GOM opportunities 3-4 years out.

[brannon]

It’s going to take me about 2 years to save enough to pay for CFI training. Given that, it will take probably another 2 years to finish training and build enough hours, as a CFI, to be employable in the GOM.

 

From the research I've done, employment opportunities are strong right now (correct me if I'm wrong). I have also read that growth is expected to continue for some time. That being said, what are expectations 3-4 years out?

 

I understand these will be opinions, but I'm looking for informed opinions.

 

 

Thanks,

Brannon

[NorCalHeliKid]

Opportunities will always be there for as long as we rely on petroleum. I would stop short of saying that "the GOM is HOT right now" I think, no I know, that every large support co. in the Gulf has all the pilots that they really need right now. How do I know? Well, I am close friends with a few guys who are at over 1,000 hrs and know pilots in the gulf who put thier resume's in for them....word back is that they aren't really looking for large numbers like they were a while back.

 

However, in 3-4 years as it may be we have to assume....here is my opinion... because the big bad witch is dead that there may possibly be a shortage of QUALIFIED pilots to stream into the Gulf, but I would not count on it. There are plenty of schools that are accomodating to pick up the peices of SSH. The only thing that might give you hope is that it is getting really hard....impossible to get a career training loan in a full amount to get through flight school.

 

This is my opinion, informed as I may or may not be....I cant give you a sure answer as my crystal ball needs an overhaul.

[brannon]

Opportunities will always be there for as long as we rely on petroleum. I would stop short of saying that "the GOM is HOT right now" I think, no I know, that every large support co. in the Gulf has all the pilots that they really need right now. How do I know? Well, I am close friends with a few guys who are at over 1,000 hrs and know pilots in the gulf who put thier resume's in for them....word back is that they aren't really looking for large numbers like they were a while back.

 

However, in 3-4 years as it may be we have to assume....here is my opinion... because the big bad witch is dead that there may possibly be a shortage of QUALIFIED pilots to stream into the Gulf, but I would not count on it. There are plenty of schools that are accomodating to pick up the peices of SSH. The only thing that might give you hope is that it is getting really hard....impossible to get a career training loan in a full amount to get through flight school.

 

This is my opinion, informed as I may or may not be....I cant give you a sure answer as my crystal ball needs an overhaul.

 

Thanks for the reply. I hope your friends find employment soon. I also hope there will be jobs available when I have the hours.

[ADRidge]

You know, I hear about all these 1000+ hour pilots who can't get an interview with the majors. I can name four CFI's who are under a grand right now who are going to interview in two weeks. They WILL get jobs, unless they bend an aircraft. Just remember, until you have five digits worth of hours, it's not what you know, but who.

 

From what I hear, the GoM will continue to lose the most experienced Medium and Heavy Captains, but you or I will not be there for a very long time. That's who they're hurting for, and I don't see that changing for a while as exploration gets farther from shore and into deeper water.

 

For those slots that DO open up for the VFR B206's, EC120's and the like, there's a long line of folks with the exact same resume. How do you get competitive? Come train in the gulf, get to know the guys who make the decisions, and talk to them. Those four guys I know found a higher-up in charge of hiring at a Wendy's while on lunch break. The school got their foot in the door and personality got them the interview.

[brannon]

ADRidge, thanks for providing your prospective to my question. So, it looks like perseverance, as in many cases, pays off.

 

Could it also be said that as the heavy and medium ship pilots retire, the small ship pilots will advance, thereby opening up their positions?

 

Thanks

[mrjibbs]

Could it also be said that as the heavy and medium ship pilots retire, the small ship pilots will advance, thereby opening up their positions?

 

 

That does seem perfectly logical doesnt it.....

 

if it were only ever that easy!

[helonorth]

The GOM does not "have all the pilots it needs right now". I work for RLC and we lose 5-10 pilots

a month and pretty much continually have a training class going on. As far as the future, who

knows? It's also pretty easy to get into the bigger aircraft. I know one guy who went straight

into the S-76 and another that went into a S-61. I prefer the single pilot ops, myself.

[brannon]

The GOM does not "have all the pilots it needs right now". I work for RLC and we lose 5-10 pilots

a month and pretty much continually have a training class going on. As far as the future, who

knows? It's also pretty easy to get into the bigger aircraft. I know one guy who went straight

into the S-76 and another that went into a S-61. I prefer the single pilot ops, myself.

 

I hope it continues on the same path. Thanks.

 

I think I'd like single pilot ops as well. However, the larger ships lead to a higher pay grade, is that correct?

[helonorth]

I hope it continues on the same path. Thanks.

 

I think I'd like single pilot ops as well. However, the larger ships lead to a higher pay grade, is that correct?

 

I can only say what it is where I work. Pay is based mostly on years of offshore and flight

time. There is extra pay for the bigger ships, but it's not enough to make me want to do it.

Bigger ships and multi time look good on a resume and can lead to "bigger and better things",

though. We have a pilot that was forced to retire from Saudi Aramco at 60. He was

making probably the best money to be made (legally) in helicopters flying a 214. They

did have a few small ships, too. But for the money he was making, you probably are

checked out on anything they fly.

Edited May 17, 2008 by helonorth