Just Curious, I'm in the class starting Wednesday the 7th. If anyone has any experience with Colgan they want to throw out there feel free.

1st Post!

 

Hi 135Drvr,
I'm just curious as well - how did you decide to work for Colgan? Guessing from your screen name, you already have quality jet time.....

 

I have some experience with Colgan..................Run, run as fast as you can and don't look back

 

Go in with a good attitude, work hard, form your own opinions on QOL and use it for what it is...to build time and move on.

 

I've also had experience with Colgan and found them to be a good honest company. I had a great time working there. People were great and the flying was fun. I got great experience, was able to upgrade quickly, and after three years moved on to a major airline. Like any company I had one or two minor issues. But I was never asked to fly when I thought the aircraft was unsafe or when I was fatigued. Try to stay out of a NE maintenance base (Albany and Hyannis), unlike SAAbaroowski. That will keep you away from the part 91 ferry flights.

Once I left Colgan I found that major airline captains, a large number of which came from civilian ranks and flew turboprops themselves, very respectful of SAAB drivers. My transistion to the 737 was a breaze.

Good Luck! Have fun.

 

Decided Colgan seemed like a good company. Maybe not the best pay and fancy schmancy RJ's, but hey I get the jet time where I need it. My goal is fasted PIC so I can get on with my favorite major by 30. Whatever it takes to get there I am willing to do and from a close friend/check airman @ the major i wants POV Colgan is the fasted way through their doors. I figure from everything I have read that all the Regionals are in one way or another very similar. It's really about QOL and the plane you want to fly. The Q400 seems like a nice plane (as long as the gear holds together) and I will be able to live close to my Guard unit (which will supplement the meager pay).

 

Wow! Way to help the industry out. I'll just have to get a second job to help Colgan/Pinnacle out. You'll find that attitudes like this will annoy other pilots in this industry.... especially union pilots that have beter compensation and schedules than Colgan.

PS - All regionals are NOT similar. Research some contracts (or lack thereof).

If it's not too late.... just don't show up at Colgan.

 

Yeap, Dont forget Mesa,GoJets, is out there as well; after all, you dont care, its all about the fastest Upgrade. "Double dip" with your MIL leave as well .nice.

 

Wow, you guys are quite the welcoming group of guys. So far I haven't seen Colgan an anyones worst of the worst list, nor best of the best lists.

"Wow! Way to help the industry out. I'll just have to get a second job to help Colgan/Pinnacle out. You'll find that attitudes like this will annoy other pilots in this industry.... especially union pilots that have beter compensation and schedules than Colgan."

What are these so called better compensation schedules? They all look about the same to me, unless were talking about the difference of $2/hour. O and I guess QOL doesn't matter either and the fact that Colgan Outbases unlike the rest in the industry which is advantageous to many of their pilots. Reference above:

"I've also had experience with Colgan and found them to be a good honest company. I had a great time working there. People were great and the flying was fun. I got great experience, was able to upgrade quickly, and after three years moved on to a major airline. Like any company I had one or two minor issues. But I was never asked to fly when I thought the aircraft was unsafe or when I was fatigued. Try to stay out of a NE maintenance base (Albany and Hyannis), unlike SAAbaroowski. That will keep you away from the part 91 ferry flights.

Once I left Colgan I found that major airline captains, a large number of which came from civilian ranks and flew turboprops themselves, very respectful of SAAB drivers. My transistion to the 737 was a breeze.

Good Luck! Have fun."

Guess what this guy had to say was bogus? Find me a pilot who doesn't have one or two issues with their company/airline/mil job/any job and I'll show you a liar.

 

Sir-
The difference is this. Look at Captain pay on that Q400 vs. what ExpressJet or Skywest makes on their smaller 50 seater.

Look at WORK RULES. Do you know what these are? Colgan doesn't have a lot of them. $21 an hour at Colgan is worse than $19 an hour at Skywest. Why? Work rules. A Skywest pilot will credit much more each month at $19 than Colgan at $21 ...result: Colgan pilots working more for less.

See what I am saying? I don't at all mean to sound unwelcoming to this board I am trying to share with you that NOT all regionals are the same. They are not.

ExpressJet guys in EWR aren't going super-pro-colgan-is-awesome because they are flying LARGER airplanes for less. Who cares what kind of engines it has?