Great Lakes Hiring?
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: MD80
Posts: 1,111
I figured on a quick upgrade which would have made the pay almost acceptable. Additionally, I really had no idea it was as bad as it is. From what I've heard from people who have been around for a while or are back due to furlough from somewhere else, things are much worse right now at Lakes than they've ever been. Anyway, being stuck in the right seat at Lakes is not a happy place to be and movement is painfully slow right now. When I was hired, there were supposed to be 100 more hired after me to cover new flying we'd been awarded. Company ended up giving back the EAS contracts and the flying was canceled. My stint at TSA involved an eerily similar story.
I think everyone knows what awaits them when their company makes you pay to get to the interview, doesn't pay for training, puts you up in the middle of nowhere, pays about 1000 per month probalby less than unemployment, and on top of that makes you sign a training contract for 15 months!!!! And that's for training that costs the company pretty much nothing since that's part of a budget they get anyways with their contracts. Please..
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Beech 1900D
Posts: 280
Anybody who does come to Lakes better have a backbone and be willing to stand up for themselves when it comes to fatigue and poor scheduling practices. Yes, the pay and work rules at Lakes are atrocious. There is no defending the place. Lots of people use the "well, we make more per passenger seat than the other regionals" argument. That may be mostly true, but it doesn't make the pay ok. Before you come here, realize you will be miserable and extremely poor. The people are cool but that only helps so much. Also realize that after 11 months here, if you want to leave, you're going to have to either suck it up and stay another 4 months or pay the training contract off. My advice is to stay away, but it's up to you.
Last edited by 1900luxuryliner; 01-19-2010 at 11:44 PM.
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Beech 1900D
Posts: 280
Also; half of the FO side of the seniority list has enough flight time to upgrade, and are chomping at the bit to do so. You would end up below them, probably have to wait to upgrade after them, and probably end up with FMN as your domicile. A few years ago, Lakes made more sense, as the seniority list was moving like wild fire, we were expanding our service exponentially, upgrades happened as soon as you had the flight time, and everyone was hiring. The risk of the investment was worth the probability of a good return. Plus, a few years ago, your domicile would have been a hub that was somewhat commutable. Guys based in FMN are driving to DRO, and jumping out from there, because Lake's service to FMN is inadequate for easy commuting. If you have a stretch of 3 days off, you will, at very least, lose 1 day to commuting, because the FMN lines, historically, have not been very commutable; especially for the junior guys, since everyone in FMN is specifically bidding for a commutable schedule...because noone is crazy enough to actually want to live in that hell hole. I'm not trying to actively discourage anyone from applying. I just want people to know what Lakes is about, and for them to make sure it is the best fit for them, before they apply. For some unique individuals, it may be a great fit. For a lot of people, however, it may not be the best option for them, until this industry really starts moving in a big way again.
Last edited by 1900luxuryliner; 01-20-2010 at 12:52 PM. Reason: Added point
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Posts: 483
Also; half of the FO side of the seniority list has enough flight time to upgrade, and are chomping at the bit to do so. You would end up below them, probably have to wait to upgrade after them, and probably end up with FMN as your domicile. A few years ago, Lakes made more sense, as the seniority list was moving like wild fire, we were expanding our service exponentially, upgrades happened as soon as you had the flight time, and everyone was hiring. The risk of the investment was worth the probability of a good return. Plus, a few years ago, your domicile would have been a hub that was somewhat commutable. Guys based in FMN are driving to DRO, and jumping out from there, because Lake's service to FMN is inadequate for easy commuting. If you have a stretch of 3 days off, you will, at very least, lose 1 day to commuting, because the FMN lines, historically, have not been very commutable; especially for the junior guys, since everyone in FMN is specifically bidding for a commutable schedule...because noone is crazy enough to actually want to live in that hell hole. I'm not trying to actively discourage anyone from applying. I just want people to know what Lakes is about, and for them to make sure it is the best fit for them, before they apply. For some unique individuals, it may be a great fit. For a lot of people, however, it may not be the best option for them, until this industry really starts moving in a big way again.
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 191
You are paying your dues now, dont pay more dues by going to GLA, that would be a step back in your situation. Soon people will be able to be picky about what regional they fly for, just wait a little bit longer for that, its coming, i feel it.
#27
sushi or a beer when you get back to abq?
#28
#29
If you've got a sugarmomma, do yourself a favor and wait it out. I know that things can get boring, but accepting a job that pays extremely poorly will do you, and the entire industry, a huge injustice in the long term.
I'm not putting down any particular airline, but there are several airlines out there that prey on newbies and their youthful eagerness.
I'm not putting down any particular airline, but there are several airlines out there that prey on newbies and their youthful eagerness.
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