Road Trips

[180]

I also sit on the other side sifting through resumes. My advice, don’t pull into the yard, get out of the car, look over your shoulder and take a leak by your front bumper before you walk into the office with your hand extended. Be careful driving into the base, the guy you run off the road while you are “making tracks” just might be the guy who sifts through resumes. In the spring, driving into a yard about 10 feet before you are stuck in the slush from melting snow and asking the boss for a hand getting back on the road does not exhibit much judgment. Putting your DCs, a VFR sup and a “How to Fly Floats” on top of the pile of stuff in your back window next to the Pratt and Whitney sticker will not impress anyone hiring. It is not a good opening question to ask “is that all you operate?” while looking a part of the fleet which happens to be at the dock. Don’t ask about any other operators who might be hiring if you are going to pull out a VNC instead of a road map for help with heir locations. And most important if you don’t know who you are asking for, don’t use the wrong name. Over the years, I’ve seen all this and more. I have however been fortunate to hire dozens of good new pilots and now see many of them flying the heavy iron and missing their round engine days.

That whole post is hilarious, because it's true.

Good God. If any of you are sleeping and bathing in your car and picking up old coffee cups to get by. I have a house on Lake Superior about 20 minutes east of Thunder Bay about 2 minutes off the Trans Canada. It's got 5 extra bedrooms which I am not using. You are more then welcome to spend the night on the way by if you need a warm place to sleep and get your bearings. Me and the wife always have beer in the fridge, meat for the BBQ and wood for the Sauna.

Philly, I know we've butted heads in the past, but that's a super kind and generous offer by you.

We don't get a lot of road trippers through our neck of the woods, but our office has comfy extra wide padded benches, perfect for a good night's sleep, and there's always beers in the fridge, and you wouldn't be the first to be offered a warm safe place to crash for the night.

Kirby and MJ set me up one night in their hangar in Kenora and I'll never forget it.

My only other piece of advice would be, don't be shy. Walk on down the dock with a smile and say hi, introduce yourself and throw a compliment out about the planes, base, view, whatever. Nothing creepier than someone slinking around the base, not making eye contact, looking like they might be casing the joint for a future robbery.

Pretty much every float pilot has done the road trip, lived in a van down by the river, etc. and will be happy to talk to you.

Good luck road trippers...

[DanWEC]

Beer?

Sounds like that's worth the drive in itself!

180, pm'd you. I will be travelling next week and if nothing else wouldn't mind checking out the base and saying hi.

Anyone I meet will also bear witness to how I have fit one months worth of supplies and clothes into a Ford Focus.

[freezerburn31]

-Be safe, if its -25 outside, do not sleep in your car unless you have appropriate cold weather gear and do not leave your car running while you sleep

I was foolish enough to do this before for two reasons. First to keep my ass from freezing and second to keep my engine from freezing.

Luckily nothing really bad happened but once I woke up with a 3 foot snow drift on the front of my car. If I had been parked the other way snow would have blocked my tailpipe. This was in april btw. Freak snowstorm held me in a small town in sask.

Another time it was -30ish and ice actually formed on my tailpipe by morning from the moisture coming out and idling for so long that it nearly was blocked off completely.

So the lesson to be learned is that if you absolutely HAVE to sleep in your car. Bundle up and wake up every hour or so to warm up the car and TURN IT BACK OFF!

[Rowdy]

Man, I had a blast on my first road trip. Spent quite a few of the nights sleeping on buddies couches across the country and shaking a lot of hands, sharing a lot of laughs and generally enjoying the countryside as I drove north from Vancouver to Ft Nelson, zigzagging through Alberta, Sask, Manitoba and Ontario to stop in at every place that I could find. My tool kit saved my ass a few times.. who'd have thought a 2yr old Jeep would throw a fit in the middle of nowhere Alberta at 7am on a sunday!! I'm also trying to remember the name of the king air medevac skipper that spent some time going through my routing with me. "Stop and see so and so here, avoid this guy, he doesn't like rookies, this guys an old friend tell em I say hi.. Go out of your way to stop in at *** airways etc" Every little bit of advice from those in the know helps.

You might think some of the points people have mentioned are hokey, but let me tell ya, theres some gold tucked in there. I actually had one Ops. Mgr comment on how clean my Jeep seemed! Some people notice those little details! Do NOT show up somewhere in any form of unorganized mess. Any good human bean will know you're driving across the country, but thats no excuse for a pax. floor littered with empty cups and garbage, dirty clothes strewn all over the back seat and mud on the back window thicker than your dads best chilli! Not to mention carrying a stank from three days of not showering or brushing those pearly whites. I also like the point of properly budgeting for a road trip when you start the licences. Its all part and parcel! You didn't skimp on your MIFR or Inst. Rating.. why cut corners on what may cost you a job? I myself put aside as much as I could scrounge which was around 2500 for the week and a bit. All worked out well!

Enjoy it!!

[180]

I will be travelling next week and if nothing else wouldn't mind checking out the base and saying hi.

I'd love to meet you but our base is still under 2 feet of ice and 6 feet of snow, the planes are tucked away in hangars a few hours away from here and most of the pilots are still closer to the equator than the 60th.

You might be traveling a little early DanWEC?

I did my first road trip in early March and to be honest with you, it turned out to be a bit of a waste of time. I would hold off until the beginning, if not mid-April before setting off if I were you. And have everything you need with you to stay a while.

The offer of beer and a couch still stands, but we don't open until the ice comes off, which is usually around May 1st.

[DanWEC]

Thanks for the offer 180.. still might take you up on that.

But 180 brings up another point. It's a bit of a catch 22 about hitting the road trip while camps are still frozen up. Many operators won't even be at their site. However once the thaw comes they generally have the crews in place. Hm.
My plan has been to head out this Tuesday and I'd like to stick with it. I'm not working now, so why not- but there is also no point in embarking on such an expensive trip if it's not going to be at it's max effectiveness...maybe wait a week?
There are still many operators that go year round though.

[180]

If you had your heart set on flying floats and understood you were getting yourself into a seasonal situation with slow time building, I'd say it's too early for the road. 

If you have a valid multi-IFR (that's slowly expiring), and think floats would be fun, but not your true end game, then by all means hit the road right now. There's lots of year-round operators who have multi-IFR divisions and float machines who are always looking for good help. You'll probably find yourself in the right seat of something pretty quick, and if you stick around and express an interest in floats, you'll probably score a summer or two on the water eventually if you stuck around for a bit. 

Saskatchewan and the NWTs would be your best bets for larger companies with both divisions.  

Have fun!

[Rowdy]

If you had your heart set on flying floats and understood you were getting yourself into a seasonal situation with slow time building, I'd say it's too early for the road. 

If you have a valid multi-IFR (that's slowly expiring), and think floats would be fun, but not your true end game, then by all means hit the road right now. There's lots of year-round operators who have multi-IFR divisions and float machines who are always looking for good help. You'll probably find yourself in the right seat of something pretty quick, and if you stick around and express an interest in floats, you'll probably score a summer or two on the water eventually if you stuck around for a bit. 

Saskatchewan and the NWTs would be your best bets for larger companies with both divisions.  

Have fun!

Aint that the truth! If you want a ramp/right seat spot.. head out soon.. if You want a float season, call now and head out head out end of april early may (as soon as the words 'break up' are uttered)

[DanWEC]

Good advice both.
It's tough at this level to really know what you want to do. It's along the same lines as picking your university degree when you start first year. 90% of people have no idea and half have changed or quit by graduation.

Most of us agree that having a nice high paying job at AC, or even Porter, flying out of a "southern" base is what any CPL in training wants. I've been along this train of thought as well, simply because of the lifestyle, but lately I've been doubting it.

I would love to fly floats every summer for the rest of my life in Northern Ont. I've wanted to since I was a kid, and it's the whole reason I got into aviation. We have a camp just outside of Blind River, Ontario and I spent many summers there watching those guys.
I know that experienced guys are in a bit of a demand, but what do you guys do in the off season? What about spending winters a bit further south?

[1000 HP]

Something to always carry in the plane or car is a Zip-lock bag with a nice roll of toilet paper. You never know when nature is going to call. Sometimes she calls fairly firmly. I remember Phillyfan heading into the bush at a fuel cache location in the Territories while pulling off his socks once I offered him "the roll". I figure I saved him at least $3

[PostmasterGeneral]

Went on a road trip two weeks ago and landed a job a week later. Dressed in black pants, collared shirt, and black shoes. Didn't wear a tie, but looked presentable. I don't subscribe to the whole sleeping in your car philosophy, I got a hotel so I was well rested and showered in the morning, I think that helped keep me alert and presentable for the interview.

[imac0960]

Anyone thinking of doing a road trip this season? This is the time of year to start the wheels in motion.

I also don't recommend sleeping in your car to save money. A real bed, shower and good rest is very useful when traveling long distances. No point getting killed on your job hunt.

[Runway37]

I am thinking of going on my first ever road trip. The question to the experienced roadies and owners/operators who hire people showing up at the door:

1. When is the latest in the season (late May, early June?) when a new VFR-only CPL on a road trip may reasonably expect to land (ahem) a job?

2. (for owners/operators) Does it ever occur that one of your pilots leaves (for family, health, other reasons) in the middle of the season, and you hired another pilot who showed up at the door, or who left his resume with you?

Thank you in advance.

[Duffman]

Last season there was an operator looking for a 185 pilot in July. That isn't really typical though.

When to do a road trip is kind of a tough question. Right now everything is frozen and many operators aren't there yet. I would be heading out very soon though. There are always pilots that leave for the reasons you mentioned and others. If you don't get something right away don't get discouraged, keep trying.

[dahspeers]

I literally had my car loaded and ready to go, when I was offered a position I applied for by e-mail. Which was great, but sucked at the same time. I was looking for forward to my road trip.

[Runway37]

I literally had my car loaded and ready to go, when I was offered a position I applied for by e-mail. Which was great, but sucked at the same time. I was looking for forward to my road trip.

Now that's quite something - despite a glut of pilots, people still get a job offer by email.

By the way, a need for a toolbox was mentioned a few times on this thread. What kind of a toolbox is that? Would someone kindly post a link to such a toolbox on CanTire's or Home Depot's site.

Also, does anyone know if, to be hired, it is absolutely necessary to have a CPL (and float) rating sticker in your book, or is it sufficient to have a 3-month handwritten endorsement from your FTU?

Cheers!

[Duffman]

The temporary license is fine, just make sure you get that sticker in your booklet before the 90 days is up.

No specific kind of toolbox, just something compact that you can fix basic things with. A socket set, adjustable wrench, pliers, cutters, multi screwdriver would be a good start. Plus your leatherman of course. Actually, get 2 leathermans. One good one and one cheap Canadian Tire one. If yours falls in the lake it's nice to have a backup.

[Runway37]

No specific kind of toolbox, just something compact that you can fix basic things with. A socket set, adjustable wrench, pliers, cutters, multi screwdriver would be a good start. Plus your leatherman of course. Actually, get 2 leathermans. One good one and one cheap Canadian Tire one. If yours falls in the lake it's nice to have a backup.

Thank you, Duffman. By the way, what kind of repairs is a pilot expected to do? And where does one get a good Leatherman, please?

[North Shore]

You're not expected to do any repairs - it just goes over well with the engineers if, when it comes time to take off the cowling at inspection time, you are ready with a screwdriver to help take the fasteners off, and do some of the grunt work. Over the years I've learned more about how my aeroplanes work by hanging out in the hangar when maintenance is happening..

Another handy thing in your backpack, if you are on floats is a tube of aluminum putty...if you manage, through, bad luck, negligence or ignorance (or a combination of all three! ) to put a hole in a float, the putty will patch it up so's you can get home. A leatherman would help, in that case, to get the float hatches off so that you could inspect the damage from the inside. [Not that that actually happened to me - I was told about it by a "friend" ]

Leatherman? Any decent outdoors shop should have a good selection. Try here: http://www.mec.ca/shop/?q=Leatherman or http://www.cabelas.com/

I wouldn't buy one mail-order, though..try it out first - I think that they've changed the designs now, but some of the early Leatherman designs had sharpish edges on the plier handles, so when you squeezed hard on them, they dug into your hands quite painfully..

[Duffman]

I actually meant that you should have basic tools in case something happens to your car on the trip. Unless you're lucky (or stupid?) enough to have a new car.

North Shore offered good advice though, don't annoy the mechanic trying to work on your plane but offer to help as much as you can. You WILL have to take cowlings off, open float hatches, maybe fix a water rudder cable, etc.

[Runway37]

Great info, thanks, guys! And last (but not least), how do bush pilots get paid? Hourly for just showing up at work for 8-16 hours, for flight time only, for both? What is a reasonable pay? Or should one just consider himself fortunate to have a job offer and take whatever they are offered, short of the never-acceptable flying for free gig? And are there usually any benefits, or pay in lieu, or none of that? Thanks again!

[Duffman]

I have only ever been paid monthly. Accommodations are usually included, sometimes meals. My first job paid $3000 month with room and board. I guess it's up to you to decide if what is offered would work for you. If I was paid $1500 gross, I don't think I could have even made my loan payments on that.

Don't expect many days off, health benefits or overtime pay.

[imac0960]

Wages for entry level jobs on the dock seem to be around $1800-$3000 paid monthly from what I have gathered through talking with others working in NWO. Accommodations are usually provided, if they aren't; make sure the pay is good as rent can run upwards of $1300 in RL. Some operators provide food on weekends and while on overnights in the bush. Hours will be long, days off will be few and far between. You will learn a lot very quickly from people who have been working the industry a long time. And if you're lucky you will get some time on a 180/185/206 and maybe even get moved up to a pilot position in your first season.

[Runway37]

if you're lucky you will get some time on a 180/185/206 and maybe even get moved up to a pilot position in your first season.

I am under the impression that it IS possible for a newly licensed pilot to get a floatplane job during a road trip. Are you saying it's not very likely, and one has to expect to work the ramp the first season, and hope for a flying job the next season?

[Duffman]

It's definitely possible. It's kind of a right place right time thing. If you get offered a dock job with a Cessna checkout later in the season, I would take it, as long as it's with a good company.