Could Skipp*rs just be the best place to work in WA?

[metro_man]

After working at SA for 10 months, i find myself asking the question.... pretty good rosters, no weekends (usually), lots of opportunity to grow, not really feeling the impact of the downturn (actually still recruiting), most of the crews are filled with great people, wages could be better but then thats always going to be the case, so what do you all think out there?

[AerocatS2A]

There's no such thing as a "best job" only a "best job for you." If you think Skippers is the best place in WA for you to work, then that's what it is. Don't be surprised to find that others didn't think it was the best job for them though.

[Monopole]

Could Skipp*rs just be the best place to work in WA?
Yes it could be.... but it aint. Your comments re; rosters made me laugh though :D

But honestly, if you are happy there great. It makes you wonder how bad your rosters were in your previous employ. As for the money, well they probably have it as close to right as it is ever going to be for a Braz/Dash driver (if latest rumours are to be believed)

[The Bunglerat]

You're an idiot, thats what I think.

Hey Shed Dog, don't sugarcoat it - I'm sure Metro Man would love to know what you really think!

Nevertheless the point has been well made that maybe it's best to focus not so much on the job itself, but what it does for you personally. I'm very happy with my current employment circumstances; not so much because of what I fly, where I fly, or even how much I get paid - but because of how it fits in with my lifestyle. Sure I work with people who constantly bitch about the work environment, management issues, etc (and thankfully they're in the minority), but I've always believed that if you don't like what's on offer, vote with your feet and take your business elsewhere. Even in the current climate where opportunities may not be so varied and plentiful, no-one is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to be there. Whenever I start thinking like some of my colleagues about what's wrong with my company, all I have to do is think about the 10 years I spent in GA - or when I've been unemployed and really scraping the barrel - to instantly cure myself of any anger issues or self pity and be reminded that, for the most part, I've got it pretty good.

[Mecarsa Bitrusty]

I would Quit flying before working there.Sydneyman, you are a fool! :ugh: If you never working for Skippers means one less tool in the industry, then that's fine by me!

It can't be that bad, based on the current climate at least they have jobs, I'm sure most are happy enough.

[Skystar320]

Well the poster has got some credit right, with most other commodities dropping in price rather rapidly and we have seen Mt Keith & Ravensthorpe scale back & shut down.

Whereas most of Skippers contracts are gold mining companies and with the price holding up well they look to be at the best FIFO company yet...

Consider that most of the fleet apparently is owned outright, with turboprops cheaper to operate than jets.

Even if conditions are 'mad' [ dunno can't comment, never worked their] atleast you could be led comfortable that your job is probably more secure than others....

My 2c

[the wizard of auz]

Whereas most of Skippers contracts are gold mining companies and with the price holding up well they look to be at the best FIFO company yet...

Oh yeah???? ask them about the St Barbs contract then.
It doesn't really matter what the current gold price is..... It was sold years ago for an agreed price. Hedging is bringing down many company's, with cost rising and the gold pre-sold at a predetermined price.
While your asking them about St Barbs, ask about all the guys from Waterloo, Thunderbox, Kalis, Jaguar............ and the list goes on.

[Fred Gassit]

Absolutely right, and production costs are murdering many more gold producers. All that needs to happen now is energy prices to return to normal (higher than right now) and the axe will fall on a whole lot more projects, sad but true in this business.

[kellykelpie]

I worked for Skippers back in the mid 90s and it was a fantastic place to work back then too. DK was one of the best chief pilots going around and it was a really professional company. Things were done by the book, no short cuts, a real tight outfit. It was so ahead of its time back then - I really loved working there.

I then went to Ansett and, quite some time after I started, Ansett put in place some systems that Skippers had introduced months or years before. I heard Skippers had gone down hill a bit, so it's great to hear it is returning to its former glory.

[XRlent100]

Metro man,

How does the closure of Lake Johnson and Windimurra at Mt Magnet affect Skippers. Surely your statement re not being affected by the downturn is slighty out now....

[metro_man]

X I dont expect a massive impact there were only 4 dash flights and 1 metro flight out there a week and I believe there will still be a metro flight for now.
At the end of the day we all know about the nickel market, but I expect it will free up Skipp*rs to take on some of the addional work it had been looking at in the pilbara.
With a new BRAS ground school happening at the moment, 2 new capt and 3 new FO's on the DASH and 3 metro FO's the company is still trying to get to a crewing level to manage its current workload.

[piston broke again]

Every new company you work for is what you make of it. To all the folks just joining Skippers I say do your job as best as you can do, you won't have a problem. The good social life makes up for some of the company's shortcomings.

Plenty of pilots who are working there I would fly with anywhere in the world with. It's always what you make of it...

(ok now I'm waiting for the rant.....)

Now where's my red wine...