So, circumstances have led to this point where my first choice of regionals don't want me or won't call me. (I'm answering in advance the inevitable "why Colgan/etc? why not "so and so"? questions.)

Because one company is not hugely "better" than the other, it's proving to be a tough choice. Both have similar pay, fly turboprops, similar upgrade times, require 1 year contact, even the same class date and I would have to get a crashpad in both cases.

Employees of either company have any positive/negative input?

 

I've looked into both esp. living in Boston and both have bases in the region, Colgan has been a staple to th turbo prop market on the East Cast whereas Big Sky , although they ve been around out West and havedone well, they are just starting a BOS base and who know s how well they will compete. If you are wanting to stay East I reccomend Colgan i got an email this week for an interview, not sure if im gonna accept because I havemy eyes on AWAC and Eagle, but I have heard that if oyu have the hours Big Sky upgrade is a year or less

 

Colgan MUCH more stable. Also getting Q400's. Owned by Pinnacle. More reputable, their operational systems are better, etc. . .

BigSky: Pot Luck (EAS carrier) Has shown no initiative on wanting to really grow business. Travels to where the money is. Look through APC (there is a lot of info on why NOT to choose BigSky)

 

Ellen,

Why are you so negative about Bigsky? What the heck have they ever done to you? All your posts about them are negative.


What is your experience at this time as you can choose between colgan or bigsky?

 

All her posts are negative, I don't know why this one should be different.

I don't know much about Colgan, but I know a little about Big Sky. Right now they are growing a lot with this Boston base. There are three classes going on right now (one in ground, one in sim, one just finishing ioe), and another starting in a week or two. They are going through growing pains because of this fast growth, but it looks like things are starting to get better. When the planes that they bought show up, things should start going smoother.

From my perspective, if the deal with Delta goes well, there will be no stopping Big Sky (rumors of Salt Lake and LAX are going around). If Big Sky doesn't keep Delta happy, there won't be much growth past what is going on now.

Edit: they need captains. They are looking for people with the times that they can make street captains. People who are close are being hired as FOs and are being offered upgrades very quickly. Also, there are signing bonuses. Don't think that it will take a year to upgrade if you have the hours, think months.

 

.....Very Simple Answer Here.....Look at the business philosophy and see which one you agree with more...if you need to know more about being a pilot at Big Sky find Nick around here he'll give you the low down...

 

Where is Nick BTW? Last I heard of him someone had posted that he should come into the General Office. (Wonder if he got into trouble?) Uh Oh!

 

Not negative. The question was (in one's opinion) So I gave one. BigSky is about EAS flying (That is government handout flying if you are not aware) and Colgan is about growing a business BEYOND EAS flying.

As you might be able to tell, my personality is not about taking/or giving Handouts.

I just think Colgan would be a better choice. In as much, I believe MAIR (the parent of BigSky) mentioned that is in talks with some entity about selling BigSky. So who knows what will happen.

I do think BigSky is better than Great Lakes AND Mesa (Air Midwest) BUT NOT better than Colgan. (Though BigSky flys MESA's reject airplanes)

However, if you do choose BigSky get based in MT (the airports they go into are pretty awesome mountainous airports.) MSO, HLN, JAC . . they also go into BZN and I thought they went in to GPI but I think they stopped flying there.

 

Ellen...Check your APC PM box...

 

I have to say even with Big Sky's growth right now it would probably be wise to let them figure out if the growth will be a good thing or a bad thing. Colgan may not be the best but they have a lot more opportunity out there right now than Big Sky.

Currently Big Sky has signing bonuses for pilots and dispatchers. More on the pilot side for street captains(not sure what they are). Dispatchers with 6 months 121 experience they are offering a $5000 signing bonus. Any current dispatcher who brings in another experienced dispatcher gets $1000. I don't think anyone there in the dispatch center will be referring anyone to Big Sky in the state that things are in now.

Also the Montana flying seems to be shrinking in the face of expansion on the East coast. Good luck to whatever you do but if I would stay away from Big Sky at the moment.

Hey Rsmith, how are things at Pinnacle now?