Thank you Rightseat,

KiloAlpha, don't jump to conclusons so quick, and get your airline straight - not as a personal attack. Yeah, I would NOT fly for Great Lakes...hehe - The ramen noodle diet sucks...believe me, I am a CFI...I know the gig. But Colgan is a great company, in fact, your first year you make about 27K Gross - give or take. (flying the Saab 340) And since the Saab 340 is a 'heavy' T-prop, you can easily get hired to fly bigger jet aircraft.

Also, if you 'get' the Saab 340, you are more than likely to upgrade to the left seat in about a year of service. (ATP mins + 800-1000 TT in type, they have a 2200 TT stipulation, but I was informed that they disregaurd that for the most part.)

One of my good friends flys with them, and through all the Hurricane crap that went on down south, Mr. Colgan took care of them. He is a good guy to work for. Anyway, that is my opinion...

D

 

If you get the SAAB then I agree, it's not a bad deal. But for the guys gettting the Beech, that first year would be tough.

 

What the heck is the difference? The pay is $1 difference according to this website.

 

Iflyjets4food,

You are right, there isn't much of a difference. What usually happens is the super-high time guys (usually with prior Beech experience) get the 1900. This is because the upgrade time is about 500 hours. The Saab guys are the ones hired with lower time. That is from a source inside the company. Just thought I would throw that out there...

D

 

You probably could ask for the Beech if you wanted it since I'm sure lots of folks want to get to the Saab. Probably not too many asking for the Beech.

 

Good point.. what is the difference.. they are paying you peanuts anyway.

I am 22 and salaried at a much higher rate to fly a King Air E90; 200 hours / year. Surely good 'ol Mr. Colgan can spare a couple more bucks an hour.

 

Pay rate at Colgan for the first year isn't the greatest. It equates to about 18-24K depending on how much you work. But you are getting some of the best experience out of it. You are flying the plane, not just putting an auto pilot on, you are flying in the crapiest wx you can get in the US, and you upgrade in about a year depending on your time and age. You are going to be sitting left seat within a year and a half and making double the money you initially did. You will be making high 30 to low 40K per year. That is not that bad for only having 2000 hours. Also, you stay there for about 2 more years, you have 2000 PIC Turbine over 20,000 lbs. That is what majors are looking for, PIC Turbine, not 6000 hours SIC in a jet. That doesn't mean anything. Also, think about the flow through to continental. An average of 5 capt a month are leaving colgan after only being there for 3-5 years and sitting right seat on a 75 or 767. At that point you just throw away the logbook.

 

Hawaiifly9,

You hit that nail right on the head. That is why after I graduate in the spring, my resume is being sent out to Mr. Colgan! One of my best friends just got his upgrade (on the Saab) notice for 7 months (he has only been flying the line for about a month), and he will be right at the 800 hr. marker - lowest allotable time to upgrade. Now is the time to get in with Colgan guys/gals! Great company, and great people to work/fly with.

 

"(he has only been flying the line for about a month), and he will be right at the 800 hr. marker - lowest allotable time to upgrade."

Just who I want flying my mother in and out of crappy wx on the east coast during the winter. I hope he's sharp...

Mookie

 

My friend is one of the finest pilots that I have ever flown with. I have flown with 20 year 777 captains that think they are gods gift to flying, and my friend is a better stick, and has better ADM skills then some of these wide body drivers. If you would ever be on a flight with him, you would be in good hands. I give you my word...this guy is sharp!

D