Quote:
Originally Posted by LoadMasterC141  Question for you Colganites:
I have considered applying to Colgan in a few years when I have the quals, mainly because they operate in both the area I live now (Temple-Killeen) and the area I am from and want to get back to (NE - They have a base in my hometown of Ithaca).
The really big drawback though is the money. I mean it just is not comparable to the "jet" regionals past the first year pay. And Captain pay at others seems even higher.
The mins seem a bit lower than others, and it probably is nice to be home nightly, but I have to imagine there is alot of attrition to other airlines because of the pay?
Please do not think this is a flame, because it is not. Colgan seems to be a great airline; from what I have read, most pilots there seem to like it. I have heard great things about the president as well. I am just curious why someone would elect to make less money when other regionals are hiring and paying more at the second year.
Maybe I am missing something. |
First off let me say Colgan is NOT for everyone. However, the grass isn't that much greener at other places. I love my job here and in all honesty the company hasn't treated me unfairly or badly. A guy that was in the crashpad with me left Colgan after a year to go to Chickentaco. He is trying to get back to Colgan as a street captain. All regionals are the same in one form or another.
Colgan is not a place that a lot of people stay at for long periods of time. They come here a few years, get their time and move on. Before these RJs came onto the scene, thats what pilots would do, go to a turbo-prop commuter outfit, upgrade in a year to two years, then move onto a major. Colgans payscale is to reflect that tradition. I will be making second year FO pay in a month and a half. Will it be below other FOs flying an RJ. Yes. However, I will upgrade in 4 months. I would MUCH rather be making 2nd year Captains pay flying a Beech 1900 than making 2nd years FO pay flying an RJ. I hope to be at a major within 4 years from this time, rather than waiting to upgrade on an RJ.
Hope this provides some insight. Traditionally, you upgrade your second year at Colgan. So if you look at second years Captain's pay that has been traditionally been a better indication of what you will be making.