Great Lakes' Part 135 plan
#721
On Reserve
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Posts: 23
There's an inherent level of entitlement with new pilots. We all have to pay our dues to move on and up. Embracing the crappy pay and the poor schedules will make the next job that much better. I knew what to expect coming in, so I try to find the things I enjoy- the people, the plane- and let's face it, flying is still better than an 8-5 desk job . . .
#722
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,932
There's an inherent level of entitlement with new pilots. We all have to pay our dues to move on and up. Embracing the crappy pay and the poor schedules will make the next job that much better. I knew what to expect coming in, so I try to find the things I enjoy- the people, the plane- and let's face it, flying is still better than an 8-5 desk job . . .
#723
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Posts: 125
I'm more for pay to play.. what would pilots deserve more.. spend almost 6 figures to get in.. spend some more to get their first job.. and volunteer time for 15 months.. that's the only way that seems fair to me.. get that return on investment, ya know...
#724
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,940
There's an inherent level of entitlement with new pilots. We all have to pay our dues to move on and up. Embracing the crappy pay and the poor schedules will make the next job that much better. I knew what to expect coming in, so I try to find the things I enjoy- the people, the plane- and let's face it, flying is still better than an 8-5 desk job . . .
#725
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Admiral
Posts: 726
There's an inherent level of entitlement with new pilots. We all have to pay our dues to move on and up. Embracing the crappy pay and the poor schedules will make the next job that much better. I knew what to expect coming in, so I try to find the things I enjoy- the people, the plane- and let's face it, flying is still better than an 8-5 desk job . . .
#726
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 60
Realistically, taking individual personalities out of it, of course your going to take the opportunity that is best available to you. Simply the smart idea. As folks evaluate their decisions, there may be places that look amazing today, quick upgrade, new big RJ's, ect... just remember that all fee for departure airlines (even under contract) are at the mercy of the airlines they fly for and things can change dramatically quickly. When I was hired at Lakes, ExpressJet was "sure to be" a 1.5 year upgrade, then the solo operation flopped and that upgrade went away. While they have definitely contracted over the past year, the one thing that has been pretty consistent at Lakes over the years is the progression. Rarely have upgrades gone much above a year (I think they might have made it to two years in the big stagnation around 2009) and normally come when you reach minimums. Crunching some numbers at the new pay rates, you'll be coming out ahead hourly as a year one or two Captain at Lakes and be out of there with your PIC time, before you'll upgrade at most other places. If you can handle the lifestyle, the flying challenging and fun (hopefully they'll go back to TEX one day, that was the most fun I've had in commercial flying), you'll get a boat load of time, and get on to the coveted PIC Turbine reliably quickly. There are no lifers to stand in the way and the list will keep moving. No matter where you go, DO YOUR HOMEWORK! There is nothing worse than hearing people complain about their place, when there should be no surprises because of forums like this.
#727
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2014
Posts: 24
Picture a denver base, cool a** pilots, an environment similar to college with going out etc, great instructors, a plane that is sweet as----it's great fun mixing all that! There are downsides like everywhere but it was way more fun than where I'm at now... If that doesn't sound like its for you stay away because they probs wouldn't want you anyways...
#728
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2013
Posts: 43
Anybody went through interview last couple of months? Looks like they moved it to Centennial airport from Denver international and interview again includes Sim evaluation. Just interested what to expect during the sim session.
#729
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Nov 2012
Position: 1900D CA
Posts: 3,384
I no longer work for Great Lakes, but I wanted to post that the new contract they have been working on for so many years is finally in place. The TA was reached a couple months ago, and is now being implemented.
"On average, captains will receive an immediate 20 percent pay increase, first officers an immediate 22 percent increase, and certified airline transport pilot first officers will see an immediate 50 to 55 percent pay increase, depending on what aircraft they are operating.
All Great Lakes pilots will then receive additional two to three percent wage increases each year, through 2017. Realistically, the increases will amount to about 5.5 to six percent per year with the longevity increases built into the agreement.
Other wage scales have also been negotiated for pilots operating jet airline service in anticipation of the carrier possibly purchasing those aircraft in the future.
The new contract also contains the following provisions:
An increase in the daily allowance for expenses (per diem) rate from $1.35 to $1.50 per hour;
An improved discipline grievance procedure, allowing for formal investigations with proper notice, including written notification of the charges, time limits on the notice, time limits on when a hearing can be held, the right to cross examine company witnesses and the right to a transcript;
A limit on pairings or crew pairings that cannot exceed five calendar days (Airline work schedules consist of assignments called “pairings” that are a sequence of flights that begin and end at the same terminal.)
After two years, an increase in the minimum monthly off days from 10 to 11;
A requirement that pilots not released from service within four hours of his or her originally scheduled release time shall be considered “involuntarily junior assigned.” Pilots may voluntarily pick up one junior assignment, with pay, at a minimum of four hours above guarantee, but involuntary junior assignments are now paid at 125 percent;
Vacation accrual rates converted from hours worked per month to weeks worked per year; third-year pilots will now be entitled to two weeks of vacation instead of one, and
A new agreement section listing hotel/lodging conditions and establishment of a union oversight committee on lodging.
"On average, captains will receive an immediate 20 percent pay increase, first officers an immediate 22 percent increase, and certified airline transport pilot first officers will see an immediate 50 to 55 percent pay increase, depending on what aircraft they are operating.
All Great Lakes pilots will then receive additional two to three percent wage increases each year, through 2017. Realistically, the increases will amount to about 5.5 to six percent per year with the longevity increases built into the agreement.
Other wage scales have also been negotiated for pilots operating jet airline service in anticipation of the carrier possibly purchasing those aircraft in the future.
The new contract also contains the following provisions:
An increase in the daily allowance for expenses (per diem) rate from $1.35 to $1.50 per hour;
An improved discipline grievance procedure, allowing for formal investigations with proper notice, including written notification of the charges, time limits on the notice, time limits on when a hearing can be held, the right to cross examine company witnesses and the right to a transcript;
A limit on pairings or crew pairings that cannot exceed five calendar days (Airline work schedules consist of assignments called “pairings” that are a sequence of flights that begin and end at the same terminal.)
After two years, an increase in the minimum monthly off days from 10 to 11;
A requirement that pilots not released from service within four hours of his or her originally scheduled release time shall be considered “involuntarily junior assigned.” Pilots may voluntarily pick up one junior assignment, with pay, at a minimum of four hours above guarantee, but involuntary junior assignments are now paid at 125 percent;
Vacation accrual rates converted from hours worked per month to weeks worked per year; third-year pilots will now be entitled to two weeks of vacation instead of one, and
A new agreement section listing hotel/lodging conditions and establishment of a union oversight committee on lodging.
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