I posted this in another thread about a particular company, but I thought it might be worth reading by all the new folks applying for their first job. It pretty much applies to all.





I don't know GL, but the question of what is the upgrade time is .... well... stupid, stupid, stupid.

Since 2001 we have had a terrorist attack and idiots going nuts buying and selling oil. I THOUGHT I would upgrade in 12-18 months (with 5000+ hours, very plausible). Now, nearly FOUR years later, I just upgraded and that is only due to company growth... not people moving on.

Pick a company you can live with. I am NOT berating ANY company, but you MUST be willing to live there for several years if things go badly.

I chose a "bottom feeder" for three reasons: they had good contracts, I could live in base, and quick upgrade. Well, guess what! The quick upgrade didn't happen (and we are about the only place that IS upgrading). But for me, the plus side was job security (because of the contracts) and living in base. Put me at the same company and give me a two leg commute and I would have slit my wrists.

Arguably Horizon has the best contract. For me, living in Seattle would drive me nuts (as I am sure those Seattle folks would be driven nut living in south Texas). For me, giving up some pay was worth living in a Texas base. You MUST look at the whole picture. If you live in an outsation of a crappy company then maybe it could be good for you. But if you are looking at crappy pay, crappy work rules, and a crappy commute, you are crazy for taking the job (and that is true of any company, not just GL). Most people on here agree, pay and work rules at GL are very bad. IF, and that is a BIG IF, you live in Dickinson ND (not sure that is an outstation, but making a guess), and you are offered a job, it could be a good gig for you. But, if you live in Bar Harbor, ME, you will HATE life.

Look, I am not ANTI "bottom feeders" but you need to know what you are getting into. Crappy pay, crappy work rules, and crappy QOL will drive you nuts. If living in an outstaion base, paying 400 a month for rent or living with your girlfriend, making 20% less than everybody else is okay with you, it might work. But if you are taking the first offer you get, living three legs away, and living in somebody's basement, you will be miserable.


(Just so you know a bit about me, I came to my present company expecting to move on in 3-4 years. Now, having not moved on and due to my age, I am looking at making my regional the company I retire from since I don't want to stand hot reserve at 50. It isn't the greatest place to work... ask anyone. But, I live in base, can hold the line I want, and make enough to pay the bills. It isn't perfect, but because I made contingency plans if I was stuck here and knew what I was getting into, it isn't too bad either.)