Bearskin

[hangar5]

All the info on here is pretty dated.
Any new info about Bearskin would be appreciated.
Pay?
Bond?
Benefits?
Schedule?
and everything else....

Thank you.

[AJV]

someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I heard you have to pay upfront for your bond. you can find the payscale on airlinepilotcentral.

[FL280]

Kinda, you take out a loan in your name and they make the monthly payments until it is paid off. In the event you leave before the 2 years is up on the loan, you own it.

[Wacko]

Kinda, you take out a loan in your name and they make the monthly payments until it is paid off. In the event you leave before the 2 years is up on the loan, you own it.

2 year bond is a bit long... but if I had to sign a bond, that's the way I'd want to do it! Mind you, what happens if the company fails or restructures and stops making payments on your loan? Yes, you can go look for work elsewhere but that's not to say you're going to fly the same type.

TIA

[Captain Kangaroo]

Well Doc I didn´t choose this order intentionally, just wanted to make sure the most important points are covered.
Thank you all for the info.

They invited me for an interview, I emailed them back to ask about all that info before I travel across half the country but never heard back.....either they forgot about my email, never got it, or I wasn´t supposed to ask those questions!

No answer is an answer too. I guess they don´t like pilots asking questions and caring about pay and bonds..............................I am done with them.

You sir, have done yourself a great disservice.

Bearskin Airlines was one of the best companies I have ever worked for. There is a reason many people spend their entire careers there.

Might I suggest that you don't take everything you read on Av Canada as the gospel.

Best of luck,

CK

[DHC-1 Jockey]

They expect pilots to actually bring a cheque book to the interview!

This is untrue. I worked for the Bear until last year and wasn't told to bring my cheque book to the interview and I didn't bring one. Didn't seem to cause a fuss. Don't regret my 2 years flying there at all, and when all was said and done, I made money off the bond. As long as you plan to fulfill your obligations (same as a 2 year promissory note), and the company agrees to fulfill theirs (which as a reputable company Bearskin would do), there should be no issues with the ethics of requesting a bond. Whether or not you can come up with the required money is a different story, and unfortunately might cause some people to not consider a great company like Bearskin for employment.

[bandaid]

So I have removed all the off topic comments. The bond issue has been discussed here Ad nauseam but if you need to open yet another thread about it do so. Remember to keep your comments respectful. For some reason this topic brings out the worst in some posters.

[rapid602]

I do not know why but Bearskin always seemed to have a reputation. I worked for Bearskin and I worked for them when the rumors were everywhere. I never saw the company that the rumors made Bearskin out to be. I had a great time, I was treated well and I learned an awful lot. If you are an up and coming pilot and looking for a good company, with good aircraft and looking to get some great experience, regardless of what your friends think, then it wouldn't be a bad thing if you stretched out on a Bearskin for a few years. I left and sometimes I wish I stayed. Life in Sioux Lookout is good. Just an observation.

I went there with 350 hours and sure learned what flying was all about. I couldn't put a value on what Bearskin taught me. Its like learning to play poker. You don't know, what you don't know, until you learn what you didn't know.

This post was not sponsered or solicited by Bearskin Airlines. lol.

Fly Safe

[flyinthebug]

A close friend of mine flew for the Bear for 10 years. He finally made the decision to make a move after that long, and to this day he says he regrets leaving. The owner is a great guy and the CP has been there almost his entire career. They are one of the companies you CAN trust with a bond. As has been stated, you get the loan and they make the payments. If nothing else, it will make your credit score improve with 24 monthly payments..and they are guaranteed to be paid by a company like the Bear. The Friesen family worked very hard to build Bearskin into the airline it is today. This is one of the few companies I would have no problem signing a bond with. Oh and if you stay the 2 years and decide to stay at the Bear, any future upgrades are not bond issues. They then trust you and respect you as a loyal employee. The pay is very good once you make the left seat, and even a busy F/0 can do 40K a yr plus if you dont mind timing out every year.

It is not a stepping stone airline...and as has been mentioned, its a career for many good pilots.

Best of luck!
Fly safe
FTB

[Brown Bear]

Heard an interesting rumour. Bearskin is doing away with their practice of getting money up front from new hires. They feel they can attract a better applicant this way. I agree with this. I can hear the bitching and moaning from here!

[Doc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efERzp40 ... re=related

[JayVee]

The original poster had "bonds?" as one of their questions. My response was removed by the moderators.

In your consideration of employers, keep in mind that they do require a 2 year agreement whereby you put up $10K and they make payments each month to you or your bank for 1/24th plus interest.

If you can deal with that issue, there are many benefits to working at the Bear. AC, WestJet, Transat, CanJet, Sunwing and others all have former JV pilots on their rosters.

[Doc]

The original poster had "bonds?" as one of their questions.
I provided an informed non-offensive response and it was removed by a moderator.
WTF???
Brutal moderating.

Not so much. A huge part of that was my fault there, JayVee. I took my usual "take no prisoner" stand on the bond issue. I tend to be a little over zealous in my approach to this subject. I'm sure an intelligent response on the subject will be appreciated by all involved.

[Maynard]

Here's a thought to keep unrelated posts out of employment topics. Why don't we create a sticky of "contacts" that those interested can contact to
Gain information about companies, without going through this process....ie wanna work for walstens? Pm doc....the bear, pm jv....you get the picture.

[full_flaps]

So what's the schedule like for new FO's and where would you be based?

[Crusty]

This new ad of theirs quotes a minimum of 1200 hours total time and ATPL or IATRA complete. Is there realistically a chance of hearing back with the bare minimum? Do they ever hire people with just a group 1 instrument rating but no further multi time?

[indieadventurer]

So what's the schedule like for new FO's and where would you be based?

Days off are based on seniority, will take some time before you can hold the days off you want. Most likely base for new hires is yqt, ywg after that.

[indieadventurer]

This new ad of theirs quotes a minimum of 1200 hours total time and ATPL or IATRA complete. Is there realistically a chance of hearing back with the bare minimum? Do they ever hire people with just a group 1 instrument rating but no further multi time?

Think with this round of hiring they're looking for guys/gals with some two crew/ifr experience.

[speedbirdyhz]

Any up to date info on the interview process?

[THIN_CRUST7]

EDITED

[cdnpilot77]

Hey Thick Crust, 4% profit margins aint much to brag about.

[THIN_CRUST7]

4% is a milestone for all aviation companies, we are fortunate to be backed by a company that is diversified in other things unrelated to aviation, unlike everyone else
EIC also has paid a dividend since inception and has continued to increase its dividend since day 1, which only means one thing, but your smart enough to figure that out.

[Brown Bear]

4% is a milestone for all aviation companies, we are fortunate to be backed by a company that is diversified in other things unrelated to aviation, unlike everyone else
EIC also has paid a dividend since inception and has continued to increase its dividend since day 1, which only means one thing, but your smart enough to figure that out.

Class act. Bet Bearskin is really proud to have you working for them.

[THIN_CRUST7]

EDITED - Twice in 5 posts. Time out given.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

Ahhhh...

........so that is an example of the IQ of today's pilots in commercial aviation....

Impressive.