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

I have no idea of any of the above, just my guess :)


As far as people going to Colgan, I have no problem with anyone going there, but go there not only as a place to gain experience, but get involved in the Union, and leave it a better place then it was when you showed up. Do not go there to just get your time and get out, taking abuse your whole tenor there. You never know when the economy/industry will bounce back or come crashing down again so you may be at a place longer than expected, make it tolerable

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.

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.

where were you based in the saab?

I was in IAH

you like it down there?

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.

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.

Yes, I think most of the first class will be going to IAD and/or CRW. We have additional flying out of Dulles starting around April. CRW because I think around three CRW FO's just snatched up a few IAD vacancies on the most recent vacancy award.

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 senior FOs are able to upgrade because of the spots left open by the transitioning 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. (When Buddy talked about new United flying in the front of 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?