Well i did the whole go to colgan for the quick upgrade but it seems, as everbody else is, we are slowing down. i havent heard about any new planes coming or more routes so im wondering if sticking around is worth it or not. Should i go to a jet carrier and wait a little longer or stick it out at colgan for another 8-12 months for the upgrade.
Anyother colgan pilots here good news about expanding in the future?
Everything in life is NOT guaranteed. I was hired at Spirit with a predicted upgrade of around 18 months. Well, I just began my 6th year here, and guess what? I upgraded after five years, for 7 months. Now with the new fleet, back in the right seat (LONG story).
Guys/gals like you crack me up. "I was told I would upgrade in XXX year/s". Well...
I would stick it out at Colgan. I was there for 2 years. Back then I uprgraded in 6 months, and was a check airman a year later. Walked out of there with two types, and plenty of PIC "TURBINE" time to get hired at a jet operator. A LOT of ex Colgan pilots are around. AirTran, North American, CAL,HAL, jetBlue..
If you leave, you will start at the bottom again, and if anything else happens in the industry, your out in the street.
Congratulations! You have now reached the point of understanding that being a pilot, and getting paid to do it, is a J-O-B, nothing more, nothing less. If more people realized this before taking that job with a "quick upgrade" we would be better off. I realized it when I was CFI'ing, and as such came to a good company (if I had any more brain cells I would've gone to a freight company).
No offense, but didn't a 12 month upgrade tell you *something* about the company? I mean, c'mon, with every other regional looking at 2.5 years PLUS for an upgrade (prop regionals mind you, like commutair, mesaba, eagle, etc.) and Colgan's at 12 months, didn't that tell you enough about the company?
You've made your bed, now sleep in it until your 12 month contract is up (June of '06 looks like). Leaving a crappy paying regional and forking out the $$ for a training contract is rediculous unless you're going someplace to make $60k+ a year.
My guess is by then you'll be *pretty* close to upgrade or at least have an idea if it'll be around the corner or not. And you won't owe anything...
There is something to be said for a bad company. You are assured of a quick upgrade. I worked for one of the best regionals and the upgrade times were and are still around 7 years. Not good for the career. American Eagle I hear has upgrade times in the decade category. All it takes is a slight bump and upgrades can go from "2.5" years to infinity overnight.
hey Short Bus Driver ! are you DTW based? I have a lot of former freightdog brothers who made the jump to Spirit around the turn of the century, you probably know a few, How are things at Spirit? How do you like the bus?
well thanks for the useful insight, i didnt mean to come off as another ungreatful kid, or a $marta$$ either. i do appreciate having a job but maybe im just starting to learn how tough this industry as a career can be. nobody promised me a quick upgrade, and i knew what i was getting myself into as well. i have read a lot of post and sure dont want to be another jerk.
hey Short Bus Driver ! are you DTW based? I have a lot of former freightdog brothers who made the jump to Spirit around the turn of the century, you probably know a few, How are things at Spirit? How do you like the bus?
Yes DTW based.
I was hired 2001, so I am sure I know a few ex-Zantop, USAJet, Kalitta,...
Spirit's doing good. Just put two more BRAND NEW Airbus' on the line this week. 16 319s, and 6 321's is now the count. No more Mad Dogs by the end of summer. Future growth (?)
The bus is great. Just have to get use to flying with the joystick, and trying not to out think the computer. Very comfortable for the red -eyes though.
keep in mind too over the next few years that with sky high gas prices the turboprop is probably gonna started being used alot more than the RJ's so your in a good position.
but ive heard how much colgan sucks, i never even worked for them and they managed to screw me from over 1000 miles away!
keep in mind too over the next few years that with sky high gas prices the turboprop is probably gonna started being used alot more than the RJ's so your in a good position.
but ive heard how much colgan sucks, i never even worked for them and they managed to screw me from over 1000 miles away!
Some of the short RJ routes may well go back to TPs, but the not the longer stuff.
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