I'm sure you have seen the post in the job section that Conair is looking for crew. In case any of you are on the fence about the bomber lifestyle, 'just want to throw in my two cents. I have been there for a few years now and I will probably be there till 65 if all goes well. I have a new wife and a young son so I understand those who might hesitate at the thought of being away for four months. It is not as difficult as it may sound. Family is always welcome to visit and the work is amazing. I would challenge anybody to find a more safety oriented company. Pay for the first few years is a little weak, but by the fourth and fifth year you take home a sizeable chunk of change and you have the opportunity to wake up in your own bed for 7 1/2 months straight. If you are married it might take a year or two for your spouse to get on board but once they come and see some of the guys that have been doing this for a while they will understand. It is definetely not the job for everyone, but what is.

One prop jock

Check your PMs.

CPD.

one prop jock wrote:I'm sure you have seen the post in the job section that Conair is looking for crew. In case any of you are on the fence about the bomber lifestyle, 'just want to throw in my two cents. I have been there for a few years now and I will probably be there till 65 if all goes well. I have a new wife and a young son so I understand those who might hesitate at the thought of being away for four months. It is not as difficult as it may sound. Family is always welcome to visit and the work is amazing. I would challenge anybody to find a more safety oriented company. Pay for the first few years is a little weak, but by the fourth and fifth year you take home a sizeable chunk of change and you have the opportunity to wake up in your own bed for 7 1/2 months straight. If you are married it might take a year or two for your spouse to get on board but once they come and see some of the guys that have been doing this for a while they will understand. It is definetely not the job for everyone, but what is.

Kudos to you for posting something positive about what sounds like a fantastic place to work. Sometimes the negativity gets carried away around here!

Happy new years and enjoy the rest of your winter off with your family!

RB

one prop jock wrote:I'm sure you have seen the post in the job section that Conair is looking for crew. In case any of you are on the fence about the bomber lifestyle, 'just want to throw in my two cents. I have been there for a few years now and I will probably be there till 65 if all goes well. I have a new wife and a young son so I understand those who might hesitate at the thought of being away for four months. It is not as difficult as it may sound. Family is always welcome to visit and the work is amazing. I would challenge anybody to find a more safety oriented company. Pay for the first few years is a little weak, but by the fourth and fifth year you take home a sizeable chunk of change and you have the opportunity to wake up in your own bed for 7 1/2 months straight. If you are married it might take a year or two for your spouse to get on board but once they come and see some of the guys that have been doing this for a while they will understand. It is definetely not the job for everyone, but what is.

Sounds amazing, glad you're having fun... that's what it's all about.

What are you guys posting for min requirements?

What are you guys posting for min requirements?

Did you even read the fucking Ad?

Something I've always wanted to do!

Quote:
What are you guys posting for min requirements?


Did you even read the fucking Ad?

Something I've always wanted to do!

Which, reading, or bombing?

If when seeing this add you are considering the line of work for the first time then you are probably not qualified. Imagine walking down the street and seeing a sign in a window saying "cook wanted" when all you've made is Corn Flakes and saying “yeah, I can do that!” do you really think you are right for the job? Most people make a conscious decision to get into this line of work and make them selves more "marketable" for lack of a better term. For example, if you want to get into the Tanker business then maybe riding around in a kingair going from Thunder Bay to Kenora twice a day is less beneficial than flying Navajo with some 185 on the off days. Maybe if you plan on leaving your current employer in the next year you jump ship earlier and take a summer to do some lodge flying to gain float experience. As for the selection process (resume review, phone screening, reference check, interview, flight test etc) there is no bs’ing your way around the fact if you can fly or not unlike 99% of other interviews you will do. If it's your first time at 50ft in the hills not a big deal, if you are without the confidence that only time and experience can build then save the company the time and apply in a few years. As to the original post, yes it is a great job...for me. As many that love the job there are more that didn't, couldn't or wouldn't make the sacrifices called for.
PS. If you don’t want to know how you will handle an aircraft you've never been in in an area you've never flown with a flight ops guy you’ve only just met basically doing a PPC combining low level "hands and feet" with IFR competence then save your time and stay home.

FF

PS. If you don’t want to know how you will handle an aircraft you've never been in in an area you've never flown with a flight ops guy you’ve only just met basically doing a PPC combining low level "hands and feet" with IFR competence then save your time and stay home.

Run-on sentences are fun.

Johnny#5 wrote:

PS. If you don’t want to know how you will handle an aircraft you've never been in in an area you've never flown with a flight ops guy you’ve only just met basically doing a PPC combining low level "hands and feet" with IFR competence then save your time and stay home.

Run-on sentences are fun.

Yeah, I second that... had to read it three times to get what the hell you were talking about.

Anyway, why are their requirements so high? I could see them being above average, but what's stated seems a little much... is this just me? And please, no smart ass remarks or calling me stupid for asking such a question.

If you can’t understand that then good luck deciphering a run description with three other radios going helicopters popping up tankers 500ft above and below and AAOs coordinating ground crew...oh am I running on? Get over it. And while you are at it PM me your name so I can "help" with your application.

FF

First of all, I was making fun of your poor writing style... it's called a joke. Get over it!!!

Second, I know what's involved. All I wanted to know was why the requirements were so high. That's all. It makes sense to have them slightly above average but what's posted seems a little high. As an FO, you would learn the skills necessary to be a captain in the company and in this company I'm sure you spend quite a bit of time in the right seat anyway before you move into the left.

Third, I never applied. I don't want that job... couldn't stand to not work half the year. Thanks for the "help" though...

All I wanted to know was why the requirements were so high. That's all. It makes sense to have them slightly above average but what's posted seems a little high.

Better pay, career position, higher risk environment, short season, low annual hours, really busy, loud smoke & rock-filled environment....

I'd ask for and demand more hours, and expect to see them reflected in the resumes.

Thanks JC... appreciate the answer. Makes sense I guess.

Although I still don't agree with the numbers requested, not for the posted positions anyway.

JAC

Do the guys all live in Abbostford, or do you just go where you will be based for the summer?

Although I still don't agree with the numbers requested, not for the posted positions anyway.

Not to dump.. but you're going to be in one of two seats: left in the 'dog or right in the tanker. In the 'dog, you're running the show - as fire flyer puts it:

deciphering a run description with three other radios going helicopters popping up tankers 500ft above and below and AAOs coordinating ground crew

In the tanker you're wrestling a large, heavily laden aircraft around within ~200 ft of the ground in what can be a very confused/ing environment. Neither place is good to be learning the ins and outs of multi-engine flying - thus the high minimums.

I could see them being above average, but what's stated seems a little much... is this just me?

I think that they are quite reasonable, so perhaps it is just you..

North Shore wrote:so perhaps it is just you..

Guess so.

Hey "One Prop", thanks for the insight....

.

fougner wrote: Considering you'll fly less than 200 hours a year they want to hire guys that can eventually be upgraded.

This is the most reasonable explanation for the required time I've heard so far...

fougner wrote:Also flying an Aerostar birddoging in BC and the Yukon is not a place for a low time pilot.

Well, what's a low time pilot. I don't have 3500 hours but I know I could fly and Aerostar around BC and the Yukon. I also know I could sit right seat with the big boys... certainly not as qualified as someone with 3500 hours, but it wouldn't be overwhelming for me.

Anyway, career position and upgradeable pilots... it makes sense now. If you're flying so little, it wouldn't be worth it to hire someone with less than the stated requirements...

Embraer190 wrote:

one prop jock wrote:I'm sure you have seen the post in the job section that Conair is looking for crew. In case any of you are on the fence about the bomber lifestyle, 'just want to throw in my two cents. I have been there for a few years now and I will probably be there till 65 if all goes well. I have a new wife and a young son so I understand those who might hesitate at the thought of being away for four months. It is not as difficult as it may sound. Family is always welcome to visit and the work is amazing. I would challenge anybody to find a more safety oriented company. Pay for the first few years is a little weak, but by the fourth and fifth year you take home a sizeable chunk of change and you have the opportunity to wake up in your own bed for 7 1/2 months straight. If you are married it might take a year or two for your spouse to get on board but once they come and see some of the guys that have been doing this for a while they will understand. It is definetely not the job for everyone, but what is.

Sounds amazing, glad you're having fun... that's what it's all about.

One of the best replies I've ever seen !

What is the starting salary? Thanks.

I was told by a pilot there...the first summer you'd make around 50 grand, and after 5 years it goes up to 80 or 90.

But I guess it depends on your experience and what positions you're able to bid on.