cbire880

Colgan may work for some, but they are still a growing operation that could feasibly try to compete with the "big dogs" in the future. If so, they could potentially become the next Mesa. The problem is that the rest of us who Colgan doesn't work for, fear that our contracts will be underbid and we will lose work. Someone else put it best, we need to price ourselves out of jobs to move forward. This strategy is great, but it won't work if there is someone out there willing to fly 70+ seat airplanes for less than industry standard (even if that standard is absurdly low to begin with).

The Juice

Just a funny observation. I guess us "Colganites" are pretty bad, working for such low pay day in and day out. However as bad as you may think we are, we are still good enough to jumpseat on...right? You come up to the front of the plane asking for a ride, all smiles and grins. Who would of known behind the smile was discontent for the pilots and operator who is about to fly you home.

Andy, why don't you and those disgusted by Colgan, Mesa, and the other "bottom feeders" start a boycot of jumpseating on these flights. Surely your high morality and ethics would not alow you to ride on such an airlines plane, no less a turbo prop...right?

The Juice

I agree with everything you just said. It is nothing against you, it is against all those, many who are your XJET peers who act like we, the pilot group, are morons because we decide to stay and not run over to another regional.

It would be crazy to give up senority right now at an airline whether you are logging PIC or about to. 65 will mean slower movement to a major. So if us Colgan guys are in a position to sit back and log the PIC for a while rather than giving it up and starting from scratch somewhere else, we will do it.

Andym037

Thats not really what I was trying to say... The Colganites ride on our flights all the time as well. The point I was attempting to make was that why people would choose Colgan when every other regional is hiring?

The Juice

Goes back to what Jammers said before, people like the idea of being close to home. Also, if you are a married guy with some kids it would be nice to see them grow up. I know we can all understand where those people are coming from.

If I was a guy looking for a Regional job right now I probably would not choose Colgan because your 600/100 can get you anywhere. When I was hired it was not the same thing, as I am sure it was not when you were hired. I am saying that I am here now, with great senority already, the PIC and I am around to see my family...I would be a moron to give that up and start from the bottom at another Regiona, not to mention a pay cut.

All I can do here is push for the Union when it comes up again, try and educate my fellow pilots the importance of a union and refuse to fly the Q at those rate which many many many of my fellow pilots over here are doing as well.

We will continue to be your Colganites and you will be our JetStinkers

newarkblows

people do boycott mesa, gojets, etc... jumpseats

how do you have pride in your company and job when your pay is a joke? why are you surprised people are holding a grudge against you guys? your flying 70 seats for miserable wages, no work rules, and a joke of an airline and you want respect? if we come up and ask for a ride its because we have to get to work. Colgan doesn't even fly to places we would be going on vacation. Just because we need you to get to work doesn't mean we have to like who is operating the flight. What are you going to ask your jumpseater? "so are you one of those pilots with respect for yourself? do you want decent pay? work rules? NOT ON MY JUMPSEAT YOU DONT"

Dont expect a very big welcoming party in ewr. Word is there is going to be a protest for the coming Q4. People are a little upset that 10 out of 160 built q400 airframes have already had hull loss accidents. That on top of colgans famous maintenance practices, lack of work rules, and lower time pilots they are only getting paid 20 grand with no per diem. There is a reason colgan was being very selective with the new hires they were putting in the Q. Didnt you find it funny that most of those fo's had 1000tt for the ewr base? cant wait to see the picket signs "your pilot could be getting paid 20 thou a year", "10 crashes out of 160 aint bad",.... your airline is a joke.

The people at xjt dont think they are better then anybody else. We are tired of crappy operators undercutting us and their pilots being oblivious to the damage their doing to their profession.


As for going to colgan for the quick pic time i think you might be SOL especially if the majors slow hiring due to age 65. thats a pretty uncomfortable spot to be in. you will do damage to your profession, make less money in the long run, and have less QOL for what? a couple hundred more hours of pic time?

The Juice

Not a single concise thought. This is exactly why I am talking about. "My Regional is better than your Regional." I love the fact that you refer to Colgan's "lower time pilots," because we all know a FO hired at 600/100 is safer and more experienced than someone else.

I especially enjoyed the little rant your gave on jumpseating, quite funny indeed. Don't worry you can always have a ride on my plane, even though we all lack experience and the plane is one landing away from the tail falling off.

Fluboy340

Like was said before," untill we are willing to walk off the job, union or not, nothing is going to change." We all have bills to pay, a family to support or whatever. we Didn't cause this, managment did? Instead of pointing fingers at each other, and getting ****ed because we took what was offerd to us and works for are family, and puts food on the table, Use your energy, and fight managment. We all wear a pilot uniform, and work just as hard. Guys in thousand dollor suits who want there stock to go up 10 cents so they can make 5 million not 2 million did this. I wish nothing but the best for everybody. Thats how i feel. Let the bashing begin. Thanks

captchris

Go to work, do your job, and don't worry about what other people do....it sucks-yes, but at the same time... it also sucks that some others are flying 70-86 seat jet aircraft from coast to coast (PIT-SLC for example) for 50-seat rates (Mesa, Gojets, Republic, SKYW).

Saab---chillax man....nothing you can do. Colgan will continue to staff their aircraft and fly their routes. They are doing routes that I'm sure you'd rather not do... their Q-400/SF-340 isn't going YYZ-IAH like your ERJ, nor is it doing a redeye from LAX-IAH.

Likewise.... some mainline guy can probably say the same for XJT. "Damn XJT flying OUR ROUTES with JETS for LESS MONEY." Its all relative bro. I know I don't like flying PHL-BWI-PHL-DCA-PIT. That is not the type of day I enjoy... I'd love if Colgan "grew" a little on those routes... we're doing it in a CRJ-200. Be thankful for what you have man.

You get paid to do a job, you're going to upgrade, and most likely move on. Most of us have the same goals---make $$$, fly a little, enjoy life. How we all get there is up to us.

DMEarc

Ok- wow. Another Colgan bash-fest.
Here are some facts...

• I've worked for Colgan for 2 years and 4 months.
• My first year before taxes I made $27,422.
• I upgraded in 13 months. My first year as Captain I made $57,298.
• I start 757 class at Continental in February.
• I am 24 years old.
• I was born and raised in a Colgan base, I was home everynight with my girlfriend and I made enough money to live comfortably on.

I completely understand why ExpressJet guys are ****ed at us. But I tell you- we underbid NO ONES contract. Colgan did NOT bid for the Q400 flying, Continental said "if you want it, get the the airplanes". The only flying that we truly bid on is the TX Saab routes. United pleaded with us to take the Dulles flying, and we did a great job by getting that up and running in 50 days. The US Airways flying is AT-RISK. Which mean US Airways does NOT tell us where to fly, we have to analyze the routes ourselves and then ask them (airways) if we can fly it.

Colgan is not a bad company. It's sad when Kilo and Saab come onto a forum like this and talk bad about the company and you all take it for fact.
Funny thing...Colgan just hired a Saab street captain who was a 5 year XJT captain. He came here for the base. Colgan has some of the most skilled pilots in the industry and would run circles around a lot of the jet-jocks who criticize them.

With mainline routes being talked about. Let's talk about ExpressJet. Their branded operation is considered a MAJOR airline flying. It is considered LCC. Then why are you receiving regional pay for the flying of mainline routes and mainline operations? It's because managment has pulled the wool over your eyes and they make you think you're actually getting good pay for the flying you're doing.

Now about ExpressJet being in a bad situation, you're right. I wish you guys the best because it doesn't look the best. When is the next new hire class?