A buddy of mine thats about to do IOE says that its accurate. Doesnt mean hes right though. regardless there ARE about 60 to 70 pilots on property rightnow. as far as captains not really sure.

Our own airline profile says they have 307 pilots on hand which I think was true a couple of years ago, so they are now at only 22% of that former number (70)? That's something. I would not have guessed that many people jumped ship. At that rate you have to wonder how they still exist.

I thought they exist because they have eas routes and it doesnt matter if the planes are empty or full

Dear god what is wrong with your friend. Let me know about his training contract a couple months from now when he desperately wants out.

I was thinking they would fold before he wants out. he only has 700 total time is probably the main reason he went there. Should be interesting to see how commuting from dfw to den for 1500 a month (if hes lucky) with a new wife and kid on the way will take its toll. Ill keep you posted.

Does anyone from there post in this forum? Would be interesting to hear whats been happening.

I used to be a Laker (a long time ago).

They have their own forum:
Great Lakes Airlines Forum - ReadytoCopy.com ? View forum - Great Lakes Airlines Message Board

Some people have said they reduced the b1900s to 9 seats. Without combing through the regs, I can't for the life of me figure out why they would do this? Not that it matters, they are never full anyway. But i used to fly 19 seat aircraft on part 135 unscheduled ops. Maybe it's the fact that they are scheduled ops?
The only other thing would be for the autopilot in lieu of SIC OPSPEC, but since they don't have autopilots, that can't be it.

Yes, 135 schedule ops need to be 9 seats or less.

What's going on at lakes, do they still have 60 ish pilots on property? Have there been any new hires there? Current guy-How long do you think until they close the doors?