46Pilot

Here we go gents. I’ve narrowed down my top 2 preferences as AWAC or Colgan and would like to get some thoughts on both. I would like to get personal experiences here, please leave the uninformed rants for elsewhere.

And yes, whichever one hires me is the best, I know. I have already received a call from Colgan and someone has walked my resume into management at AWAC, so both are a possibility. I have submitted to other places as well, would just like to have as much info as I can before I would have to make a decision, if I could be so lucky.

I am getting out of the military in a few months and I have 400 Turbine Multi and 1900 Total, the rest is helo time. So, I really only have quals for the regionals at this time. I am looking for the quickest way to Turbine PIC, as is everyone else, with some QOL thrown in. So that is why Colgan would be my 1st choice, for the quick upgrade and they seem to take care of their employees. Everything I have heard about AWAC is good and it seems upgrade time may be coming down and this may be the time to get on with them.

And yes, I have spent hours on here reading all of the other posts about both, but you can never have too much info for a decision like this.

What do you all think?! Thanks ahead for your time and input.

rickair7777

AWAC is in an entirely different league, a career destination in and of itself for many folks.

However, with the military background Colgan would get you a quick upgrade to finish your turbine PIC time. However, you need to be aware that turbine PIC is no longer the sole ticket at many majors. The new standard seems to be a requirement that you have 1000 turboJET (either seat) in a an aircraft > 20,000#GW.

This is basically stating they want RJ drivers (high-speed & glass) as opposed to small turboprop captains. I believe Colgan is all-prop. Look at the majors that are hiring and think about where you want to go and what you still need.

SWA will still hire you with 1000 turboprop PIC, no RJ time required.

46Pilot

Rickair7777, thanks for your response. I may be wrong but the only airline I can find with the 20,000 lb req is JB, if there are others please let me know.

Colgan is all T-prop, but the SAAB 340 is 29,000 max so it would fit the 20,000 min requirement. Even if I don't get the Saab to start with, after you make Captain on the Beech, you can transition to the Saab.

And I also intend to continue flying the CE-560 in the reserves to have the jet/glass time.

Trust me, I would love to fly a new, quiet RJ instead of a T-prop, which is why I'm seriously considering AWAC, but it seems the PIC time is more important.

A&F Flyer

I work for Colgan right now and its a great place. The pay like most isnt great, however the upgrade is quick, the training is pretty good, and if your looking for QOL its a good place to be because your home every night unless WX or MX has anything to do with it. So far they have been great to me and everyone i work with loves it so far.

Best of luck.

WEACLRS

Not completely true. Colgan has had close to 35 captains (about 20% of the pilot roster starting last year) hired by majors and cargo carriers in the past year - 5 to date to Continental mainline (both 737 and 757 and one heading to class this month), over 10 to Airtran, 2 or 3 to Southwest, several to UPS, ABX, Gemini, Polar, North American, JetBlue, Netjets, and several others. I know of no captains who have left to get pure jet time at a regional. Almost all of the captains who have left for bigger airlines were hired since 2001...so about 3 to 4 years with Colgan. Most are getting interviews with between 1500 and 2000 hours of PIC time in the Saab.

Upgrade is still running 12 - 18 months depending on your total time when hired. With your times and experience, I would expect your upgrade to come in a little over a year. I flew today with an FO upgrading next month, 12 months after his hire date.

First year pay will run in the $22k range, a little more at IAH because of the per diem. Second year FO pay is mute because...well we really don't have second year FO's. They're captains. Captains average $42 - $52 first year depending on how much you are willing to fly. In the northeast you'll be home each night. In IAH you'll mostly fly two to three day trips. Reserve lasts for a month...maybe. Most are holding lines immediately or within a month. Colgan spreads reserve around. You can still catch an occasional day even with 2 or more years seniority. You can usually get the base you want within 3 months or so.

Colgan is a great little company. Still growing, very good Mx, and a great group of people. It's nice to call crew scheduling and be called by name! That said, AWAC is also a great company and with their part ownership of USAir, they could be set for some expansion in the next few years. Both are good choices.

WEACLRS

You most likely will get the Saab 340. There are 47 online with more coming and only 11 Beech 1900's.

Geronimo4497

47 online? Wow, thats amazing. Are you guys getting any of the "new" style ones from Mesaba? Is the fleet mostly B models? Thanks

WEACLRS

Actually, interesting you should mention Mesaba. Maybe...it's been rumored.

The Saabs are mostly 340B's. Recently we aquired three A models. The other rumor running around has Colgan replacing their 1900's with 340A's and going to an all Saab fleet.

Geronimo4497

I thought there was an Air Fire and Rescue problem using aircraft over 19 seats at some of the more rural airports that Colgan and others go into.

WEACLRS

Yea, that's what I had understood too. Except it has been brought up that it's a 30 seat limit, not 19. I don't know. Maybe someone else can wade in on that question.