New Apprentice seeking advice. Rotary or fixed wing

[Xsymphonic]

Hello everyone,
I'm an AME apprentice a recent Aircraft Maintenance graduate. I currently have two job offers and I'm having a hard time deciding between them.
One offer is from a helicopter company that has a very diverse fleet and works on a wide variety of helicopters. The other is with a huge jet company where I would be working on aircraft such as the Global series (I think you which company this is).

This is a major decision for me because I would need to relocate, and I don't want to regret choosing one path over the other.
They say that helicopters is awesome because of the adventure and the chance to get both M1 and M2 licenses others say that im going to have a stable career and more money if i decide to go fixed wing.

For those who have experience working on helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft:
What is the lifestyle like?
Do you enjoy the work?
What are the biggest pros and cons?
How does the pay compare?
Did you ever regret your choice?
If someone is looking for the best long-term earning potential, would you recommend helicopters or fixed-wing?
Is it easier to transition to fixed wing if i ever decide i dont want to do helicopters anymore or vice versa?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences and advice. Thanks in advance.

[Pacqing]

Is the big one Bombardier? If so don't expect to do any AME work for many years, if ever.
Helicopters earn their keep mainly in remote areas so you might spend your summers in a tent swatting bugs.

[Xsymphonic]

So the Job title Pre FLight mech is not what it seems then?

[Pacqing]

I'd ask a lot of questions about a pre flight job. Ask if that in a year you'll be sitting in the pilot seat doing run ups.

[lupin]

There are opportunities everywhere at the moment. The AME shortage, even though it was predicted 15 years ago based on demographics and college enrollments and graduations is here and most operators are struggling.

It's a great time to enter the industry.

Concerning what type of work is out there, you have tons of options. The airlines are all hiring, cargo operators might be a bit harder to get into until you are licensed, flying schools are always looking for people, MROs, Helicopter operators, fire fighting , medevacs, offshore drilling....

The helicopters usually have you on the road quite a bit unless you find an operator doing medevacs or flying personnel to offshore drilling rigs.

The constructors offer steady albeit quite repetitive work. Even on pre-flight, it can get painfully dull but for some, this sort of predictable routine is what they are after.

The airlines and cargo operators are likely to have you living in a large city where the cost of living is a bit higher and they usually start you on night shift for the first 5-10 years. The work can be interesting but the nights are a high price to pay.

Flying schools are all over the place, the pay is usually lower than what you will find elsewhere.

MROs can be an interesting option, the shifts are usually day time, wages are decent and it's a good place to learn.

Corporate is another option, the smaller private operators will be looking for licensed AMEs but the larger operators would also have apprentices.

Government services are another option, most provinces have some sort of aviation department, for either medevacs or waterbombers.

What is it you like and do you see that changing in a few years? A traveling job can be great if you crave adventure, but aren't ideal if you want to be home at night.

[Xsymphonic]

I really like helicopters because the are very niche and also for the adventure because i heard there will be constant traveling and being far away from home, and also i heard they get paid higher idk if it's true. Am i overglmaorouzing the work?

And yes i do see myself not sticking to helicopters, someday i would want a stable job and work schedule, and maybe working at big airlines, i heard airlines or these big aviation comapnies are all based on seniority, i dont like the idea of me just entering fixed wing when im almost 40, some say if you see yourself going to fixed wing down the line might as well start early, so yeah tough decision to make.

As for the big jet company thats interested in me bmbrdr, i heard that the career progression there is very slow as a preflight mech, do you have expereinces or have heard anything about them?

[Pacqing]

I've never worked for an airline or ever had any desire to do so. Might be just me but have no regrets. i do remember more than a few who have saying when going to work "leave brain at door"

[Pacqing]

Yes airlines are on seniority, so expect 10 or more years of 4 pm to 4 am. And vacation with kids, summer weeks all taken by senior guys with no kids. My buddy put in a career at an Airline and never got summer vacation.