Originally Posted by murdock
Project Pilot FH1100 - I am a bush pilot and was wondering just how bad are the living conditions you are describing. I know you talk about no such luxuries like malls, theatres and restaraunts, but I am just curious as to what the living arrangements are truly like. I had contemplated workingin the GOM a while back and was thinking about doing it for a short while to try it out. In the bush, we either live in crew houses (duplexes, trailers, etc) or sometimes hotels, camps and tents. Places to eat are a treat sometimes and the idea of a mall or theatre is quite novel. I know the majority of GOM pilots work either 1 week on and 1 off, or 2 weeks on and 2 off. For the most part we do about 4-6 weeks on and 1-2 weeks off. Since I have never worled in the gulf, I cannot say how the flying is, but I do enjoy the flying in the bush, being a utility pilot I find lots of challenges everyday, between forestry fires and long lining, etc. Maybe thats the only thing that keeps me sane for being out in the bush so long.
Thanks.
The living condition depends on the contract you are on. If you stay on the beach you'll probably stay in a trailer house or an apartment. They're usually not terrible but unless you have a neat freak staying there they tend to get a little nasty after a while. Not many pilots are going to start house keeping after a long day offshore.
Depending on location there is usually some kind of place to get food near by. Some guys bring food with them when they start the hitch. I use to get a to-go-plate from one of the cooks on my last trip back to the beach or eat a bowl of cereal.
When I stayed offshore we ate like kings. Some platforms have cooks and some cook for themselves. There was always somebody that was a pretty good cook. I usually cooked breakfast and the others really appreciated that. They would ask me each week what I wanted to add to the grocery list. Every person is allowed X amount for food each week. If the crew likes their pilot they take care of him/her. If they don't, it can get tough. We simply had fun while we worked. If the weather was bad, which happens quite often in the winter we played dominoes or video games. Someone was always playing practical jokes on each other. I only worked in the winter so we watched a lot of football and basketball. Especially college sports where LSU was involved.
The flying can get pretty boring at times. There's not much of a challenge except weather and that can get bad quick. I was lucky. I was going offshore each winter to get away from the crop dusting mindset. Out there I had no stress. If a bird broke down I'd call a mechanic. At home I have to fix it. Offshore the pilot is a good thing. He's the guy that's going to take us home. He's the guy/girl that brings the daily paper and so on... At home when a farmer walks in the door he's about to spend large amounts of money and sometimes he's not in a good mood about it.
My situation at home changed and now I can't go back each winter. But, if the situation were different, I'd be back every year. I love the smell of salt water. I loved watching the different types of vessels come and go. I loved the friendships made with just good old country boys trying to make a living. I think about it every day, especially right after an irate farmer walks out the door.
barryb