I bet if you account for inflation, we're flying 70-seat RJs for the same pay we got back in the 1980s flying 30 seat turboprops.

Dont you mean mesa??

Not originally but if it's the same there than fine

We now know there are at least 15 more Q's coming and FO's willing to fly it for peanuts is crazy.[/QUOTE]

What do you except us to do, hold our management hostage until we get more pay. I think your crazy! You have no idea what the reasoning is behind my choice of move. Instead of calling people crazy us that have jobs should be greatful, not nit picking every negative thing out there

I really don't think it's fair to single out Colgan for poor pay on a large turboprop. Just look at Eagle, for example. There is no pay difference there eithere for FO's flying the Saab or the ATR-72. And according to this website, the 2nd year pay is only $1 off. Granted it widens a bit beyond that, but it's nothing eye-opening. Look at Pinnacle, 2nd year pay to fly a jet is less than Colgan's 2nd year pay to fly a Saab or Q! Why is it that no one is criticizing Pinnacle for this?

As for the original poster, I hope someone actually answers your question here, instead of slinging mud.

Brewpilot, if you can hold the right seat of the Q400, TAKE IT. That airplane will look good on the resume, its much heavier and complex. Some guy might tell you not to do it, but when his number comes up he'll jump on it.......PIC on the saab still better if you just want to wait

What do you except us to do, hold our management hostage until we get more pay. I think your crazy! You have no idea what the reasoning is behind my choice of move. Instead of calling people crazy us that have jobs should be greatful, not nit picking every negative thing out there[/QUOTE]

"Hostage"?

Yeah, I held them hostage when THEY TOLD ME no more run up pay....
and no taxi pay....
and reduced "hesitation pay"....


I don't know what your reasoning is, but it seems to me the only smart reason for an FO to take the Q right now is that he/she already lives in base (or an easier commute). The pay scale is the same for both planes so no benefit there. From the numbers I am hearing, upgrade time in the Q will be longer (not that upgrade, in either ac, for a new hire is even on the horizon).

Now, about being "grateful"... I am grateful I chose to work for a Turboprop company. Prop companies have fared better (furlough wise) than jets. I am grateful I chose a prop company that was growing. I am NOT SO GRATEFUL that when contract talks begin, I will give away everything just to have a job.

Pretty close :(

I made out well with it....

Depends on who's turboprop rates you're looking at. In some cases, we're getting paid LESS when you account for inflation.