Rotation Accomodations

[drifter]

When guys work 2 weeks in 2 weeks out or some other rotation up North, does the company provide accommodations when your "in?" If so, what are they like? Crack shacks or decent crew houses?

Thanks

[tired of the ground]

the short answer to all your questions is, yes.

It depends on all sorts of things. Even within one company the accommodations can vary from poor to great depending on the base.

I've stayed in some truly fantastic crew houses and some places that have creepy crawlies as roommates.

[meflypretty]

I find that more important than the quality of the accommodations is the quality of the crew you are living with. A good group of people can really make a tour fly by.

[drifter]

With the accommodations covered, how much do you guys usually end up spending on food? This obviously depends on how often you eat in a restaurant but just looking for a general idea.

Do any companies cover food too?

[meflypretty]

Depends on the company. Usually there is some form of compensation, either per diem, purchase order or food mail.

[fingersmac]

Our company provides room and board for us. A couple ladies cook us dinner and we fend for ourselves for breakfast and lunch (food is provided but we have to make it ourselves). The housing is alright for the most part. Satellite, wireless and lazy boys so bad weather days are generally weathered pretty well. The beds are a little uncomfortable but that's easily fixed with a foam pad and a pillow brought from home. My only complaint is the walls are pretty thin so you can hear the guy next to you snoring, sneezing, rolling over, etc. Other than that, it's alright and I couldn't really ask for anything better.

[bgodfrey]

Our company provides room and board for us. A couple ladies cook us dinner and we fend for ourselves for breakfast and lunch (food is provided but we have to make it ourselves). The housing is alright for the most part. Satellite, wireless and lazy boys so bad weather days are generally weathered pretty well. The beds are a little uncomfortable but that's easily fixed with a foam pad and a pillow brought from home. My only complaint is the walls are pretty thin so you can hear the guy next to you snoring, sneezing, rolling over, etc. Other than that, it's alright and I couldn't really ask for anything better.

what company is that?

[wallypilot]

I find that more important than the quality of the accommodations is the quality of the crew you are living with. A good group of people can really make a tour fly by.

Bingo....the middle of a desolate sand box can be fun with the right group, hey buddy!

[KAG]

I worked for Borek up in YEV a few years back. The crew houses were in good shape - fully equiped with SAT TV, internet, phone, truck(s) and gym membership provided. You also got a meal perdium, which we pooled together and a few of us did costco runs and brought the expensive stuff up (meat, veggies, snacks). We also did food runs on those YEG medivacs too. yes you can shop locally, but your dollar doesn't go near as far. Either way you will eat good.

Every company is different, as is each base. Most people I knew that worked for different companies usually made due and had a fun time doing it.

[swordfish]

I worked for KBA in Inuvik also, and was very happy with the accommodations and meal per diems. Generally one of the crew who isn't busy during the day prepares the evening meal, and we ate like kings there.

Also a great bunch of guys, we all got along well and cooperatively, and generally a good time was had by all, even tho some of them flew that DH-TOY while the rest of us flew a real airplane - the KA-TOY... Maintenance had a separate place, so there was often coordination require for the vehicles.

[fingersmac]

what company is that?

Wasaya (Pickle Lake base). HS748 crews are on a 2 week rotation. C208 captains are on a 20/10 schedule.