Guys and Gals, I hate to start another aircraft thread but this one needs to be done as it is somewhat unique.

As most of you know I interviewed and was hired by Colgan this past Friday. I got the call today from them saying that based on my current hours and interview they want me to be in the first class for the Q (and I do know the pay sucks, but every regional not counting Horizon sucks for pay)

I originally applied to Colgan because of the MHT base and the one year upgrade in the SF340 but this kind of changes things..maybe.

My wife and I are closing on our first home in southern NH on Oct 1st and I am unable to start training until Nov 1st because of the things I need to do with my home. The first saab class I could make would be the 27th of Nov which would put me 3 classes back in seniority but the first class I can make with the Q would be early nov and I would be 1 of 10 FOs in that first class which would obviously give me pretty good seniority and probably zero reserve and the pick of the line as more FOs get trained.

I was not offered the saab as an option but could probably turn down the Q and get it anyway and attend 3 classes from now and just wait until MHT came avail and be based 30 minutes from home.

I want to fly the Q because It would be nice to be part of something new and exciting with the company and my friend flies one for horizon and cant say enough good things about it but of course the cons are equal to the pros.

so to make a long story short the pro con list is.

PROS
new airframe
seniority and the ability to bid a good line and possible base if they come up in the future
better captain pay (no idea when upgrades would run, I know 3000 TT)

CONS
based out of EWR
would have to commute
would take 2-3 years to upgrade
would be on FO pay for longer which would balance out the better CA pay


I dont really know what to ask you guys but all I want to know is do you think the chance to be top 10 in seniority in that airframe could possibly provide a good enough QOL over having the chance to be based 40 miles from home home in MHT. I guess I dont know what to do. Take the Q and the class date or try to negotiate the SAAB?

sorry for the long rambling posts but its time to make some decisions here and I havent made other flight related decisions alone and Im not starting now

 

Just make sure you fly it gear down and with the gear pins installed.

 

landing gear is a crutch. Im a real pilot

 

well the upgrade might not be an issue cause i know you can bid to upgrade into the saab which would keep the upgrade time around a year or so for ya, the seniority in airplane would def be a huge plus especially if your commuting

 

that is interesting to hear. Being on the fence there is one recurring theme and that is seniority is everything and I think it would probably be foolish to hold off and be 90 lower on the list in the Saab where I could be no lower then 10 (providing I am the youngest in the class) in the Q

thank you for your input

 

Just remember that they need you more than you need them. If you tell them you are only interested if you get the 340 I'm sure they will give it to you. It's only my opinion (others feel free to comment), but I would try to get the Saab. You will get the MHT base before you know it and will be home 7 nights a week + your drive up rt 101 to Manch will be a piece of cake. If you do the morning shift, you'll show up at 5am and be home by 2pm, and then have 3 or 4 days off in a row.

Other points:
-FO pay is the same regardless of aircraft
-You would have to commute
-Have to get a crashpad in Newark (on the same pay)
-Slower upgrade

I would try to get the saab 340, upgrade on it, and then transition to Q400 captain if you really want to fly it. Again just my opinion. Give me a call tomorrow if you want - take care

 

Congrats on the offer, usmc-sgt! I got the offer today, too. Got the 11/7 class for the Q. Are you the young guy with the marine corp belt buckle who drove in? If so, I think I know who you are - I'm the 40-year-old guy who rode over to drug testing with you along with the really tall guy from Texas. Anyway, for me being based in EWR is a huge plus. I hope to see you in training if you decide to take the Q.

 

quality of life above anything else. commuting will get nasty especially this winter where you live and all the delays and cancellations.

 

If your going to commute to newark. Get a job with express jet!

 

Agreed. Upgrade time will probably be the same, you'll get paid more and be treated better