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The road trip


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So I just finished a short contract and I've decided to road trip across the country to shake hands and hand out resumes. One thing I'm hearing conflicting information about though is does it do any good to visit gulf operators? I understand it's hard times everywhere and the wrong time of year but is it something they would appreciate or frown upon? I'm not worried about wasting my time and here's hoping I run into some of you out there!

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Unless an employer specifically states that unsolicited visits or calls are unwelcome, they're fair game.

 

I once got a job by visiting an employer. I called from nearby and was told they weren't hiring and weren't seeing people. I told the Chief Pilot that I'd heard the company and CP had a great reputation, and would like to come by and shake his hand. I was told to come by. I was invited into his office and after a fifteen minute chat, he asked if I had a resume. I had one prepared in the car, with a cover letter, and the resume was personalized to him by name. I brought it up, and left with a job.

 

If you're going to make cold calls or visit, do some research in advance, know your targets and personalize each resume to the company. Address your cover letters to the person you expect to meet, or who you expect to read your resume. It's far better received than a generic resume.

 

Make sure you understand how the company recruits and hires. Some use only a web based application system; others have job fairs. Some hire only on the recommendation of an employee. Some hire from within, starting employees at lesser positions and bringing them up through the ranks. Know the company culture and hiring practices.

 

It's a good idea to know as much as you can about target companies, and the companies will appreciate your interest and time taken to do the research. Don't overlook thorough research for prospective employers. It can pay off.

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As usual, avbug wants to answer a question that wasn't even asked, but that's how he rolls: "I remember the time..."

 

Anyway, although the GOM is slow, Era and RLC seem to be doing sporadic hiring as they lay off and then in a few months (sometimes a few days or weeks) start doing some hiring again. Does this sound like something you want to be a part of? If you're okay with that, I would complete the Era online application process before stopping by. I wouldn't bother with Bristow or PHI, but you never know. PHI is the place to be if you want to fly offshore, IMO. Westwind is always a possibility, but I cannot recommend them. If you really need a job, it's worth a try as it is good experience.

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As usual, avbug wants to answer a question that wasn't even asked, but that's how he rolls: "I remember the time..."

 

Anyway, although the GOM is slow, Era and RLC seem to be doing sporadic hiring as they lay off and then in a few months (sometimes a few days or weeks) start doing some hiring again. Does this sound like something you want to be a part of? If you're okay with that, I would complete the Era online application process before stopping by. I wouldn't bother with Bristow or PHI, but you never know. PHI is the place to be if you want to fly offshore, IMO. Westwind is always a possibility, but I cannot recommend them. If you really need a job, it's worth a try as it is good experience.

 

I think Avbug gave a pretty good answer. While you actually answered a question that wasn't asked...

This forum could be a lot better if a couple of members would get over their personal obsession with certain other members and stopped constantly attacking them instead of staying on topic.

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This forum could be a lot better if a couple of members would get over their personal obsession with certain other members and stopped constantly attacking them instead of staying on topic.

Ha, pot-kettle dude!

 

The problem with Buggybaby is that he'll come out of nowhere and attack someone, then seconds later post something that seems knowledgeable and helpful? That kind of split personality thing makes it hard to take him seriously.

 

Anyway, sorry about jacking your thread with this "Days of our Lives" sh*t Fred, good luck on the road trip.

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  • 3 months later...

As others have stated, business is quite volatile in the gulf right now. I agree w/ helonorth's assesment; seems like most of the recent hiring has been by RLC and ERA.

 

RLC will take lower hour pilots w/ no gulf experience. Many use RLC as a stepping stone to the bigger companies; PHI, Bristow and ERA. While the pay and benefits at RLC are not competitive w/ the big companies, it is still a good place to work.

 

ERA seems to like to pick up RLC pilots that are looking for a $10k raise. Excellent equipment and maintenance, but management is notorious for having their heads up their asses.

 

Would say there is no chance right now of getting on w/ Chevron, PHI or Bristow.

 

Not a good time to try to get into the gulf; if you do get the opportunity have a backup plan for the next wave of layoffs.

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I posted the result in another thread because it was relevant at the time but here are the results copy and pasted

 

About a month ago I posted about doing a cross country road trip to try to find a job, well here are the results and no there is no magic number. Over the course of two and half weeks and 8300 miles I visited thirteen different operators. I had planned to visit more but I had to cut my trip short due to a family emergency. Of those I visited seven gave me interviews on the spot, four said "I'm sorry were really busy right now, leave a resume and we'll get back to you", and two wouldn't talk to me at all. Of the three I left resumes at one called me back to offer an interview. From the interviews I received three job offers and I believe there would have been a fourth if I had followed up on it but I had already accepted an offer from my first choice. I did this with a hair under 1600 hours which was significantly less then the minimums this company lists when they post jobs. There is work out there and the road map to success has been laid out on this site many times.

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  • 1 year later...

Ah yes, the road trip. Long hours staring out at nothing, then a billboard that says Jesus Saves,...followed shortly by another for the local adult "bookstore".

 

Then there's the exotic truck stop pizza, some surprisingly good, some,...well I'm sure it was pizza at some point?

 

My favorite thing I think was discovering just how different McDonald's is all over the country. I especially liked the one with the table for two right next to a fireplace,...only time I've ever felt under dressed in a Micky D's.

 

Of course what road trip would be complete without peeing in a bottle 'cause I'm just too lazy to stop,...and discovering just how difficult it can be to get that last bit out while sitting in a reclined position!

 

Good times, good times!

 

,...ah, I'm getting all misty eyes now.

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