CAPIP1998

I've been up and down the web trying to find a few pieces of info that I just can't seem to dig up. I could really use some help. I've got an interview with Colgan this Friday and I'd like to know a few things going in.

1. Can new hires get LGA for a base? (I'm sure I'll find this out at the interview, but I'd appreciate it if anybody knew).
2. What are the lines like out of EWR?
3. How long are new hires on reserve out of EWR / LGA?
4. What is the minimum callout for EWR / LGA?

Thanks for the info in advance.

usmc-sgt

1. New hires can get any base Colgan has to offer, if you do not get the base right out of training you should get it at MAX 6 months.

2. No one knows what the lines are like out of EWR because it is a Q400 base only and they have not been released yet.

3. There really is no reserve at Colgan right now or at least very minimal. If you are hired into the Q there will more than likely be zero reserve.

4. If you are on reserve (which you wont be) callouts regardless are a 1 hour callout.

LGA is a saab base and they are not hiring for the saab for a while unless you are a street CA. If you apply and they put you in the Q then you will not get LGA since the only bases for the Q are EWR, PIT, ORF and BWI.

Apollo

Did they fill up the 75 Q400 FO slots you mentioned with Big Sky guys? Chuck Colgan called me a week or so ago and I have been calling back with no luck.

usmc-sgt

I cant imagine they have but I have no idea. They would have basically needed 66 FOs in one hiring spree.

Keep calling Chuck, he should be around. You can also email Karen Chase, she is pretty good at getting back to people.

Are you trying to get the Q400?

CAPIP1998

I got a few of those calls too, and was unable to get back in touch with Mr. Colgan as well. I did call the regular HR number and spoke to Karen, that helped. But I think what got me the interview was updating my airlineapps page.

Usmc-sgt, Thanks for the info. Personally, I think I would like to Q400 and flying out of EWR, provided I didn't have to do reserve for long(or any ). I live about 70 miles away, but thats 1-3 hours depending on the time of day. Too far to be entirely convenient and I think I'll still end up with a crashpad anyway just to avoid hours of driving everyday. Still, its better than jumpseating to another city. Do you know what the minimums are for upgrade in the Q? I'm at about 1600 now, and it would be nice to be eligible for upgrade after the 1000hrs in type.

flyguyniner11

with that kind of time you should be able to upgrade with the 1000 hrs in type no problem

usmc-sgt

Current Q upgrade is 3200 TT with 1000 TIT there have been talks of the 3200 falling to 2700 but time will tell with that.

Like everything else in the industry those hours are insurance driven but like everything else in the WORLD money gets you what you want. If Colgan needs captains and they have a shortage of people to put in the seat they will PAY more for insurance and you may see those mins drop closer to ATP with say 800 in type. Alot of other regionals have done it, although I dont see the Q coming down to 1500 TT I dont think the 3200 will hold too long.

With the first class they only put FOs in the class with over 1000 TT with the class average around 2000TT just for that purpose because they were planning on the need for captains in the near future and a 300 hour new hire would not cut it. This will change of course though if there are not enough qualified 1000 hour applicants and you will see closer to 600 hour pilots if not a hair lower in the right seat.

I know of a lot of regionals that hire at 300 TT and are having a hell of a time putting warm bodies in the left seat because regardless of seniority they are not even at ATP mins to hold the applicable PIC type and the seat. Hopefully it does come down, I wouldnt mind seeing a 2 year upgrade get closer to 1 or 1.5 but who knows. You cant predict upgrades further than a month down the road.

as for reserve....i doubt it. They NEED 75 FOs so unless you are the bottom 5 percent of seniority I would not see that being an issue.

CAPIP1998

Thanks again for all the info. From what I can tell, Colgan is certainly not the best thing out there, but not the worst either. They are a fairly good fit for my situation, and a logical next step for my career. I'll just see what they have to say at the interview. There seem to be a lot of good guys flying there that are reasonably happy, and I don't think we can expect much more right now. I'll let you know what happens on Friday.

usmc-sgt

Colgan is what it is, it is not right for everyone but it is perfect for some.

Just do what you are doing, do you research, look into all of your options and make the decision that works best for you.

If you can get in and get hired into the Q on Friday you may get the next class which will put your seniority in the top 20% or so for that plane and seeing how you want to be in the EWR LGA area it may be a good fit for you and have some good growth potential. There have been alot of talks about getting more bombardiers on the line and I am nearly positive that the fleet will not stop at the initial 15 by june. There are already 4 total bases for the 400 with a few more in the works in the not so distant future as well.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Lbell911

Don't forget they make you sign a "training contract" according to their website

Am I required to sign a training contract? Yes, you will be required to sign a one year $16,000 training contract which is strictly enforced.