Can anyone fill me in a bit about what IOE is like with Colgan, how are the first 20? Are you able to get home at all during this phase of training? I am in my second week of ground school and all seems to be smooth. I am happy with my choice so far and feel that, even though it will be challenging work and also stressfu at times, it will be a good experience overall. Lots of nice people who are willing to work hard with you.

 

You will be sent to a base to fly a few days with an IOE captain. He/she will show you how we conduct our flights. Don't feel bad if things don't click right away, they will soon. It can get very busy as an FO before the flight. I recommend the following sequence.

1) Fill out any information that you can on the load manifest form. (Dept Apt, Dest Apt, Date, Tail #, etc.)

2) If you have your release, fill out the rest of the load manifest.

3) Get the atis.

4) Get your clearance.

5) Set your frequencies for Ramp, Ground, Tower, Departure.

6) When the ground crew gives you the load info, finish the Manifest form.

You will get used to this flow very quickly and will become second nature to you, especially after doing it 4-6 times per day.

You probably will not be able to go home during this period. It will usually take 3-4 days, depending on how well you do. Best of luck to you, see you on the line.

 

Hey, thanks a lot bud! I am excited to start... Classes are long however, interesting, I am having a good time learning a whole different world of flying. Any other pointers? How do you like your job so far? Are you able to get time off to see your loved ones much?

 

* Get out before your training contract starts *

That aside, the most important thing to remember is that during IOE, YOU buy the beer.

 

I got lucky and am now based in my hometown, about 2 months after sitting in the class you're in now. But that's really the only reason I picked Colgan, for the chance to be based here. If there is a base close to your home with good flying, you will think the job is not too bad. I typically work 3 and then have 4 off. Once in a while you can get 5 days in a row off on certain lines. It seems pretty normal to have between 13-16 days off a month, which is good for me because I can do other things to make some money. If you have to commute, a good amount of your time off is obviously eaten up.

 

Do not attempt to commute to this job. If you can get based in the town that you live in, it's a pretty good gig. Also, never pick up the phone on your days off.

 

haha oh how this will change, give Colgan a couple of months, youll be damning them to hell

 

Oh yeah, don't get based at a maintainence base, Albany or Manassas. You will spend alot of your time ferrying broke airplanes around.