Originally Posted by FlyJSH (Post 752705)

For a page and a half, this thread stayed on topic.

Good thing Rickair came along to add a bit if drift....

Originally Posted by rickair7777 (Post 752359)

For the record...

Some folks expressed their issues with people taking a job at colgan. It is certainly a crappy bottom-feeder, and I would have not recommended it a year ago but they have voted in a union and are taking steps to improve their situation. Risky, but it has possibilities.

Originally Posted by rickair7777 (Post 752500)

Most regional pilots are going to either spend their career there, or spend way longer than they had expected. Be prepared to live with your choice, or face doing a lateral transfer at some point.

There are many outside factors which affect the airline industry in the long term, and unlike the past, none of those factors look good right now...

Security Threats: These increase industry costs, and the associated hassles drive customers away. Nobody wins except government rent-a-cops who get fat benefit and retirement packages.

Oil: When will we really run out? Who knows? I don't even have an opinion on that, only that it will probably be within our working lifetimes. The only organizations who have the resources to make an accurate prediction all have some skin in the game, and cannot be relied upon to give us unbiased answers.

Carbon Restrictions: The hardcore environmentalists really are out to get you, they have stated that air travel is a horrible waste of resources, an exorbitant source of emissions, and totally unnecessary for most us. They really do want you to just stay home (exceptions made for the cabin-class private aircraft of the green political elite, of course).

No way to know what the future brings, but a lot of bullets have to be dodged in order for this industry to have a bright future. And every setback gives management another excuse to cut compensation.

You may be exactly what management is looking for...someone who will carry the weight of the world on their shoulders for little more than beer money, in exchange for what may well be a pipe-dream. Even better the regional managers do not have to do anything to make good on that "promise". They know you will leave, either hired by a major or fed up with the prospect of life at an entry-level job. They don't care which it is, as long as you leave before you get too much longevity.

Originally Posted by IC ALL (Post 752761)

Mod note:

"The last 2 threads were closed by the mods because they had degraded into a why work for colgan because you are bringing down the industry threads."

The threads were closed for TOS violations, not a specific topic. If you have any questions about the moderation, it's best to PM the mod or speak with admin. That would be HSLD.

Originally Posted by Airsupport (Post 752758)

I hope that the PNCL pilots and the COLGAN pilots can be combined sooner than later.

Originally Posted by Riddler (Post 752889)

I haven't seen anything that calls Colgan's new hires "bad pilots." Some of these guys seem to have a very wide background flying a lot of different airplanes, and I'm sure that they're qualified.

The problem is that they're not legitimate jobs in my, and a lot of others, opinions. They're directly replacing furloughed guys at CAL, including myself. It's not officially a SCAB, but still it's a dishonorable way to get a job. My god, CAL new hires were making $30k/year, which is horrific in itself... now we have gobs of people literally throwing themselves at a sub-$20k job. Seriously?

Not that I'm ever going to be sitting on a hiring board, but I swear, if I ever see a Colgan FO hired in 2009-2010 apply at CAL, I know what my decision is. Something tells me that I'm not the only one who has this opinion. So to the folks using Colgan as a stepping stone: be careful what you're really stepping into. Have fun flying Q-400s for the rest of your natural life.

Originally Posted by OldManReverend (Post 752735)

Anybody know when the next interview dates are?

Originally Posted by etflies (Post 752809)

I got the same call from Sarah, so hopefully I'll see you guys in class. Sounds like as long as the paperwork gets through and drug tests don't get busted all is well.

Originally Posted by FL450 (Post 752893)

First off the last four threads are getting off topic as usual leading this horse to contaminated water..

With regards to the fellow at Conti Mainline who went to riddle:rolleyes:
Four good friends of mine currently are line holders at Continental on the 737 and two can hold 757 cruise FO what they all have in common is they started at Colgan. If you talk to any of them they will encourage anyone to go to Colgan even now! I understand your frustration of being furloughed but to say that a majority agree with you (granted 4 ppl are not a majority either) is making an assumption backed up by ????

I'm not at Colgan nor do I have plans to go to Colgan but being on the corporate side IF I were on a hiring board I rather hire a guy from Colgan than a bitter mainline pilot who's out to screw others! One last thing A SCAB is A SCAB this is not the bible there are no modified definitions or New World editions of this word.

Back on Topic:

My former colleague who interviewed this past weekend said that they will be interviewing this upcomming weekend in LGA again and subsequently there after.

Originally Posted by Riddler (Post 752903)

I have no problem with folks who get their careers started at Colgan. I have no doubts that CAL has plenty of well qualified professional pilots who started there.

My issue is one of TIMING. All I'm saying is that Colgan's Class of 2010, while not scabs, appear to have the same motivations as CAL's scabs from the mid 1980s. CAL has plenty of skeletons in its own closet. Guys who would WILLINGLY and KNOWINGLY undercut a fellow furloughed union pilot are the same types of people who would act along the lines of CAL's own scab captains who volunteered to fly in the right seat while guys like me got furloughed.

That sort of behavior is reprehensible and should not be encouraged.

Riddler

Originally Posted by brewpilot (Post 752718)

Im in trans training and they said 12 for the second week of Feb.

Originally Posted by FL450 (Post 752918)

Riddler while I can see why you feel in such disposition you fail to look at the facts of this hiring stage. Colgan ( you can ask USMC or I can give you friends numbers who work for Colgan) is NOT hiring into the Q they are hiring due to current pilots being upgraded. Some current Colgan Saab Captains are moving into the Q as Captains, Some FO's are moving to Q FO's Some Saab FO's are moving to SAAB captains. The "NEW HIRES" as of right now are going to the Saab FO spots.

Colgan picked up a few more Saabs for United in addition to the 15 Q;'s comming in the Fall. Looking at the facts Continental is a relatively new carrier for Colgan their ORIGINAL bread and butter lays with US Airways and United. Colgan Currently still flies under three Flags so to only look at one third of the house is simply misjudging the airline as a whole!

Originally Posted by jdalbrec (Post 752919)

going to the Q?

Originally Posted by Riddler (Post 752903)

I have no problem with folks who get their careers started at Colgan. I have no doubts that CAL has plenty of well qualified professional pilots who started there.

My issue is one of TIMING. All I'm saying is that Colgan's Class of 2010, while not scabs, appear to have the same motivations as CAL's scabs from the mid 1980s. CAL has plenty of skeletons in its own closet. Guys who would WILLINGLY and KNOWINGLY undercut a fellow furloughed union pilot are the same types of people who would act along the lines of CAL's own scab captains who volunteered to fly in the right seat while guys like me got furloughed.

That sort of behavior is reprehensible and should not be encouraged.

Riddler

Originally Posted by brewpilot (Post 752929)

Yea I'm making the move! Test tomorrow!

Originally Posted by NoStep (Post 752930)

So, where's "Winglets" on this one? I'm sure, with Riddler and Rickair777's help, you could get this thread shut down too. Maybe ya'll could just start a thread to bash all "bottom-feeding" regionals and have a good ole time hammering Mesa, Gojet, Great Lakes, Cape Air, etc.

Many looking for hiring information, (not opinion), here are new to the industry, and to equate them with SCABs degrades the serious nature of a SCAB, (which you should know all too well since CAL has REAL SCABS still flying). Is that hot-chick gold digger a prostitute? Not unless she crosses a line. No Colgan pilot is crossing a CAL picket line, are they?

Something to think about...since your ERAU days, the industry has changed to Commuter pilots flying larger jets for turbo-prop wages. At least Colgan is a pure turbo-prop operation, and if all Regionals did that while saving the high paying jet jobs for the Majors, the industry would be a better place.

Originally Posted by bradeku1008 (Post 752958)

are EWR and IAD junior?

Originally Posted by JoeyMeatballs (Post 752976)

I would imagine IAD is probably more senior than EWR, both are very expensive places to live, IAD is less of a Cluster though...........

I bet the IAH Q will go the most senior

Originally Posted by jdalbrec (Post 752988)

From what people have told me, in addition to the regional chief pilot in ewr, it would go, IAH, EWR, and then IAD (from most to least senior). They definitely said IAH was most senior and will probably stay that way. I could see IAD also staying junior just because they're not planning on putting any Q's there, but i'm just speculating.

Originally Posted by jdalbrec (Post 753002)

where were you based in the saab?

Originally Posted by brewpilot (Post 753015)

I was in IAH

Originally Posted by brewpilot (Post 752994)

Everybody new on the saab will go to IAD. And to EWR if on the Q. It's not for sure but those are the two junior bases for the types.

Originally Posted by plasticpi (Post 753029)

I think there may be a number of new hires going to Saab FO, and Q FO for that matter, in IAH, especially since there are already a bunch of FOs there awarded an upgrade. Before the awards for the Q base there, sure, you'd need some seniority to be likely to get IAH, but with it doubling in size, it's not going to be that hard to get, if you want it, particularly if you're in one of the first new-hire classes. The later ones will have to fight over the leftovers.

I got awarded IAH as the most junior non-street CA, so it can't be too terribly senior now with the growth.

Originally Posted by FL450 (Post 752918)

Colgan ( you can ask USMC or I can give you friends numbers who work for Colgan) is NOT hiring into the Q they are hiring due to current pilots being upgraded. Some current Colgan Saab Captains are moving into the Q as Captains, Some FO's are moving to Q FO's Some Saab FO's are moving to SAAB captains. The "NEW HIRES" as of right now are going to the Saab FO spots.

Colgan picked up a few more Saabs for United in addition to the 15 Q;'s comming in the Fall.

Originally Posted by kalyx522 (Post 753066)

OK you are obviously under a misconception. Colgan IS hiring for the Q.

Also, I don't know what you are talking about more Saabs for United. I have heard this rumor but I believe this rumor has been around for at least a year and half that I can remember. (When Buddy talked about new United flying in one of those newsletters, and then the new flying never materialized.) Maybe they are telling interviewees official news that they are not bothering to tell their own employees. I don't believe anything until I see it. In any case, I don't know how we can be picking up any more Saabs - don't we have 3-4 leftover Saabs from closing several US Airways flying last year?

Originally Posted by kalyx522 (Post 753066)

OK you are obviously under a misconception. Colgan IS hiring for the Q. Q growth is the root reason for the hiring. They are not hiring "due to current pilots being upgraded" - pilots don't upgrade for no reason. There are only 2 ways an FO can upgrade to CA - attrition or growth. There is no attrition at Colgan (or anywhere else) but there is growth (more Qs). Current Saab CAs able to move into the Q because of the new planes coming, and the Saab FOs are able to upgrade because of the spots left open by the transitions CAs.

Also, I don't know what you are talking about more Saabs for United. I have heard this rumor but I believe this rumor has been around for at least a year and half that I can remember. Maybe they are telling interviewees official news that they are not bothering to tell their own employees. I don't believe anything until I see it. In any case, I don't know how we can be picking up any more Saabs - don't we have 3-4 leftover Saabs from closing several US Airways flying last year?

Originally Posted by bradeku1008 (Post 753034)

Chuck was saying that we are all going to be a Sabb class in February. Unless something has changed and a lot of people didn't want to upgrade to the Q400. Hopefully we will be able to pick our own base if in the first class, but it looks like they need pilots out of IAD.

Originally Posted by FL450 (Post 753074)

Obviously you didn't read my post closely... I Said SAAB FO's are moving up to Saab Captains and Saab Captains are moving to the Q but COlgan is hiring INITIALLY to replace the SAAB Fo's. what did I say wrong? Like mentioned in my original post COLGAN is NOT HIRING INTO THE Q

Definition of Hiring into: Meaning Hiring Specifically for said equipment

Example: Jane Doe goes to interview last Saturday with EWR cheif pilot CJC Director of Training and Chuck COlgan and is told that the reason Colgan is hiring is to replace Q Fo's moving to captain.

Unfortunately or Fortunately this is not the case, there are many that have posted above who were at the interview who agreed with me that the "powers to be" said that hiring is for the SAAB. They also agreed that Chuck told them that United asked them to fly 6 more saabs under their flag. Lastly they also agreed that Chuck told everyone that US Airways has been shrinking.

PLEASE READ everything before making comments!


Have a great day and happy landings

FL450:cool:

Originally Posted by FL450 (Post 753074)

Obviously you didn't read my post closely... I Said SAAB FO's are moving up to Saab Captains and Saab Captains are moving to the Q but COlgan is hiring INITIALLY to replace the SAAB Fo's. what did I say wrong? Like mentioned in my original post COLGAN is NOT HIRING INTO THE Q

Definition of Hiring into: Meaning Hiring Specifically for said equipment

Example: Jane Doe goes to interview last Saturday with EWR cheif pilot CJC Director of Training and Chuck COlgan and is told that the reason Colgan is hiring is to replace Q Fo's moving to captain.

Unfortunately or Fortunately this is not the case, there are many that have posted above who were at the interview who agreed with me that the "powers to be" said that hiring is for the SAAB. They also agreed that Chuck told them that United asked them to fly 6 more saabs under their flag. Lastly they also agreed that Chuck told everyone that US Airways has been shrinking.

PLEASE READ everything before making comments!


Have a great day and happy landings

FL450:cool:

Originally Posted by kalyx522 (Post 753131)

you said (in response to riddler saying colgan sucks because 70 seater crap pay whatever) "colgan is hiring due to upgrades", I said no they are hiring for the Q. as for hiring INTO the Q, may or may not for the first class or two but it will be into the Q because there arent going to be enough transitioning FOs. so yes, they are hiring for the Q and into the Q.

Originally Posted by kalyx522 (Post 753131)

you said (in response to riddler saying colgan sucks because 70 seater crap pay whatever) "colgan is hiring due to upgrades", I said no they are hiring for the Q. as for hiring INTO the Q, may or may not for the first class or two but it will be into the Q because there arent going to be enough transitioning FOs. so yes, they are hiring for the Q and into the Q.

Originally Posted by jdalbrec (Post 753156)

Also, about 5 crews per airplane, does that sound right?

Just trying to get an idea of how many they'll be putting in the saabs. 25-30?