AME wages

SPOT · Post by **SPOT** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 2:17 pm

IMP does not have any AME's. The top pay that was mentioned above is for a mecanic. As for Jazz, theres not much to say. I worked there for 2 months (YHZ) and hated every day. The atmosphere sucks as bad as the pay. And trust me the pay is probably the worst in canada. I know alot of people that work there now and the seem pretty content and say they like it. I think they just got used to it and are afraid to leave. Im still working in YHZ and am making pretty good money (more than I would ever make a Jizz).

Pratt Punk · Post by **Pratt Punk** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:28 pm

god9 wrote:What do you guys advise for a career change?

The ARMY!

singleburner · Post by **singleburner** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:07 pm

god9 wrote:What do you guys advise for a career change?

How long you been doing it so far?? Why do you want to change??

Ballsssssss · Post by **Ballsssssss** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 8:34 pm

god9 wrote:What do you guys advise for a career change?

Gynecology

BallZac · Post by **BallZac** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:20 am

Get out of the industry now,never look back, get a real trade.I have worked as an AME since 1983 all over Canada. Where I work now I make dover 50k a year and still take home less than 600 a week,this day in age its poverty. (The company has a formula that no one can figure out) I am 50 years old and gynecology sounds good,maybe some freelance?

John Bull · Post by **John Bull** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:44 am

Ballzac you are making me depressed.

BallZac · Post by **BallZac** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:01 am

Didnt mean to depress anyone John Bull, just an observation that with todays job market and lack of skilled tradesmen everywhere a "real trade" can give you a good life. For those who have to work on airplanes try some contrat maintenance ,I know guys that make $42...$46 an hour. Thats good pay anywhere.

aero-singidunum · Post by **aero-singidunum** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:36 am

Ballsssssss wrote:
god9 wrote:What do you guys advise for a career change?
Gynecology

HAHAHAH this is a good change, sign me up!

black hole · Post by **black hole** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:21 pm

I think that we should pick a day and agree on it and every one in maintainace should take the day off. I may get some attention. This forum is the place to do it. !!!!!?????

BH

pistonpounder · Post by **pistonpounder** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 6:12 pm

I work at a small northern alberta company 5 turbine twins and 3 piston singles our pay scale is straight out of school 18 hr, 4 dollar increase every year, freshly licensed 32 hr, top wage 37 hr, 8 days on and 6 days off, no night shift, minimal O.T. if you as a group ask for it they will pay.

HeavyD · Post by **HeavyD** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 6:36 pm

Geez Pistonpounder nothing wrong with that wage, depending on cost of living of course. Are you in a camp, or do you have to pay for own expenses?

Pat Richard · Post by **Pat Richard** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 12:57 pm

Thats not a bad rate, definetely where AME wages should be going, although it is basically on par with plumbing and heating dudes/dudettes. The biggest drawback for most being to get it, you have to be in the north. Not bashing the area, but most will shy away from relocating.
The cost of living is high there, but I dont believe it is considerably worse then say Calgary, where no one pays that sort of cake, let alone with no night shift. So I'd say thats currently a pretty decent deal, from the info that's been given.

ourkid2000 · Post by **ourkid2000** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:14 pm

Hey Pat........

I was wonderin what you thought about somethin. I know you're one of the most vocal of the people who thinks we're underpaid. But, do you think that due to the way most airlines are trying to contract out work and also send work overseas that we might just price ourselves out of a job?

I know there's more and more demand for AME's these days because of the industry shortage but do ya think that will work against us?

Pat Richard · Post by **Pat Richard** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:32 pm

I've heard that argument also, and it is actually going to an extent. Cascade is reportedly paying their filipino contractors 17 a/hr thru the agency. They also seem to layoff a good number of domestic contractors just before/after a bunch show up. I have'nt heard of any filipino being laid off along with the Canadian workers. Coincidence, right?
I dont know if this going to be trend, but I'll say 2 things.

1) The types of companies I think will venture down this route are the larger overhaul types, which generally require lesser skilled/experienced people to fill the holes. In my experience, these places have not been the greatest paying to begin with, so for me personally Im not that concerned. More pissed off.
AME's who have experience(s) in all aspects of aircraft maintenance
will, I think, continue to demand higher wages. I have seen very few individuals in possesion of this type of skillset during my experiences in the big overhaul places.
Generally, you did what you were told, no debate, no independent thinking encouraged(lemmings). From what I've seen of the imports I've worked with, they mostly fall into this description, so I dont see what I do being threatened, at least not immediately.

2)In regards to AME's "pricing themselves out", I ask this, "Why would you want to compete with people who are willing to do this for $17 a/hr?"
The wages that are currently considered "good" for an AME are monetarily
almost on par with plumbing and heating techs, and still lag several other trades. So I don't see how, maintaining/signing for aircraft, working crap shifts, etc should entitle us to less.
I think its mostly a case of AME's have almost always settled for less in the past, and the owner's have come to expect this as normal treatment.
They're starting to discover, albeit grudgingly, this is not prevalent anymore, some are disgusted enough with this that they are looking overseas for cheaper alternatives, even though they dont hesitate to pay $120 a/hr+ to have there car looked at. What knid of quality will they get? I have my own ideas, but I'll let that play itself out...
I'd recommend this, If one wants to absolutely stay in aviation, find a niche and specialize in it. 100% large overhaul experience is not the way to do this, but mix it in with some real operational experience, on relevant types....
If not, get the F*#k out of aviation. There's plenty of trades, several which will pay for you to go to school, who would be more than happy to pick up a AME/AME apprentice thesedays.

No reason to let aviation assf*#k anyone this point in time.

qa guy · Post by **qa guy** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:37 am

What is really going to screw us is this new licensing format that came out in 2002. (For those who dont know this is the elimination of Transport technical exams, only CARS needs to be written now) Without TC technical exams everyone working in this industry will be licensed. There will be waaaaay to many AME's, and we all know what happens when supply is high. We need to work together to make it more difficult to earn a license, in turn this will bring more value to our licenses.
It will probably get worse before it gets better, however this type of discussion is a good start. How many guys out there belong to their provincial AME association? It takes unity to make things happen. Hopefully soon we could have a unified Canadian wide assosiation, and put a minimum wage (of say $30) for licensed AME's.

pistonpounder · Post by **pistonpounder** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:29 pm

I was born and raised in the north and I think you have what I call north and what other people think north is confused, I am only 8 hrs from edmonton and 11 hrs from calgary, the cost of living is low, I bought a 40 acre place with house and finished garage for 150,000.00, gas and other expenses are no more than edmonton, our company also provides crew housing for 250 a month and you get to claim northern allowance on your taxes.

MCRS · Post by **MCRS** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:51 pm

qa guy wrote: We need to work together to make it more difficult to earn a license, in turn this will bring more value to our licenses.
It will probably get worse before it gets better, however this type of discussion is a good start. .

You could consider what the South Africans do but that has a hole set of hastles in it's self. You need to write type exams. IE Cessna 150, 185,206,210..... Or do series exams IE Cessna 100 Series, 200 series, Turbine 200 series....... Now when that is considered you are looking at
Air Law, and Aircraft Types. Consider a typical Charter or flight school, How many types do they run. Flight Schools will have a Cheaper Two seater, Then a Cheaper fourseater, Probably one twin type and a High performance type. As an Apprentice working for a place like that You would be looking at what 4 - 6 exams? Then needing to have an exam for each type added on or if you move to another shop with a different type.
It works pretty well down there and actually helps companies retain a lot
of their man power. (Be honest How many of you enjoy writing Transport Exams!) (Personally I hated the exams and am glad I don't need to write a new one just cause we got a different Bird into the Stable.) Now Type course I don't mind. But when you start getting some of the TC stupid questions then they become a pain in the patoot!
It definite had so pros to it though.
qa guy, So are you suggesting a big union to include all AME'S (M,E,S)

qa guy · Post by **qa guy** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 3:35 pm

Thats an interesting idea! I just dont see why we made it easier to get a license. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the AME associations were pushing for TC exams to be written at the colleges. I've been told this was an effort to get more AME's out there , because there is a shortage. But, is it not in our best interest to have a shortage of us rather than AME's being a dime a dozen?

I'm not suggesting a union (I am not a fan of unions at all, but thats a whole other discussion). However, most professional industries like doctors and lawyers have a nation wide association. In Ontario we have the AME association, and several other provinces throughout the county do as well. I know they are trying to join all the provincial associations into one. This will only work if ALL AME's are a part of it. Licensing renewals would be controlled by us, rather than TC. Currently it costs $50 to be a part of the association, and when I ask guys at work why they are not members, the response is usually something along the lines of "its a waste of $50." Or "what do I get for my $50". Well since only about 12% of licensed AME's are currently members, you're not going to get much. However, if we had 100% unity we would have resources available to do alot more!
I have a friend who is a dental hygenist. They pay several hundred dollars annually to their nation wide association(its mandatory of course) but thats probably why they make over $30/hr............. for cleaning teeth.

MCRS · Post by **MCRS** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 3:57 pm

qaguy, to answer the question, yes I am in the Western Canadian AME Association in Alberta, However I am a bit of a distance from home at present. Yes, I had heard the exams were to be switched to the Schools.
I have nothing against making the Exams tougher, infact what you are suggesting makes sense.
Maybe the reason it hasn't happened is everyone who is currently CEO of the Seperate Associations wants to be CEO of the National Association, since they can't agree who will be then nobody will be! (Just a Joke so nobody get bent!)

I agree lets keep the shortage maybe then Supply and demand will work in our favour sooner rather then later!