Just doing a bit a research after speaking with MZ down at a career fair in PHX last week. Thinking about going to Great Lakes to get some 121 time with a hopeful upgrade or a transition after the 15 month contract to Compass/SkyWest.

Getting married in May and should be okay financially to take the pay cut and still pay my bills. I am hoping to get MSP base (when it is fully up and running) or else DEN (commutable). Can anyone shed some light on how many hours I can hope to fly these days? Do you see them ever pro-rating the training contract?

I know Great Lakes isn't ideal, but FT CFI gigs around here are 16-18/hr and 80 hours a month (in the summer - less in winter). I figure if I am going to make that I might as well go to a 121 carrier and get all turbine multi time.

Anyone from Great Lakes fill me in a bit on hours flown per month. Ability to commute from MSP to DEN (or other base), and if they'd go back and do it all over again if they had to...

Thanks!

 

you could look at Silver Airways it pays a little more better outlook and a prorated contract

 

What do you mean 'better outlook'? I thought with EAS all taken care of that Great Lakes looked okay now...

 

As far as flying is concerned, the schedules have been averaging high 80's to high 90's. DEN flying is around 75 to 90 depending on seniority. MSP will more than likely be a pilot base in the next few months, and sounds like we're going to start a Pierre, SD to MSP run in FEB. We get a lot of guys from MSP who commute here, and more than enough flights to accomplish that on many different airlines. Holding MSP, I'm not sure how long that may take, but always a possibility.

As far as prorated contract....probably won't ever happen. It's 7500 dollars. If you don't plan on staying for 15 months, then don't come.

Concerning the better outlook, I'm not sure what that means. We did get our loans refinanced, and currently are getting 3 airplanes back plus maybe one more for the MSP flying. I'm thinking MSP will be a pretty good deal for us. The ability for our routes to interconnect and get aircraft to/from MSP with as little repositioning as possible will be a lot easier than the MKE flying. Some may not think we're doing ok, but I have a tendency to think on the positive side of things.

It's not for everyone. In the interview, they tell you about the contract, the bases, possibly what airplane, etc. We have no reason to hide anything. We'd rather newhire have the full story before coming than showing up unsuspecting and possibly drop out. Good luck in your decisions. We're all counting on you.

 

I guess I am only conflicted on whether or not I should fly aerial photography/CFI for another 500 hours and then shoot for SkyWest or if I should just bite the bullet and go to GLA - then reevaluate after my 15 months are up. I suppose if I delay until 1000TT and don't get SkyWest then I will be at the same place and still looking to go to GLA - just several months later and then I've delayed an upgrade that much longer. There are no 'easy' answers in this industry and it seems like everything is a bit of a crap shoot... I am guessing that 121 experience and almost all Turbine ME time is better than another 500 hours of circles in a C172. I am thinking if the wifey and I can swing the bills and make the DEN-MSP commute work - then that may be the way to go...

 

A very tough decision indeed. Make sure "the Boss" is in the loop. If the Boss is unhappy, EREBODY UNHAPPY.

 

You talked to Lakes, you didn't get a job offer! SKW might not even call you to interview, you never know. If you can go get hired at a 121 outfit (make sure you can provide for your family, that's the most important thing) then go for it. Check other places out as well, I hear ExpressJet is hiring! You don't want to be jumping from regional to regional, those are lateral moves and you want to avoid them, starting over at another regional for better pay and a Jet will suck (unless there is no better choice)! If the QOL at Lakes is something that you and your wife are questioning, don't do it. I hope you and your wife find something that both of you are happy with!

 

ExpressJet is considering adding a base in DEN, so I'd definitely consider them if you live in the Denver area.

 

ExpressJet does not have a MSP base and IrishFlyer implied he has around 500 hours. Going from Lakes to a regional career that operates RJs is not a lateral move. Going from Eagle to another regional with RJs is a lateral move. Flying for Lakes is probably just as miserable/enjoyable as instructing, and commuting for Lakes is probably worse. Getting your first hundred hours of multi time can be challenging. If you can't get the required multi time through instructing, then send your app into Lakes.

 

Doesn't matter how you feel about Lakes, it is still a 121 operator, it has a smaller fleet, don't fly transport category airplanes and has the worse pay and some of the worse rules out there, but it's a Regional Airline. Moving from Lakes to another regional it's a lateral move. Based on your comment moving from Eagle to Republic and flying the E190 wouldn't be a lateral move!... For the OP, if you have the time or soon will to go else where and it works for you do so, if it's easier and better for you to go to Lakes then do so! DOw what's best for you but jumping from one regional to the other is not on your best interest. I was in your shoes thinking the same thing and now that I have a bit of experience in this business I am glad I didn't go to Lakes with the mentality that I was just going to go there and then move to another regional.

ExpressJet Flight time requirements!
Flight Experience: 700 hours total time with 100 MEL required, with a current full time flying job preferred