For those of you who are seasonal pilots when you start packing for return to work what do you all bring with you?

Aside from the obvious personal stuff, one thing to remember if you live in the south and work in the north is that it will be cold when you start and cold when you finnish, and probably hot in the middle.

If I have to do my own cooking but the company claims to supply the kitcken and cooking stuff, I always bring a few kitchen type things from home. ie. a good knife,a potato peeler, and a desent frying pan are all things that are lacking in any company housing I've ever stayed in. Oh ya don't forget a can opener. I don't know how these companies expect you to survive on pork and bean wages without a can opener.

I used to bring a TV VCR and PS2, but I've ditched these things in favour of more books. I've noticed other guys are starting to bring thier computers, but I haven't done that yet.

One place I worked I bought a small sailboat, but that was a bitch to haul around, so it's still there and I'm not. I also bring my mountain bike. If I'm somewhere that I can't use it (like a fishing lodge) I make arangements to leave it in the town I go to the most, and use it there on layovers.

Good tips. The only thing I can add is to not go cheap on the can opener. Every cheap dollar store can opener I've ever bought has been a piece of crap. Spend the extra couple of dollars and get the Swing Away!



-istp

Don't forget your Ronco products...

"Set it and forget it..."

Be sure to bring a COUPLE of battery operated alarm clocks. Don't count on the electrical kind because most small towns/camps are subject to frequent power outages or spikes. There is nothing more annoying to an employer than pilots who sleep in and customers are waiting.

If you bring your computer (laptop is better) splurge on a really good surge protector that also protects your modem (through the phone connection).

Bring warm long underwear, lots of layers, and good quality breathable (Gortex is best) rain gear for Northern Canadian weather. Personally I recommend wool, fur and cotton clothes wherever possible. Man made fibres are highly flammable - many (ie Nylon) will melt to your skin instantly in a post-crash fire, and many high tek fabrics will not actually keep you warm, despite what the advertising states. Wool will insulate and keep you warm even when wet.

Bring a set of warm gloves and two sets of good work gloves.

Bring a small, yet well-stocked toolbox, and a Haynes maintenance manual for your car if you are living out of any town.

Bring a calling card with good long-distance rates.

Bring a mountain bike and fishing pole and you're set...everything else you can order or have shipped to you later if you need it.

Cheers,
Snoopy

PS for the best outdoor wool socks, gloves and hats anywhere:
Eglis Sheep Farm in NW Ontario (they ship all over Canada):
http://www.eglifarm.com/

if it is your 2nd season, bring ONLY what you used last year. If it doesn't fit in your back pack and flight bag...try to learn to live without it. It was a real pain having to move one of the pilots out of the base last year cuz his shit took up the whole plane. one of my buddies only brings what fits in his old beater Tercel and he has never missed anything. Guys tend to freak out when i say leave the TV behind - sorry, i just don't have that boy need. I bring all of my old clothes and leave them behind when i leave.
I like the can opener idea (wine opener, too if it ain't dry where you are) and very right about the battery alarm clocks...should be mandatorily mentionned in any ground school.
One thing i will never leave without : GUITAR!!!!

What is Bush flying ?? Does it means doing charters in the north with float planes, because I'm seeking information on charters, what are the most common planes to use for bush flying, do i have to go to a fishing lodge to charter a plane? I think you could use a pair of rubber boots or can you fly with rubber boots or not? Oh! bringing a canoe would be cool

Aside from the usual bug repellant and cookery items don't forget things like condoms, personal lubricants, and Viagra. Bring a copy of the Kama Sutra too: It blows the minds of the local talent! A hand held GPS is good too if the machine you are flying does not have one.
Cheers, The Driver

if you're bringing all that stuff, yokerz, bring a good "cleansing" prescription with you. Crabs in the buckit, boy....
you'll need that GPS to find the nursing station...

OOOOooo!! good burn.. almost as bad as ghonorrea...

Good one Water Wings! Why do you think I bring bug repellant!
Seriously I also bring a degree of selectivity to the bush. I don't do many bush flying gigs anymore but I miss it, and the exotic small community females that are lurking.
Cheers, The Driver

...tee hee..bug repellent... you just made somebody say "SHHHH" to me in the library cuz i laughed out loud.
damn you.

Lots of books,liquor,and gum.

A Leatherman!!!

leatherman wave always comes in handy for somehthing

A real pilot wears a Buck knife.

water wings wrote: I bring all of my old clothes and leave them behind when i leave.

So I guess the new male dock jocks can try crossdressing, used panties, yes!

sorry WW couldn't resist....

xsbank wrote:A real pilot wears a Buck knife.

Have worn both a leatherman and a buck knife. Found myself wishing I had my leatherman everytime I wore my buck knife. In any case one of the two should always be on your belt...

This is just a pure observation. But it seems Float pilots think of there Multi Tool as an extension of there Penis. Like AB Rednecsk have to Drive Jacked up Billy Bob trucks. Yes Multi Tools are handy but really....

What about a fishing rod, people....or is it just assumed that you always have your fishing rod with you when you fly too

I am an AME and I have a small rod in a case that I keep with me at work. Just in case I have to go on a 'rescue mission' to a good fishing spot!! You never know when you will be delayed getting home because of bad weather....but the fish will still bit!!!

One of he most important tools to have in the bush is a 357 Magnum with a six inch barrel.

And mixed ammo hard nose and bird shot.

One of he most important tools to have in the bush is a 357 Magnum with a six inch barrel.

And mixed ammo hard nose and bird shot.

Passenger motivator?

(During moose season I got some blood on the strut, door frame and floor. Next flight, passengers only, one asked "Whats that?" I replied, "The last passenger that didn't do as I asked?")

If you are addicted to tv like so many others, may I suggest a projector.
I used to bring one up north for watching movies and such, it's very compact, lightweight, and you can get HD projectors for $500 now. The only drawback that deserves consideration is that you need a relatively dark place to use it. Up north that can be tricky in the middle of summer when it never gets dark outside.

If you are addicted to tv like so many others, may I suggest a projector.
I used to bring one up north for watching movies and such, it's very compact, lightweight, and you can get HD projectors for $500 now. The only drawback that deserves consideration is that you need a relatively dark place to use it. Up north that can be tricky in the middle of summer when it never gets dark outside.

LOL - yup, just the essentials. I wouldn't worry about the light...if you're doing it 'right' you won't finish until dark and be passing out in front of that screen with your first beer and that bright projector light should attract a nice swarm of mosquitoes too.