MtnWest1979 From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 2118 posts, RR: 1 Posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 3453 times:
I am just curious if Great Lakes Airlines is a good company to work for, especially in the ramp area?
I seem to recall various stories of working at different airlines, but do not remember any ZK stories.
MrSkyGuy From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 1203 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 3415 times:
I've always been curious about Great Lakes as well.. call me crazy, but something about airlines with heavy EAS dockets always caught my eye.
"The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee." -- Gunter's 2nd Law of Air
Justlump From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 154 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 3327 times:
I've worked for almost every regional, but I never worked for Great Lakes. With that being said, Great Lakes does not have a very good reputation in the industry. I'm sure they got some great people who work very hard to keep America moving, but their pay is low and their turnover high. In fact, I've known several Mesa And Colgan employees who actually feel sorry for Great Lakes Employees.....That should tell you something!
MtnWest1979 From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 2118 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 3209 times:
Quoting Justlump (Reply 2): I've known several Mesa And Colgan employees who actually feel sorry for Great Lakes Employees.....That should tell you something!
Yes, that does say something LOL. I guess I am amazed that I haven't heard anything here 'bout them in this regard.
Hatbutton From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 1451 posts, RR: 15 Reply 4, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 3180 times:
I worked on the ramp in DEN with a few former Great Lakes employees. They had nothing good to say about it and there was a reason they weren't working there anymore.
MtnWest1979 From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 2118 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 3058 times:
Well I guess it doesn't sound like it'll be good for my '6 month' stepping stone plan. But maybe try and just see what happens anyhow.
YVPHX From United States of America, joined Jul 2009, 227 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 3044 times:
That is sad if Mesa employees feel sorry for Great Lakes employees. I think Mesa was the worst of the worst..I honestly had no idea it was possible for their to be another carrier that actually ranks lower than Mesa
But I guess that's why all of YV planes say "Air Transport Magazine Regional Airline of the year 2005"
AirStairs From United States of America, joined Jul 2008, 486 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 2976 times:
Quoting MtnWest1979 (Reply 5): Well I guess it doesn't sound like it'll be good for my '6 month' stepping stone plan. But maybe try and just see what happens anyhow.
I actually applied with ZK in PHX for a position of about 6mo in duration, the manager said that she would have loved to offer me the job, but because of the depth and frequency of backround checks involved as well as the length of training (6 weeks+ if I recall), she couldn't hire without a significantly longer commitment. Shame, I thought it would have been a great little operation to work in PHX.
Maverick623 From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 4744 posts, RR: 6 Reply 8, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 2863 times:
Quoting AirStairs (Reply 7): because of the depth and frequency of backround checks involved as well as the length of training (6 weeks+ if I recall)
What exactly were you applying for? The only background checks I would know of that you would have are FBI, 10-year criminal history, TSA, and USPS (if you were to handle mail). All those can be done in a day, and the results usually only take a week to get back, and they're good for two years.
Cbphoto From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1506 posts, RR: 6 Reply 9, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 2851 times:
Well...I can't tell you much about the ramp, because I never worked the ramp, but I currently fly for ZK! I can tell you, if you want the experience of working on the ramp, then go for it. But just be prepared to work long hours in all sorts of weather conditions! I often feel for the rampers, because I know then hardly get paid anything and they work their butts off in either rain/snow or shine!
As far as the company goes, its rough! Moral is really low right now, our operations are suffering deeply due to many factors. But if you want to use it as a stepping stone into this crazy industry, but all means I would recommend it!
Hp2us From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 58 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 2744 times:
My first airline was ZK, I was on the ramp and customer service. I will say this, its a great little 1st airline if you want to work ticket/gate. Everything there is done in the "old school" ways. From hand writing FIM'S to hand writing tickets. I really learned alot and how to do everything the bare bones way. When I went to F9 and worked for them, the computers went out for 2 days. They were in a complete TIZZY! However I just went into my ole lakes air way of doing things and everything went fine once I calmed down the agents. Granted not a great career airline, but I am thankful for the expierence I gained that some people will never have.
Oh and P.S. be prepared that if you are in a non hub city like DEN or PHX or FMN, any delayed bags you must personally deliver. They pay you for them, and I cant remember what it was like $5 or something, but in the smaller cities if there is a delayed bag and the person lives with in a 25 mile radius, then expect to pay a visit to there house. Anything further than 25 miles must be sent UPS or FEDEX 2 day.
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 2118 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
