zippiesdrainage

So I'm in the market for a change. I love HAA and I'm shopping companies a bit. Even with my years of experience, I still don't meet some operators hour requirements because I got into (VFR) EMS the moment I had enough hours. Now, since we HAA pilots don't fly that much, getting enough hours for some of the more strict operators isn't really freezable. So what I'm asking, which operators are traditionally lenient on flight hours vs which operators are strict on their minimum requirements?

Sooooo To get the thread back on topic and further away from Butters' testicles... How was the career fair? Which operators were there hiring? How many people looking for jobs? etc I think I might be about ready for a change here but I couldn't make it to Heli-success myself, so it would be nice to know which companies were in attendance and how desperate they appeared.

Everyone knows Butters is the face of VR. I think he single-handedly keeps the forums open when there's little to talk about, he just talks to himself. In fact....now I'm having a bit of an existential crisis ...wondering if I'm the only real pilot here and everyone else is just Butters' multiple personalities.

I wrote out a really long reply that broke down all of the key aspects and requirements of this job and how they make me feel, but in the end I realized I could instead summarize it all up in a single sentence: This job sounds terrible.

I don't understand the belief that military pilots need to use their own GI bill. When I look at the cost breakdown for a multi engine commercial rating from a 141 school it estimates about 17K plus about 15K for an instrument. This assumes no previous flight time. The airlines are covering up to 30K, so it seems as add on ratings for guys who already have a couple thousand hours, 30 should be more than enough to cover the cost

Anyone know what the work schedule is for those border jobs?

Just my guess: Most utility jobs are seasonal. In the off season these pilots get other jobs and probably decide not to bother coming back year after year.

So what happens when a nervous student death grips the throttle and gets low rotor? It seems great for engine failures but would create a big mess in the seats for overly nervous pilots

Some of those jobs aren't even posted on the company website and some don't have any information after you click the link. I'm assuming it was some sort of glitch that posted -which stinks because I saw a couple I was pretty interested in.

Seriously, how soon before they just don't need us anymore?! I used to argue about how med crew or passengers would never consider riding without a pilot, but I'm not so sure anymore. Even if it's not full autopilot the possibility of the pilot flying remotely from the base seems to be a growing possibility since the technology is already there and could significantly increase available weight for fuel or extra passengers. Honestly I'm surprised that it hasn't already been implemented for ENG and utility

I personally use foreflight almost exclusively and don't use paper charts, but you will run the risk of examiners insisting on quizzing off of paper charts or "failing" your iPad on a flight exam. Not to mention all of the computer knowledge tests preps that use photos of sectionals for reference.

There's no pilot shortage. There are countless jobs in the HEMS industry all loctated in places where nobody wants to live. There is a shortage of pilots willing to work in the less desireable parts of the US.

I would love to come and meet some of the companies, but if I don't have the hours to get a call when I apply online, I doubt it'll make much of a difference in person.

Come on Butters, just marry the robot that took your job and you could have had the best of both worlds.

Usually EMS bases have sudden openings and then close again. There's a lot of natural flux in the EMS industry with pilots coming and going all the time. Because a missing pilot creates a lot of extra work for other pilots at the base and in the region, the managers try to fill the openings as quickly as possible. A good example: My base currently has an opening and we had 3 guys apply. The manager interviewed all three, chose the one he liked best but offered the other two open positions at neighboring bases. I don't think it's worth applying for anything officially because managers are usually looking for guys who can start almost immediately. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the company and ensure you meet all the requirements, and then track down who the guy in charge is and get in touch with him as well as your timeframe for being available to work. If he already knows you and knows you want to be there, he'll probably have something in the region lined up when you become available. Also, because of the flux, be willing to go where you're needed because a spot will open in your desired area sooner or later. If you're willing to go where you're needed for 6 months, then you'll already have your foot in the door when something opens up. It's a lot easier to get a job at a base where nobody wants to work and then transfer than to wait for a spot to open somewhere popular and then have to compete against other candidates for it. Good Luck