Its Official, NO ALPA at COLGAN!!!!!!
08-21-2007, 11:49 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: Cessna 152 Captain
Posts: 695
Originally Posted by belliott
I think that you and many others have and will mis-interpret my post... Please read it as such.... I am very wary of working for an airline that does not have a contract in place... I am very wary of Colgan specifically after reading what people have stated about the company...
25-30% of the guys interviewed were offered recently at Colgan so don't think it's a walk-in.
I was one of 94 for my current job.... and although I do not work for a 121 carrier I can say that having this fail by 4 votes makes me very suspicious.... Let me lay my background out on the table... I meet or exceed Colgans minimum requirements.... I currently fly weather mod.... I don't do anything that I feel is unsafe and I am not pressured into anything.... I do not want to put my QOL in jeopardy by moving or commuting halfway across the country for a job.... my current salary is equivalent to that of a fourth year Air Wisky CA (without per diem and expecting to fly 1000 hours a year).... I like what I do and unless a job presents itself that allows me to continue with my current QOL I do not wish to deviate from this path I have chosen.
you fly 10-12 legs a day low altitude/icing/IMC with 10 minute turnaround times and you'll be called up occasionally to do a mx trip after a long day.
Personally... and this is my opinion.... I think Colgan pilots are paid way to freaking little for what they do.... in fact I think this is great experience for you and anyone else who chooses to work for Colgan. Good for you (stated with nothing but best intentions)! One of my former roommates works for Colgan on the SF340 and he loves it.... good for him.
No I have not been there or done what you have. I don't expect the "oh so glamorous RJ job" without working darned hard for it. I am extremely sharp when it comes to flying because my life depends on it. I am not married but think that there is more to life than for the first airline that offers you an interview. I want a life that agrees with my goals. I want to work to live....not live to work. I do not want the pressure to fly a Part 91 MX flight after working a full day because I don't have a contract.
I have spoken my mind as the Constitution of this great nation allows myself and you to do.... and that is all it is.... my opinion. We all have a path to chose in aviation and I hope nothing but the best for you in your endeavors.
I live in a rodeo.... its called WX Mod.... and I hate ballets.
PEACE.
25-30% of the guys interviewed were offered recently at Colgan so don't think it's a walk-in.
I was one of 94 for my current job.... and although I do not work for a 121 carrier I can say that having this fail by 4 votes makes me very suspicious.... Let me lay my background out on the table... I meet or exceed Colgans minimum requirements.... I currently fly weather mod.... I don't do anything that I feel is unsafe and I am not pressured into anything.... I do not want to put my QOL in jeopardy by moving or commuting halfway across the country for a job.... my current salary is equivalent to that of a fourth year Air Wisky CA (without per diem and expecting to fly 1000 hours a year).... I like what I do and unless a job presents itself that allows me to continue with my current QOL I do not wish to deviate from this path I have chosen.
you fly 10-12 legs a day low altitude/icing/IMC with 10 minute turnaround times and you'll be called up occasionally to do a mx trip after a long day.
Personally... and this is my opinion.... I think Colgan pilots are paid way to freaking little for what they do.... in fact I think this is great experience for you and anyone else who chooses to work for Colgan. Good for you (stated with nothing but best intentions)! One of my former roommates works for Colgan on the SF340 and he loves it.... good for him.
No I have not been there or done what you have. I don't expect the "oh so glamorous RJ job" without working darned hard for it. I am extremely sharp when it comes to flying because my life depends on it. I am not married but think that there is more to life than for the first airline that offers you an interview. I want a life that agrees with my goals. I want to work to live....not live to work. I do not want the pressure to fly a Part 91 MX flight after working a full day because I don't have a contract.
I have spoken my mind as the Constitution of this great nation allows myself and you to do.... and that is all it is.... my opinion. We all have a path to chose in aviation and I hope nothing but the best for you in your endeavors.
I live in a rodeo.... its called WX Mod.... and I hate ballets.
PEACE.
To make a comment on flying low in IMC and Icing conditions I say Hats off to them, just remember There are Bold pilots and Old Pilots but No OLD BOLD pilots.. Its not about SJS But about having someone in your corner when your back is up against the wall, Sure Alpa may not be the way but Colgan Pilots really need representation...
08-22-2007, 12:00 AM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Back in school.
Posts: 580
That is all I was trying to get across... no representation is something that I disagree with.
As far as explaining myself I feel that as a young pilot my compatriots are selling themselves short by not instructing or taking jobs that would otherwise enable them to gain experience outside of flying for an airline.
I think that posting anonymously (sp) is abused by those who do not have any REAL experience outside of their training grounds. I just hope that people realize that pilots in general are being abused (for the most part) and that pilots are making sub par wages.
I want the conditions for FA's and pilots to improve but do not anyone to sell themself short for the sake of their CEO's who line their pockets with the fruits of OUR labor.
As far as explaining myself I feel that as a young pilot my compatriots are selling themselves short by not instructing or taking jobs that would otherwise enable them to gain experience outside of flying for an airline.
I think that posting anonymously (sp) is abused by those who do not have any REAL experience outside of their training grounds. I just hope that people realize that pilots in general are being abused (for the most part) and that pilots are making sub par wages.
I want the conditions for FA's and pilots to improve but do not anyone to sell themself short for the sake of their CEO's who line their pockets with the fruits of OUR labor.
08-22-2007, 12:43 AM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: ERJ FO
Posts: 1,276
Originally Posted by BoilerUP
Ask any RAH pilot with at least 3 years longevity what their opinion is of Gene Sowell and you'll likely be proven wrong...
Originally Posted by btwissel
clearly you've never been a teamster
08-22-2007, 08:01 AM
#44
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: BE-1900 CA
Posts: 89
Originally Posted by N618FT
batman what have YOU personally done to increase the standard?
And whats this about "just take out the beech guys.." do we not count? Our quality of life is just as important. You haven't been at a base like mine for over a year, working my schedule- so don't bother.
08-22-2007, 08:12 AM
#45
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: BE-1900 CA
Posts: 89
Originally Posted by N618FT
And you know it all because youve been there and done that right? ALPA's the solution for everything -- especially a small turboprop operation? 
PLEASE Not to mention if you take out the B1900 and the guys that havent worked for the company in a while, you're left with a couple guys that picked a bad base and a quarter of the original complaints. No, it's not the oh-so-glamorous RJ flying... you fly 10-12 legs a day low altitude/icing/IMC with 10 minute turnaround times and you'll be called up occasionally to do a mx trip after a long day. It's tough and it's NOT an easy way into the industry. Some people want that -- some people don't have families that they have to support. For the ones that do, it's going to be ROUGH. I've got me myself and I to worry about. If you can make any interviews, do it... it'll sharpen your skills. 25-30% of the guys interviewed were offered recently at Colgan so don't think it's a walk-in. Remember... this is a SMALL TURBOPROP CARRIER... take it AS THAT... if you want easy uneventful flying at flight levels, stay away. It keeps getting compared to everything else in the industry... well right now there aren't many other companies that do this per-se... just don't come into a rodeo expecting ballet.
PLEASE Not to mention if you take out the B1900 and the guys that havent worked for the company in a while, you're left with a couple guys that picked a bad base and a quarter of the original complaints. No, it's not the oh-so-glamorous RJ flying... you fly 10-12 legs a day low altitude/icing/IMC with 10 minute turnaround times and you'll be called up occasionally to do a mx trip after a long day. It's tough and it's NOT an easy way into the industry. Some people want that -- some people don't have families that they have to support. For the ones that do, it's going to be ROUGH. I've got me myself and I to worry about. If you can make any interviews, do it... it'll sharpen your skills. 25-30% of the guys interviewed were offered recently at Colgan so don't think it's a walk-in. Remember... this is a SMALL TURBOPROP CARRIER... take it AS THAT... if you want easy uneventful flying at flight levels, stay away. It keeps getting compared to everything else in the industry... well right now there aren't many other companies that do this per-se... just don't come into a rodeo expecting ballet.And you talk like you've been on the line for a while and really done these things.. where are you based?
I wonder what percentage of guys are hired with over 1000hrs here anymore? I had the hookup and I needed 1000/300 haha.
N618FT, if Colgan works for you, then great. But don't forget about everyone else- that's all we are saying. Good luck... and if you are in training here, dont skimp on SAAB systems- I hear they are a biatch.
08-22-2007, 08:17 AM
#46
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: BE-1900 CA
Posts: 89
Originally Posted by Blkflyer
Why explain yourself.. I just hope they get Paid Decent Rates for the Qs
But.. with so many street captains on the way- does seniority even matter?
08-22-2007, 09:52 AM
#47
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: XJT furloughed due to non-ALPA undercutting
Posts: 376
Originally Posted by N618FT
Remember... this is a SMALL TURBOPROP CARRIER... take it AS THAT...
You have to agree that the wages set for the Q400 are too low. And because you guys AREN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT, this is why pilots at companies with good contracts (XJT) will still look down on Colgan. I'm not sitting on any high horse, but I am just sorry to say that you've got half of the pilot group who thinks that it is professional to work more for less, undercutting pilots who have a professional contract. Why would anyone think it's cool to fly larger aircraft for less moneythan other Continental Express carriers?
Good luck!
08-22-2007, 10:08 AM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Posts: 147
Originally Posted by N618FT
Remember... this is a SMALL TURBOPROP CARRIER... take it AS THAT... if you want easy uneventful flying at flight levels, stay away. It keeps getting compared to everything else in the industry... well right now there aren't many other companies that do this per-se... just don't come into a rodeo expecting ballet.
Oh and guess who represented Colgan at the NMB yesterday, MF and Buddy Casey from PINNACLE, not Mike. Buddy will most likely be your new CEO in the near future so you may want to get to know him. For example, he used to work with Frank Lorenzo, know who that is? If not you will sure learn the hard way.
08-22-2007, 01:12 PM
#49
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: A-320
Posts: 6,929
Originally Posted by N618FT
And you know it all because youve been there and done that right? ALPA's the solution for everything -- especially a small turboprop operation? PLEASE Not to mention if you take out the B1900 and the guys that havent worked for the company in a while, you're left with a couple guys that picked a bad base and a quarter of the original complaints. No, it's not the oh-so-glamorous RJ flying... you fly 10-12 legs a day low altitude/icing/IMC with 10 minute turnaround times and you'll be called up occasionally to do a mx trip after a long day. It's tough and it's NOT an easy way into the industry. Some people want that -- some people don't have families that they have to support. For the ones that do, it's going to be ROUGH. I've got me myself and I to worry about. If you can make any interviews, do it... it'll sharpen your skills. 25-30% of the guys interviewed were offered recently at Colgan so don't think it's a walk-in. Remember... this is a SMALL TURBOPROP CARRIER... take it AS THAT... if you want easy uneventful flying at flight levels, stay away. It keeps getting compared to everything else in the industry... well right now there aren't many other companies that do this per-se... just don't come into a rodeo expecting ballet.
PLEASE Not to mention if you take out the B1900 and the guys that havent worked for the company in a while, you're left with a couple guys that picked a bad base and a quarter of the original complaints. No, it's not the oh-so-glamorous RJ flying... you fly 10-12 legs a day low altitude/icing/IMC with 10 minute turnaround times and you'll be called up occasionally to do a mx trip after a long day. It's tough and it's NOT an easy way into the industry. Some people want that -- some people don't have families that they have to support. For the ones that do, it's going to be ROUGH. I've got me myself and I to worry about. If you can make any interviews, do it... it'll sharpen your skills. 25-30% of the guys interviewed were offered recently at Colgan so don't think it's a walk-in. Remember... this is a SMALL TURBOPROP CARRIER... take it AS THAT... if you want easy uneventful flying at flight levels, stay away. It keeps getting compared to everything else in the industry... well right now there aren't many other companies that do this per-se... just don't come into a rodeo expecting ballet.Yeah your right, In and out of Mexico between mountains higher than your a/c can climb (due to your pack being MEL'd Im sure), complex destinations, complex airspace, and glass, we have it so easy, get a clue, ABE-IAD all day and everyday is a walk in the park compared to some of the places I have been, get off it, you work at one of the least respected airlines out there, thanks for continuing the trend......................
I cant wait until You guys come into EWR, an airport as SH*TTY as EWR is, and with ground stops and delays you are going to wish you had better work rules becuase those FAA rest requirements really dont qualify as fair, and we all know how fair COLGAN is
PS, You want to know what a contract can do for you, this month I am scheduled to fly 90 hrs, well I am getting paid 128hrs, and for September I have 16 days off, and dont work a single weekend, and have a line value of 85 hrs, whats your September schedule look like?
Last edited by JoeyMeatballs; 08-22-2007 at 01:29 PM.
08-22-2007, 01:55 PM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 149
Originally Posted by batman
I voted.
And whats this about "just take out the beech guys.." do we not count? Our quality of life is just as important. You haven't been at a base like mine for over a year, working my schedule- so don't bother.
And whats this about "just take out the beech guys.." do we not count? Our quality of life is just as important. You haven't been at a base like mine for over a year, working my schedule- so don't bother.
Another thing that adds some dynamics to this situation is the shortage of pilots -- how are they going to double their pilots in the next couple years? If the supply/demand issues with that don't bring something better along for everyone, then I don't know what will. Being in a firm contract (depending on what's in there) during that time might cause a lot of issues with trying to get people onboard and keeping them here. Any thoughts on that?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
