Voyageur Training Bond

[Jozego]

Does anybody knows if Voyageur is still asking their future pilots to pay a training bond up-front ?

I am supposed to have an interview with these guys but since the trip would be a very long (and expensive) one to me, I would like to know before. I call them this morning but the answer was "We are not allowed to talk about the "training security deposit" on the phone..." .

Thanks guys !

[Bede]

It better be for a really good job then. Lots of hiring these days. Anyone who's not upfront doesn't deserve your employment. Tell them to pound sand.

[GGCC]

Hey what do i know except they are long established.....
http://www.voyageurairways.com/index.asp?page=career

[Conquest Driver]

We are not allowed to talk about the "training security deposit" on the phone..."

There's my laugh for the day. As I think you've figured out, once you've spent your money and time traveling to them your negotiating position is reduced.

Best reply "I'm not allowed to blow my money away chasing rainbows".

[Doc]

"We are not allowed to talk about the "training security deposit" on the phone..." .
Thanks guys !

[KAG]

I'm against training bonds, never had one.
That said Voyageur didn't used to have bonds, they brought them in because pilots were getting hired with a verbal agreement then buggering off to other companies some within the month of getting their PPC signed.
Sadly we have ourselves to blame.

[Chaxterium]

Yes there is still a bond. Very disappointing to hear that they wouldn't discuss it over the phone. Otherwise they're a very decent company to work for. I'm in my 4th year with VAL and I love it.

I'm against training bonds, never had one.
That said Voyageur didn't used to have bonds, they brought them in because pilots were getting hired with a verbal agreement then buggering off to other companies some within the month of getting their PPC signed.
Sadly we have ourselves to blame.

KAG nailed it on the head. As I said though, other than the bond, great job if you can handle being away from home.

Cheers,
Chax

[Brown Bear]

KAG, the problem I have with bonds (other than the wimple fact when you sign one, you enter into indentured servitude) is there is NO protection for the employee. None. Nada. Zilch. SFA. It's a one way street. If a company is having pilots go to greener pastures, perhaps their own pasture needs some improvement? I defy anyone to name one other industry that indulges in this ludicrous behaviour? Just ONE.

[KK7]

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=70211&hilit=voyage ... ys#p662128

[davesok]

It's so simple if you can't commit to the time frame needed to meet the terms of the bond you shouldn't expect anyone to to train you. It's free, just stick around for a year or two. It's fair!!! You will walk away with an endorsement, less debt, more hours and a good resume to offer the next place. I think anyone wanting to bounce around, a few months or there should do it on their dime, high training cost cut deeply into the profits that can be shared by the employees that stick around.

[longjon]

davesok, I'd say the majority of people agree with you and would do just that. But history has proven otherwise. As usual it takes a few rotten apples to spoil the barrel and its probably a handful of people in the past who have made it the way it is today.

[Brown Bear]

Frankly, if you're stund enough to sign a bond, you probably deserve one.

[dashx]

I'm in my 4th year with VAL

Chaxterium:

What are you flying and where are you based? And what are your rotations like?

[xsbank]

Didja see the ad for KDAir?

2 year promise.

THAT'S the way to do it. Well done KDAir! %$#k all you companies with promissory notes, money up front etc.

[Brown Bear]

%$#k all you companies with promissory notes, money up front etc.

Well stroked Sir!

[Chaxterium]

dashx,

I'm flying the DH7 in Afghanistan. Love it. My rotations are 8 weeks in, 8 weeks out. We're pretty lucky. Most of the companies here have their guys doing 60 days in, 30 days out.

Cheers,
Chax

[Expat]

dashx,

I'm flying the DH7 in Afghanistan. Love it. My rotations are 8 weeks in, 8 weeks out. We're pretty lucky. Most of the companies here have their guys doing 60 days in, 30 days out.

Cheers,
Chax

Like NAC and UT?

BTW, I am your passenger, at times...

[dashx]

60 days in, 30 days out.

Chaxterium:

How long is the trip from home to base and vice versa (rotating in/out)?

Are the accomodations at the airport,close to the airport, or in town somewhere?

How safe do you feel on the ground - in the air flying?

Are you getting extra per diem (per diem might be the wrong word here) for being in Afghanistan? Are the other bases getting the same?

How much does the company fly for the UN on a weekly basis (how many days is maintenance allowed)?

Are you satisfied with the benefits (medical dental RRSP's) offered by the company.

-x

[Chaxterium]

dashx,

-For me the trip is 3 days coming over, 2 days going home. I leave from Toronto, and then head down to Dubai via either Amsterdam, London or Frankfurt. Once in Dubai it's a quick 2.5 hour flight into Kandahar.

-Our accommodations are on the base. No civilians are allowed outside the fence on this base. I believe in Kabul they live outside the base, but here we don't. The accommodations are more than adequate.

-In the air I feel quite safe. Although that may just be my own naiveness. We alter our approaches and routes to change things up to minimize risk as much as possible. On the ground I feel quite safe as well however there certainly are reminders that you're in a war zone such as when the rocket attack alarm goes off.

-Yes we get extra per diem. On our UN contracts we get $50US a day where as here it works out to about $60US a day. The nice thing is that all of our meals are provided for us here so you get to pocket most of that money.

-This is not a UN contract. This is a contract with an American airline. You may be thinking about our UN contract in Kabul that uses a CRJ. As for us, we fly 6 days a week. Typically 2-3 hours a day. Sunday is our maintenance day but there's lot of time to work on the aircraft.

-I am very satisfied with the benefits of the company. Overall I am very happy with this job, and specifically this base. I've done a number of rotations in Africa on UN contracts and after being here for a while, I have zero interest in going back to Africa.

Cheers,
Chax

[KAG]

Don't forget overseas tax credit, if you work only outside Canadain airspace for 6 months you get a massive refund.

[Chaxterium]

Don't forget overseas tax credit, if you work only outside Canadain airspace for 6 months you get a massive refund.

Unfortunately that's not true for our two Dash 7 contracts in Afghanistan because they're not UN contracts. However because of this fact, our overseas pay rate is significantly increased. Even when you factor in the overseas tax credit our pay here works out to just a little more than the UN contracts. It's not by much though.

Cheers,
Chax

[raven54]

I have zero interest in going back to Africa.

Cheers,
Chax[/quote]

Traitor!!!

[Chaxterium]

Ha! Can't lie, I definitely miss those days out on the balcony when we were hammered before the sun went down. And wing nights, definitely miss wing nights!

[Lost Lake]

I worked for Voyageur in a non pilot position. It was the best job I ever had. If they would hire me as a pilot. I would go in a heart beat. Great tax free pay, except for Afghanistan which compensates extra. The flying is mainly day vfr with no nav aids. It is bush flying with big airplanes. It is a great company to work for. The bond is for a PPC on a dash or RJ. This for young pilots who have only flown small twins.

If you need to have mommy make breakfast and wash your clothes, it's not for you. If you want to see tne world, are independant and either end your career here or use it as a launching pad, it is great.

Just watch that some asshole with a vendeta against you doesn't ruin a great job.

[Kestral]

The Bond at VAL is not really a Training Bond. . . It's more of an Employment Bond. They are more interested in you staying for a year. Yes, the cost of training is an issue, but not he main concern. They invest time and resources in getting you set up to work in the various locations they fly.

Even if you have a current Type-rating/PPC on Dash 7 or 8, CRJ, you will still have to front the money and it is not pro-rated. After one year of service you will get it back.

Unless a current VAL employee on here can say otherwise??