evilboy

trogdor, thanks for helping make up my mind. i'm passing, and yes we are hiring servers (mco). pm if you live there.

Copperhed51

Yeah, it seems that the biggest holdup right now is a lack of airplanes. Lakes has lots of cities that they are supposed to be serving but can't due to a lack of airplanes. They've been getting new planes at a pretty good rate lately though. If that keeps up, things should keep moving for a while. As with lots of places, it's basically a crapshoot.

Abbey2

I have an interview with them in a few weeks. Curious about their training contract. Do they have you sign before training or after training/checkride? My last contract was pro-rated with no interest and I wasn't aware a company would involve interest in their contract. Thanks for sharing that with me.

Copperhed51

They give you a copy at the interview to read over and then have you sign something that says you're aware of the training contract. You sign the actual contract on the first day of indoc. It does not go into effect until you pass your checkride.

Abbey2

I was assuming that one would not have a contract till after the checkride. My wife was required to sign my last contract. Is that common with Great Lakes as well?

1900luxuryliner

I'm not sure I understand what you're asking. You sign the contract before the checkride, while in ground. But, the contract does not take effect until you pass the checkride. Therefore, if you fail ground or sim, you get to walk away without owing a penny. If that weren't the case, Lakes could just fail people on purpose to get the contract amount. You have to get through all the training before you're liable to Lakes for the contract amount. Your wife doesn't have to sign anything. You sign it, and a Lakes HR person signs it, as well, as a witness. I think they do a great job at letting you know what the contract is about, before you become liable for it. But, they don't do it to be nice. They want you to be truly liable for it, so they can get their money out of you if you quit. Count on them getting the money, as well. Sometimes, very occasionally, they let the contract slide. But, they have been known to take people to court to get it, without hesitation, as well.

1900luxuryliner

Just read on the company internal website that FMN will now be a crew domicile. 15 crews will be FMN based. That's right folks, beautiful Farmington, NM. No one senior will bid for this domicile, so it WILL go junior, almost guaranteed. The FMN base will be the starting point for all of our Phoenix and California flying. Thought I'd pass this along, as I'm sure it will sway the decisions of many, as to whether or not they will throw in a resume' at Lakes. I have no major complaints about Lakes, but Farmington?!?!? The flying in Phoenix and Cali wouldn't be too bad, as far as weather is concerned. That's one tiny upside to it, I guess... The FO list is currently moving, but the movement will slow, should upgrades slow, or come to a halt. There will always be attrition on the FO side, as there always has been, but if upgrades slow, escape from FMN may take awhile. I guess I exaggerate. Farmington isn't a terrible place to be. The commuting part would be a headache, though. We do have a commuter clause for Lakes flights only, if that's any consolation...not really...

Excel

FMN sounds a whole lot more appealing than Detroit! Or Newark!! Just sayin...

1900luxuryliner

You're right. It could be worse... I've never had a problem with Farmington, but a lot of people hate it. I think it more has to do with the hotel we normally stay at. It's one of the worst in our system. I won't be bidding for this domicile, though.

AirWillie

Farmington is a S-Hole. At least you have less chance of being shot or mugged in EWR or DET because there are a lot more people. FMN is filled with drunk indians that wonder off from the reservations. Look out. Make sure you go to areas where the locals recommend. Doubt FMN will be senior because not only the area but not really commutable if you want to get out.