Great Lakes' Part 135 plan
 

Great Lakes plan for the future consists of obtaining a Part 135 operating certificate and operating a portion of our flights under scheduled 135 rules.

These rules limit passengers to 9, but they will allow Great Lakes to hire First Officers who do not meet the new "1500 hour/ ATP" rules.

Company wide, Great Lakes load factors are in the mid 40% range, and that's with about 34 Beech 1900s and 5 Brasilias. Great Lakes plan is to have all captains fully 121 certified, and only a portion of the FOs on the 135 side. All captains would then be able to fly all flights, 121 or 135. The 135 flights will be operated the same as the 121 flights. A release will be produced and we will continue to fully comply with all 121 regs. The only real difference is the flight will be limited to only 9 passengers.

By doing this, Great Lakes will circumvent the difficulty in getting new hire pilots as we will be able to hire 250 hours pilots again. Any pilot hired on very low time will only be able to fly 135 flights until they reach 1500 hours at which point they will be able to fly all flights and all routes.

It is certainly an interesting plan. We will see how it works out. For now, Great Lakes is just waiting for the FAA to grant us the 135 certificate.

Great Lakes part 135 plan
 

Amazing how quickly they can get creative.

Maybe if they'd pay a livable wage and have actual benefits they wouldn't have problems getting people. Why would anyone go there?

As far as August 1st is concerned, its all too little too late.. As previously suggested, grab your popcorn 'cause its gonna be a real show around here..

Why the limit of 9?

That's the cutoff for sched 135...any more and you need 121 for scheduled ops.

It is funny to what airline management will do to keep cheap labor.

The other problem is they will not be able to upgrade people quickly due to lack of 1000 hours ops.

Starting the microwave now!

I wouldn't doubt Lakes charges 250 hour pilots to come fly for them!
The reality is they will have thousands of applicants anyway! If they want captains they'll use the money they charge the 250 hour pilots to pay captains better! Welcome to the world of aviation!

I wonder how fast they think they're gonna get this 135 certificate. I always heard that the FAA will drag their feet when it comes to new certificates especially 135.