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What is wrong with Colgan

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suupah

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 31, 2004
Posts
1,779
Pilots of other airlines are always trying to extend their sympathy for me working at Colgan. I dont' get it cuz I am having a good experience.

1. I am home everynight
2. I have many days off
3. I never sat reserve and fly many hours a month
4. The bases are great to work at because you don't spend anytime in commute or going through security
5. The people are cool

Most of my friends at other airlines sat reserve for 6-12 months

OK here comes the onslaught!
 
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dont forget that while other companies are showing signs of furloughs and cutbacks and possible pay cuts Colgan is expanding in a market that people are leaving behind. Colgan is in a very good position and Saab 2000 rumor was explained to me by someone at the Washington FSDO. So even the FAA seems to think something. While your friends are sitting at the bottom of the FNG list of FO's waiting on reserve or for their furlough number you are flying. Getting hours and not sitting reserve and probably going over guarantee. Doing more challenging flying. You will be Captain when they might be starting over at a different jet regional. Every place has its good and bad points. We are all in the same business. The pilots and crews cant do anything to make the industry do better or worse. All we can do is act professional and do the best job we can regardless of the logo on the tail. Some of us have been fortunate. I went from intro flight to 121 Captain in less than 5 years and did it all Part 61. Others caught some bad breaks and have either moved sideways or backwards a few times while spending a fortune at some year long aviation program. In the end we all do the best we can. If you have any integrity you will support the company who signs your check and do the best you can do. If a person doesnt like where they are they can move on. I worked at a career for 15 years and didnt like it so I moved on and started flying. So nobody can tell me it isnt easy to do. I lived it. Enjoy Colgan and do your best especially if you are sitting right seat from me. It isnt a career but there are worse jobs to do.
 
For me I love it! Good for me, maybe not all, but for me I love it! If you put it in perspective, scheduling and stuff, its a great place to be!
 
suupah said:
Pilots of other airlines are always trying to extend their sympathy for me working at Colgan. I dont' get it cuz I am having a good experience.

1. I am home everynight
2. I have many days off
3. I never sat reserve and fly many hours a month
4. The bases are great to work at because you don't spend anytime in commute or going through security
5. The people are cool

Most of my friends at other airlines sat reserve for 6-12 months

OK here comes the onslaught!

Colgan
 
suupah said:
Pilots of other airlines are always trying to extend their sympathy for me working at Colgan. I dont' get it cuz I am having a good experience.

1. I am home everynight
2. I have many days off
3. I never sat reserve and fly many hours a month
4. The bases are great to work at because you don't spend anytime in commute or going through security
5. The people are cool

Most of my friends at other airlines sat reserve for 6-12 months

OK here comes the onslaught!

Colgan has worked out for me as well. I see no problems. I just dust the haters off!!!!
 
Many of us sympathize with pilot who are poorly paid. Kinda like...been there done that. We know what it's like. We also sympathize because we've heard stories about your management. And ever worse the MX. It's already killed 2 pilots.

Over all I've enjoyed ever Colgan guy I've ever met. I've met some real douches from Mesa or CHQ, but the Colgan group is stand up! Sometimes people confuse us bashing a company with bashing the employees. In most cases people are bashing Colgan but not the folks that work there.

It's just a shame the conditions you guys have to work under. Union maybe?
 
I have to weigh in on this now...

I have been at Colgan for over 6 years now and the more I look at the current world and industry the more it makes me think. I came to the conclusion that the world (our beloved airline industry) is no where near perfect, including Colgan but I really can't complain. I'm still not happy with the results of the accident that took Scott and Steve away from us. But things have slowly gotten better at Colgan. Yes, Maintenance is the achilles heel here and needs the most work for improvement. But considering that there has been a major changing of the MX management guard here I have seen some improvement thanks in part to the Feds keeping a constant vigil.
Once the new MX hangar is in place at Manassas, I think there will be major improvements in MX. I really don't know how the Continental side is going but I have seen the United side have a few growing pains but for the most part, ops is going pretty well right now. The company is growing and will continue to do so. But like all things, I will take it with a grain of salt. The lure of moving up is great and tempting but right now the grass is still a little brown on the other side with this industry. For now, I will be content in hanging out and do my part. Sure beats the alternative....Walmart or Mickey D's plus I'm too young to sit in a Fed desk job. I will turn 45 in 3 years and I'm no spring chicken anymore. This so called career thing Colgan is turning about to be not so bad now. OK pay (so what if I'm not making 75K the pay is comparable to the industry), much improved insurance (Colgan just implemented short/long term disability, Whole Life Insurance, critical care insurance), travel bennies in line with other carriers, comparable schedules, 13-15 average days off, 3 weeks vacation, Top seniority, and the chance to be home every night with family. I'm very lucky to be flying right now in a not so perfect world.

We have a great bunch of folks that work here at Colgan and we are no different than anyone else in this business. We do our best to treat other airline employees with the same respect and friendliness that we treat ourselves with. We welcome jumpseaters from all carriers even if you are not on the CASS list or our list. I am one of many here trying to change that Colgan image for the better. Yep, the past was the past and we can all look at it and learn. Let's look to the future and thank God that we can still fly when many of our fellow brothers and sisters can't. Peace out and happy holidays from the Godfather.
 
Godfather,

I HAD all of that before you guys underbid us by 40% in IAH with the promise of bigger turboprops. Then we had to watch you guys come in and butcher what we had taken two years to create in a matter of weeks. What is your on-time and completion rate this week? While I don't begrude you personally, I am not a true fan of the Colganization of my own company...sorry.

Mookie
 
mckpickle said:
We also sympathize because we've heard stories about your management. And ever worse the MX. It's already killed 2 pilots.

Pickle the problem with colgan is not Maint. Your an @$$.Why don't you go to the hangar one night and watch those guys work. I see bashing alot on the maint. dept and how MEL's don't get worked unless its a drop dead. Thats crap. Those folks work there hearts out and don't get parts untill its an AOG. There are few parts on the shelf and if they order 100 so we they don't run out soon they ship them 2. As for the Maint. Dept. killing those men......there is more to it. just ask them. As for Houston maint, its a group of good guys and they do superb maint. with the expirience and toolong available. Without parts there hands are tied. Got to wait for the right parts for the right job. Bite me
 
Hey MOOKIE,

Yeah capitalization is a bitch huh. Those that want it more then others find a way to get. This is the U.S. model of economics and has done our country right for years. Sorry your company did not have the competitive attitude nor economic insights as others in the industry have, maybe next time. DONT TAKE THIS AS A HIT TO YOU. I am just stating the really obvious business practices of companies.
 
if you are going to insult me....try spelling it right...asss...

it's Capitolism......I learned it in college...I was an econ major...

Mookie
 
Mookie said:
if you are going to insult me....try spelling it right...asss...

it's Capitolism......I learned it in college...I was an econ major...

Right. If you were an English major, you would have hopefully spelled Capitalism correctly.
 
FIXIT said:
mckpickle said:
We also sympathize because we've heard stories about your management. And ever worse the MX. It's already killed 2 pilots.

Pickle the problem with colgan is not Maint. Your an @$$.Why don't you go to the hangar one night and watch those guys work. I see bashing alot on the maint. dept and how MEL's don't get worked unless its a drop dead. Thats crap. Those folks work there hearts out and don't get parts untill its an AOG. There are few parts on the shelf and if they order 100 so we they don't run out soon they ship them 2. As for the Maint. Dept. killing those men......there is more to it. just ask them. As for Houston maint, its a group of good guys and they do superb maint. with the expirience and toolong available. Without parts there hands are tied. Got to wait for the right parts for the right job. Bite me

I don't think I said anything confrotational what-so-ever. However If you want to bark with the big dogs, I'll insult you AND have you belive it when I'm done. This however would be too easy for your fragile ego to handle so let me say this. Did the Colgan MX department have the correct parts in stock when they installed the tail wrong in Hyanis? Nuff said.

Every MX department has had growing pains along the way. Is good to hear that things are changing. But when you hear pilot say they wouldn't put thier family on THEIR OWN AIRLINE it make you think. If you are not getting the support you need there are ways to deal with it. The FAA is one. Safety should be paramount. And it starts with you guys! Whatever it takes to get the job done safely. And if that means changes in the way management does buisness, so be it. I'm possitive that the mechanics aren't purposely saying, "oh well". They need support!
 
Listening to a skywest pilot b***h about another company taking their flying, classic!!!!!!!

Lets see

AWAC kicked out of Denver by SKYWEST

AWAC kicked out of Chicago by SKYWEST

All because we were underbid. Sucks when it happens to YOU doesn't it.
 
Here's the problem with Colgan. It sounds like a toothpaste. Everytime I hear it I start thinking about oral hygiene.
 
Do some research first

mckpickle said:
FIXIT said:
Did the Colgan MX department have the correct parts in stock when they installed the tail wrong in Hyanis? Nuff said.

I think you should take the time to read the NTSB findings on this accident before you make judgements. Colgan SHARES the blame for this accident...along with a few other big players like Ratheon.

It was a series of events, like all accidents, that should have been broken but unfortunately wasn't. It's not as simple as "MX SUCKS!" or "COLGAN SUCKS!"

It may not change your opinion but I just hate people making judgements on things they truly have no knowledge of other than what they hear other pilots spouting off about.
 
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vtchaz said:
I think you should take the time to read the NTSB findings on this accident before you make judgements. Colgan SHARES the blame for this accident...along with a few other big players like Ratheon.

I've read it. From the NTSB Report:
During the replacement of the cable, the maintenance personnel skipped a step in the manufacturer's airliner maintenance manual (AMM).


Raytheon's manual was listed as a factor in the accident. But the probable cause was laid at the feet of maintenance, and no-one else.
 
back to the subject.

Colgan is a good place to work and build experience.

I got an hour of actual on a 1:20 min trip today in icing. That is good experience for my logbook and i think respected by the majors.
 
Hello,
This bickering about this airline or that airline underbidding, undercutting or otherwise sabotaging another person's career because of it is a load of bull. It is a competitive industry, and we live in a capitalist society. So, please don't get on soapbox extoling the virtues of XYZ company and how ABC company is screwing me. It is an absurd argument.
Another thing about the Colgan bashing, and the fatal accident in particular is the attitude that it was a malicious, pre-meditated act to intentionally place a crew in harm's way. Another absurd, if not irresponsible argument. Why did it happen? The same way I've seen it happen in the military. Trust me, I've been there and done that as a crewmember in a Class "A" mishap. I've also had freinds killed flying in both the military and civilian sector. It's the most devastating thing I've experienced. BUT, we do their memories no good by name-calling, finger-pointing or speculation based on hearsay.
Some of you, in fact most of you use some pretty narrow, rose-colored glasses to view the industry and forget about the troubling past of what are considered to be the carriers that are industry leaders in safety, operations and reliability. Let me cite some examples for you:

AA ORD DC-10 crashed due to improper and unapproved maintenance practices. Using a forklift to hang a QEC.

Alaska Airlines MD-80 crashed at-sea due to faulty maintenance on a stab. trim actuator.

These are just two examples, and there are many, many more. Research it, and read how many of the majors have been fined. It ain't pretty.
Look, I am not a Colgan "homer", but I do work here and I am happy to be doing so. Does the company have problems? Yes, and 99% of the people are working hard to eliminate them and get on with staying in business, being competitive and making money. At the same time I am also disgusted by people bashing Mesa for being a "bottom-feeder". Well, how many times have you jumpseated and had the Captain personally bring your flight kit from the baggage compartment and put it up front, so that the W&B would be legal and I could stay on? Thank you to all the Mesa, Indy, Air Wisky, Shuttle America, CHQ, PDT and mainline crews. Your kindness and courtesy I appreciate and respect.
The woe is me about how this company sucks and that company blows is just so juvenile. Half these whining kids pretending to be airline pilots have no idea of what it takes to pay your dues, keep the faith with your peers and at least pretend to have some discipline. to those of you that do, I applaud your dedication and professionalism. Keep the press on! You'll make it.
The more this attitude continues, the more that the airline executives will just love us, because we have become our own worst enemies. Appreciate what you have, it might be gone tommorow. If any of you want to discuss this and know my real identity, PM me...
Lastly, to the Colgan crews out there. I have enjoyed just about every second of flying the mighty Beech across New England, Appalachia and the Alleghenys. One couldn't find a greater bunch of people to fly with. I've learned so much and am grateful to the Captains that put up with and allowed me to make mistakes.
Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead
 
what is their mins, what they have posted on the web site? Just had a friend apply who doesn't meet the pub mins. Hope he gets a phone call!
 
From 2003

Jeepman said:
This just came out this morning:


"Effective August 1st, Houston TX (IAH) will become the next EMB120 domicile. Initially, the base will consis of approximately 10 crews and 2 aircraft. The base will grow to approximately 45 crews and 9 aircraft by years end. We will begin flying into two cities from Houston in July, which will require to TDY from other domiciles.

Bids for Houston EMB120 position will be accepted beginning today, May 19, 2003 through May 27, 2003. Bid awards will be posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2003 at approximately 12:00 noon. Bids will be accepted via SkyWest on-line, e-mail or fax. We do recommend, however, that you bid via an electronic mode to ensure bid receipt and a timely response"


I am just posting what was on the Skywest online (employees only) board. To those Coex pilots reading this I know that this may not be the best news, but please remember that the SkyWest pilots had NOTHING to do with this agreement and are just going where the company tells us to go. I hope there are no ill feelings and look forward to seeing some of the furloughed COEX guys coming on board.

Mookie, define irony.
 
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mckpickle said:
Many of us sympathize with pilot who are poorly paid. Kinda like...been there done that. We know what it's like. We also sympathize because we've heard stories about your management. And ever worse the MX. It's already killed 2 pilots.

Over all I've enjoyed ever Colgan guy I've ever met. I've met some real douches from Mesa or CHQ, but the Colgan group is stand up! Sometimes people confuse us bashing a company with bashing the employees. In most cases people are bashing Colgan but not the folks that work there.

It's just a shame the conditions you guys have to work under. Union maybe?

Do you call this post a sympathy post? Obviously, you're already talking above him and pilots at Mesa/Chatuaqua with no real care. Wish you all the best dude...maybe next time think before posting total BS.
 
Mookie said:
if you are going to insult me....try spelling it right...asss...

it's Capitolism......I learned it in college...I was an econ major...

Mookie

Never knew the word CAPITOLISM...Is there such a word? Love it when people open their mouths and all that comes out is hogwash.
 
Hey MOOKIE!

Your right, econ major .... Wow so you can count and know what a market basket is and how GDP is determined. Light weight!
Here crack your old "College" books and compare this:
And if you would have read in my post, I WAS NOT attacking you but now its on ! :)


As far as my spelling, o well it was early in the morning but next time I will check my grammer prior to submitting a post.


Capitalism, economic system based on private ownership of the means of production, in which personal profit can be acquired through investment of capital and employment of labor. Capitalism is grounded in the concept of free enterprise, which argues that government intervention in the economy should be restricted and that a free market, based on supply and demand, will ultimately maximize consumer welfare. These principles were most notably articulated in Adam Smith's treatise, The Wealth of Nations (1776), in which he opposed the prevailing theory of mercantilism. Capitalism has existed in a limited form in the economies of all civilizations, but its modern importance dates at least from the Industrial Revolution that began in the 18th cent., when bankers, merchants, and industrialists—the bourgeoisie—began to displace landowners in political, economic, and social importance, particularly in Great Britain. Capitalism stresses freedom of individual economic enterprise; however, government action has been and is required to curb its abuses, which have ranged from slavery (particularly in Britain and the United States) and apartheid (in South Africa) to monopoly cartels and financial fraud. Capitalism does not presuppose a specific form of social or political organization: the democratic socialism of the Scandinavian states, the consensus politics of Japan, and the state-sponsored rapid industrial growth of South Korea while under military dictatorship all coexist with capitalism. Yet despite the capitalist ideal of “hands–off” government, significant government intervention has existed in most capitalist nations at least since the Great Depression in the 1930s. In the United States, it exists in the form of subsidies, tax credits, incentives, and other types of exemptions. Though private production plays a major role in the economies of Germany and Japan, both nations have centrally planned industrial policies in which bankers, industrialists, and labor unions meet and seek to agree to wage policies and interest rates; these countries reject the idea of letting the market wholly determine the economy. The collapse of the Soviet Union and its satellite states in Eastern Europe (1989–91) left those countries with a heavy burden and an uncertain future, and represented a substantial retreat in the power of capitalism's traditional economic opponent, socialism. Also uncertain is the future course of China's economy, in which small-scale capitalism is increasingly allowed within a strictly Communist political framework. O yeah if your still reading this then you need to turn your computer off and go watch some TV or work out. Money makes the world go round! My airline is better than yours.
 
Guns and Butter, my friends, Guns and Butter. That's all you need to know from Econ 101.

Unfortunately due to my ADD, I am unable to read that entire paragraph....But where are those vaunted 50 seat turboprops ya'll promised??

A Dingo ate your baby....

Mookie

By the way..Relic...Touche'....
 
Hey buddy Mook, I think on this one... you are on your own LOL.
Give em war, take no prisoners!!
 

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