What is wrong with Colgan

[Godfather]

How bout it!!! Amen Kaman!!

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

AMEN Brother!!! I have had enuff too.

happy holidays

 

[GEORGE DUBYA]

Prop2Jet,
What the hell is up with the 6 page post? Do you think anyone actually read that. You are such geek. I am number 2 at my base how about you? LoL loser. Lick my stick. Hey seriously though when can I sleep with your wife again? Ask her for me thanks.
-Dee Dow

 

[av8orboy]

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.

The Money

 

[Prop2Jet]

Hey george!
How cold is PQI now? Did you kill a bear yet?
PM me you silly little Biatch

DEE DOW

 

[I Hate Freight]

Just had a friend apply who doesn't meet the pub mins. Hope he gets a phone call!

I'm sure Colgan's future passenegers hope he does too.

 

[FO 4 Life]

Not that Eagle didn't/doesn't hire below the published minimums depending on where you are from. I'm sure IHF that you are God's gift to the RJ.

 

[suupah]

I was just given sympathies again for working at colgan from an ex colgan pilot who is still sitting in the right seat after three years in a shiny RJ. Maybe things have gotten better cuz i just don't see what is so bad about it.

 

[saab fixr]

Kaman
The procedure used by American was approved by the companies own Engineers although they never recieved blessing from McD. it was used all DC10 operators inlcuding Continental and others the problem as noted in the report, was during the shift change the forklift leaked down causing the fitting to crack!! and no one recognized it. Maintenance can only do to the planes what management allows. Many of us dont particularly care to be told dont worry about it, but then like you we have family to feed!! I have many friends working for colgan and respect what they try to do within the limits put on them by the colgan family!! If Mechs had there way with the machines they would be sent on there way everyday as shiny repaired and cleaned as the time would allow but thats not realistic

 

[suupah]

Kaman
The procedure used by American was approved by the companies own Engineers although they never recieved blessing from McD. it was used all DC10 operators inlcuding Continental and others the problem as noted in the report, was during the shift change the forklift leaked down causing the fitting to crack!! and no one recognized it. Maintenance can only do to the planes what management allows. Many of us dont particularly care to be told dont worry about it, but then like you we have family to feed!! I have many friends working for colgan and respect what they try to do within the limits put on them by the colgan family!! If Mechs had there way with the machines they would be sent on there way everyday as shiny repaired and cleaned as the time would allow but thats not realistic

True, So are you saying that there are maintenance issues at Colgan that make it unsafe? How about compared to other airlines?

 

[saab fixr]

Maintenance at all comuters have always left alot to be desired I for one have worked at a few including MROs doing Heavy checks and its scarey the crap you see. Makes ya wonder where the Hell is QA? or is that just some stupid postion put in place to satisfy the feds. I know people would love to throw the ole report them and the response would be Go Ahead and then apply to Walmart cause your days of working or flying planes is over !!

 

[outtahere]

As an A&P and former Colganite let me say the maint. does suck! But it is not the mechs that are the problem. You see the problem at Colgan is the Fat A$$ Colgan's themselves. You can't order extra parts, it cuts into the food budjet! The crash in hya was complacency, but it was or could have been induced by someone from HEF calling and yelling at the leads to hurry and get the fing airplane back in the air. Prime example, had a bad gen on the 1900, ferry down to HEF, fat a$$ Mike runs into th hanger and starts to yell at the maint supervisor that there is nothing wrong with the damned airplane and to get us back in the air now. So we wrote up a chip in the FO's windshield that they did'nt have a replacement for! All in all Colgan sucks, for those of you still there you don't see it because you have no perspective, I did'nt even realize how bad it was until I got out. But the comraderie there is impecable and can't be compared to anywher else. Good luck to all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

[saab fixr]

Well Put outta good luck with your future !! Makes ya wonder where the hell is the Feds I know personally i have been asked to work on there planes and the requests have been nothing short of stupid !! When im told to do something to a plane when that system isnt even applicable man thats scarey @!! I have been watched many times by the PMI, to help them is just not worth my ticket . I dont do favors for anyone thats going to take food out of my families mouth and more in theirs!!

 

[suupah]

slight change in subject but do any colganites know what the christmas bonus usually is?

 

[Jetpipeovht]

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
6. The pay sucks.

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

OK here comes the onslaught!

I'll go with 6.

Peace.

 

[Saab guy]

Thanks Bubby

Amen Brother, thanks for the kind words. As Always, You the Man Saab Fixer, you always get my respect, your welcome at Colgan anytime.

Peace, Out....Saab Guy

PropsRuleBaby, you know you miss the runnin em

Kaman
The procedure used by American was approved by the companies own Engineers although they never recieved blessing from McD. it was used all DC10 operators inlcuding Continental and others the problem as noted in the report, was during the shift change the forklift leaked down causing the fitting to crack!! and no one recognized it. Maintenance can only do to the planes what management allows. Many of us dont particularly care to be told dont worry about it, but then like you we have family to feed!! I have many friends working for colgan and respect what they try to do within the limits put on them by the colgan family!! If Mechs had there way with the machines they would be sent on there way everyday as shiny repaired and cleaned as the time would allow but thats not realistic

 

[commuterpuke]

Like all of us I wanted the uniform, to fly a cool jet as quick as possible, to feel equal to my friends, have hot chicks look at you during boarding while you flip switches and look cool, and all that other stuff

 

[Uppercrust]

Like all of us I wanted the uniform, to fly a cool jet as quick as possible, to feel equal to my friends, have hot chicks look at you during boarding while you flip switches and look cool, and all that other stuff

Amen!!!

 

[ballsdeep123]

dorks

 

[av8ercricket]

You are right, it's not about bashing the employees, because they are great to work with for the most part. The company does need work. As for the growing pains, they were just in IAH for about 6 months or so when the MX did a repair wring on a Saab. If it was not for the quick skills of the pilot's, to put the aircraft back on the ground with a fard thud! There would have been about 37 fatalities.

 

[Prop2Jet]

What was the cause? What r u talking about? Do u know the Saab systems? Not trying to be a jerk, I am just curious?

 

[av8ercricket]

Per a MX mechanic in Manassas, the IAH MX lead did not use the trouble shooting manual and ended up tightening or loosening a turnbuckle in the tail section, when it was not related to the original write up, and the flight controls were messed up. The pilot's had a problem on the initial departure and was able, with more than enough runway, managed to get the aircraft back on the ground.

 

[Saab guy]

Colgan IAH Maintenance is Safety First

the people related to this no longer work for here. The guy was not a MX Lead that did this.

IAH Maintenance is Excellent, the guys would never compromise safety.

 

[Prop2Jet]

I agree the mX now at IAH is great! Very nice guys too! What it all comes down to is its an airplane and it has problems. Be safe!

 

[ts770]

Yeah, Christmas bonus is bend over and relax....it won't hurt as much.

 

[30West]

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

Oh man that's a classic!

hey Mookie, spell c.a.p.i.t.A.l.i.s.m

 

[BSkin]

Oh man that's a classic!

hey Mookie, spell c.a.p.i.t.A.l.i.s.m

What's even more classic, is one ragging on someone's spelling, let alone that it was from 9 mos. ago!

 

[suupah]

What's even more classic, is one ragging on someone's spelling, let alone that it was from 9 mos. ago!

yah thahts rilly fahhny. I dun;t onderstand wai it iz sutch a big deel

 

[Flying-Corporal]

Like all of us I wanted the uniform, to fly a cool jet as quick as possible, to feel equal to my friends, have hot chicks look at you during boarding while you flip switches and look cool, and all that other stuff

ha-ha-ha, that's so true, man!

 

[BRA]

Women throw nickels at me.

Flying corporal, that pic is awesome.

 

[Way2Broke]

Women throw nickels at me.

Flying corporal, that pic is awesome.

I read every Colgan thread, not because I am interested in working there, or for that matter have any close friends that work there, but for one reason and one reason only. Because if I read long enough I might get to see a picture like that! Any idea where that was taken?