Job Advice

Nova Scotia can't seem to make up it's mind.  Spring thaw and birds aplenty, followed by a brutal snow storm, then back to sunny skies, green grass and G&Ts on the back deck.  Then we get hit again with yet more snow.  I'm still sitting at home, getting in plenty of fishing and mountain biking despite the weather, and bothering everyone I know about contract awards and what's going on where.  I have had so many leads on so many interesting jobs, that are either awaiting fruition, or have somehow fallen by the wayside, or have been delayed indefinitely, I'm seriously starting to wonder if it's going to be a quiet summer.  There are a few opportunities that I haven't pursued too aggressively, as my debts are paid off and I'm in no panic, and there are a few good opportunities that I don't mind waiting for, as long as it's not dragging out too long. I think the oil industry has bottomed out and is stabilizing, but just when will the recovery begin, and how fast it'll be, remains to be seen.  Just bidding my time, trying to keep my finger on the pulse, and hoping for the best.

I do get the odd letter regarding this blog, mostly from people aspiring to be pilots seeking advice.  Not a great market to be coming into, but as any old timer will tell you, it's a cyclic industry.  You just have to ride out the storms and keep your debt load at a minimum.  Regardless, not much flying or travel to write about, so I'll share some excerpts from the advice I've given, for what it's worth.  Some are in response to specific questions but you'll get the drift....cut and pasted.....

-I honestly don’t know if the aircraft type you train on makes a huge difference to how you will progress as a pilot, as the skill sets are pretty much the same across all the platforms, but it may affect employability if you have your licence on a popular aircraft that you could fly commercially.  Starting out, no one is going to give you an additional endorsement, so best come to the table with the endorsement they need.  I don’t really know what the small market is like in the US, but I know the R22 is a very popular bird, and would probably give you more employment opportunities.  The R44 is pretty much the same aircraft, but getting a few hours on it certainly won’t hurt your prospects.  Some schools try to sell themselves as better than others, but honestly, I think it’s up to the individual to apply themselves, as the industry demands a fair bit of self-discipline, and aircraft type becomes the greatest concern.

-Your progression is a little foreign to what I did.  In the fixed wing world it’s common for new pilots to go into instruction to get hours, but with helicopters, especially in the Canadian market that I know, the instructors are all the old timers who are tired of being away from home.  The progression in Canada would be direct to helicopter commercial, if that's where you want to be, forget the private and fixed wing licence, and be prepared to go anywhere for anybody, meaning remote bush operations for extended periods, to get hours.  After you get a good bunch of hours and experience under your belt, then go get an IFR ticket and work yourself into the EMS market, then when you’ve got loads of IFR and time on twin engine helos, go into offshore, then with lots of offshore time, try your hand at the International market.  The progression may be far different nowadays, but that’s the route most of my compatriots went, if they didn’t go the military route.

-I think the travel that I do for my job is quite exceptional, and not many settle into this end of the market.  It’s fun and pays well, but it is also very insecure and uncertain; when a job finishes I never know where I am going next, or when, and as often happens, I fall in love with a place and make some very good friends, only to find myself leaving never to return.  But I do love the adventure!  Once you get some hours and experience under your belt, you can try moving into different markets, as it’s far too easy to settle into something.  It’s often done me well to intentionally move well out of my comfort zone.

-My biggest advantage in the market was I would go anywhere and put up with anything, I'd beg for and take every flight I could get on, and I'd always strive for the high flying jobs, as there are tons of jobs where you spend most of your time sitting.  You’ll definitely get some of those too, so a Kindle and fishing rod come in handy.  Be prepared to work for those “not so great” companies to get your hours in, as generally they are the only ones who will hire low timers because they are cheap, and be prepared to go anywhere anytime.  Just don’t get stuck with those companies and be ready to say thanks and move on.  They will always give you grief…the old “we gave you your chance, stay with us” but remember they only hired you because you were cheap…..ever onward and upward.  There are some good companies out there that really care about bringing new pilots into the industry, actually companies with a bit of heart as opposed to just chasing the almighty dollar, and if you find one, it might be a good place to stay.  You never know, some people luck into good companies right from the start, but be mentally prepared to deal with a ton of bullshit.

-That all being said, you are coming into a really shitty market.  Oil prices at an all time low have rigs parked everywhere, and most companies have the majority of their aircraft in storage, and are heavily laying off everyone who isn’t presently on contract bringing in revenue.  A lot of those offshore pilots are heading back to domestic jobs, so your competition will be very stiff.  Your saving grace is that those pilots are not cheap, and you perhaps might be, so you might get the nod for employment.  Very tough market right now but I started at 18 in the same conditions.  My first job for a helicopter company was doing drywall and washing the boss's ATVs.

-People can sniff out poseuers in a heartbeat. It's easy to spot those overcompensating for either lack of experience or lack of skill.  Just be yourself.  The industry does tend to draw in some very strong type A personalities, and I have worked with some serious assholes (and there's no doubt that I've been called one myself).  Difficult personalities are everywhere, and the best way to deal with them is just let them get on with their BS, and do your job the best you can.  

-I’d say attitude is everything.  I’d rather hire a weak pilot with a good attitude than a Chuck Yeager who is a dick.  It’s all about giving your best, work towards a common goal (keep the customer happy), study and know your numbers and procedures, fess up if you messed up, admit when you don’t know something, ask questions, and a few ounces of humility goes a very long way.  Be a team player.  If you see a problem, try to present it to your superiors with a possible solution.  I've known a few people that just love pointing out problems and issues, then they cross their arms, sit back, and watch everyone scramble to figure out a solution.  Those guys are not missed when they move on.  Learn to make decisions on your own and to be self-reliant.  When you are starting out it's expected that you'll need guidance, but the quicker you become someone who can just get on with the job with a minimal amount of fuss, the sooner you'll become that guy everyone wants on a job.  Help out wherever you can, always volunteer for everything, and don’t shrug any work.  Also, and I’m going to say this with a grain of salt, remember the saying; “Rules are for the guidance of wise men and for the obedience of fools - Douglas Bader”….well, you get guys on jobs who are so concerned about the rules they can’t seem to function.  They drive me nuts.  I’m not saying break rules, but a little common sense and sometimes willingness to stick your neck out, will get you farther than strict adherence to rules, although some asshole could call you on it, and they will.  Hopefully by then you have enough experience to tell them to sod off...

My advice, for what it's worth.

With my ample spare time, I recently set up my new photography website, please check it out if you get a chance:

My Photos

There's deer in the backyard, brook trout to be caught and eaten, trails begging to be ridden....