Pasco general info..

flystraightin · Post by **flystraightin** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:35 pm

What is the payscale, conditions and mins for a new hire at pco? bases..only YVR? can you commute? any plans for expansion/new aircraft?

If there is a capt. or FO from Pasco here, would you be so kind to explain a "day in the life" at pasco?

Thanks, as always, any info is appreciated mucho!!

fly straight in

water wings · Post by **water wings** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:42 pm

ok, i have to ask if pasco is pacific coastal. i sound like a nerd, but out here in NWO, you gotta keep it real, and real simple. pacific coastal, i have heard of. pasco sounds like a survey company.

flystraightin · Post by **flystraightin** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:52 pm

oh sorry, ya Im looking for Pacific Coastal info.

wallypilot · Post by **wallypilot** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:47 am

for a new hire the only base is YVR, unless you have tonnes of time on floats and get based up the coast flying the goose.

new hires often get furloughed after the first summer season, but not always. then you go back the next spring and if things are good, you find a full time, year round spot.

salary? don't know.....probably okay...i know that folks that have been there for a while are happy.

i don't work there, so this may not be 100% accurate, but it's pretty close.

flystraightin · Post by **flystraightin** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:09 pm

Thanks wallypilot.

Anyone else??

TopperHarley · Post by **TopperHarley** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:50 pm

Was told the absolute min is 1000 PIC total (not 1000 total time, but 1000 PIC total time). They seem to like ex-instructors too.

flystraightin · Post by **flystraightin** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:12 pm

Thanks C-HRIS

Anyone else know about the conditions, other mins and payscale? What about the future for Pacific Coastal?

Com'on I know someone here must work at Pasco!!

Go Guns · Post by **Go Guns** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:56 am

There are people that get hired with less then 1000 PIC. The pay is a bit better if you have 1000 or more though. You get paid daily plus hourly (hard to explain), if you are working full time the pay is good. They just got a few new airplanes, 3 Saab 340's and a 1900C (I think). Good solid company. A few of the more senior guys live in Powell or on the Island, some commute.

flystraightin · Post by **flystraightin** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:22 pm

Thanks Go Guns!

V1 · Post by V1 » Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:26 pm

They seem to hire a lot of dorky instructors (which i think is kind of scary to tell you the truth) . You won't get upgraded ever if you have less then a 1000 hours pic, and you may get laid off in the winter with no pay. I have heard the pay is ok if your flying full time but it often works out to less then what Sonic Blue was paying.
The industry is changing, so i can maybe see Pasco loosening up and changing their requirements because people won't hang around forever anymore. They are finally getting a taste of their own medicine because i have 'heard' that people aren't putting up with it, and are leaving.

Rowdy · Post by **Rowdy** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:06 pm

V1 : what planet did you fall off of?

I know many people at pasco and they all have nothing but good things to say. A good operation in my books.

Ever worked there? Been involved with the operation first hand?

They have a good track record, well maintained machines, some fantastic pilots and from what I remember hearing they pay decently!

V1 · Post by V1 » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:09 pm

The people i know at Pasco are awesome, so not trying to stir shit, just pointing at the facts, sorry if it's offended you.

I don't argue with any of your points at all, i agree with them (except the planet comment?!)
There are minor gliches for newbees that don't make it very pleasant. eg. lack of work/pay (pay is ok when you do work), 4-6 month layoffs in the winter, upgrades (one guy was an F/O for 17 years!), hiring 1000 VFR/circuit instructors over knowledgeable IFR Multi people etc.
And this is all info from people that work there or have worked there.

Rowdy · Post by **Rowdy** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:18 pm

edited my previous post...

V1: sorry if I sounded a bit harsh. It just sounded like you were spouting off on something you knew little about like a lot of others here do.

Lots of people with only 2 or 3 posts who chime in sometimes.

All the best and fly safe!

Anyone have the actual requirements that pasco has set>?

Go Guns · Post by **Go Guns** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:32 pm

Pasco is much busier in the summer then it is for the rest of the year. So employees they hire in the spring, some end up getting laid off or cut back to part time come September. These days it seems if you stick it out one winter, you'll get permanent full time the following spring. My theory is, for the reason of the layoffs, they prefer to hire instructors from the Vancouver area because they are more likely to stick around and come back the next spring. Multi - IFR guys are likely to bugger off and go looking for other work once they get laid off, and may not come back. Just a thought.

Regardless, if you can get on, go for it. I doubt you'll regret it.

flyinggirl · Post by **flyinggirl** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 12:54 pm

Was offered an FO job last year - pay was 2000/month.
I have 5000 hours, 3000pic, 2500 floats, been flying as Capt for over 4 years in Arctic and Maldives - had been away from flying for 1 1/2 years. Seemed like a huge step backwards to me, didnt take it. I couldnt afford the gas to drive to work on that salary.
Would be perfect for someone starting out though, as they are a great company (the whole reason i applied), based in a great city and I have never heard anything bad about them.

flystraightin · Post by **flystraightin** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:01 pm

Thanks flyinggirl. Can you confirm the mins of 1000pic (recommended)? anything else?

I would be just starting out...have you heard of them hiring pilots as their first airline job?

They seem like a great company, anything else you'd like to share about them that you've heard?

Thanks sooo much!

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:27 pm

V1 wrote:hiring 1000 VFR/circuit instructors over knowledgeable IFR Multi people etc.
And this is all info from people that work there or have worked there.

This anti-flight instructor stuff is realy starting to tick me off. Hmmm since I spent about 10% of my time in the circuit, if I had 1000Hrs in the circuit I would have in the neighborhood of 10000Hrs. With that kind of time I'm sure I could get a job at Pasco if I wanted.

Flight instructors do not live in the circuit, any more than IFR copilots only know how to raise the gear, or bush pilots know nothing about controlled airspace. It is rediculous.

Ok. minor rant done....

wheeliedriver · Post by **wheeliedriver** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:57 pm

1000 PIC is not an absolute minimum to be hired, however it is company policy not to upgrade you to captain unless you have it. Do you really want to work there knowing you won't be upgraded?

the f/o payscale is also based on how much pic you have.

as far as $2000 a month goes you must be talking $2000 clear, cause Pasco pays all their employees well - rampies, csa's, and even f/o's. but yes you probably will be layed off if you're a 1st year f/o.

all in all great place to work, two thumbs up!

flyinggirl · Post by **flyinggirl** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 6:26 pm

Getting paid well really depends on your interpertation of "well".
As someone who has been in this business for awhile - I have never heard of/been told, when speaking of salary, what it would be in net terms rather than gross terms. As a business owner who employs people, we usually relate to salary/wages in terms of gross. But hey, I have been wrong many times so far in my life and probably have a few more wrongs to go.
I was shocked to be quoted such a low wage for someone with my experience. And the chief pilot actually told me that he didnt expect I would like or take the position offered - but they didnt need Captains at that time. In any case, its too bad, because I have worked alongside Pasco way back when..........slingin' fish while they flew our pax and I have only admirable things to say about the way I saw their company run.
Its a great place to start and the experience gained while driving for them would be beneficial for anyones logbook.
ciao

Dog · Post by **Dog** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:26 am

One thing to mention here: The winter season is getting buisier with route expansion. We are moving to an almost all pressurized fleet with the exception of the last two SD-360s. I think the fleet is 3 Saabs, five 1900's two shorts, five gooses, three beavers. The float plane wages are among the best on the West Coast.