Great Lakes Updates
 

Was in Denver yesterday and noticed about 15 or so Great Lakes 1900s all closed up. One flight had passengers boarding but that was it. Last I heard a few months back was they were down to a total of a little under 40 pilots. Are they getting any new hires? With today's market I can't see anyone really going there. Honestly, I thought they would be shut down by now. How many pilots do they have left?

I've heard in the last year various of reports from anywhere from 15-90 pilots. I agree, no reason To go there, probably just being staffed by the lifers at the moments.

They're actually advertising for part-time PIC's on their social media page.

No shortage of FO applicants. What they need are captains.

This was over a year ago, same thing. They just won't die.

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/at...akes-image.jpg

Haha. Funny. That's how everybody felt about USeless airways 5 years ago. "They just won't die". Now they're part of the "new American"

The parasite just found a new host to feed off of.

I know Key Lime Air (aka Denver Air Connection) has taken at least one of their routes. One of their DoJet's is parked in that area all the time.

Great Lakes is down to 25 Captains. They have plenty of First Officers.

I was wondering who was flying the DoJet. So they're on the EAS bandwagon now?

25 CAs, 35 FOs, 10 instructors 1 leave and 5 management. One of the Captains just got hired at Alaska.

Actually the opposite. Turnover is probably higher than it's ever been. Very very few people have been there more than 24 months.

Great place to get in, get your 1000+ TPIC and get out in less than 24 months.

What happens after you get your 1000 TPIC?

...Profit!

You make more money than the rampers!!!!! Well, at least close to what they make....

Frontier/Spirit has been the typical progression lately.

Does anyone have the full article?

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We recently got a new code share with Elite Airlines, and Frontier just agreed to the flow-through. Basically, the new hires will be interviewed by Frontier and Great Lakes before getting the job, and once reaching 1000 hours PIC, move on to Frontier. As previously stated before, we need captains, not F/O's. Pay was raised yet again for ATP qualified F/O's to $32 an hour (not the best, but its definitely better than before) and captains are $42. Now, that probably doesn't sound like the best to most people, but if you're trying to get your time as quickly as possible and move on up, there's probably no better place than Lakes. Some of the most fun flying you'll probably ever have in your career as well. But at the same time, dealing with management, maintenance, dispatch and crew scheduling will probably be the worst out of your career here. But hey, I'm just here to get my 1000 PIC and roll. So, that's only another couple years or so, out of a hopefully 40+ year career in this field. I can deal with the **** for that long.

$42/hr for a Captain? Are they nuts? This place needs to go out of business, talk about crooked.

Up until a month or two ago, it was $33/hr.

There is a $5,000/year bonus as well I think. ($1250/quarter)

You are the reason that ****ty airlines get away with paying people **** wages.

If there was a list of people who have recently gotten hired at a legacy upon reaching their "1000 TPIC", it would be 0 pages long and would include 0 people.

If there is one airline that ought to go down before all others, it is Great Mistakes. How on earth does it have plenty of FOs when there are CFI jobs that pay double to triple of what it does? :confused:

Hmmm. I would make more there now than at pdt.. burn all these regionals down!

Truth^

DH

Because they want to fly that shiny jet.......oh wait lol.

DH

Some people really don't want to instruct.

Yep, I've come across some guys like that. They'd more likely sign up for P2F than sit in an Archer for a year and instruct. Also the same folks who complain about needing ATP requirements to fly 121. Often found at ERAU, WMU, UND.

Why would you earn your time when you (mommy and daddy) can buy it:cool::rolleyes:

I have a friend who got hired at AA not long after hitting 1000 TPIC. It does happen believe it or not.

I know people who have been hired with 200 TPIC.

I know someone with 0 TPIC, so really we never need to upgrade to move on, just to make more money. /s

"I don't want to spend a year doing patternwork, it's not going to help me fly a jet"

Yeah man, it's all about those jets, right?

Why does everyone on this forum sound like a depressed little *****? Lakes isn't the best place to work, we get it. Captains are making $5,000 bucks, flying about 100-120 hours a month. Stressful? Yes. Not enough money for you? You need to get a better budget. People only stay at Lakes at the MOST, for 3 years. Then, we move on to a bigger airline. Legacy? Sometimes. If you think you can make more money and get better experience flight instructing some foreign student for a couple years, then sit at another regional for another 4-5 years, be my guest. We chose to come here because it is literally the quickest way to move on to the bigger airlines. You guys do what you want, but seriously, stop being dicks about everything under the sun. You aren't Gods gift to aviation.

Oh oh, somebody got a snuggie. If you were really that comfortable with your decision to work at that $h_t hole that kind of stuff wouldn't bother you. The fact is Lake's reputation is well deserved. You probably knew that before you took the job with them. If not, shame on you for not doing your research. Also I've known plenty that have been at Lakes longer than 3 years

Speaking of Lakes reputation, quite a few guys go to the majors from there. They have an excellent training program that takes low time guys and throws them into one of the toughest IFR environments in the country. Mountains, ice, non-RADAR, etc. all while flying arguably the most difficult airplane at that level (I have a 1900 type, I can speak from experience). That's probably why they all move on so fast. Most guys at my regional spent 8-10 years there.

With all the movement Lakes is probably one of the best moves you could make especially as a low time guy. Do well, get into the training department, and you're at United or SWA by your mid 20's. Or go to Frontier and upgrade on the Airbus before you'd upgrade on the RJ at your typical regional.

Well, I'll give you that. Lakes does offer tough and thorough training as well as tough flying environments. Ten years ago I'd agree with the rest. Now days there are people moving just as quickly at a few other airlines without having to put up with low pay and all the other B.S. And some without TPIC. Lakes does have an option for low time pilots that would rather not build time by conventional methods. But, if it wasn't for EAS routes, Lakes wouldn't be around. I'm not speaking of the pilots, but their product is terrible. And finally people are waking up and realizing that you don't have to pay that kind of a price to advance ones career

You forgot one thing. Majors don't hiring you knowing you came from an airline that had "excellent" training. They hire guys who go to job fairs, volunteer every second they have on their days off and who know the right people (kiss *ss and network) to get their apps looked at.

Great Lakes Updates
 

They must've updated their training after my stint there. It was pretty rough.