I don't see a big deal if someone with 250 hours wants to go to GLA. I agree with you that a CFI is valuable though. I don't see how they lower the bar though, they are not even in the same league anymore, they are 135 mostly.

On the flip side though, it is likely they are not going to survive seeing that they used to be 300 pilots and are now 38 with 5 leaving this month.

 

Ultimately there are many ways to attack the problem. I do not disagree with the CFI approach at all. However, many on this board are saying that being a CFI is the absolute way to go. I am simply trying to present an alternate scenario which includes a poorly run company like Great Lakes as a viable career option.

In order to become a CFI it usually means taking on an even greater cost burden (10-15k). Furthermore, you may be one of the lucky ones with regular students. In my experience it is much more likely that an instructor does not fly that often. Also, are guys that are flying that much getting 10 or more days off a month?

As for Great Lakes lowering the bar; I really do not see it that way. Great Lakes plays in a different playground than other airlines. Once EAS flying is drastically cut (it will happen eventually) then the only option left for Great Lakes will be to close their doors. In the meantime they are operating aircraft no airline wants, into destinations no airline wants, with pilots no other airline can hire.

If they are hiring people at 600 hours (and not 250 like I was told) that does mean that most pilots will have to find a way to fill the gap between 250 and 600. This will more than likely mean being a flight instructor. My advice at that point would be to evaluate how long it took you to fly the additional 350 hours and project that out to 1500. Great Lakes may be a better option in the long term. Pay is horrendous tho.

 

I have serious doubts that they are down to 38. I saw ~15 Lakers in DEN yesterday while I was enjoying some Panda Express in A Terminal. I have a hard time believing that was half their pilot group. I could be wrong.

 

Don't know. If you go back a page though someone seems to be in the know.

 

Last time I was in denver seemed like at least half the fleet was just sitting around?

 

Ok so an update to the pilot numbers, as that number is dynamic, less than 20 captains. They have more than that in FOs, as it is easy to produce FOs. FOs are upgraded to Captain in order of seniority. I don't know the exact number of FOs at this exact moment.

 

I saw that too. Just assumed they had a real long period between the peak hub pushes.

...but I guess this would explain it!

 

I have seen the recently updated payscale for FOs that breaks the pay down between 135vs121. What I haven't seen is an updated CA payscale, surely it was addressed too? Any updated on the current hour requirements? Their website still says 600 but I know things change fast.

 

17 captains 33 first officers. Statistically going to fold by august.

 

There's no way this lack of fleet utilization is sustainable.