One way to look at the pay is that 27 dollars an hour for 19 seats is a lot better that 57 dollars an hour for 70 seats. Pay sucks everywhere! S.O.S

 

Not sure. If they are, it would probably be posted on their website at Great Lakes Airlines

 

I was offered an RJ job at the same time as I was offered Great Lakes and I declined the RJ job because of lack of quick upgrade. Also, Lakes has a niche in the market that does not include flying mainline routes To each his own.

 

Hats off to you, and good luck!

As they said in Indiana Jones: you have chosen wisely.

Lakes isn't for everyone and maybe that's a GOOD thing.

I've noticed that you rarely run into a former Laker who regrets going there.

 

I couldn't disagree with you more, except that there is no such thing as an unrewarding flying job. A really good instructor, though better prepared for training, is in no better shape than any other instructor as far as getting your career started. As much experience you may have as an instructor you will still be in the same spot as everyone else in your newhire class. If you decide down the road that Lakes isn't for you (few actually do) and others are hiring, I guarantee that you will get the nod before any other flight instructor. Granted by that time you'll have a type and some TPIC.

The gettin is good right now but the window is closing. Ask yourself would you rather instruct for the next 12-18 months or build 121 experience. I encourage anyone on the fence to at least interview and go from there.

 

But..... Colgan pays 40/hr. for first year Beeach Captains, not too bad for a 19 seater. Hey, I guess we set the 1900 benchmark, maybe great lakes will catch up.

 

Also check out www.willflyforfood.cc Good place for gouges.

 

Wow, That is pretty good! And no, Lakes wont be catching up to that anytime soon!

 

Did the same thing as you.

 

GLA is not for all by any means, at this point in your career if money is an issue...good luck. If you have a family to support or this is a second career and you have other obligations the pay at GLA or Mesaba or any Regional will suck. GLA generally has a quick upgrade and you will be making as much or more as a FO flying an RJ. You will be logging quality 121 PIC and in the end you will find it helps you move on.

There are very few GLA Alum that regret passing through, and you need to go in with that attitude. GLA is a stopover not a destination for 99.9% of the pilots. If you can hack the low pay and the sink or swim training then you will be rewarded with a great bunch of people to work with and hopefully a ticket to a better paying job.

I have been out of GLA for almost 11 years but I still have contacts there and I do not think much has changed. Make what you will of it, but I can tell you that as someone who has been involved in training and hiring at a few levels, Lakers are well respected talented pilots by the time they leave ! IMHO

Cfii2007,did you not know about the pay until after you applied ? You may want to use places like APC for research to avoid wasting your time on apps for places you really do not want to work at.