Lakes pilots seem like a tight group. I am sure no slouches in the hand flown approach department either.

Most people know all of this, it's not a secret, it's just calling a spade a spade. If an airline can't hire quality people that can "take it" or "perform under fire", can't afford decent planes, parts, mechanics, and a system that communicates effectively, can't reasonably apologize when necessary, it shouldn't be a surprise to hear them called what they are.

Seriously?, "expedite" the boarding process for a plane that's sitting 200' from the terminal? This is exactly where good judgement is necessary (and lacking). After being yanked around several times in a row, they already know they are severely late, having them "line up" at the door again, only to be told to sit down a few minutes later again(50' from where they lined up) is just ridiculous. But, that's why their a bottom-feeder. They are allowed to exist because people can and do put up with it, so far.

I'm sorry to say, you speak as if this happens regularly...?

95% of this is not accurate. Please do some research before posting. I'm not saying the stuff that Lakes does to us is great, but don't paint an image that doesn't exist. Thank you.

Obviously, for those of you considering working here at Lakes... make sure you understand who posts things that are correct and valid.

You won't be paid during training. You will be provided a hotel during training. You will not be provided a hotel or transportation for the interview, sorry. You will not be paid a dime during training, sorry again. Maybe one day (when Lakes realizes they need to attract more pilots) things will be done more to "industry standards".

My mentors in the industry highly recommended Lakes as a stepping stone. So, I'm willing to sacrifice a "shiny jet" higher paying regional and become a CA and get the turbine PIC. It's all about who you know anyways. If you don't network in this industry, then you will probably have a hard time getting out of (or into) the regional environment. 1000 TPIC is my goal and then evaluate the next step from there... I think they folks who come to Lakes share similar viewpoints.

Awesome, so we're shooting ourselves in the foot again and keeping the bar low.
If all it's good for is the "1000pic" and not as a reputable airline and company, just don't be surprised when people call it what it is. By taking a job there, you're perpetuating the idea that regionals can dangle the idea of flying for a major airline to attract pilots at poverty levels, as majors continue to condense down/farm out flying and there are far more pilots wanting jobs than could be employed at those majors. Do people have any self-respect these days? I hope you realize the industry has significantly changed and shifted since your mentors made it to their coveted 777 and A380 international positions...

Lakes is an Independent carrier, right? They sell their own tickets and fly their own livery along with maintaining "code-shares" with United, Delta and Frontier. Where do you get the "farmed out flying," concept?

Farmed out flying would correspond to some sort of a capacity purchase agreement with a major like United, Delta, Alaska or USAir...

You misunderstand what I was saying, I wasn't referring to Lakes there, I was referring to what "majors" are doing.

There is a lot of self respect in working for Lakes given the fact that the flying (routes) we do are not "farmed out" by the majors. We have our own niche that really doesn't affect the major airlines... don't you think the major airline pilots would respect someone who isn't taking their routes and using an RJ to do it? We go to the small subsidized cities that jets can't afford to go.

The industry really hasn't changed much, actually, it has always been cyclical even when they got hired. The respect that pilots receive from the general public has changed drastically. We aren't treated like "kings" anymore... but not many service oriented jobs are like that anymore. All part of the "entitlement" generation.

And yes, many regionals do dangle a carrot that says "Come fly for free with us so you can get to the majors"... so what? It's called pay your dues. I can handle a couple of years at poverty wages, get what I came for, and get on with life. However, if we have an opportunity as a pilot group at Lakes to demonstrate our discontent with the pay scale, then I guarantee you that it will be shown.

Do you think many of those guys in the left seat of a 777 or A380 flew an RJ? No. They flew old turboprops and paid their dues. They do respect us at Lakes, even if our company isn't "reputable", simply because a majority of them went through the same thing.

Mx delays take time and are a hassle regardless of the airline.

........deleted. Bottom post was a lot better than mine.