I was in a similar situation with wife and daughter so I can relate. I would consider Colgan. Things are heading in a positive direction and we have a base in LGA. I have had a good experience thus far and I am not even based near my home yet (soon hopefully). The people are great and yes, there are things that need and will be changed in the near future. If QOL is important then CJC is a pretty good place to work, and I am at a MX base right now! With the Q rolling out this Jan. you might want to consider EWR. Just food for thought, good luck.

 

shamrok,

I've been considering Colgan as well, since they have two bases in NYC. In fact, I've received several calls from Mr. Colgan (although when I call back the HR people keep shrugging me off). EWR wouldn't be that bad depending on the call out time. I'm a good two hours away on average and that's a long way to drive every day. How would my chances be for getting LGA?

 

I'm surprised nobody else mentioned it, but American Eagle has an LGA base. Pretty good outfit from what I hear, and the upgrade time is improving. Also XJT would be a good bet (in Newark), but that might be a bit of a drive. If you want EWR, you'll have a pretty good chance of getting it. AWAC is also opening an LGA base. I'll say this: Avoid having to commute at all costs. I would suggest avoiding Colgan as well.

 

Thank you for your comments Andy, but some more specifics would be helpful. I know Eagle has LGA, but with being sold and upgrades pushing the decade mark right now, I'm passing. I definately do NOT want EWR, as I explained before, because I would essentially have to get a crashpad there if I have to sit reserve. I could deal for a month or two, but thats about my limit. I agree XJT would be an ideal choice as well, but as they're not hiring right now, I'm going to have to pass on them as well. Can I ask why you would avoid Colgan? Do you work, or have you worked for them?

 

Well, one thing I'll point out about XJT is that we have "long call" (12 hour callout) reserve. Were you to bid that, you would have no trouble at all. Also, its extremely rare to receive a minimum 2 hour callout when you're on the later (9AM and 12PM) call times. I've only had it happen once. As for why I would avoid Colgan, I myself haven't worked for them (I was at TSA before I came to XJT), but I have several friends who have. In short, I've never heard anything good about Colgan from any of them. I also used to commute with the Colganites, and it was the same thing from all of those crews. Their pay is sub-par, their MX is lousy, their schedules are not very good, and worst of all, they have no union/no contract. Also, they have a training contract which I personally would never agree to. One has to ask why a company would need to resort to indenture to retain employees, when the better regionals and majors have no such need. If you have other options (and it sounds like you do), why go to Colgan? If you don't want EWR or LGA, I'd take a good look at Comair at JFK. That would be a much better bet.

 

Do your reserach on Colgan before you go there. You have the experience to go to what are commonly considered the "better" regionals. Consider that you may be at your regional for longer than you expect. Do what is right for your family, but it'll be tough anywhere you go for the first year.

On a side note, I've noticed lately that there have been a lot of people here spreading the "good word" of Colgan. They stand in a precarious position of not having a union while being owned by an airline with a unionized workforce that is ready to strike.

 

Andy,

Thank you for your honest comments. This is the kind of advise I'm looking for. I'm a fairly smary person, and I don't have many illusions about my career choice. I'm simply trying to find the best company that suites my career and my life. To be honest XJT is on the top of my list, and I'm going to submit an app to them. However, due to the BSY fiasco, I'm out of a job in January and I need to find work before next spring / summer (when it looks like XJT may start to pick up again). I will keep posted here and see if anything changes, and I'm considering ALL my options.

 

Ok, so what is the deal with Big Sky? I applied ther. I know they closed their base in BOS, but when did it come out the entire compnay is folding? Its still up on their website. APC and this forum is a fun place to vist, but I would like some official information as to the status of this airline. thanks.

 

I just wanted to make a little correction here... we aren't owned by an airline whose workforce is ready to strike. Pinnacle and Colgan are both owned by the same holding company. We are not owned by Pinnacle the Airline.

Pay could be better at Colgan, as it could be anywhere. But overall, I'm glad I'm here. Upgrade is happening as soon as you're eligible, the people here are fantastic, and I have yet to encounter a single solitary one incident of being mistreated the way certain others claim to have been. We have things in need of improvement, for sure, but all in all, I'm perfectly happy where I am.

Don't discount Colgan based on things you hear. Consider your own situation, and decide for yourself. I don't really know how likely LGA is as a base right out of training, but with your time, you're probably going to be put on the Q400 anyway, and therefore EWR based. (I know they are advertising PIT, PVD, BWI, and RIC as Q bases, too, but I wouldn't be suprised to see those close in favor of having everyone in EWR, as I know that's what CAL wanted from the beginning, and the only reason for the outstation bases were to get people interested in changing aircraft, as they didn't get enough with just EWR.)

So, I'll jump in the mix as one who spreads "good words" about Colgan.

 

use that search function and read up, all the details have come out and been thoroughly discussed.