BE19Pilot

Heard that CRW might be a combined Mesaba/Colgan SAAB base...Interesting to see how that is going to work out...SLI is meaningless until we are single certificate if you are concerned about being displaced. And, from what an FAA inspector told me we are a long way from going single certificate (Colgan-Mesaba). So, who knows what the heck is going on...
Memphis downtown by the hotel isn't bad....Main St. has the trolley and I was surprised at how clean the streets and sidewalks were. Really good BBQ place about 4 blocks from hotel going south on 3rd I think? There is also a wings place right across the street and has good food. STL blows however...

jheath

Haha, that's a great piece of info about the breakfast. There had better be steak and eggs for $12, and somehow I doubt it. Thanks for the heads up. I'm counting on the fact that it's light now into early evening making any walks through sketchville less sketch.

And regarding the single certificate...I was under the impression it'd be all Mesaba callsigns by end of summer, though I suppose now that the person who told me that may have been speculating. Anyone care to venture an educated guess on how long? Because you're right, there's no point in SLI then, regardless of the fact that SLI won't affect us headed to the bottom anyway.

And one more thing, while I'm thinking about it. How do you Saab drivers like your job? I have an IAD based friend who had good enough things to say, but if given the choice, excluding the pay divergence, would you stay on that equipment or would you prefer the Q or a jet (assuming no fence in the future)? Pros, cons, anything that especially sucks or is especially good?

jheath

This is from less than a month ago. Was this just blatantly incorrect or was there that big of a boom on Q staffing that the bubble burst and reserve time is headed up and up?

FlyJSH

Depends on whether you want to be Colgan Mainline or just plain ol' Colgan.

The Saab's air conditioning is bad. They are older planes so they break, but they were built like tanks so the breaks are fairly manageable.

The Q's are new planes, .... so they break. My observation, when they break, they are BROKE!


Speaking only of the aircraft, if you like the 'Van, you will probably prefer the Saab. (I fly the Saab, and I miss the 'Van ... sniff, sniff )

jheath

I don't mind the Van but I'm looking forward to something that flies a little less like a refrigerator box.

Ha, I actually live in STL, about 25 minutes from Flight Safety, so I might head home for a few meals.

BE19Pilot

The SAAB is a good, solid airplane and even as someone mentioned it is built like brick privy. However, it is getting long in the tooth and it isn't unusual to experience some odd electrical issues from time to time. Unlike the "Q" the SAAB isn't a digital airplane, however and relies upon relay logic to make everything work right.
STL, the city isn't the issue...It's where the hotel location is, proximity to places to eat, etc...Training center for the Q is brand new and VERY nice. People at Flight Safety are friendly and that aspect is very positive. Do you know a good place for St. Louis style ribs?
Anyway, good luck on the old "Swedish love bus" you will enjoy it and it cuss at on the same day, but she is a good honest ship that will bring you thru the "lovely" Northeast weather.

anthony210

From the hotel in STL you can take the hotel shuttle to the airport and then hop on the train to just about anywhere in St. Louis for really cheap. When I was there I went to the mall and the downtown area for dinner and a few drinks, I also went to check out the Arch. You just have to make sure your back before the trains stop running. The hotel shuttle runs all night I believe.

jheath

...or I could just catch a ride home and drive back to the hotel. The Arch, sadly, doesn't do much for me as I've seen it quite regularly my entire life. First though, I'll concern myself with passing indoc and systems so I can GET home.

Thanks for the info about the Saab guys. None of us know what we're getting assigned yet, so I'm just trying to keep an open mind. I heard someone joke (or perhaps they were serious) that the electrical system on the Saab is so complex, if it had one more bus it would require a flight engineer.

anthony210

Yea sorry that was meant for the people who do not actually live near STL.

The Saab is more complex than the Q as far as systems go.

Deice Press

Ya reserve time is definitely headed up for Q FO's, if your still in training or yet to begin I wouldn't even consider the recent 1 month of reserve everyone has got.