Interviews with two airlines.

[pilotman]

I have over the nest couple of weeks two interviews. One with ASA and one with Colgan. I am not sure which one to go to or if I should go to both. I understand that both airlines are hiring a lot. So here is a question:
Should I go to one over the other, or go to both?
If I got offers from both which would be a better QOL?

[Snuggle]

Originally Posted by pilotman

Should I go to one over the other, or go to both?
If I got offers from both which would be a better QOL?

I'd probably go to both so that way I have options.

Better QOL?

where do you live and or want to live? What makes your QOL better?
Are you planning on being a commuter?

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by pilotman

I have over the nest couple of weeks two interviews. One with ASA and one with Colgan. I am not sure which one to go to or if I should go to both. I understand that both airlines are hiring a lot. So here is a question:
Should I go to one over the other, or go to both?
If I got offers from both which would be a better QOL?

Hmm...I don't know. That depends on whether you like Decaf or Regular, Green or Yellow, Rain or Snow, Beer or Girly drinks, Men or Woman etc. etc. etc.

Why not figure out which companies fit your needs and desires, which companies might meet your expectations and THEN apply only to those companies that fit the bill. Then, when they call you for an interview, you schedule and interview with EACH one and see what they have to offer.

Sorry but your question is vague and its like comparing Apples to Oranges. ASA has a Union and a Contract and a base in ATL. They also fly different equipment. Colgan has bases all over, flies primarily Saab's and soon, Q400's. They're non-Union, no contract, no work rules etc. etc.

Why not sit down and figure out what YOU want, because its a lot different then what other people may be looking for.

[jynxyjoe]

its funny that everyone responding so far is working for or has worked for colgan

including me

goto both, find one with the least commute or will put u in a city you want to move to.

just remember, colgan bases have a tendency to magically disappear.

[v1valarob]

And know that with Colgan you wont get a class until March. Dont know how quickly you want to get on with training and all that jazz.

-Rob

[Snuggle]

Originally Posted by v1valarob

And know that with Colgan you wont get a class until March. Dont know how quickly you want to get on with training and all that jazz.

-Rob

I thought we were hiring for the Q in Jan..?

[pilotman]

Originally Posted by Airdale

Why not figure out which companies fit your needs and desires, which companies might meet your expectations and THEN apply only to those companies that fit the bill. Then, when they call you for an interview, you schedule and interview with EACH one and see what they have to offer.

That's what I did...I didn't expect to get calls from both so close to each other. Here are my pros and cons for each. Let me know if my info is bad or if you can add something.
Colgan
Pros:

• Home every night
• Quick upgrade (18 months)
• Family oriented
• People that I've talked to there seem really nice
• SAAB pilots are well respected...Flying through all that weather would be awesome.

Cons:

• Pay is poor (even for a regional)
• Home every night (I'd like to fly to more than just one place)
• Even though your home every night...bases "dissapear"
• Seems to be disorganized
• Not to many people here seem to be pleased there
• People seem unsure of their future
• Tough commute...if I didn't live at base.

ASA
Pros:

• Better pay (I can feed my kids..just barely)
• New contract
• Still hiring alot of pilots in '08..senoirity
• I've always wanted to fly a CRJ
• One base
• Easy commute

Cons:

• Longer upgrade than Colgan...my understanding is ASA has a 3 year upgrade.
• I don't like Atlanta
• Seems more like a "corperate atmosphere"
• There isn't a lot of info here about if people like it there or not.
• I haven't found a whole lot about the company its self...reputation, etc.

These are the only two airlines I've applied for. Express was a place that seemed good too but they're not hiring.

As far as I'm concerned it's kind of sixes...both have good pros. I am a pretty easy going person so I am sure I'd be fine with either. I will go to both interviews and maybe that will be the deciding factor (especially if only one hires me .

I guess I should phrased my question like this:

For Colgan pilots, What do you like and not like about your job?

For ASA pilots, What do you like and not like about your job?

That might help me get some more insight...especially if my information is wrong.

Another question, I've been self-employeed for 10 years. This will be my first time working for somebody else. Growing up my father taught me that unions are bad. I really don't know too much about them. Where could I go to find more information?

[pilotman]

Originally Posted by jynxyjoe

its funny that everyone responding so far is working for or has worked for colgan

Thats funny...I've read a lot of posts with a lot of the same people that resonded here....You guys are alright!

[jynxyjoe]

Originally Posted by pilotman

For Colgan pilots, What do you like and not like about your job?


Another question, I've been self-employeed for 10 years. This will be my first time working for somebody else. Growing up my father taught me that unions are bad. I really don't know too much about them. Where could I go to find more information?

1. i didn't like how people on the beech 1900 side got treated and i found a place that upgraded me into a saab for more money than colgan woulda paid. plus the per diem is better the base is a town i wanna be in. plus, on top of all of that i get a union.

2. unions are bad? yeah, felt that way for years and i've seen other unions get carried away. with that said i don't think i'll ever work for another non-union airline again. i try to think of it as a group of lawyers who will always have my back for a retainer of 2% of my pay (1.95% to be exact). if you don't think the company will sell you out to help the "greater good" you are wrong.

my $0.02: colgan is not small family company (it's pinnacle anyway). management has little idea of what you do for a living. except for the senator who has nothing to do with operations, no one has a pilots license. some are as bad as passengers.

[pilotman]

great points...thanks.
You must be with Mesaba now. Based on your response I don't need to know why you left Colgan.

[jynxyjoe]

Originally Posted by pilotman

great points...thanks.
You must be with Mesaba now. Based on your response I don't need to know why you left Colgan.

for what its worth i got treated pretty well on the 1900. i was one of the few.

[pilotman]

I believe that attitude has a lot to do with how well you like your airline too. Some people could (and do) have the best jobs out there but complain anyway. I don't get it. Others make the best of a bad situation...I just don't want to be saying to myself, "I wish I check out XYZ more." I have a pretty good attitude and can make the best of a bad situation, but I'd also like to make an informed decision.

[jynxyjoe]

Originally Posted by pilotman

I believe that attitude has a lot to do with how well you like your airline too. Some people could (and do) have the best jobs out there but complain anyway. I don't get it. Others make the best of a bad situation...I just don't want to be saying to myself, "I wish I check out XYZ more." I have a pretty good attitude and can make the best of a bad situation, but I'd also like to make an informed decision.

hehe. ok man. guess the point was you have no need to make the best of a bad situation- nah forget it. enjoy urself out there.