Can you pick your base? - No, but it typically only takes a couple of months to bid into the base you want. Remember, it's a seniority based system & some bases are more popular than others so plan accordingly. That being said, I've never heard of an FO waiting more than a few months to get the base he or she wanted.

Can you pick your Airframe? - Not that I know of. It all depends on what the company needs.

What is estimated upgrade time? - It typically takes about 12-18 months to upgrade in the Beech and 18-24 months in the Saab. That's estimated like the question asked. With all of the changes that'll go on towards the end of the year with staffing of the Q-400's I wouldn't be surprised to see upgrade times come back down a bit.

Will the supposedly new arriving Q400's all be based out of NWK? -


Where can I find a detailed benefit package online? - I couldn't find anything online. http://www.colganair.com/ Use the website to contact them through E-Mail or over the phone if you want.

For only those of you that have or are currently flying there what are the pro's and con's about the company? Aircraft? Scheduling? etc. - It's a lot different than most of the other regionals with its outstation basing, trips are all out-and-backs, small, etc... If you're hometown is near one of the bases it can end up like any other 9-5 job. You'd work either mornings or nights about 4 days per week & be home every night with zero commute and zero crashpad. That's the biggest Pro I can think of.
Pay is decent, not the industry's highest but not the lowest either, they pay $50/day in training, 75 hrs/month guaranteed pay, average 70-90 flight hrs per month depending on your base, CASS certified, little to no reserve, growing company adding more aircraft & more cities, populated by pilots without 'Big Shiny Jet Syndrome'.
Cons would be commuting to an outstation if you don't live there. The trips are all out & backs so if you're planning on just getting a crashpad it's more like getting another apartment since you'll be staying there 4+ nights per week and keep in mind some of the bases really are OUTstations (Presque Isle, Tyler, Beckley).
Per Diem is $1.35/hr but you're only going to get it if you're away from base for more than 16 hrs (I believe that's the number). Makes sense because that's what per diem is supposed to be for.

Aircraft are great. Both are fairly complex, reliable, and fun to fly. They make for perfect transition airplanes between piston planes/light twins and jets. They also really hone your skills if you wanna get good on the stick. The flying can be tough but it's more than manageable & the aircraft are perfectly capable. You're learning curve will skyrocket driving a turboprop around the northeast (especially in the winter).

Scheduling is scheduling. They do what they need to do to get the job done. That's just how airlines function. I will say they can be very accomodating when needed & if at all possible.
Monthly schedules vary. There are 4 Ithaca lines: 80 hrs with 17 days off, 91 hrs with 16 days off, 88 hrs with 16 days off, or 92 hrs with 14 days off. There's a handfull of other bases with lines as good as these & then the average monthly shedule elsewhere is around the 70-85 hr & 12-13 days off range.
PIT just opened this month and its best line is 47 hrs with 12 days off. Not good. It's a brand new base though so the lines may evolve over the next couple of months.

Hope this answers your questions. Shout if there's anything else.