FWIW guys, I got furloughed by Mesa and had a chance to come to Colgan but DID NOT do it... I didn't know much about this biz when I took the Mesa job, but it really opened my eyes. All my friends who work there say it's unsafe, a joke and they treat you like crap. I was fortunate enough to get my casino job back making $70k/yr part time... I have decided that I'm going to just make money, save up and wait it out. I will fly on the side to keep current and wait until conditions and opportunities improve. I realize one has to do what's best for themselves, but I would seriously really think about the choices that are made. I really wish I had gotten informed before my first 121 job, but that's life and I learned from it.

All I know is I wish that things would improve and I'm willing to wait it out. My best wishes to all of us and maybe someday this will be a real career again.

Take care

 

My interview, the worst guy in the sim was a furloughed 121 guy. No I'm not saying that 121 furloughed guys are bad pilots by any means. The 121 guy that is in our class right now is a hell of a pilot, but dont act like the other CFI's don't know how to fly. If I were hiring right now I would take the Instructor with a good checkride record, a mix of 121 or 135 and MEI time over a guy who has 1000hrs with 750 hrs CRJ200 time.

 

You want some gouge???

Don't work for Colgan!!! Its a horrible airline to work for and the new Mesa of the regional sector!!!!

There is my gouge!!!

 

Classy.......

 

Why are some so concerned about why Colgan is not hiring furloughed 121 pilots? Maybe the furloughed 121 pilots are already aware of the type of working conditions to be expected at Colgan and are not applying. If they are applying, then why are folks giving the experienced CFI's such a bad time? I would submit that if the CFI is _____ (insert derogatory term or phrase of your choice), for wanting to work for Colgan, then the experienced 121 guy who applied is even more so because he has learned little or nothing from his experience.

If you anti-Colgan (Mesa, Go-Jets, etc..) guys really want to help, don't come on an internet board as a faceless goon and tear apart guys looking for honest information. How about sending them a pm, exchanging emails and try getting together for a real conversation. Express your concerns, tell them what you've learned, and remember that the decision to take a job is an individual decision, and your not that individual. If you really want to improve the industry, be someone who's opinion is respected, not feared. You'll receive many more followers.

 

All good but I would also submit that the anti-Colgan posters have a point. Reputations are usually earned. Look at better regionals like SkyWest and you don't find many dissenters. I agree that everyone needs a first turbine job but I would also do due diligence when looking for one. Find a place you may want to stay. A poor economy, check ride failure, whatever could mean you may be stuck there for quite some time so don't just take the first fat girl that gives you attention.

 

I agree whole heatedly, my problem is with the method of information dissemination. Insulting peoples judgment, experience, character, and overall person completely destroys any possibility of a useful message reaching the end user. Even more so when the person doing so has never even worked for Colgan. A conversation with a current Colgan pilot who can answer questions candidly and explain things (no growth, no upgrade, not worth the sacrifice to work there), is much more useful than some self righteous jerk looking to elevate his self image by putting others down. However, were I a Colgan pilot, I would be hesitant to post for fear of endless flaming. If the information seeker does not know any Colgan pilots, the flamers have shut down what may be a one of the few resources a young pilot has for seeking useful information. I'm not in defense of poorly operated airlines, just the poor guys looking for work.

 

Agree whole heartedly.

 

Concur as it seems that these young pilots are being fed lies after lies about the Regionals from the beginning at the BIG schools especially and they basically don't know any better; yet when someone comes on here looking for information they are basically assaulted. Of course as bias as the flight school's information is, so might the information being passed out like candy on Halloween on an anonymous internet message board. It seems that people like to badger more than help. I've been guilty of this myself some in the past, especially when the answer has been given a hundred times before (like most questions on this board) or once advice is given and then argued with. Don't like someone's opinion about something that you asked for advice on - attack the person giving the advice. Sheez.
highnpressurizd - I like your approach.

USMCFLYR

 

Ding Ding Ding

We have a winner. More importantly why would a furloughed 121 pilot apply to Colgan when they should already know better. When will we stop Whoring ourselves out?