looking at Colgan
 

I am just a couple months away from that first 1,000- hour mark TT, and I have obviously been looking at several regionals. I talked with a Colgan F/O the other day and he said that they fly out and backs everyday, so they're home every night. Since I have a family, that would be ideal, but I haven't heard that about others, so I don't know if maybe he had a nice route or if that's true for everybody at Colgan. I also see that they have a really fast upgrade time, which is good. Thanks for your help and any recommendations.

good company.

Out and backs are the norm at CL. My opinion is move to where you get based. It will make your life easier.

Upgrade is about a year to a year and a half. 1900 1 yr SAAB a little more. Just depends on the attrition.

The growth is slowing a little...needs to. 6 SAABS 1 and 1/2 years ago like 30 now. 140 pilots in 2003. 260 now.

ask more questions.

What's the deal with per diem on these out and backs?

What per-diem?

Per Diem is paid only when they are on overnites.

don't count on per-diem to fatten your pay at Colgan.

When do they let you know where you will be based, before or after training? I have to find a job for my wife if I go to Colgan, and she's the one who pays the bills (obviously) so it is very important to have enough time to find her a job. Other than that, Colgan seems like a great fit for anyone who has family as their priority over their career, as is the case with me. If anyone can answer my question soon that'd be great.

Are they still hiring street captains?

Ifly:

You usually get your base assingnment just prior to your checkride. They like to wait till they know you ave made it through the training. Being a small company they count on who they put in a base. Very little reserve at colgan. So if they assign bases early on in training and the person washes up they are stuck. Each class is about 12 and they usually lose one or two per class.

The out and backs are nice if you live at your base. I have had the sme base for 3 years 1.5 years as FO and 1.5 as captain. It has been great cause I live here. Otherwise the guys in the crash pads are actually in the pad more than "home"

Hope this helps

AV8trxx,

Looks like they are going to hire street captains....not enough qualified FO's in the company to upgrade. that is what happens if they dip to low on the total times of guys hired.

I think they prefer SAAB typed guys for the SAAB but the beach might just be a guy that has other 121 Capt experience.

They are going in Seniority order with the FO's but will skip them if the FO does not feel ready or if they do not have the mins they are looking for.

SAABdriver,

We definitely plan on living at whatever base I'd be assigned. Is it difficult to switch bases after you've been assigned? Also, if you are originally placed in the Beech 1900, can you move to the Saab at some point? I'm assuming you work for Colgan, how do you like it?

I guess the secret is out....I do work there....

For me I like it...it is not for everyone. It has a small company feel..starting to lose that a bit but I have been here for three years this October. I am #75 out of about 280-300. I am junior capt at my base however...and still fly my pants off... maybe too much...96 hrs with 127 pay credit in July, 93 with 108 pay in June...have yet to figure out Aug.

I say that if you move to your base you would be happy.....bases do close from time to time...have not had one close in over a year but it can happen...company helps you a little if it does. (We lost Portland Maine to an RJ)

Sometimes people get frustrated with the scheduleing department. The bids come out like the 15th of the month and the scheduled at about the 21st or so. They are working on it though and hope to have it all on-line in a month or two. If you give to scheduling they do give back.....being a small company they do remember people...as we all know that is good and bad. If your thing is to do your schedule and no more they will not do any favors for you. If you bend for them they will bend for you. Of course we seem to think that we bend more....

If you start in the beach you live there till upgrade to captain.....then after 6 months in the left seat you can bid for a transition to the SAAB...or by then maybe a 50 seater. The good thing with the beach is that you might make captain at about 800 hrs in type.....like one year with the company. SAAB is a little longer....at times...just depends on the growth....we are putting 6 more SAABS on line this fall for United....we have 27 now so that will put is well into the 30's.

Our CP says they are looking for 900 with 100 multi...any less really puts the cogs in the wheels for upgrades. We are not only expanding but SR Capts are on the way out...AirTran, North American, Casino, Gemini, Continental, etc...

PM me with any questions...I like to tell people the truth about life here as if they know what to expect they will not be disillusioned or disappointed.

But as I say, I like the schedule here....and the being home every night...if family is important...it is about the only 121 job I know that you can fly 7.5hrs a day in a 10-12 hr duty day and be home with the misses and do it all again the nest day....

Good luck

SD

Family is important and is definately a plus to be home at night with them. However, what is the benefit package like? 401K? profit sharing? etc...

v/r,
Cajun Fan

LA....

None...got to do it on your own...they will put into a 401K but no match...word is they might start soon.

They are a regional...they know we all will moe on....just a handful of people there more than 5 years.

They are good to work for and the QOL is pretty good...but they know the reality that we are not here forever.....

SD

Thanks for the info...What other companies have bases in DC??

How long does it take to get a call if hired? I interviewed there last week. Getting a little worried. From what I can see though they haven't hired anyone from my interview group yet.

Lone Star,

I would give them maybe one more day....then call them...just to inquire

SD

So what are the best bases to live in for the Beech? Also how is that airplane. Is it somewhat easy to hand fly in all that winter weather. I am a little nervous but excited about flying in all of the crap. Also, if I didn't move up there, are there some decent crash pads?

Don't waste your Time
 

Don't even bother with Colgan. Work another six months instructing or what ever your doing and get on some where good. Your better off finding a 135 job for 6 months and then applying else where. If I were you I would be looking at SkyWest, Chautauqua/Republic Airlines/Shuttle America, ComAir and Co-EX. Colgan has bad pay and work rules. I know you want that first airline job but your better off waiting a bit longer to get a good one. There is a reason they hire low time pilots. That's all they can get!

Too Fast
 

Lets not be too hasty. It is the worst companies that have the quickest upgrade times. I don't know much about Colgan, but if they are that hated then they must have a lot of attrition. I would check it out if I were you. It sucks to grow old in the right seat at a "Good Company".

SkyHigh