Interview Upcoming - Suggestions?

[lovin_yhz]

Hey,

Gotta a Carson interview coming up and just wondering what I should expect during the interview. And yes I've read the posts about pay, etc, but I still want to see what they have to offer. Doesn't hurt. If its not what is best for me I can always say 'no'.

[Oxi]

Metro? King Air?

[lovin_yhz]

Metro

[PositiveRate27]

2 years bond at $18000. You will earn $21,500 per year. I said the same things you said when I interviewed and was still stupid enough to take the job after the Carson bullish!t interview process. It was the biggest mistake of my life. I feel fortunate to have got out of there with my life, and I'm not exaggerating.

Think very hard and very long my friend.

PR.

[Inverted2]

21500 a year? My friend delivers tires to car dealerships and makes 10000 more a year. He also doesn't have an 18k training bond on the GMC pickups.

Actually, you would make more a year slingin' coffee at Tim Hortons. Food for thought.

[DanWEC]

Wow, is that straight up 21k, as in final pay, no mileage? Holy shite.
I'm not judging any decision- whatever floats your boat. At least you'll keep almost all of it, and qualify for tax credits.

I make that as a lowly class 3 MIFR instructor, and I still have to supplement that income with my side gig in order to pay for my dog, rum, cat, and rum.

[lovin_yhz]

i'd just about be able to qualify for welfare at that rate. I've heard of companies at the east coast paying that low, but I'd think that 'oil country' companies could pay at least industry standard for a multi turbine pos - yeah, I know they're based in Kelowna. Hell, i've heard some pay 28k for a navajo f/o pos. Well, I'll just have to see how it goes. If anything its good experience doing an interview.

Thanks.

[PositiveRate27]

The Metros are based in YVR and YYC only just fyi. They'll tell you you can work on the metro until you meet the medevac requirements and then move over. They'll still expect you to fly the metro when they are short staffed, no discussions.

No, the bond doesn't go away when you switch types, and yes, they will bond you again for the King Air.

Their bond is 4-5 pages if i remember correctly and it's bullet proof. If you sign on the dotted line, they would love nothing more than for you to leave because they just got you for $18k. That's 10 months salary. You will have paid them more bond money than they paid you salary and they will have got free labour out of you. The average turn over when I was there was less than 10 months. People signing bonds and leaving is a cash cow for them, and they always win at. that game.

[Cat Driver]

Reading this is breath taking, leaves one in a state of disbelief they can find people stupid enough to even consider working for them.

[esp803]

Suddenly, Chisel Air seems pretty tempting, doesn't it?

E

[esp803]

A friend once asked me if my brother (lawyer) could look over the Carson contract for loop holes. As was stated earlier, it's pretty bullet proof, but here are some of the highlights of said contact:

Carson Air Ltd. agrees to pay the training costs on behalf of the Trainee, which may include transportation, meals, accommodation, course instruction, aircraft operating costs, company overhead and other costs. Carson Air Ltd. and the Trainee mutually agree that these costs will be $18,000.00 (the “Training Costs”).
The Trainee agrees these costs are a reasonable reflection of direct and indirect Training Costs incurred by Carson Air on the Trainee’s behalf and will not put Carson Air to the strict proof of establishing each individual cost.

Carson Air Ltd. and the Trainee mutually agree that the term of the repayment of the Training Costs shall be over twenty-four (24) consecutive months (“the Term”).

Carson Air Ltd. and the Trainee mutually agree that the payment per month will be $750.00 (calculated as Training Costs as specified in Paragraph 1 c divided by 24 months). The first payment will commence upon completion of the initial PPC.

The Trainee will be responsible for the value of all training that has been provided. Where multiple training is provided on multiple aircraft types at different times, the Trainee is responsible for the combined total.

Carson Air Ltd. agrees to waive and forgive all monthly payments during that period of time which the Trainee remains an active employee of Carson Air Ltd.

Carson Air Ltd. agrees to waive and forgive all monthly payments should the Trainee be permanently laid off.

In the event the Trainee is temporarily laid off by Carson Air Ltd. the parties agree that all monthly payments shall be waived and forgiven during the term of such temporary layoff (maximum 3 months).

In the event the Trainee is on an approved leave of absence, the parties agree that all monthly payments shall be waived during such leave for a maximum of twelve consecutive months. In such case the Term shall be extended by the same period of time as the leave of absence. Employees who do not return within the approved leave of absence period are required to immediately pay the balance owing in full.

The Trainee agrees that in the event he/she resigns or his/her employment is terminated by Carson Air Ltd. prior to full repayment of the monies owing, the balance owing shall become due and payable in full on the regular payroll pay date immediately preceding the Trainee’s last day of work. In either event of resignation or termination, the Trainee irrevocably authorizes Carson Air Ltd. to deduct monies owing hereunder from any wages, other compensation (e.g. vacation, per diems, etc.) or expenses otherwise owing by Carson Air Ltd. to the Trainee.

The Trainee agrees that in the event the Trainee has commenced training and does not complete training or fails the PPC or line indoctrination or is released from probation for unsatisfactory performance, the full amount of the Training Bond shall become due and payable upon 14 calendar days after failure or release date, unless the parties agree otherwise, in writing.

If the Trainee fails to pay any amount due hereunder when required, the Trainee shall pay interest on the unpaid amount at the rate of 1% per month, compounded monthly, from the date such amount became due and payable by the Trainee until the date of the payment to Carson Air Ltd., without prejudice to and in addition to any other remedy available to Carson Air Ltd. under this agreement or at law.

The Trainee acknowledges that he/she has received and reviewed all pages of this agreement and has been given adequate opportunity to consider and seek advice before entering into this Agreement.

Friends don't let friends drink and sign BRUTAL contracts.

E

[Oxi]

Jesus!

Even if you make it past your PPC you are walking a fine line in which they could ding you for something and have you terminated and still owe money.

So lovein_yhz I would like to hear your reasons you are even considering Carson Air!

[PointyEngine]

I would really crunch some numbers and assess your priorities before seriously following this one through. As a F.O with this mob you will be struggling to make ends meet with $21,500 in YYC, as captain will see you rake in $41,400 (plus $7000 / year perdiems). Second year captain goes to $45,400. But in true Carson fashion if you start in April 2014, it wont be until Jan 2016 you are eligible for the increase. Down the road there are opportunities to increase this with training / managerial positions. Bond as stated above is $18,000 prorated over two years, and if you leave early, without a fight you will make their day... Once you meet BCAS medevac requirements (~3000TT) the option to jump over the B350 MAY arise, but you will need to sign a $12k bond there as well, and once again, the balance of the previous bond will be carried forward...

[mathias_now]

lovin_yhz,

What kind of time/experience do you have? Just curious what they are actually looking for these days....

MN

[bosco]

If you were ever to sign such a bond use the law against them and pay it back on monthly instalments, 10 bucks a month.... A refusal of payment is full payment.

[ahramin]

Wow. I can't believe anyone would sign that. I would have thought a company trying this would be quickly out of business instead of growing. Amazing.

[padre12]

"...The Trainee agrees that in the event he/she resigns or his/her employment is terminated by Carson Air Ltd. prior to full repayment of the monies owing, the balance owing shall become due and payable in full on the regular payroll pay date immediately preceding the Trainee’s last day of work. In either event of resignation or termination, the Trainee irrevocably authorizes Carson Air Ltd. to deduct monies owing hereunder from any wages, other compensation (e.g. vacation, per diems, etc.) or expenses otherwise owing by Carson Air Ltd. to the Trainee."

So... let me get this straight - if they fire you for any reason, you have agreed to pay back the bond. So, they could just let you go - just because (like the price of oil is dropping below $60/bbl and flying contracts are drying up all over), and you are still committed to paying it with no way to work it off otherwise, since you no longer work for them.

Wow....

[Diadem]

"...The Trainee agrees that in the event he/she resigns or his/her employment is terminated by Carson Air Ltd. prior to full repayment of the monies owing, the balance owing shall become due and payable in full on the regular payroll pay date immediately preceding the Trainee’s last day of work. In either event of resignation or termination, the Trainee irrevocably authorizes Carson Air Ltd. to deduct monies owing hereunder from any wages, other compensation (e.g. vacation, per diems, etc.) or expenses otherwise owing by Carson Air Ltd. to the Trainee."

So... let me get this straight - if they fire you for any reason, you have agreed to pay back the bond. So, they could just let you go - just because (like the price of oil is dropping below $60/bbl and flying contracts are drying up all over), and you are still committed to paying it with no way to work it off otherwise, since you no longer work for them.

Wow....

You were rather selective in cherry-picking what parts of the contract to quote. For instance, you ignored this: "Carson Air Ltd. agrees to waive and forgive all monthly payments should the Trainee be permanently laid off." If you're fired with cause i.e. for sexual harassment or some other serious offence, then you have to repay the balance owing. If you're laid off because there isn't enough business, your bond is void. I believe that's exactly what happened a couple of years ago when Orca took over one of the contracts. If anything, those guys should be desperately hoping that the economy tanks and that they get laid off.