Thoughts on Colgan?
 

As I start my search for a possible regional job, I am looking at different regionals where my QOL would be best. Colgan would be great because it is very close to home. Anyway, what is everyone's thoughts and feelings on colgan? Flying time, upgrade time, etc.

Any other regionals? I'm around 500TT and 60ME.

Im too tired to go off into one of my rants, but do a search on this website about COLGAN, that should do it.


PS. I will be in LGA later this month to rally with other ALPA members for COLGAN...............anybody else going to show some support???? Beers on me after ;)

That's a noble cause to begin with and i will do my best to show, but if thats the case then i'm that much more motivated

We really need the support and to get a unified pilot group.

Colan is pretty cool.

Or not....

If you send them your resume you will be called within 10 minutes....and offered an interview within 12. Can you say desperate??

I think staffing will be even more of an issue when they get the Q400. They won't any issues staffing that airplane because current Colgan pilots will get on that plane but they will have a hard time with the SAAB 340.

So your saying that current Colgan capt's will bid for the Q400's thus leaving a number of unfilled seats for the Saab? Makes sense. So I suppose they will be looking even harder to find pilots for the Saab bases. Sounds like they will be busy hiring for quite a while. I know people have their issues with Colgan and I respect their opinions, but I think Colgan might be a good fit for myself. If they are going to USE me then I will USE them and move on in a few years. Who know's, just have to wait and see. Any current Colgan pilots wish to add their 2 cents?

I think you just heard from a few former Colgan guys :p

I am aware of the usual suspects in regard to Colgan. They have their issues with them and thats fine. Sounds like they moved on to better things and thats great. I am just curious about pilots opinion's regarding today's situation at Colgan. Even digging up archives is not as helpful because of the ever changing state of a regional airline. What was happening 6 months ago might not be relevant to current day status. Again, stressing the word "might".

Ya know I dont honestly know how many guys are going to jump at the chance to bid a CA spot on the Q400, unless they suffer from "DTS" of course (Dirty Turbo-Prop Syndrome), the pay is terrible and its hellish commuting to and from EWR, especially with the routes that Colgan will be flying, can you say 5hr ground stop to EWR from PVD, MHT, etc........... we know how Colgan has such a great commuter policy:p It will be interesting to see how much more a union is needed there becuase flying in and out of EWR all day long, you need to have good work rules otherwise your life is going to be miserable..............

Hey Saab, I know your views on Colgan and I do respect your opinion. Thanks for the input about the Q400's and work rules operating out of EWR. Sounds like it could be miserable working there in that respect. However, the only reason I am considering Colgan is because I live 15 minutes from PVD. The QOL would be quite good for me should I receive the chance to be based there or MHT. But, I have never worked there so I guess I wouldn't know until I am actually flying for them. I do know that if I got stuck in some base that sucks I would probably share your same views pretty quick. Do you recall if they are somewhat good about giving you a base selection in a reasonable time? How about seniority in training, is it stil by age? That helps me if it is (36).

Hey Shamrok, if your going to be based in your hometown, you gotta go for it, I agree. Seniority is based on age and if you dont get PVD out of training, the best way it was done when I was there was to bug Mikey Colgan about it, bidding for a new base never worked as well as talking to Mike about it. I will say being able to drive to work is priceless, especially if its day trips...........After 4 days in a hotel when you get home you feel like you have had the **** kicked out of you mentally and physically, when I do like 4 day trips in a row I am happy as an can be, love being home (Jersey). The only good thing about 4 days is you get to see some cool cities and there is a potential to have a lot of fun if you have a good crew, also $600.00 tax free Per Diem check is nice. It also sucks if you are gone a long 4 days with a ****ty crew

Hey Bro,

Colgan has been great for me so far, however I am concidering leaving after my contract is up. It's not because I have been screwed around w/ (like everyone complains about), or anything like that. I just want to move back to where I used to live, and its far enough away that I wouldn't be able to commute very easily. (we don't have a commuter's clause - so if I miss my flights, I could get fired.)

Do your research. Do what YOU have to do for YOU to better your career. Since you are low time, and if you get hired at Colgan, just remember...It's only one year. Plus, by the time you are done with your contract, you can literally pick which regional airline you want to fly for.

Good Luck,
Lax

PS. But if you REALLY want to get on with your choice airline(s)...flight instruct for another couple of months and stick it out. But if you can't stand teaching anymore, concider banner towing, being a skydive pilot, etc.

Thanks Saab, I'll keep that in mind if I end up with Colgan. Flight instructing is getting tiresome pretty fast not to mention the heat and humidity in the 152/172's this time of year. The time might be near to send in the resume. Hows the SF340 in the summer. I have heard some horror stories regarding the heat and the smell........have any good ones?

hahaha Thats the great thing about the ERJ, or anything with a APU. I remember sitting in the airplane in the ramp at LGA and being wet, I dont mean like sweating I mean like wet, Like I had just jumped in a pool, the pax were in almost as bad a shape the worst part was, there was a lot of older people, like Grandma types and I felt terrible for them. Nothing more uncomfortable then doing 8 legs a day while you smell like a wet piece a cheese.

Wow, that doesnt sound any different than sitting in a 172 on a day like today. All my students canceled today because of heat and haze ( visibility sucks) here in Rhode Island. I bet the older people were ready to pass out. I guess thats something else to consider when choosing an aircraft or airline for that matter. So in the winter, is it the reverse with the SF340? Freezing cold? Just curious.

not too bad, its just that the yokes are like Steel or something, so they are as cold as the outside temp, and that can be cold, especially with like a 0510 show:o I remember some of the CA's using like a towel on the tiller, it was so cold hahah man that blew.

As you know, it can be pretty friggin cold at 5 am here in the northeast. I guess we all have to deal with it. Thanks for the input, time to go fishing since I wont be flying today. Your alright bro!

if you think you gonna be cool in a SAAB in LGA waiting for a push crew while you are ready to go, all buttoned up and in the middle of the summer while it's 120 on the ramp, dream on...

I have flown both USAirways Express and United Express, and I think the United Express flying is the best. You can crank #2 before pushback if you can't get an air cart in Dulles. AND they are making improvements there, actually. I believe 2-3 electric GPU's to every finger on top of the diesel ones they already have. I also noticed that they are getting more air carts (don't know how many though). I know it sounds like I'm an optimist, but any improvements are good...

I can't speak for the Continental Connection guys/gals, but I do enjoy the UEX flying. It's not a bad deal...

Yeah that is what I've been hearing as far as the staffing goes but that could all change.

That would be awesome if you were able to get PVD but it is likely that outstation basing is on the way out within a year or two.

I also enjoyed doing the United stuff more as well, PAX loads were wlays better, and I like PotBelly's Chicken Salad Sandwich in IAD, althought PIT has some good
food too

Someone told me to avoid the United side.. I forget why, maybe less flying at with those bases?
I'm gonna be in IAD next week... I'll be sure to check out that chix salad!

It's because United Express guys do less flying and therefore have more time to do Part 91 REPOS! Yay guys!!!!

I guess I am a little confused, I thought PVD was not considered outstation. I thought places like HYA were considered outstation. Could someone brief me on that? Thanks.

All bases except for the following are outstations: PIT,DCA,IAD,LGA,BOS,IAH... all the po-dunk airports are outstations...

Thanks for the clarification. So if Colgan were to close it's outstation bases like PVD and MHT would they base a majority of their planes at BOS for their northeast operations? I know BOS is not a base of theirs right now. Just trying to see if they would still have a base in my home region. Thats the only way I would be willing to work for them. Not interested in east bumble f^*%.

Most flights in the NE go in and out of LGA. I dont know what the number of daily departures per airport are for Colgan, but I'd bet that either LGA or IAH is #1. And I wouldn't expect anything longer than the 1 hour call out even if LGA becomes a base.

I've done 1 repo on the USAirways side, and 1 repo on the United side...I have been online for 4 months. The people that do the most repo flights are the Manassas people, and maybe the CHO/CRW guys...

Overall...not too bad, in my opinion.

amazingly, we are really fat on FO's right now. There is hardly any open time to pick up. PIT is now a base. OUr issue now is the q400 and having enough captains to staff the saabs and q400's. We just don't have enough people ready for upgrade. Once the q400 gets staffed, FO's and captains on the saab will be able to hold just about any base they want. It looks like PVD and MHT will also be q400 destinations, but like saab said, good luck getting in and out of EWR. Upgrade time on the saab is about to drop to past lows becuase of demand. The sept 06 hires will be upgrading in oct or nov of this yr. I'd expect to see some street captains also unless we get rid of the 1900's and move all of them over to the saab and q400.

MX has been a lot better lately also for some reason. Maybe cause pcl is pumping more money into it. I haven't seen an MEL is a while. LGA and IAD are on the ball with the air carts this year also. I think armageddon is among us.............. other than that, all is same at colgan. IF you live in base, it's very worth it. Upgrade times will be back down to 12-14 months on the saab real soon. If you live in base, it's a total different company. Good luck with the decision.

PS, NOV 05 colgan hires are all thru upgrade now, or whoever is left :-)

CHO are the repo kings, lol

Not what I heard. According to HEF we're extremely extremely short. Maybe our current FO's are just open-time hoggers.

yeah we must be, even i'm getting my top 5 line picks. (IAH)

Dont forget about the ALB guys, I did more repos than 121 stuff up there, great CA's up there though, Mike W still around?, he was the man!

All the hosing goes to ALB, nuff said!!!

Shamrok, I was in your place about a year ago. I also live in the northeast about 30 miles south of Boston, between Boston and the Cape. Colgan has been great to me thus far and they will work with you to get your base of choice. PVD is going to have some movement in the next few months, FO's upgrading and Capt's leaving so it looks good. HYA is a summer base, I just got based there after doing 2 months in PQI which is not bad to commute to so long you can get to Logan easily, plus they list you pos space to get you to work. Everyone, I have met and dealt with at Colgan has been nothing short of nice and understanding. As you may read it isn't for everyone, especially if you get a mx base, don't bid ALB! I can help you out with some questions if you have some more. The Saab is a challenging and interesting aircraft. I feel that I have benefited on some great 121 experience with Colgan getting into some of the busiest airports in the nation LGA, BOS, plus the weather you encounter is quite the challenge also. Keep looking to see what would fit you best, as for being close to home Colgan is great, there is also Cape Air who are a great company however, you wont get that tubine time though that the majors look at. For some people like me that doesnt matter much because I dont want to go to the majors, I want to be home at night! Best of luck bro.

Thanks for the info Alex. I know the northeast has it's weather challenges. All of my experience has been here in New England and the experience is good to have under the belt. As far as Colgan, I am going to attend a job fair in Chicago Aug 25 where Chuck Colgan and Kathy Angelo will be also. My times are low right now but will be a little higher come mid Aug. Right now(don't laugh) I am at 350TT and 30 Multi. I know people are getting hired with less at other airlines but I am only interested in a company that has a base close to my region as mentioned. Do you think I would be wasting a recruiters time as well as mine attending the job fair? I am pretty sure I could land an interview with Colgan. Let me know if i am mistaken.