Yeah... I am in one of those career changing moods this month
What's the score with the EMS. Not much at the moment. No real movement but there is always something happening eventually.
To get in here you need 500hrs command and IFR and ATPL written. There seems a surplus of Captains at the moment so direct entry is pretty much unavailable. Most new hires go to one of our remote bases and the guys there get the shot at the city jobs. They deserve it. Generally, you can expect 6 - 12 months in the remote area before a position comes up. Even then thou, you may find you are usurped internally by someone from VFR division with lots of company time.
Most guys are flying 200 to 300hrs a year and a few are doing a lot less than that. Depends a lot on your schedule. It will take you 4 - 5yrs to get to a command position.
All and all it is a great job. Depending on where you fly you can get a lot of procedural IFR during the spring and autumn. The flying is average with a lot of hospital transfers but about 25% is calls to accidents and associated type carnage. The guys up north get to drive the 76 into a lot of places that Nick never imagined this machine to do. A lot of the work would be more suited to a 212 or similarily rugged machine.
If you like the "hurry up, get ready and wait" approach to work then this is a great job.
PM me Aris for a chat,
Cheers,
Steve