Where am I going?

[Snuggle]

So with the news of my base closing in January, everything is just now starting to go to crap. I'm looking at all my options, and I just wish I knew where I was going. Unfortunately the company doesn't tell us much so I don't even know what my options are. I'm not sure if I can even afford to move at this point. I've thought about this until my head starts to hurt and I still have no idea what to do. I just wish I knew where I was going to be living in January so I could plan my life accordingly. The thought has crossed my mind to leave to a different company, but I'm also not sure about that. I guess bases can close at any airline at any moment. This sure does suck but I suppose it's just the nature of this business. Life is full of surprises for the beech guys here at Colgan!

I am planning on interviewing elsewhere, but just not sure if I should walk away from my current job or not. I really don't like the idea of starting over.

[H46Bubba]

Originally Posted by Snuggle

So with the news of my base closing in January, everything is just now starting to go to crap. I'm looking at all my options, and I just wish I knew where I was going. Unfortunately the company doesn't tell us much so I don't even know what my options are. I'm not sure if I can even afford to move at this point. I've thought about this until my head starts to hurt and I still have no idea what to do. I just wish I knew where I was going to be living in January so I could plan my life accordingly. The thought has crossed my mind to leave to a different company, but I'm also not sure about that. I guess bases can close at any airline at any moment. This sure does suck but I suppose it's just the nature of this business. Life is full of surprises for the beech guys here at Colgan!

I am planning on interviewing elsewhere, but just not sure if I should walk away from my current job or not. I really don't like the idea of starting over.

Bases are a revolving door, but most other regionals have pretty firm stable bases. Colgan is just a cluster #### and will continue to degrade until ALPA gets on the property of Colgan pilots are stapled to the list at PNCL.

[PCL_128]

Get out of that non-union airline. You're only going to get screwed more and more as time goes on. The earlier you get out, the better.

[WalterSobchak]

Originally Posted by PCL_128

Get out of that non-union airline. You're only going to get screwed more and more as time goes on. The earlier you get out, the better.

and get away from a regional that has outstation based flying. Hub based flying changes much less frequently and is easier to commute to.

[Doug Taylor]

Just a minor correction, you can get royally screwed at a union carrier too, but we can file a grievance.

However, the chances and regularity of a screwing are probably (silently) more prevalent at non-union carriers.

[mikecweb]

Would colgan bases still be closing if ALPA was on the property?

[ERfly]

Originally Posted by mikecweb

Would colgan bases still be closing if ALPA was on the property?

I think there would be (inevitable with the management change). However, there would be language about what happens when a base is closed, how new bases are awarded, what the relocation benefits are, how displacements can occur, etc. It wouldn't be done on a whim. There would set procedures and rules to be followed. If they weren't, a grievance would be filed and dealt with accordingly.

ALPA or any other union won't magically change a company. You are just able to see what's coming and how it'll be dealt with. And if it's not done properly, you call someone and they make it right.

[doug_or]

Originally Posted by Snuggle

So with the news of my base closing in January, everything is just now starting to go to crap. I'm looking at all my options, and I just wish I knew where I was going. Unfortunately the company doesn't tell us much so I don't even know what my options are. I'm not sure if I can even afford to move at this point. I've thought about this until my head starts to hurt and I still have no idea what to do. I just wish I knew where I was going to be living in January so I could plan my life accordingly. The thought has crossed my mind to leave to a different company, but I'm also not sure about that. I guess bases can close at any airline at any moment. This sure does suck but I suppose it's just the nature of this business. Life is full of surprises for the beech guys here at Colgan!

I am planning on interviewing elsewhere, but just not sure if I should walk away from my current job or not. I really don't like the idea of starting over.

What are your goals? What are your times? Are you eligible for street captain @ XJ?

If you're planning on moving anyway, you can always put all your stuff in a storage locker for training. You'll be paying less than $100 a month for rent (assuming your new company puts you up). Where do you want to work? Where do you want to live?

[mikecweb]

Originally Posted by doug_or

What are your goals? What are your times? Are you eligible for street captain @ XJ?

If you're planning on moving anyway, you can always put all your stuff in a storage locker for training. You'll be paying less than $100 a month for rent (assuming your new company puts you up). Where do you want to work? Where do you want to live?

Is anyone?

[doug_or]

Originally Posted by mikecweb

Is anyone?

Yes. They've been taking street captains on the SAAB as senior FOs hold out for CRJ CA.

[mikecweb]

Oh.
Those freakin codes you guys use, I never know which damn airline you're talking about.
I see XJ and I think ExpressJet not Mesaba.

[Seggy]

After talking to you about this last night Sal and me thinking it about it some more, I would leave, and I would leave sooner rather than later.

You have an opportunity to start building seniority at a company, quickly, and help out your financial situation. I would do it sooner as well, because you would want to be in one of the first classes at a regional next year, ahead of the traditional hiring waves in the spring.

You owe NOTHING to Colgan.

[jynxyjoe]

Originally Posted by Seggy

After talking to you about this last night Sal and me thinking it about it some more, I would leave, and I would leave sooner rather than later.

You have an opportunity to start building seniority at a company, quickly, and help out your financial situation. I would do it sooner as well, because you would want to be in one of the first classes at a regional next year, ahead of the traditional hiring waves in the spring.

You owe NOTHING to Colgan.

*nodding*

[ERfly]

Originally Posted by mikecweb

Oh.
Those freakin codes you guys use, I never know which damn airline you're talking about.
I see XJ and I think ExpressJet not Mesaba.

XJ is Mesaba. XJT is ExpressJet (XE if you really want the 2-letter). We are not hiring street captains right now.

[Firebird2XC]

Originally Posted by Seggy

After talking to you about this last night Sal and me thinking it about it some more, I would leave, and I would leave sooner rather than later.

You have an opportunity to start building seniority at a company, quickly, and help out your financial situation. I would do it sooner as well, because you would want to be in one of the first classes at a regional next year, ahead of the traditional hiring waves in the spring.

You owe NOTHING to Colgan.

Preach it, brother!

I know Eagle's not the most attractive place to work in the eyes of some, but I'd be more than glad to help anybody who wants to leave Colgan with getting a gig here at Eagle.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by mikecweb

Would colgan bases still be closing if ALPA was on the property?

Yep, but "I can't afford to move" wouldn't be as big of an issue. Even Pinnacle has displacement language in our contract. Basically, if your base closes or you get pushed out of it, they'll pay to move your stuff, pay per diem for you AND your family during the move, pay for a hotel for a couple of days after you get there along with while you're on the road and even pay for a 2-3 day house hunting trip for you and your spouse. Also, if you have to break a lease, they pay for the penalties on that as well. A non-union carrier with no contract language is gonna shift ALL of that on the employees.

[mikecweb]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Yep, but "I can't afford to move" wouldn't be as big of an issue. Even Pinnacle has displacement language in our contract. Basically, if your base closes or you get pushed out of it, they'll pay to move your stuff, pay per diem for you AND your family during the move, pay for a hotel for a couple of days after you get there along with while you're on the road and even pay for a 2-3 day house hunting trip for you and your spouse. Also, if you have to break a lease, they pay for the penalties on that as well. A non-union carrier with no contract language is gonna shift ALL of that on the employees.

Yeah that sounds fair. We have something pretty similar here at Airnet.

[Bumblebee]

I don't know where you're going . . . but you better jump out of that handbasket!

We need good people over here as well. You could be flying with me on the mighty bro as soon as April.

Originally Posted by Seggy

After talking to you about this last night Sal and me thinking it about it some more, I would leave, and I would leave sooner rather than later.

You have an opportunity to start building seniority at a company, quickly, and help out your financial situation. I would do it sooner as well, because you would want to be in one of the first classes at a regional next year, ahead of the traditional hiring waves in the spring.

You owe NOTHING to Colgan.

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Yep, but "I can't afford to move" wouldn't be as big of an issue. Even Pinnacle has displacement language in our contract. Basically, if your base closes or you get pushed out of it, they'll pay to move your stuff, pay per diem for you AND your family during the move, pay for a hotel for a couple of days after you get there along with while you're on the road and even pay for a 2-3 day house hunting trip for you and your spouse. Also, if you have to break a lease, they pay for the penalties on that as well. A non-union carrier with no contract language is gonna shift ALL of that on the employees.

Not here, at our non- union carrier we have a pretty decent moving agreement as well. They (SAPA and the COO) are promising to work on fixing the 1st year pay by Jan . . . I'm rooting for them.

[greaper007]

Hey, it's not like you're not going to get anything from the forced relocation. After all Colgan will pay you 300 dollars to move.

[Snuggle]

We do have a forced relocation policy. The problem is I still have no idea where I am going. If I go to ALB then it will work out fine because I may stay in a crashpad. If I end up having to go to AUG , BHB, or HYA then I have no idea how I can afford that. This sure isn't going to be any fun. It's basically to the point where I'm just going to see what happens come January. I will interview with other airlines in the meantime. Heck, if they don't tell me anything till last minute then I'll just have to get my own backup plan! At least this way when January comes I'll have some options.

[Bumblebee]

Originally Posted by Snuggle

We do have a forced relocation policy. The problem is I still have no idea where I am going. If I go to ALB then it will work out fine because I may stay in a crashpad. If I end up having to go to AUG , BHB, or HYA then I have no idea how I can afford that. This sure isn't going to be any fun. It's basically to the point where I'm just going to see what happens come January. I will interview with other airlines in the meantime. Heck, if they don't tell me anything till last minute then I'll just have to get my own backup plan! At least this way when January comes I'll have some options.

that sux . . . but your plan seems right and you display a good attitude. If you need help getting someone's attention at SkW, let me know

[SmitteyB]

If it gets to the point where you cant make the numbers work- YOU MUST LEAVE. Dont lose sleep over it man- you guys deserve better.

[kellwolf]

Come to the dark side now and get a leg up on the rest of the Colgan seniority list.

[jynxyjoe]

or just come to mesaba. we'll be flying all of pinnacles 50 seaters if you believe the rumors. (i for one do not)

[Snuggle]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Come to the dark side now and get a leg up on the rest of the Colgan seniority list.

ha! you're a funny man . Actually, I know a saab FO who left for pinnacle.