the end!

First round's on me then

Rook
Looks like a high overcast.
Better ask for Type IV.

 

[suupah]

hey, Great thread. Can you guys tell me anything about overnighting and perdiem. and what the typical duty day looks like for an fo. I guess i am wondering i fyou have time for a second job at all.

thanks

 

[crashpad]

is frontier realy hireing lakers again? I thought that stopped

Frontier is hiring Lakers (w/exception to HDA) and will begin more interviewing later this year. Good luck you guys.