Great Lakes Airlines ceases operations - Lack of Pilots

[ScudRunner-d95]

[url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZpnIC4V4AAxG4W.jpg]https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news ... lines.html[/url]


[quote]Company officials said the Wyoming-based airline, consisting of 28 Beechcraft 1900D and six Embraer 120 Brasilia airplanes, couldn't find enough pilots to fly the planes.[/quote]


[url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZpnIC4V4AAxG4W.jpg]https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/air ... s_airlines[/url]


I can't help but think if only they paid more.....


38K for a Skipper on a 1900D
47K for a Skipper on a EMB 120

[Nark1]

The why anyone would go there is mind boggling. 

Most regionals, not busting your ass 10+ legs a day, have a $15K+ bonus and pay in the $30's/hour to start. 

Even hauling freight pays more.

Good riddance. 

[Eric Janson]

My company can't find Pilots either.

My company is on the low side of the payscale - but guys only fly 400 hours/year.

Those they do find are mostly non rated and have no widebody or longhaul experience.

That's a very steep learning curve - far from ideal.

Still no upward movement in T & C's even though they are turning away business.

[Colonel]

I know I'm in the minority, but when it comes to hiring I
am not terribly concerned with a lack of specific knowledge
or experience.  I can teach someone what they don't know,
if they have the ability, interest and motivation to learn.

People who take the long-term view - and I know there are
precious few of them - even prefer to acquire talent with a
lack of experience, so they can be taught "the right way".

[Nark1]

I see what Eric's company is saying.

There is a finite amount of time to teach a new guy.  If they come, already knowing how to fly the specific airplane, time is better spent teaching the ops manuals and procedures. 

Not to mention, these bigger airplanes have very little to do with "flying" more and more with understanding what automation mode your in and how to use it efficiently. (I suppose one could also argue... that is in fact "flying" the airplane).