Great Lakes Airlines

PATSFAN123 said:
I was wondering if anyone had any information about Great Lakes Airlines, are they a good company to work for? How much flight time do there pilots get a month? Are there planes well kept or do they have issues? Is this a good way to build hours to reach the regional minimums? Any information will be helpful and thank you all for your time.
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Look, I'm a Pats fan too so let me help you a little.

There has to be another way. I don't know about how to build time anymore, but there's a real chance you goto Great Mistakes and the company goes tango uniform while you're there. Also, while the pilot group is goingto be a good bunch of people, you're going to pick up some bad habits.

Keep looking for something that makes more sense. Is there some way to live at the outstation or something that appeals to you? Do you have a friend that works there?
 
What's wrong with flight instruction? You learn a lot that carries over to any job down the road, and will probably make more than Great Lakes, first year anyway.
 
jynxyjoe said:
Look, I'm a Pats fan too so let me help you a little.

There has to be another way. I don't know about how to build time anymore, but there's a real chance you goto Great Mistakes and the company goes tango uniform while you're there. Also, while the pilot group is goingto be a good bunch of people, you're going to pick up some bad habits.

Keep looking for something that makes more sense. Is there some way to live at the outstation or something that appeals to you? Do you have a friend that works there?
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No I really don't know anyone in the aviation field other than my instructor, I don't have any family or friends that really know anything about it. I don't really see my self as a flight instructor and I don't know if it would really interest me or not that's why I'm looking at places that take you at low hours. Everyone I have talked to has told me to instruct.
 
Beefy McGee said:
What's wrong with flight instruction? You learn a lot that carries over to any job down the road, and will probably make more than Great Lakes, first year anyway.
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I don't really see my self as a teacher or it interesting me but it is still a possibility it's just that I would rather do something else.
 
PATSFAN123 said:
No I really don't know anyone in the aviation field other than my instructor, I don't have any family or friends that really know anything about it. I don't really see my self as a flight instructor and I don't know if it would really interest me or not that's why I'm looking at places that take you at low hours. Everyone I have talked to has told me to instruct.
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I wasn'tmuch of an instructor but it made me a better captain (i think).

@ppragman might have the right of it and have you try some cargo in a single or twin.

I remember i went to a company because a buddy of mine went there without doing any research myself. I left and have always regretted ever going to that company. If I'd done any research i would have known what a crappy operation it was and it's likely i would have found exactly where i went and loved a couple months later.
 
I never CFI'd, but if you're not willing to do the traditional method, you're going to have to get creative - that means flying in AK, or pipeline patrol, or Banners, or being a Caravan FO somewhere, etc.
 
PATSFAN123 said:
I don't really see my self as a teacher or it interesting me but it is still a possibility it's just that I would rather do something else.
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There seems to be ample opportunity to fly right seat 135 in AK in something like a C208, C212 or B1900 at around 250 hours. Pays enough to live on from what I understand.
Aerial Survey is another fantastic route. Do a search on here for Pictometry. I think there are 5 Vendors now and one of the owners even posts here.
 
z987k said:
There seems to be ample opportunity to fly right seat 135 in AK in something like a C208, C212 or B1900 at around 250 hours. Pays enough to live on from what I understand.
Aerial Survey is another fantastic route. Do a search on here for Pictometry. I think there are 5 Vendors now and one of the owners even posts here.
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Hageland Caravan FO pay is just enough to starve on.
 
PATSFAN123 said:
I don't really see my self as a teacher or it interesting me but it is still a possibility it's just that I would rather do something else.
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Do something that will make YOU a BETTER pilot. Don't cut a corner to "save yourself time". I knew I'd become a worse pilot if I got a single pilot job flying a C172/C182 or a Caravan FO job so I didn't even bother applying.

If you think the same way I do, becoming an instructor is extremely beneficial to continually learn for your career (not saying those other jobs aren't)... but I knew I wouldn't be better in those atmospheres. I also wanted something to fall back on if the economy collapses or airline industry has another hiccup. Also, it doesn't take long to become a CFI like some people set out to say. If you spend 7 days a week studying, you can become a CFI in 30 days (if you can afford to give up that time).
 
tcco94 said:
Do something that will make YOU a BETTER pilot. Don't cut a corner to "save yourself time". I knew I'd become a worse pilot if I got a single pilot job flying a C172/C182 or a Caravan FO job so I didn't even bother applying.

If you think the same way I do, becoming an instructor is extremely beneficial to continually learn for your career (not saying those other jobs aren't)... but I knew I wouldn't be better in those atmospheres. I also wanted something to fall back on if the economy collapses or airline industry has another hiccup. Also, it doesn't take long to become a CFI like some people set out to say. If you spend 7 days a week studying, you can become a CFI in 30 days (if you can afford to give up that time).
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Actually, I don't necessarily think I agree with this sentiment - for some, yeah, but I don't think everyone gets the same thing out of being a CFI - I know that's why I didn't do it. I think there's something to be said for learning things the "hard way" by making your own mistakes and either scaring yourself (single pilot job flying a 172) or getting snapped at by some old codger (Caravan FO). Just my $1.05. Not everyone learns in the same way - I know for me starting out, my stick and rudder did not need a period of time where I watched other people fly, I know I needed to fly.
 
ppragman said:
Actually, I don't necessarily think I agree with this sentiment - for some, yeah, but I don't think everyone gets the same thing out of being a CFI - I know that's why I didn't do it. I think there's something to be said for learning things the "hard way" by making your own mistakes and either scaring yourself (single pilot job flying a 172) or getting snapped at by some old codger (Caravan FO). Just my $1.05. Not everyone learns in the same way - I know for me starting out, my stick and rudder did not need a period of time where I watched other people fly, I know I needed to fly.
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That's why I said if you think the way I do. I am always happy to hear stories like yours where pilots become better in other environments. For me, personally, I thought becoming a CFI and teaching would help my overall knowledge. Am I a good teacher? Maybe..Maybe not. Is it fun? Not really. Has it made me a better pilot? Yes. That's all I care about is trying to get better and learn more.

I wasn't trying to setup an argument about which one is better...just pick which one is better for YOU. For me, my gut told me I needed to learn this better so no better way than becoming and instructor. For you and many others, you saw a different light. Who knows maybe you're a better pilot than I am too! I don't know but I can bet at the end of the day we're both safe professional pilots.
 
I think it would better be said as don't become a CFI to build time. Do it to learn how to teach well and improve your own flying skills/knowledge.
 
tcco94 said:
Do something that will make YOU a BETTER pilot. Don't cut a corner to "save yourself time". I knew I'd become a worse pilot if I got a single pilot job flying a C172/C182 or a Caravan FO job so I didn't even bother applying.

If you think the same way I do, becoming an instructor is extremely beneficial to continually learn for your career (not saying those other jobs aren't)... but I knew I wouldn't be better in those atmospheres. I also wanted something to fall back on if the economy collapses or airline industry has another hiccup. Also, it doesn't take long to become a CFI like some people set out to say. If you spend 7 days a week studying, you can become a CFI in 30 days (if you can afford to give up that time).
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You learn a hell of a lot in those single engine airplanes. Especially with the general lack of any operational oversight. Generally a lot more stick and rudder, and you have to know the regs and opspecs by heart so that you know where the line is, when and how to cross it.
 
z987k said:
You learn a hell of a lot in those single engine airplanes. Especially with the general lack of any operational oversight. Generally a lot more stick and rudder, and you have to know the regs and opspecs by heart so that you know where the line is, when and how to cross it.
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You're still in the same airplane as a CFI? Do I not need to have all the regs by heart to teach them too?

Again, what is this a competition? I said I picked what made me a better pilot and that's how it should be for anyone.
 
@PATSFAN123

If you have your A&P and don't mind travelling for ~30days at a time Dynamic Aviation in Bridgewater, VA (KVBW) operates King Airs in many different capacities. While the King Air does not require a second pilot for part 91, Dynamic Aviation trains and operates in a two crew environment. They will often hire at new commercial mins for FO especially if you have your A&P. You can check out their current openings at http://www.dynamicaviation.com/careers/current-openings/pilots/ and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
 
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