Colgan Beech Guys

Airdale

Airdale

Well-Known Member
Have you heard the good word? All Beech pilots, equipment locked additional 1 year. No apparent plans for FO's on the Beech when the fleet dies. Two Captains are getting Saab bypass pay, while the other senior Captains aren't getting squat. I've already communicated with management on different levels, no solution for us. The schedules are getting worse (if you haven't noticed), bases are closing and pilots are getting displaced with zero resources to relocate. I've already expressed my concern for our future, company response is "Sorry we don't have any answers for you." Throw on top of that the 1900 MX issues on their return inspections?


A Storm is a brewing in the Beech fleet. Time to stand up and send a message?
 
Are they still upgrading people in the beech or did that end with the equipment lock? If it locked you out of upgrade I think I would peace out of that deal.
 
Pilotdude3407 said:
Are they still upgrading people in the beech or did that end with the equipment lock? If it locked you out of upgrade I think I would peace out of that deal.
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I don't believe there are anymore upgrade classes for the Beech. Besides, I'm just at 1000TT right now, I'd have the upgrade mins about the time the airplane is gone. I'm going to get out of here, just have my eggs in two baskets right now. Not making rash "Get outta here" decisions yet. Thats what got me here in the first place. :D
 
Dude, get your $#@! together and then get the %$@ out of Colgan. I'm a firm believer in fixing the problem vs. bailing but in your case I really don't think your lifestyle fits Colgan.
 
Airdale said:
I don't believe there are anymore upgrade classes for the Beech. Besides, I'm just at 1000TT right now, I'd have the upgrade mins about the time the airplane is gone. I'm going to get out of here, just have my eggs in two baskets right now. Not making rash "Get outta here" decisions yet. Thats what got me here in the first place. :D
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Check out the Colgan pilot group website. I fired that up to read the latest propaganda.

Apparently the Beech fleet will draw down to 4 airplanes by summer '08 and be totally phased out by the end of next year.

Nice of them to come out and tell ya, eh?
 
Airdale said:
A Storm is a brewing in the Beech fleet. Time to stand up and send a message?
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What message and how? They've pretty much got you guys over a barrel at this point, and there's not much you can do other than saying "Eff this, I'm out."

'Course you could always file a grie.... oh yeah. Wonder if any Beech guys said "I love this place, and things will never change b/c Mike said so."
 
wheelsup said:
Dude, get your $#@! together and then get the %$@ out of Colgan. I'm a firm believer in fixing the problem vs. bailing but in your case I really don't think your lifestyle fits Colgan.
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With our schedules, I'm lucky if I can interview at 1 company a month. But this I promise, job offer or not, I won't be at Colgan come Dec. 15. ;)

kellwolf said:
What message and how?
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The message?
That we Beech pilots will not tolerate being treated in this manner for the absurd monetary compensation they so graciously provide. How is it that Junior Street Captains get Saab override pay while Senior Beech Captains get nothing and are told they get nothing?

How?
Easy. Dec. 15th, job elsewhere or not, I'm walking. A human being can only tolerate so much stress, financial pressure and a goat roping of a future for so long. Its not worth it "just to fly airplanes". Mistake number 1 was coming here. I won't make mistake number 2 - staying here.
 
Yeah I am not to happy about some things they are doing. I have guys a year to over two years junior to me that are making 8-10K more a year.

I REALLY feel sorry for the first officers out there. I don't know how many are going to stick around and I really can't blame them.
 
With the news of my base closing here in January, I really don't know what to do. I think about it until my head starts to hurt. There is no right or wrong answer as to where to go from here. I'll see what base they offer me come January, and I guess I'll just see what happens. It's like a crazy roller coaster and you have no idea what's over that next drop! I'm strapping in and tightening my shoulder straps.
 
Here is what REALLY pisses me off. We all know the Beeches are gone come October next year. Yet they expect us to pick up the cost of a crashpad for 12 months in HYA, AUG, or BHB (the remaining Beech bases) some of the most expensive areas in the country even though we are only going to be there 9 months at most. They are forcing us into a financially straining situation.

Complete Bullcrap.
 
Seggy said:
Yet they expect us to pick up the cost of a crashpad for 12 months in HYA, AUG, or BHB (the remaining Beech bases) some of the most expensive areas in the country even though we are only going to be there 9 months at most. They are forcing us into a financially straining situation.

Complete Bullcrap.
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The reality of that is really starting to sink in with me. I don't even know how I am going to live in HYA if that's where I have to go.
 
I'm going to make a few phone calls next week. We shall see where that gets us. I'm not optimistic though.
 
f'ing colgan.

everyone on the beech call in on saturday and quit. mesaba has instant upgrades and can always use about 20 new fo's
 
Airnet is hiring.
Airdale you could get a TEB base very easily here. With 1000tt you'd still have to SIC for a couple months in the Baron until you reach mins.
Home everyday. And I'm sure it's better pay then Colgan. PM me if you are interested.
 
From what I have heard Beech captains will be able to become Saab captains with enough time but it seems to me the FO's would have to move over to Saab FO's(If they don't leave) and that would have to suck retraining on a new aircraft only to still be an FO. I'd be like starting over again wouldn't it?
 
Seggy said:
Here is what REALLY pisses me off. We all know the Beeches are gone come October next year. Yet they expect us to pick up the cost of a crashpad for 12 months in HYA, AUG, or BHB (the remaining Beech bases) some of the most expensive areas in the country even though we are only going to be there 9 months at most. They are forcing us into a financially straining situation.

Complete Bullcrap.
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Hey, how was the trip to Oklahoma? Any other Beeches headed out there soon?
 
Trip was a great learning experience, I'll tell you that. Good money maker for me as well :).
 
Word about how three Colgan Beech guys quit within 10 minutes of each other is making the rounds.

That made a statement so loud Saab guys heard it.

If the REST of them up and quit... Gee.

There's Airdale's message, right there.
 
Seggy said:
Here is what REALLY pisses me off. We all know the Beeches are gone come October next year. Yet they expect us to pick up the cost of a crashpad for 12 months in HYA, AUG, or BHB (the remaining Beech bases) some of the most expensive areas in the country even though we are only going to be there 9 months at most. They are forcing us into a financially straining situation.

Complete Bullcrap.
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AUG is probably the cheepest though probably not the most desirable. BHB and HYA are both coastal so probably quite expensive. In particular HYA.
 
mikecweb said:
Airnet is hiring.
Airdale you could get a TEB base very easily here. With 1000tt you'd still have to SIC for a couple months in the Baron until you reach mins.
Home everyday. And I'm sure it's better pay then Colgan. PM me if you are interested.
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:yeahthat:

I was thinking the EXACT same thing. What do the runs up there pay? Mid $30's? That'd be a 50% pay increase for him. He's just gotta get his attitude in check before that interview...
 
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