Seabourne Airlines

[Carrier]

Quote: “.....anyone choosing to work for Seabourne (that's what this original post was about in the first place) will make their own decisions and come to their own conclusions about life in the Virgin Islands.....”

Yes they will! But those who are smart will try to find out some facts from others on which to make their decisions. They try to learn from other people’s experiences and avoid making the same mistakes that others have made in the past. That's why they ask for advice and other members's experiences on forums such as PPRuNe. It’s great that there are posters like B. Sousa who are firstly prepared to share their experiences and advice and help others and secondly in these politically correct times are prepared to call a spade a spade and give a true picture of what is there.

[Alfredo tp]

Hi Bill!

Hi Bill,

are you still flying for the UN? I am interested in such jobs, more than airliners. And it's not about doing hours, etc. for me, so...

Any info on application contact, or similar would be great. Where are you right now?

Must be a nice job. Can you tell me more, please!

Thanks and happy new year!


Alfredo

[ManagedNav]

Well, that was interesting....

I was born and raised in STT and still have family there. I flew for Sunair Express for a short while; based in STX.

As most would expect, I developed a level of local street smarts, a constant awareness, that kept me out of trouble most of the time. That natural instinct was no match for St. Croix.

The reality of the matter is that St. Croix, since Hurricane Hugo, has slid into the abyss of anarchy. The police are totally ineffective and crime, usually violent crime, is rampant. Almost all violent crimes are directed against tourists or white locals. Every major airline used to have direct flights to STX from the states...no longer.

For those that are considering moving there, only consider doing so if you are single or if married, no children. If you go out in public, at least once a day you will be reminded of the local's disdain for white people.

If you like adventure and good flying, go for it. Just don't arrive totally naive to your new surroundings.

P.S. Anybody got any photos of Sunair's Twotter's? I can't find even one on the internet!

[B Sousa]

Managed Nav... Born in St Thomas, just like Kelsey Grammer. His memory was that his father was murdered there. Fine place. if your passing through...............in the daytime. I have less problems in Africa.

More than likely Sherpa Driver was picked for the National Guard job for some reason other than his flying ability.

[SherpaDriver]

To B. Sousa;

More than likely Sherpa Driver was picked for the National Guard job for some reason other than his flying ability.

And what reason would that be if you don't mind me asking? But I suppose you're probably right...it must be for some other reason. It could not possibly be because I'm a decorated combat veteran with thousands of flight hours who served with distinction in the U.S. military for 20+ years. I'm sorry, I didn't get the memo, but who the hell are you again?

You seem bent on proving to the the world that the Virgin Islands is the most undesirable place on the planet to live and work. For the record, I am not from St. Croix and not from the US Virgin Islands and don't work for the USVI Tourism Board. I am only an airline pilot and an individual who has travelled the world and is open-minded and objective enough to not condemn an entire island territory or country over the actions of some of its citizens. I will say again...are there undesirable and criminal-minded members of the population there...of course. But I have also met some pretty awesome people there who have shown me kindness, respect and hospitality so I am hard-pressed to condemn the entire region when I know there are good and decent people who live and work there. And that was the only point I was trying to convey since this post first started.

I know it must have really killed you to admit in your previous post that there are "Good honest Virgin Islanders who live there." I guess you must be the embodiment of virtue and morality to make such a claim. Well you should also feel pretty good knowing that because of the incoherent rantings of people like you on this thread, I'm sure no one will want to fly for Seaborne Airlines or visit any of the US Virgin Islands.

You could not match wits with me even if you tried so keep your superiority complex and holier-than-thou attitude in check.You've got an opinion...good...so do I!

[B Sousa]

Wondered how long it would take for you to fluff your feathers.

National Guard job

In the Islands?? It is not the Qualifications that will get you there, its a matter of the Good Old Boy Syndrome.. I am sure your a competent Pilot.

You've got an opinion...good...so do I!

The message got through after all............
Anyway, Im not anonymous, so we will probably meet sometime on the ramp.........
Have some suggestions for your night life in the islands, but I dont think you wil go there, its a survival issue....

incoherent rantings

Spoken like a true Democrat.....

You could not match wits with me even if you tried

Well I can only assume your not with the Mensa Society..... You must calm yourself a bit, Its a discussion forum. Point out my mistakes and I will counter.........Other than that it begins to sound like a rooster in the yard making dust..........

A little Cruzan and Coke and all will be well....

Anyway I dont think Seaborne was disrepected in any form and it meets the needs of Twin Turbine Drivers on floats, so dont jump on my stuff for that one.. Im just voicing my opinion for those who dare bring a family to that place.

If you have so much contempt for the local population (not "natives")

Your right, not natives, but tell them that. "Our Islands, Our Home" give me a break. What an bunch of Attitudes.........

[TowerDog]

Well, well hello there...

Since we are posting resumes, here is mine: Worked in St. Thomas and St. Croix back in the 80s for Sea-Jet, Virgin Air, Aero Virgin Island, Eastern Metro and a few others. Also been back there as a tourist and on airline lay-overs many times, including 2 days ago.

Having seen my share of crime, lazy losers, idiots and all of the above descriptions of life, people and natives in the US Virgin Islands, I agree with those who think the place is seriously fukked up.
That being said, the weather is top notch, so is sailing, diving and the local rum.

Flying is good as far as building twin/turbo time, but the islands are fairly expensive and the wages low so it is a break-even situation.

All of that being said, I am thinking about buying a condo in STX for renting out and for my retirement.
I am also painfully aware of not bringing anything of value to the islands as the natives very much would like to steal it, and the only way to keep stuff is to bolt it down.
Any other attitude is wreckless and will cost you.

Save the racist comment, I have flown relief supplies into Africa many times and have spent 30+ years traveling the world seeing realities, as well as results of incompetence and idiocy, the Virgin Islands blends right in with any other place that has a black majority and lousy leadership..Just the way it is, and if it is up to the locals, nothing will change.

As for Seabourne: Seems like a nice, clean place to work.
That kind of flying is not boring as somebody suggested: I enjoyed doing the same for Sea-jet back in -84: Twin Otter on floats, St. Croix to St. Thomas 8 times per day, 16 legs. 2 days on, 2 days off..96 hours per month. Back then it was fun going to work: All VFR/day..No jet-lag, no sweat...Would like to be young again and having just moved from Alaska one could appreciate the weather..

The honeymoon was soon over when when we got robbed once. Then a year later the boat we lived on was broken into. Then a friend's wife was raped. A few months later a friend and neigbor was killed while walking the dog on the beach: Some rasta chopped her up with a machete.

Could tell stories all day about violent crime on the islands and it is not the tourist doing the crime...

The good news is that they have built more jails on the islands and have started putting people away. Hopefully that will make a dent.

[B Sousa]

TowerDog
You were'nt living up in Shibui were you?? But again, on a boat maybe Red Hook.

See you worked for Virgin Air...Paul finally had enough with the FAA or vice versa and pulled the pin a couples years ago. He is set anyway.

Everything else is right on the money.........Over to the Beachcomber after shift for a G/T or twelve while the sun sets....then on to Tickles.
There are many good times for sure, but one must always look over your shoulder and carry a big stick.

The good news is that they have built more jails on the islands and have started putting people away

I think you will find thats still the fox guarding the henhouse. FBI on the island? you bet. What are they doing most of the time? Governmental Corruption at every level. ( bridge to nowhere?? remember that, still there and no road) The difference between the islands and D.C. a few thousand miles.

Beautiful beaches , Smith Bay? , Coki Point? Sand stinks of urine from the ....... wait thats racist, dont go there.

Whole point is that one can have good times here, but be prepared for some serious bad times. Even the Health care is why they have the motto. "When in Pain, get a Plane" and get to the mainland.

Best of the three is St John, only because most everyone in the world cannot afford it..

If your thinking of a condo there, make sure you go down again soon. Some serious good deals, just watch out for the HOA's or Associations, some are terribly in debt. I would have bought in Mahogany Run, but deep financial problems there. If it has to be St Croix, look at Carambola.

[TowerDog]

TowerDog
You were'nt living up in Shibui were you?? But again, on a boat maybe Red Hook.

Aye, lived on the boat from the beginning: On the hook in French Town, Lindbergh Bay and at the dock in the Lagoon for 6 months.

Also on the boat in St. Croix in various free lagoons, including Gallows Bay, but the Eastern Metro Express days with a steady pay check, at a dock in Salt River.

Enjoyed the islands and the lifestyle for sure. If a company went south, we'd just pull the anchor and sail to the next island and take a new job.
Wife was also a pilot from Alaska.

Yes, worked for Paul and Margareth @ Virgin Air..
Got the job real easy as he had 5 airplanes: Aztec, Apache, C-402, B-18 and DC-3..I had time on all 5 planes so he hired me on the spot.

Over to the Beachcomber after shift for a G/T or twelve while the sun sets....then on to Tickles.
There are many good times for sure, but one must always look over your shoulder and carry a big stick.

Yeah ,that pretty much sums it up..Good times, but get ready to defend yerself, some of the natives are restless..

Beautiful beaches , Smith Bay? , Coki Point? Sand stinks of urine from the

Yeah perhaps but I am looking at STX right now: Choiy Beach, Chenai, etc., still good, no urine or dog-sh!t.
STT was always a tourist machine with too many people and too much "action", althought I enjoyed my time there flying for Paul and Cleo Hodge and Joe Cranston/Jim Masters and them guys.

If your thinking of a condo there, make sure you go down again soon.

Was in STT last week and just returned from STX this week. Kind of fact finding mission..Nature and weather was as always beatiful..Slow times in STX, but they are still asking high prices...Based on what I saw, prices should come down soon..

[SherpaDriver]

To Towerdog;

Yeah ,that pretty much sums it up..Good times, but get ready to defend yerself, some of the natives are restless..

If I were a betting man, I'd venture to say you haven't called one of the residents of the USVI a "native" to their face in a while (if ever). Be careful, your white sheets might start showing! But I guess that's the beauty of anonymous postings...its easy to antagonize when you know there are no repercussions...

To B. Sousa;

Anyway, Im not anonymous, so we will probably meet sometime on the ramp.........
Have some suggestions for your night life in the islands, but I dont think you wil go there, its a survival issue....

Can't be any worse than downtown Baghdad near the Green Zone...been there, done that. Needless to say there aren't too many places I'd be scared to visit in either STX or STT. But tell you what, if our paths cross on the ramp the first round will be on me. I'll pick up a bottle from the rum distillary off Queen Mary Highway near Fredericksted...

I just got word of a Colgan Air Q400 that just crashed in my native New York about 3 hours ago...no survivors. It sort of puts our aviation pursuits, careers (and disagreements) in perspective. Anyway, may their souls rest in peace...

[TowerDog]

If I were a betting man, I'd venture to say you haven't called one of the residents of the USVI a "native" to their face in a while (if ever). Be careful, your white sheets might start showing! But I guess that's the beauty of anonymous postings...its easy to antagonize when you know there are no repercussions...

Huh....?

Anything wrong with being a native of STT, or anywhere.?



White sheets showing?

If ya are trying to say something, then speak up load and clear.

If I was a betting man, I'd say you are full of crap.

[beachbumflyer]

Sherpa, what's wrong with calling one native? English is not my mother
tonge, so I don't know. Besides, you say your native New York.

[B Sousa]

Could be the ones being described as Natives are in fact not "natives" as are about 99.9% of those on the islands.... The attitude seems to show that they think they are natives.

I'd venture to say you haven't called one of the residents of the USVI a "native" to their face in a while (if ever). Be careful, your white sheets might start showing

Now thats a shot across the Bow. Not necessary as we know the inference of the white sheets. I would never have done that not out of fear, but I just dont get down in da gutta like "dem folks do". Thats why bein the honky, white Mutha, etc. never bothered me. Besides I was usually in the company of the cough drop guys. Mr Smith and Wesson. They could always sort out problems.

So lets get this back on track. Seaborne is a good company, its not for me if I were a fixed winger, just too boring. Those I know were getting good pay so for someone wanting Twotter time on Floats , go for it. You should by now know what your getting into when off duty.......

[flyrScott]

Just let your Cruzan brothers take you to church on saturday night!

And the best quote yet from a Cruzan to me: "if you gonna live here, you gotta leaarn to speak bad spanish and bad english"

All in all, the crime was kinda bad, but there were alot of nice locals too.

[SherpaDriver]

To Beachbumflyer

Sherpa, what's wrong with calling one native?

This is not a stab at trying to make this a "politically correct" forum, but there was a time when the term "native" had a less than flattering connotation. Kind of like using the word "savage" or even the "N-word" when describing people of African or Carib descent. When you say "I'm a native of Ft. Lauderdale" or "I'm a native New Yorker" it takes on entirely different meaning than when you say "Look at those natives in South Africa running up to the airplane" or "I just can't communicate with these natives in St. Croix." Words are powerful and language usage can convey messages which can be interpreted (or mis-interpreted) in the wrong way.

I guess you never thought your original post would have stirred up so much spirited debate...

To TowerDog

Anything wrong with being a native of STT, or anywhere? If I was a betting man, I'd say you are full of crap.

I know you probably think you're pretty clever with your play on words but we both know that I never said there was anything wrong being a native of STT. However, that was not the context you used the word "native." But let me guess, when you're visiting in Salt Lake City or Idaho you probably say "The natives here seem to be really friendly" or "these natives are always stealing the wheels off my car." Your feeble attempt to be derogatory and cast the populace of STX and STT in a negative context by calling them natives, while trying to appear objective, shows your true colors. I've met your type before and your defensiveness must mean I've hit a nerve...well I'm calling you out so you can read whatever you want to read in my words. But we were talking about working for Seabourne Airlines...

[TowerDog]

I've met your type before and your defensiveness must mean I've hit a nerve...well I'm calling you out so you can read whatever you want to read in my words.

Huh....?

Defensiveness? Hit a nerve?

I was right, you are full of crap..

Not sure what planet you are from but it looks like you have your own brand of reality and you seem to have a problem drawing conclusions.

I will pass on the "white sheet" hint, smells too much of KKK.

As for "native" having a negative meaning in your head: Seems like a personal problem and I would seek counseling if I was you.

Good luck and try not to move your lips reading this.

[B Sousa]

Kind of like using the word "savage" or even the "N-word" when describing people of African or Carib descent.

Now its gotten so touchy one does not even use the "N-Word". Thing is a "N-word's" are not Carib. Few of the authentic ones left. They ARE indeed native to the area and thus Natives.
Your comments only confirm that when words are used to describe folks only Blacks are offended, the rest of us either laugh it off or consider the source.

Fortunately I dont have to go into a litany of descriptive adjectives to describe that I am American. What funny is so many NEED to say they are African first, American second. When its usually pretty obvious......

Wish I had my Multi Engine Sea, now maybe I would try out a season there, hauling all the natives and wannabes.....

[beachbumflyer]

Sherpa:
You're right, I never thought this thread would be that controversial.
But now I know, after reading some comments here, that I would not
go to live in STX nor in STT. I guess some other people would think
the same, sorry.

[SherpaDriver]

As for "native" having a negative meaning in your head: Seems like a personal problem and I would seek counseling if I was you.

To Towerdog
I'll let you have the last word since you don't seem particularly bright and insults seem to be the only way to get your message across. What I've said is not a view shared by me alone so excuse me if I decline your suggestion at this time to seek couseling. It's obvious the point I made about using the word "native" went completely over your head and your natural inclination is to attack me as a person rather than the facts. Ok, you win...feel better?

To B. Sousa
The "N-word" I was referring to was not the word "native." It's not a word I use in my vocabulary and it's not one that belongs on a forum but I suspect you know what word I'm alluding to. It will take time for race relations to heal years after years of marginalization, distrust and bitter feelings from both sides. I'm not really sure why I'm defending the USVI so passionately since I don't even live there...but readers of this forum and this thread will come to their own conclusions in the end. I'm no bleeding heart liberal but someone who studies people and has come to learn over the years about cultural sensitivities (even when they don't jive with my own).

You probably figured out I am an American just like you but I don't think I ever identified what my race was..but then why would that even matter? The reason why any of us are on this forum is a common passion for aviation and anything related to aviation matters. I've got little tolerance for ignorance so I do voice my opinion on occassion. But STT and STX still has boatloads and planeloads of people going there on vacation every year and will still thrive in spite of its problems so in the end it doesn't really matter what you, me or anyone else on this forum thinks. Hopefully Seabourne will be around in the years to come...they are a much-needed transportation lifeline in that community and I've shared many a drink with their pilots while playing the tables at Divi Carina.

[TowerDog]

It's obvious the point I made about using the word "native" went completely over your head and your natural inclination is to attack me as a person rather than the facts. Ok, you win...feel better?

Hmm, I think you are the one who started the personal attacks.

I'll let you have the last word since you don't seem particularly bright and insults seem to be the only way to get your message across.

Looks like you are the one dishing out the insults as well.