Colgan staffing issues

[SmitteyB]

Originally Posted by USMC-SGT

Just got info that FOs can transition between the fleets but after a 12 month seatlock. The exception to the rule is Beech or Saab FOs who want the Q, they have a 10 month seat lock.

Why do you want to come to the SAAB?

It's days are numbered and like every other airline, movement is non-existant.

Now, I'm only a few numbers senior to you at #325, so it won't hurt me if you come, but I'm doing this for your own good.

[v1valarob]

Originally Posted by SmitteyB

Why do you want to come to the SAAB?

It's days are numbered and like every other airline, movement is non-existant.

Now, I'm only a few numbers senior to you at #325, so it won't hurt me if you come, but I'm doing this for your own good.

He lives in a base that the Saab flys out of. QOL is what its all about...

-Rob

[USMC-SGT]

Robs got it. IF (there is always an if) we keep MHT and PVD as Saab bases then MHT is 30 minutes north and PVD would be an hour and 15 south. When I applied I was looking for the Saab but was offered the Q.

I picked the Q because I figured even if I could get the Saab I know that MHT and PVD are senior so I figured it would be much easier to commute to EWR than it would be to commute to Johnstown or wherever else we have Saab bases.

I really do not mind the Q at all and the commute to EWR could be worse (could be better) and my seniority in my seat has helped me get my top 2 choices every month but I suspect that will change since 7 have transitioned over and I believe there are 7 more coming. Still not to bad, it will put me at around number 18 or 19 I think out of the 60 or so that will be at EWR. If I could get an opening in the Saab and work my way into MHT I would not care if I had a reserve line or the worst line they have because even with only 10 days off I would still have no commute and would be in my bed everynight.

My big picture is that I am working on a few connections to get into a corporate gig or a 135 on demand type deal but we all know more than ever now that we should get real comfortable in the seats we are in and the companies we work for so I might as well get myself a seat close to home if possible. Who knows, if there is ever movement again I may be able to upgrade into the Saab instead of the Q or if we get more Qs I would be in a decent position to upgrade into that as well but that is a huge IF.

As Rob said, its not about equipment or seat for me, Id fly a cessna 150 up and down the coast if it paid well and gave my wife and I a good QOL.

[Qgar]

Hey, but wouldn't you miss your EWR peeps?

[USMC-SGT]

I would miss 2 of them, you included.

After having done the military you have friends that constantly come and go and then you go and come back or dont come back so I have become very efficient at simply saying "see ya later" to a friend that I may have had for years not knowing if we will cross paths again. Part of the job.

[SmitteyB]

USMC_SGT,
Keep this in mind before you transfer to the SAAB.

The most junior FO at MHT is a couple numbers senior to me and he is straight reserve. All signs so far point to PVD closing.

I don't know if you know how good you have it on a nice, new, clean, airplane that the company cares about. You think the Q is unorganized....just wait.

[TUCKnTRUCK]

Lots of MHT FO's put off upgrade untill they can hold it again as a CA. MHT is the hardest base to get in the 9L system. I think on average there is like 1 new crewmember in MHT a year. Seems like most DW grads at colgan want MHT

Heard a strange rumor today that an ex colgan pilot at Gemini was offered a "Summer" position with the knolwedge that he/she would be furloughed this fall. (SAAB)

Fodder that as you will. Losing the UAL flying if/when they close doors, will hurt at first.

My Understanding from the Memo, is that a Legal move is only one which represents a move 'UP'. Beech FO may bid FO in SAAB or Q, as well as any CA slots. SAAB Fo may bid Q FO. Q FO Can't go 'up', so no movement except in the case of base closing or emergency need, a Q fo can only move to a diffrent aircraft with an upgrade. You may upgrade into any aircraft you like though, from any FO position.

[v1valarob]

Originally Posted by TUCKnTRUCK

Lots of MHT FO's put off upgrade untill they can hold it again as a CA. MHT is the hardest base to get in the 9L system. I think on average there is like 1 new crewmember in MHT a year. Seems like most DW grads at colgan want MHT

Heard a strange rumor today that an ex colgan pilot at Gemini was offered a "Summer" position with the knolwedge that he/she would be furloughed this fall. (SAAB)

Fodder that as you will. Losing the UAL flying if/when they close doors, will hurt at first.

In my new hire class first spot on the lists are pretty much as follows: MHT, PVD, PQI, IAH x 3, IAD, LGA.

I put IAD.

Is the Gemini pilot DS or JW??

-Rob

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by TUCKnTRUCK

My Understanding from the Memo, is that a Legal move is only one which represents a move 'UP'. Beech FO may bid FO in SAAB or Q, as well as any CA slots. SAAB Fo may bid Q FO. Q FO Can't go 'up', so no movement except in the case of base closing or emergency need, a Q fo can only move to a diffrent aircraft with an upgrade. You may upgrade into any aircraft you like though, from any FO position.

IMO, that's BS right there. If the company considers the Q FO the top of the FOs and Saab FO better than 1900 FO, they should have different pay rates. Since they don't, then they should be considered about equal, thus not restricting moving back and forth between the three for QoL, commuting, whatever the hell the pilot wants to do issues. Restricting guys and saying they can't move "down" to a position that is essentially the same job and even pays the same is just covering for lack of management planning. It would be like our management saying you couldn't go from the -900 to the -200 b/c the -900 is a step "up." Reality is there's a seat lock, but it's b/c the -900 is treated as a different equipment type per the contract, not b/c it's considered by the powers that be a step up.

More than likely, management just doesn't wanna pony up the $$$ for differences training AND replace an FO on the Q.....

[v1valarob]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

IMO, that's BS right there. If the company considers the Q FO the top of the FOs and Saab FO better than 1900 FO, they should have different pay rates. Since they don't, then they should be considered about equal, thus not restricting moving back and forth between the three for QoL, commuting, whatever the hell the pilot wants to do issues. Restricting guys and saying they can't move "down" to a position that is essentially the same job and even pays the same is just covering for lack of management planning. It would be like our management saying you couldn't go from the -900 to the -200 b/c the -900 is a step "up." Reality is there's a seat lock, but it's b/c the -900 is treated as a different equipment type per the contract, not b/c it's considered by the powers that be a step up.

More than likely, management just doesn't wanna pony up the $$$ for differences training AND replace an FO on the Q.....

I have bolded our problem

-Rob

[TUCKnTRUCK]

WC i hear is interviewing with world... i'd pick the other option.

[TUCKnTRUCK]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

IMO, that's BS right there. If the company considers the Q FO the top of the FOs and Saab FO better than 1900 FO, they should have different pay rates. Since they don't, then they should be considered about equal, thus not restricting moving back and forth between the three for QoL, commuting, whatever the hell the pilot wants to do issues. Restricting guys and saying they can't move "down" to a position that is essentially the same job and even pays the same is just covering for lack of management planning. It would be like our management saying you couldn't go from the -900 to the -200 b/c the -900 is a step "up." Reality is there's a seat lock, but it's b/c the -900 is treated as a different equipment type per the contract, not b/c it's considered by the powers that be a step up.

More than likely, management just doesn't wanna pony up the $$$ for differences training AND replace an FO on the Q.....

Honestly, previously it didn't matter. FO's were upgrading about as fast as they could. Only recently has it become an issue. At this time in aviation, they should have given a choice at hire, then sat a 2 year seat/type lock. Training events are not cheap. If you want an easier commute from MHT, go to BWI. There is only a billion and a half SWA flights between the 2 all day long.

[ANG135drvr]

Originally Posted by USMC-SGT

I would miss 2 of them, you included.

After having done the military you have friends that constantly come and go and then you go and come back or dont come back so I have become very efficient at simply saying "see ya later" to a friend that I may have had for years not knowing if we will cross paths again. Part of the job.

So who's the other person? J/K You couldn't leave EWR? It's such a great happy place to be and sitting for 2+ hours extra every leg for your EDCT time just makes it great and never gets old.

[USMC-SGT]

We had a guy walk on our airplane the other day and say "WHAT!! I was not made aware that this would be a PROPELLER airplane!! Get me off this thing IMMEDIATELY. I am NOT going down with this plane and I want to talk to a continental agent!"

I think he feared the whistling Sh__-can of death!

That had nothing to do with the topic at hand but it was still funny at the time. If we get that in an airplane that was made in 2008 I would love to hear stories from the Beech guys.

[greaper007]

Originally Posted by USMC-SGT

We had a guy walk on our airplane the other day and say "WHAT!! I was not made aware that this would be a PROPELLER airplane!! Get me off this thing IMMEDIATELY. I am NOT going down with this plane and I want to talk to a continental agent!"

I think he feared the whistling Sh__-can of death!

That had nothing to do with the topic at hand but it was still funny at the time. If we get that in an airplane that was made in 2008 I would love to hear stories from the Beech guys.

Ha Ha, I wonder if he says that when he gets on a DC-9 that was probably made before he was born. It's funny when PAX are afraid of the propellor. I can sympathize with them not liking the interior though. Nothing like what I like to call Eau De Saab, the smell is a mixture of old sweat, piss, and shame.

[SmitteyB]

Wow. People are scared but usually pretty receptive to the SAAB.

This is what one of our flight attendants says to a complaining PAX.

Passenger 1: "I don't know if I really want to ride on this tiny plane"

FA: "Well sir, this is what is going to Boston, so get used to it"

On a side not, Colgan loses more EAS routes...

http://post-journal.com/page/content....html?nav=5018

Guess we don't undercut everyone, huh?

[777forever]

Heard over the company frequency couple nights ago that a lady refused to fly on the CRJ-200 because is was small and demanded to get off.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by 777forever

Heard over the company frequency couple nights ago that a lady refused to fly on the CRJ-200 because is was small and demanded to get off.

I've had this one happen to me, too. I just shrug and say it's up to them, but the aircraft's not changing. If you wanna fly from MEM-RIC, it's gonna be on a CRJ. Your other option is driving or going through ATL. And you'll probably be on a -900 or another CRJ variant to ATL from MEM anyway.

Still not as bad as the pax in the exit row that refused to acknowledge the FA b/c she "didn't talk to the help." Not sure if that one's true or not, but given it was DTW-HPN, wouldn't surprise me.

[beechpilot]

Originally Posted by TUCKnTRUCK

Lots of MHT FO's put off upgrade untill they can hold it again as a CA. MHT is the hardest base to get in the 9L system. I think on average there is like 1 new crewmember in MHT a year. Seems like most DW grads at colgan want MHT

Heard a strange rumor today that an ex colgan pilot at Gemini was offered a "Summer" position with the knolwedge that he/she would be furloughed this fall. (SAAB)

Fodder that as you will. Losing the UAL flying if/when they close doors, will hurt at first.

My Understanding from the Memo, is that a Legal move is only one which represents a move 'UP'. Beech FO may bid FO in SAAB or Q, as well as any CA slots. SAAB Fo may bid Q FO. Q FO Can't go 'up', so no movement except in the case of base closing or emergency need, a Q fo can only move to a diffrent aircraft with an upgrade. You may upgrade into any aircraft you like though, from any FO position.

I know there's a lot of uncertainty and rumors right now but are furloughs really likely at Colgan this fall?

[beechpilot]

Originally Posted by TUCKnTRUCK

Lots of MHT FO's put off upgrade untill they can hold it again as a CA. MHT is the hardest base to get in the 9L system. I think on average there is like 1 new crewmember in MHT a year. Seems like most DW grads at colgan want MHT

Heard a strange rumor today that an ex colgan pilot at Gemini was offered a "Summer" position with the knolwedge that he/she would be furloughed this fall. (SAAB)

Fodder that as you will. Losing the UAL flying if/when they close doors, will hurt at first.

My Understanding from the Memo, is that a Legal move is only one which represents a move 'UP'. Beech FO may bid FO in SAAB or Q, as well as any CA slots. SAAB Fo may bid Q FO. Q FO Can't go 'up', so no movement except in the case of base closing or emergency need, a Q fo can only move to a diffrent aircraft with an upgrade. You may upgrade into any aircraft you like though, from any FO position.

I wonder if some of this flying can be transitioned to another codeshare. Isn't a good deal of the United Express flying EAS?