Would you go to Great Lakes from PSA?
 

So, after sending my resume a few weeks back, I got the email asking me to call and set up an interview at Great Lakes. I'm furloughed from PSA, 20 from the bottom for recall, and have been furloughed since July. I know Lakes negatives but also know that they upgrade quickly and movement is pretty consistent. I'm in a bind because I am unsure. Lord knows when PSA will recall if ever. Any advice?

If you want the job, I'd take it. Especially, if seems to be the best option. There is nothing wrong with Lakes other than the low pay. It's up to you to decide if you can live with it.

I'm in the same boat...I was also in the first group furloghed from PSA back in July. Lakes offered me an interview for next Friday. I also have an interview on Monday with Colgan. Lakes wants me to be multi and instrument current for the interview though. Not having touched an airplance since being furloughed might be an issue then. I'm gonna call back to see if I can waive the currency due to experience at a 121 carrier. Or the other possibility is on the Colgan interview, I get the sim techs to give me a full IPC and let me do a few full stop landings for currency.

If you guys are east coasters, Colgan might work out better.

Lack the times. Not at 1000 hours and stuck on stupid as I can't even find a CFI job right now.

Well, in that case you can't be choosy. I think your QOL would be better if you moved to a base, if you take the job.

I just got an email back from them to call them for an interview. I am really looking for a job really anything because my CFI job is not working too well for me.

This would be my first airline job and even interview. I would love to live in Phoenix. Is there anyway for me to live there and jumpseat to DEN before my trips?

Also I am a 1200TT 55 ME CFI and am not Multi or instrument current/proficient, do you think I will do well in the interview and the training?

I think if I were offered a class date I would take it since I am 21 I would be Captain at 23!

Thanks.

I would get VERY proficient. There are no free passes at lakes. IF you cant fly single engine half panel NDB approaches to mins with a crosswind you'll have problems in training. The washout rate is 80% if you dont know 121 regs start studying now. I have friends that fly there and also have friends that have washed out. ALL have said it was by far the hardest training they had ever been through. Keep us posted! and Good Luck! :)

80%? Are you kidding? thats insane. Is it even worth interviewing if I feel I will not do well in training? I don't want to be in training not getting paid then be left with no job at all.

I consider myself a good pilot even if I am not current I feel I would be able to get proficient very quickly. I use a PCADT on my own to stay somewhat proficient and also MS flight sim.

Is it worth it?

I'd say it is. Jobs are hard to come by right now. Prepare yourself as best you are able and take the risk. If you go, you might get the job, you might not. If you don't go, well you definitely won't get the job then!;):)

[quote=FlyingPirate;510475]80%? Are you kidding? thats insane. Is it even worth interviewing if I feel I will not do well in training? I don't want to be in training not getting paid then be left with no job at all.
quote]
Check out advanced aviation simulators at centennial airport in denver. They have a b1900 simulator for 60/hr. I talked to the lady there and she said she trains lakes guys before they go to training and then has guys with a day off while currenlty in training come down to practice for the next sim session. She went over everything for me and it sounded like she had trained enough lakes guys to really have a feel for what lakes is looking for. If you could afford it that would probably be a good way to get through training.

check out readytocopy.com
It is a message board for current and past lakes pilots and it seems lately that a lot of them have been bringing up the upgrades eventually stopping, there isn't anyplace for the current captains to move on to. If they keep expanding that could work, but I would read some of that board and ask questions there.

If you want it go after it! Just be VERY prepared. I would go!;)

I want it! I just don't want to look like an idiot!:D

Thanks for all the advice thus far.

Do you have to pay your own way to the interview? How long is training? Do you have to give up seniority elsewhere? Thank.

It is probably still worth it to go and see what an airline interview is all about. That way when you get an interview for a job you're salivating over, you feel confident. Even if they do offer you a job, you can always decline especially if you don't feel that you can make it through training. Having busted training at a different carrier when a wet commercial multi got you a job. I was quite an uphill struggle to get people to give me another shot. But I was able to get it and then I got furloughed.

You pay unless you take a GL operated flight. You need to sign a 15 month contract after you pass training. These are things you probably should already know before you apply for a job...

You guys are nuts......16 bucks an hour....with an 80% failure rate? and now the risk of not upgrading quick...and even if u do...still make garbage money???


I know it sucks right now guys...but arent you better off with un-employment? maybe workin an off the books job? how the hell can anyone survive on 16 an hour and not paid during training?

The training contract is true of many places, so don't worry about that. You won't have to pay it unless you get fired.

I think the 80% failure rate is an exaggeration. But I won't say it isn't tough. Also, you won't be held to the training contract if you fail out of training.

The upgrade should be quick for some time to come since last I heard it was 6 months (or less).

If you want the job (and jobs are scarce right now), move to DEN, find a roomate and enjoy the job. I've had 3 friends go there are 2 are at SWA, the other at NWA.

If you want in on the 121 game, jump in, but be prepared to live cheap and work hard.

YES, 1.5 MONTHS OR MORE, DON'T KNOW.

I would definitley do it! I was in the second round of furloughs and i don't see us coming back till spring. And who knows when they'll get to the bottom of you guys...
I sent Great Lakes my resume as well but still have yet to hear anything. But if offered i would do it. I'm in the same boat i can't even get a CFI job!!!

Considering that the typical Lakes newhire has only been through the traditional GA checkrides, any 121 checkride is going to be tougher. Not a valid basis of comparison.

Heck, I'll take the right seat at any 121 carrier lol. I got an email about 2 weeks ago from GL that they have recieved my resume and they will notify me if Im good enough for an interview. Anyone know how long It should be when I should hear back from them? Thanks

It took about 4 weeks for me to hear anything, however I have no prior 121 experience and only 55 multi.

Hey buddy I'm in the same boat.

When everyone was hiring with reduced minimums Lakes was having a hard time attracting pilots. Heck, i remember before i got my current job, they wouldn't even look at me, then the hiring began everywhere, and they were taking anyone. Right now, i don't know how many furloughed guys would be looking to go there. The principal is good, as in quick upgrade, turbine PIC, move the heck on. But, everyone will be feeling the slowdown eventually, as someone else stated, there's nowhere to move onto, however, when hiring starts,i'm sure the upgrades will drop to nothing again.

Also, i don't know how many former 121 guys are looking at lakes, cause it can be difficult to make ends meet at 23/hr...imagine trying to do it 16....plus, when a new CA, you'd be making less than a 2nd year jet FO at many places....which could be a big drawback...the plus, you're logging time that actually counts towards something, unlike the jet FO.

the 80% failure rate is waaaay exaggerated... i just went through a class with 15 people and 14 of them made it... i didnt touch a 121 far until class, all i did was study the 20 pages or so of material they gave me before i showed up... it really isnt that bad if you just hit the books, its definitely not given to you but it definitely isnt that bad... oh and did i mention i never shot an ndb approach before until i came here? i taught myself on MS flight sim like 2 or 3 days before i came and that was all my ndb experience... with RMI it is easy! fixed card adf would be a different story tho lol

-rick

Just curious for those of you that have heard back. How did you submit your resume? Was it through the Lakes website or via fax/mail like posted on APC? I submitted for both CA (when it was listed) and FO via the web site and that's it. Its been about 3 weeks with nothing so far. Just trying to get a feel for what to expect if anything. Someone mentioned they aren't really looking at higher time guys right now so it may not matter. Thanks.

I faxed mine on the number provided here on APC. It took about a week for them to respond confirming that they have received my resume. I have not heard anything since. From reading what others have wrote I should hear something within the next 2 weeks. Which would be a 4 week wait period to know if you have an interview or not. Good luck.

I submitted mine on the website a few weeks ago but i haven't received a confirmation email or anything.

Ya it seems like they take their time just give it time. Keep checking your email buddy.

Be careful and make sure you don't fly with the pilot that has gastro-intestinal discomfort. I think there is a funny report floating around somewhere.

I never got the "recieved" email. I just faxed it and waited for two weeks, then got the invite.

Go for it. The pay is really bad, but I seem to remember that those guys fly a whole lot more than typical? 100+ a month? that at least brings you in line with a 1st year jet FO on reserve. Also there is way more fun to be had flying turboprops...for a while at least.

not to mention you would be looking left a lot sooner than waiting for a recall.

I received the same email yesterday. I spent the afternoon attempting to get in touch with the contact. Did you call, or have any luck reaching your contact a GLA?

Just for clarification, do not expect anything more than guarantee pay as an FO at Lakes for the first few months. Lakes is extremely fat on FOs right now, so the guys sitting around on reserve are not flying much, and definately not over guarantee. There are FOs who have been on reserve for 5-6 months and that time frame is only going to increase as attrition slows more and more every month.

First off. I did the online application and pasted my resume to it. Thats all I did got that email after about 4 weeks of waiting.

I called the contact today to get the interview scheduled no one answered so I left a message. I want to get it scheduled before everyone else calls for one.

14/15 pass rate. I could deal with that. I was almost not even considering going to the interview since my instrument skills are not top notch.

I would appreciate any more advice from current pilots or interviewees.

Thanks

I would still apply with CJC even if you don't meet the mins. You have passed training at another carrier, you are familiar with the 121 environment and the associated demands during training, and you have turbine time. Whats the worst that can happen? They say no.

PM me if you have any questions.


B

I was persistant and kept calling all afternoon. I have secured my interview in Denver. Time to hit the sim and brush up on 91/121 regs.

When is your interview?