In our business the ouposts have picked up and the american plan lodges have slowed. what is different now is we are seeing alot more families coming for a vacation compared to just "fathers and sons". I think it has alot to do with our old faithful customers are just getting too old or have past on, and the new generation doesn't see the "fishing trip to canada" the same way as past generations.

I was speaking with my boss from last year just the other day and he echoed that statement floatpilot made.

Hey, that's good to hear!!

I guess it's just different in the companies I've been involved with in recent years.

floatpilot wrote:In our business the ouposts have picked up and the american plan lodges have slowed. what is different now is we are seeing alot more families coming for a vacation compared to just "fathers and sons". I think it has alot to do with our old faithful customers are just getting too old or have past on, and the new generation doesn't see the "fishing trip to canada" the same way as past generations.

Same thing we are noticing here as well. However, reservations are up from this time last year. The high Canadian dollar isn't helping the situation though...

I might know of a sweet position (my old job!) which is up for grabs in NEO for 2011. Higher time guys with -2 time pm me if your looking....
Would go back and work for this outfit in a heartbeat....

Sorry guys, to come in the middle of the conversation with one question.

I plan to do on a road trip this year, but I am not sure when start? I don't want arrive too early and no to late too!
I know I will probably have to waiting littel bit, but I don't want have to wait a month.

I want consentrate my research in the north of Ontario.

Sorry also for my english.

Stian

Inexperienced pilot asks advice from experienced pilot.

IP: Should I go on a road trip?

EP: Do you have a company in your home town that might hire you?

IP: No

EP: Go on road trip.

IP: When should I go on a road trip?

EP: Do you currently have a flying job?

IP: No

EP: Then now would be a good time to start looking.

IP: But what if no one hires me this early / late in the season

EP: Go back to top of message and start reading over and over until you come up with your own answer.

kevinsky18 wrote:Inexperienced pilot asks advice from experienced pilot.

IP: Should I go on a road trip?

EP: Do you have a company in your home town that might hire you?

IP: No

EP: Go on road trip.

IP: When should I go on a road trip?

EP: Do you currently have a flying job?

IP: No

EP: Then now would be a good time to start looking.

IP: But what if no one hires me this early / late in the season

EP: Go back to top of message and start reading over and over until you come up with your own answer.

Far I know the float plane don't land on icy lake! So doing a road trip when all the lodge are closed is it may be not a good idea?

May be for the summer some compagnies need more hand on the dock?
When I have to be ready for this time?

Stian.

Stian wrote:

kevinsky18 wrote:Inexperienced pilot asks advice from experienced pilot.

IP: Should I go on a road trip?

EP: Do you have a company in your home town that might hire you?

IP: No

EP: Go on road trip.

IP: When should I go on a road trip?

EP: Do you currently have a flying job?

IP: No

EP: Then now would be a good time to start looking.

IP: But what if no one hires me this early / late in the season

EP: Go back to top of message and start reading over and over until you come up with your own answer.

You don't have a more smart answer to give? far I know the float plane don't land on icy lake! So doing a road trip when all the lodge are closed is it may be not a good idea? no!

...What do you think about that?

May be for the summer some compagnies need more hand on the dock?
When I have to be ready for this time?

Stian.

Hey Christian,

The advice was genuine. It is what I would give to any who ask.

Best of luck with your job search

Stian wrote:

kevinsky18 wrote:Inexperienced pilot asks advice from experienced pilot.

IP: Should I go on a road trip?

EP: Do you have a company in your home town that might hire you?

IP: No

EP: Go on road trip.

IP: When should I go on a road trip?

EP: Do you currently have a flying job?

IP: No

EP: Then now would be a good time to start looking.

IP: But what if no one hires me this early / late in the season

EP: Go back to top of message and start reading over and over until you come up with your own answer.

You don't have a more smart answer to give? far I know the float plane don't land on icy lake! So doing a road trip when all the lodge are closed is it may be not a good idea? no!

...What do you think about that?

May be for the summer some compagnies need more hand on the dock?
When I have to be ready for this time?

Stian.

Hey Christian,

The advice was genuine. It is what I would give to any who ask.

Best of luck with your job search

Thank you Kevin!

Have a good season.

Stian.

If the question is "when do I start the road trip looking for work"?

Simple answer. If you are not working then start the trip. If you impress someone with your appearance and resume they will never forget you, especially when they are looking for someone.

Is there a better time? Possibly, but use one simple rule that I learned years ago looking for my first car. I was told "if you are waiting to get all the money in the bank before you buy, it will never happen". If you wait for the perfect time it may never come.

If you are not working, you should be actively looking.... sending out resumes, making phone calls, getting everything lined up to make the road trip. Remember there is only one perfect time to be on a road trip and that is when the operater realizes he needs a pilot right now and doesn't have one standing in front of him and shizaam, you show up. From when you start looking might be too early and when you finish might be too late but somewhere in between is the perfect timing. Once you get a job, never quit looking or making new/more contacts. As well, like someone else said, make sure you know how to sharpen a chain saw, overhaul a Honda carb, learn something about outboards like change a lower unit or at least the impeller and maybe how to wire or plumb a cabin or prime the pump. The handier you are, the better. Good luck.

sheephunter wrote:somewhere in between is the perfect timing.

This is excally what I looking for. When begine this timing? January is too early and August probably too late.
I'm ready to wait some week if necessary, but waiting 2 months become unproductive. My idea was to start the road trip next week, but after few phone call I realise is it may be too early, and I can't find where is the good timing. In two week a month?

But I realize after your advise, soon is better.

sheephunter wrote:like someone else said, make sure you know how to sharpen a chain saw, overhaul a Honda carb. Good luck.

I worked in the bush for many years, and I know use and doing the maintenance of a chain saw. And lot more.

Thank you for your advise, and all have a safe and a good season

Stian

Straightforward answer.. Just as the ice is starting to break on the lakes. A lot of guys flake out or find better spots or better pay right around then. There is no EXACT best time to do this.

Ice in or ice out, the MNR don't give a crap and set seasons. Try to cover as many places as possible 2-3 weeks before the season opener. It doesn't matter if there is ice or not, they got clients showing up on their dock for the weekend opener. The later the ice goes out, the more panic they're in. You might not fly but you could be putting a lot of outboards on boats and setting up camps. My guess is most of the pilots are hired.

I start to understand now, Thank you for this information.

Makes sense

Stian.