Originally Posted by 250 or point 65
2) the whole reason anyone would go to lakes is for the PIC. why would someone go there to get terrible pay just to jump ship before the quick upgrade?
HAHAHAHA... People go to Lakes because they're hiring, especially low time. Tons of people jump ship before the upgrade, that's why you have to sign a contract. It's a 15 month/$7,500 contract and some people don't even make it that long.
Originally Posted by 250 or point 65
some people actually care about experience and becoming a better pilot. these guys actually flight instruct, fly cargo, and/or go to lakes. they don't do these things to get the first jet job they can
Nobody goes to Lakes to become a better pilot, come on. They go because it's the first job they can get, because of the quick upgrade or like now they're one of the only ones hiring. (Read guy's post above, you can tell he had a mountain of experience before working at Lakes)
If SkyWest, Eagle, ExpressJet were all hiring at the same minimums as Lakes you really think people we prefer to apply to Lakes.
Originally Posted by aviatorisu
I'm a 370TT Commercial Pilot living in Denver and would LOVE to be flying at Lakes.
You won't be able to live in Denver on Lakes wages, unless you want to live at your parent's house. Trust me. I live in Denver too and it's tough enough trying to make it by on second year reserve pay (twice what you'll be getting paying as an FO at Lakes).
I'm NOT say don't fly for Lakes. What I'm saying is have some REAL expectations of what life will be like. Expect to get paid what a professional pilot SHOULD get paid, don't just take what they offer because you love what you do!
Flying is FUN! I enjoy it too. But there are parts that aren't that fun either.
1.) The FAA comes to mind right off the top. All your hard work, time, money and energy went into earning you certificates and when you're flying the line everyday, your certificates are at risk. You should be rewarded for that risk.
2.) For the most part airline flying isn't that difficult. But just wait until you lose an engine a V1. From that point on the runway to 1500' up is where you're going to be earning you money again. Or on that approach into Rock Springs with 200' ceilings, blowing snow, 15 or 25 knot x-wind at night in icing. Again you should be rewarded for the risk you are taking, even if you enjoy that risk.
3.) You'll be doing a lot off work of the clock. Pre and post flight inspections. Revisions, SOP, then Jepps when you're a Captain. Weather briefing, unhappy customers, canceled flights, hotel vans....
The point is just because you love doing your job and you can afford to do it for free, doesn't mean you should. I don't expect to make millions flying people around, but I do expect a return on my investment!
Originally Posted by aviatorisu
I don't have to worry about putting food on the table for my family and I don't have to worry about putting my relationship with someone else second below my job.
This is bad! Very bad! First off, you're only thinking about your self. You (or your parents) have invested time and money to earn the certificates, expect a return. You are doing a job! Get paid to do it! The others around you do need to feed a family, pay a mortgage and so will you someday. You don't want the next 300hr wonder doing your job for free when you need to pay bills.
PLEASE change you attitude. I'm not asking you to demand millions, but I'm asking you to demand what you're worth (or your fellow pilots are worth).
Originally Posted by aviatorisu
If you don't have the passion to be in this industry, chances are that you are going to be miserable until you're flying that 777 across the ocean to some exotic destination.
If you don't have the passion, you never will. It doesn't matter what you fly, who you fly for, where you fly to, how much you get paid to fly or anything else.
Kid, you have some much to learn in life and I don't have the time or patience to teach. I just hope you don't learn the hard way.
Lakes management will love you! Lakers will NOT!
Good Luck.
OO.