byrdseyeviewinc

Does anyone out there that is a Capt or F/O for Colgan have a general idea where they are trying to go when it come to growth potential. For example,

1.) Are they on the way to have an all Saab Fleet
2.) How many pilot do they want to have hired by 2008
3.) How many pilots fly for them now, (instead of 350+)
4.) How long is this hiring 15 to 20 pilots per month going to last
5.) What is the turnover rate for a pilot there, (leaving for the Majors)
6.) Is the Vietnam Era Pilot Retirement affecting them

I can go on and on, but I am sure that you get the idea, so just drop your point of view in when you get a chance. Thanks

Short Bus Drive

I USED to work there. Was there 2 years. Got in, upgraded, PIC, got out. Not a bad place to work IF:
You don't commute, WANT to work your butt off (ie BUILD TIME!), and make a LITTLE money.
I enjoyed it A LOT! Fun group of guys (back then, don't know about now). CRAZY flying in the NE, no auto pilot on 1900.
When I started there, there were only 6 AC on property. All1900s. Then they started getting Saabs in 2000. NOW I see they have 58 total!!!
That's even AFTER 9/11, and Untied, and USAirways bankruptcy, now they have a CAL contract again.
I'd say they are doing well. And guys/girls do leave for Majors/Nationals. AirTran, jetBlue, CAL, oh yeah, Spirit...
Anyone working there now have any good/bad? Of course there are always two sides.

iflyjets4food

The Beech isn't going away. What I was told is that many of the EAS markets that they fly into don't have the ARFF to support the SAABs. Mr. Colgan said that the Beech is their bread & butter.

WEACLRS

The Colgan's, like most in this business, are very tight lipped. However...

The Beech's remain, but the president and VP have mused about the idea of an all Saab fleet, especially now that they have started to take in older "A" models that seat only 30. The problem with an all Saab fleet is as stated in that they are still certified to 37 seats and don't fit the requirements of some of the EAS airports. So Beech's stay for now. However, all Saab airframes are getting long in the tooth. A replacement aircraft will start to be needed by 2010ish. Even Eagle only flys about half of their Saab fleet due to age.

As of 2008, who knows? Right now there are 358 pilots on the roster. Hiring has slowed to just replacements for the moment (no SAAB hires in March and April, just a few Beech). A new hire class of SAAB FO's will run this month.

After the expansion last year, the company has taken a break and is putting profits into the bank. There have been two potential opportunities for further expansion this year so far; one too expensive and the other resolved itself before the "request for proposal" from the parent airline became official. The Colgan's told the pilot group they would have gone after either one aggressively if the opportunity formally presented itself. So they are primed to expand. The Saab 2000 rumor continues to be heard with 4 - 7 aircraft for IAH's operation. The company has told CAL they are ready to bring them in when CAL wants. Colgan's contract with CAL includes Colgan eventually supplying 7 - 50 seat turboprop aircraft.

Captains are still leaving for majors/larger equipment, but only one last month. He went to North American. Several are interviewing currently - Southwest, CAL, AirTran, and JetBlue, maybe others. Current upgrade times are now running 14 - 18 months depending on individual's total time and time in type.

I don't think the Vietnam era retirement has affected us yet, but what has is the downturn in supply of new pilots at flight schools. Fortunately we have relatively small hiring needs and have been able to get good candidates, mostly due to our relatively quick upgrade. I have a friend (1100/110 hour mark) that just entered training at XJT. He fielded four offers (including us) before deciding on XJT.

WEACLRS

It's still a great place to work. Commuting is always tough, Colgan maybe a little worse because of out-station basing. But you do fly a lot! I've averaged 82 hours/month the last 12 in the Saab. The "cowboy" era has mostly passed. The airline has become a lot more professional in recent years. CAL is reportedly very satisfied with Colgan's IAH operation. They have publicly said they were impressed with how quickly Colgan got up and running at IAH. Pay is average, but Colgan isn't a "destination" for most. And because of the quick upgrade, if you average the pay over four years, you will earn more at Colgan than most regionals. There very few 2nd year FO's at Colgan. Most are Captains.

Don't know where APC got the 58 aircraft from. Currently we have 37 Saab's and 11 Beech 1900's - 48 total.

byrdseyeviewinc

Thanks alot to the replies so far. It seem to be a good company. What I like about it is, it is very small, which I know it has that Family environment vs being a number. Thanks again

Short Bus Drive

Hey WEACLRS,
Just wondering who went to North American. I know at least three guys left for there.

WEACLRS

PM me.

buffalopilot

Colgan called me yesterday to interview tomorrow in la guardia. He told me to call cathy to arrange it. I can not get off from work with that short of notice. I called cathy got voice mail and left that on her machine. I hope they are understanding. ALso when is the next class ans is it SAAB?

WEACLRS

This is common. We have interviewed pilots on a Thursday and put them in class by Monday. You have to be ready to go when the "opportunity" comes. That said, I believe there are plans for more interviews in the near future. Interviewing appears to be picking up again. I'd call Cathy again just to show how strong your interest is. Usually she's understanding.

You'll not know if it's a Saab or Beech class until the flight manual hits your desk in training.