Entry Level Jobs in Vancouver?

[westcoasting]

Anyone have any tips for getting a job hauling bags and working the ramp somewhere in YVR? Looking to get my first job in the industry.

[Randleman]

I get the feeling you are going to get about 15 people telling you to pack your bags and head out east/north.

[Invertago]

There's nothing in YVR leading to a flying position right now. Go North as mentioned, or you'll have to wait. Even the instructor jobs are all gone due to the Olympic restrictions for another week or so.

[dying2fly]

Try CMA? Long wait but I've been told its worth it at the end

[Invertago]

Try CMA? Long wait but I've been told its worth it at the end

True, they did post an ad recently, I had forgotten about them, though I think it was a few position and a flood of resumes, but if you can spare the two years, it is a great start.

Right now the economy is just at the start of a recovery (hopefully) things will get better. I think you'll see a bunch of spots open up after the olympics leave town.

[privateer]

Greatest advice I ever got, pack up and head East or Northeast. Save yourself from eating KD and getting told to bend over and take up the ass. 2 cents

[CBSW]

Yea,

Entry level jobs and Vancouver don't exist in the same sentence. Companies to try are as follows: Orca Airways (up to 1 year ground wait ), CAC, Pacific Coastal (non-flying- gets your face around the s. side), R.S. and associates (see pasco), Hawkair, KD. - All these jobs aside from CAC/ Orca will NOT get you into a seat. They will get your name out there though. If you work for PASCO you can most likely return assuming you make a good impression and have the time at a later date. Right now things are slow with some fo's sitting with 3500 + hours.

Try Landmark Aviation, or any of the FBO's.

PM me if you are looking for some casual work hours.. We'll see what we can hook up. - This is NOT a flying position..I can't stress that enough.

[westcoasting]

I am really just looking for anything to get my face out there, as I am just starting my training and will be living at home, moving north or east is not an option! Really just trying to land something that will look good on my resume and to make some connects for later down the road.

[Invertago]

Try alpha aviation out of ZBB (boundary bay airport where you might be training) they do the fueling etc. Might help if you have an airbrakes ticket on your drivers license.

[North Shore]

What Invertago said. If you are just starting your training, then perhaps try to get on at the school where you will be training - that way, if you decide to go the instructor route, then you are already a known commodity for your most likely first job..

[Big Pistons Forever]

Westcoasting.

It is great to see a motivated individual. By working to get your foot in the door now you are already ahead of 75 % of the other wannabe's out there who are well along in their training and haven't given a thought as to how they are ever going to get a job. Get a ramp job and keep your ears and eyes open and your mouth shut. Work your tail off and you can score that critical first avaition related recommend from an employer.

One other word of advice. Treat you flying training like it was a job. Show up on time with your homework done and ready to work hard. I got my flying job (flight instructing) the day I passed my instructor ride. The school had a choice hire the other guy who had just done his rating or me. The CFI told me he never even considered the other guy because of his attiutude during training. He did the minimum, was often late for lessons and radiated an "this training is all about me" attitude .

[Lost Lake]

Just my opinion. Get a REAL job in a REAL induxtry. Make REAL money and buy your own plane.

It's like the old joke. A guy asked his girl friend to marry him. She said no and he lived happily ever after!

[aV1aTOr]

Don't worry about the negative "get out of this industry" guys. Your attitude sounds good, so keep looking, something will come up. I did exactly what you're doing - got a job ramping at the south terminal at YVR while I was doing my PPL and CPL. That job led to my next job, which led to a flying position in a multi turbine.
If you can get a decent lead to a flying job (even working the ramp) it can be worth it, with the right company. All the guys who preach the 'cheap labour' sermon are stuck in the '80s, don't worry about those guys. You can sit on the sidelines with your arms crossed and hold out for a 'real' flying job, but it will never come. It seems like you're on the right path, keep going.