Employment in the Caribb.

[Mark CRUISE]

Hi can anyone help me. I have over twelve hundred hours with most of it on twin otters and on Islanders. I have applied to most airlines in the Caribb and elswhere, but have received no response as yet. It has been more than a few months now. I am having a hard time finding work, but nevertheless, I am still trying. Would love to work in the Caribbean. Could somebody please tell me if there are any Australian pilots in the Carrib, what the conversion of licences require, about visa's, or any other information including life in the Carribean. I have accumulated most of my time on tropical island so i know that life can be abit slow there and painstakingly alcholic. Thanks in advance. :cool: caribbean

[Freak On A Leash]

Don`t know a lot about the Caribbean scene, but if you want to get tel #s ,fax #s and web-sites/e-mail addresses I strongly recommend that you get a hold of Flight International`s World Airline Directory.I think you`ll be able to find it on www.flightinternational.com or at least get some info on how to get hold of it.
Hope that helps a bit.
Oh yeah, also try www.avionco.com as it seems that they have some ties to the Caribbean :)

[Mark CRUISE]

Thanks for your help! :D

[Hogg]

Hi, Try Paul Gravel in SVG air based in Bequia and St Vincent.or Lestor Lewis in mustique

Great Company, Good guy.


I enjoyed myself immemsily down the carib,(spent 2 years flying there) miss Cavilier and Goat bbqs!

http://www.caribbeanaviation.com
http://www.svgair.com
http://mustiqueairways.com

I didnt need a visa, just a work permit, within a day i had been issued an OECS licence as i had a few types on my national licence, Oecs offices in St.Johns Antiqua, worth calling them first my contacts were Mr Lim and Eric Philips.

Good Luck and enjoy de liming, Yeah mon!

Me thinks Capt Stable was there too ;)

[Captain Stable]

I sure was, Hogg.

Did I know you?

Don't even think about talking to Mr. Lim unless you've got half an hour to spare listening to his reminiscences. Philips has a major chip on his shoulder about white guys taking jobs in the region.

Compulsory place to eat on St. Vincent is Papa Spoons (Rasta soul food - wonderful!).

[Mark CRUISE]

Id love to help you out too if I could. I really appreciate your help

[Mark CRUISE]

The life of a pilot :p If I could do it all again, id be a rock star!! :cool: But then again, now that I am a pilot, I wouldnt want to be anything else! What would you of been?????? :rolleyes:

[Captain Stable]

I don't want to be a clerk, a conductor or a spark,
Life's too short for working who knows where?
So I'll just sit back and dream, forget the houses in between,
And be a working class millionaire.

[Check 6]

If you have an FAA certificate, and are U.S. citizen, or have U.S. visa, try:

1. Seaborne Adventures in St. Croix (twin otters)
2. Air St. Thomas on St. Thomas (Islanders)

yea mon, we be jammin'

:D :D :D

[Kav]

:confused:

[TowerDog]

Check 6:

I worked for Air St. Thomas years ago when they were called Virgin Air. We had 5 different types of airplanes, but no Islanders.
(You sure of that?)

Rumor says SeaBorne is almost bankrupt? (As in chapter 11)
True?

Had 5 different jobs in the West Indies.
Fun and easy flying down there, but poor pay and long hours.
(Flew 120 hours many a month)

Good place to pick up Twin time, but it is a dead-end street for any serious career planning.

Good Luck.

[Dan Hellewell]

hey Mark

The reason we are all pilots is ....

WE ARE TOO LAZY TO WORK AND TOO GUTLESS TO STEAL ...

Any one know of seaplane operators in the carib???

Later

[Mark CRUISE]

But not too lazy to bitch, and gutless enough to fly in kamikaze aircraft. ;)

[nungry]

No seaplanes down this part - don't know about the Bahamas though.
Mr Cruise - my advice is grab a hold of JP Airline Fleets - theres a bloke in Melbourne who sells them, and go through all the Caribbean countries and start sending out the dreaded resume attack. I did it for twelve months, every month, then eventuly came over here and did the old "jonny on the spot" dance and landed a job. Someone once told me, and it rings true, as soon as you get a job somewhere, thats the time to start looking for your next one. It all takes time. Good luck mate.



:cool:

[Captain Stable]

Good advice, nungry. Give my regards to Paul Gravell! ;)

[Dan Hellewell]

listen here you egyptian &*^%er ive just had a cheers with the Edited ...... yep ... thats right .... he drunk bounty rum for a cheers to my little girl .... what a nice boy he is .... he will be back in syd on monday so look him up .....

ps stop being nasty to me ..... i still want free dinner

pps ... heard a rumour that if you get nelly a couple of kilos of kava root he will give you a job !!!!

Later

See you in oct for the wedding

Smee

[Mark CRUISE]

Danny, It must be a miracle from Allah!! I dont believe the manhorse drank the rum....Was it O.P at least.

At last he is set free from most of the burdens. All he needs now is a good root and he will be the closest thing to heaven.

What was the cheers for?? A big chin chin to yaz, any excuse is a good excuse for a salutation...You insipid man. Look that one up in the dictionary!! You know I only give it to you because I Luff you!!

As for your free meal, I heard that dog semen is full of calories so I dont want you to get any fatter. J/K teehee! I cant wait to cook for you and your family again, and manhorse as well, and maybe clean your windows and vacuuming your floor would be a delight. It was a pleasure to cook for you guys and was even more of a pleasure cooking with hilal only meat so I could feed your alcoholic offspring neighbour.

As for Neli, Ill buy him a couple of k's of kava if he gives me the job and doesnt end up in hospital like Anuj.

Take care brother, give me a call when your in oz.......

[Captain Stable]

I appreciate that you guys are only indulging in friendly banter, but please remember that people from all over the world read this site. Please try to avoid what some people could misinterpret as racially derogatory terms.

Thanks! :)

[Mark CRUISE]

Sorry Capt'n.....

[Captain Stable]

Forgiven! :)

[Check 6]

TowerDog, I misspoke when I said Islanders. When I departed STT in 1994 they were flying one Trilander (Paul flew it) and Aztecs.

The Islanders were flown by Four Star Air Cargo.

I flew helicopters for Air Center Helicopters.

You are spot on regarding a career and getting twin time.

Too bad if SeaBorne Adventures is Chapter 11. Maybe because of all the "free" flights for government jobsworths.

:D :D :D

[B Sousa]

Check 6 ........Im back amongst the living... I also see the PC Police are out there, Im certainly not going to touch that one....
Air St Thomas(www.airstthomas.com) does not have islanders, I believe the Islanders are out of Beef Island BVI (Fly BVI) and no its not flybvi.com, I tried that and its some dam porno site....its (www.fly-bvi.com)
Air St Thomas has some Apaches and one Cessna 4 series, I believe..
Cape Air has 402S?? (www.flycapeair.com)......forgive me Im sort of a helicopter dude. An ATP and some Ray Bans and Im sure your in.....
Anybody else out there who has tasted the sinful drinks at Duffys Love Shack in Red Hook or been face first on the Bar at Tickles, Crown Bay during a huricane, please step forward.....
If anyone needs company names or stuff for a job, let me know, I have the phone book in the Virgins handy.....Dont give up on Puerto Rico, some Starched wing stuff there, but as most all down south they dont pay much more than a bottle of Cruzan Rum......

[B Sousa]

Comment as to the Virgin Air in St Thomas. I heard the story, dont know how much is true. Paul had the name Virgin Air before Mr Branson. I think there was some litigation and all parties became happy, Virgin Air of the Virgin Islands is gone, and it is now Air St Thomas......

[Check 6]

Bert, you are correct. I discovered my error before you did and corrected it.

I was there when Paul cut a deal with Virgin's attorneys, and walked away with a bundle to give up the name, AND the call sign. I heard some figures at the time but do not remember, other than in the six figures.

Ciao mon,

:D :D :D

[Canuck Pilot]

Hey guys! Wondering what it takes to get on with any of the smaller carriers within the Caribbean. I'm a Candadian citizen with a Comm,Multi-IFR, and IATRA ratings, low hours though unfortunately. I'd be willing to get a type rating in a Caravan or Islander since this seems to be what most of the carriers operate with. Is it more who you know down their and if it is WHO should I know?! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[B Sousa]

Some of the websites were listed above. I would suggest you contact them. If you get a canned answer, then the best thing is knock on the door...... here I am will fly for food.... One company I didnt mention that keeps real busy is four star air cargo. They use mainly DC-3s and they sound real nice....I didnt say look nice, but I know some of the maintenance types and they work real hard to keep them in good shape. (www.FourStarAirCargo.com)
If you get a job there, I want a T shirt, mine is starting to get Holy..........

[nungry]

Canuck pilot -

Yo duuuude - wazzz up. Sorry, as an Aussie, we need any chance we get to have a crack - but to answer what your after - I'm working with the biggest GA company in the Caribbean, and I count my lucky stars every day to have a job here. There is one other Canadian here on the Island working for www.mustique.com , so basically its not a licence thing, its an experience thing. Granted, they take guys from all over the world down here, but you gotta have time on what they got, at the end of the day.

There are a lot of local boys who are more experienced than you would like to believe, so theres not really a deficet here that most would like to think there is. They have a good "intern" system here, where all the guys coming up through the system work for the airline of choice, therefore coming on line before they need to consider expats.

Canuck pilot, you ask for advice on getting a type rating on something- I say, do it on whatever your employer gives it to you on. Whats the point on getting an endoresment on somthing that you may want to never fly, and I cant comprehend on paying for something thats free!!!Don't devalue, or compomise your proffessionalism!! You're worth more than you may believe!!!!!!

[Captain Stable]

Hey nungry - say Hi to Robbie and Junior, and punch Jonathan in the gob from me! ;)

Is that crazy Canadian still CP?

[Mark CRUISE]

Hey nungry......You are a god mate!!

http://www.stopstart.btinternet.co.uk/sm/notworthy.gif


At last I have found an Aussie pilot flyin in the Caribb.

Would you be so kind as to email me and share your magical metamorphises from being in Oz to living in the Caribbean?

Im dieing to know!!!!!!!!!!!

Wish I was there too.............

http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/mica/pc-crash.gif

[B Sousa]

In response to Mark, a couple other places popped up that may want a pilot. (www.islandbirds.com) and (www.svgair.com) I think Check 6 may have mentioned Seaborne being in trouble financially. I hope not as they did a great service. They have or had operations in both the Virgin Islands and Juneau Alaska (www.seaborneairlines.com) It was good for the pilots, because they could move from place to place with the season.. I dont see any reference to Alaska on the site, Im sure 911 gave them a hit.. The website shows they are accepting resumes..
Good Luck
By the time this thread is done Im hoping some here will be back flying.....

[Canuck Pilot]

Thanks for all the info guys!! I'll start the resume bombardment pronto!! Cheers:cool:

[nungry]

Now now, Captain Stable, aren't you supposed to be moderater, i.e. supposed to be unbiased and a calming entity?!?!!?? Smack Jonno in the gob??? Why do I hear that every day?? To be honest, I worked for him, and he wasn't as bad as everyone says. Maybe I was lucky.
i'll say gday to Robbie for you - hes still hating everyday hes at work - some things never change. Junior's still pumping the gas. "35 on the stick thanks Junior!" Sayers is still pumping, as well as Drakes. I clocked him doing 2 mph the other day!!!! When you say crazy Canadaian? do you mean FE - hes still there.
Marky Mark - only if you teach me how to put cool images on your message!! I would say email me through my profile page, but it dosen't work, even though its supposed to - go computers!!! Or this website - I blame them. But I'll drop you an email soon. Just got home from Miss SVG 2002, and the Dry Dock, sun is coming up and there's crap on cable. Just another night in the Caribbean boys!!!! Bring it on!!

[Ove R. Tallig]

Any company considering to start operating the Fokker 50 in the caribbean ? Should be a good idea, since there are a lot of qualified F50 pilots waiting for jobs, and the aircraft is cheap to operate. You can buy used F50s at very affordable prices to.

Scandinavian Fokker pilot..........

[Mark CRUISE]

http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/sex.gif

[a330]

ATR's are way much cheaper that F50 in terms of operations and also the performance .

[Canuck Pilot]

Thinking of taking a semi-vacation down to the Caribb to look for work(flying or dock/ramp). I feel the CP's would much rather see a face than the countless resumes I'm sure they get. Curious to know if people that are employed down their think this may be a better way of going about it?:cool:

[B Sousa]

Semi-vacation to the Caribbean, Im envious. If you want to do it cheap, Start in Puerto Rico. First its cheaper to fly there then any other destination. Make sure you spend a day or two and meet all the small carriers at SJU and Isla Grande Airport. M/N Aviation, Maldo has a Caravan or two and is a pretty nice guy. He will give you the latest scoop. Bum around the main terminal and if your a current pilot with a company ID you may be able to work out a discounted price from there. I think 911 screwed up all your chance for a jump seat. I know it used to work good. Head over to St Thomas for a day or so. Talk with some of the carriers there. Also have a Beer or two at Tickles in Crown Bay. Then off for the BVI (Beef Island) Chances for jump seating gets better outside the US.......From there, On down Island. Even though your not flying a handy reference is the Bahamas & Caribbean Pilots Guide. You can get it at www.sportys.com
You can do it cheap by talking to the folks at each island. They can tell you the places where they get "local discounts", otherwise it gets expensive. Take your SCUBA Cert with you, as Im sure you will be diving...Good Luck and even if you dont find work you WILL have fun and meet some great folks..

[Canuck Pilot]

Bert, thanks for the tips I appreciate it! Ryan

[Check 6]

Ryan, Bert is easy to spot at Tickles. He is the bloke on the floor under the bar!

:D :D :D

[B Sousa]

Stu, if I remember correctly, you also logged some time at Tickles.....

[Dash8]

Sorry guys, ... ... ... but you're totally wrong!!!

The Dash 8 is " T - H - E " aircraft in it's segment.

So once again: Who needs Dash8Drivers in the Caribbean???

Regards
Dash8

[Check 6]

Bert, si signore, it takes one to know one.

:D :D :D

[peanutter]

nungry, what about ladies and night life? E-mail me please ;)

[KJS]

Anyone heard of any crj (or other barbie jet) jobs going in the Caymans???? Got 1700hrs on them, 2000hrs total - am i dreaming or have i got a chance?

Also moving from England, so what's the best way to convert JAR ATPL to FAA one?

[Kubin rock climber]

Ha Ha don't ask nungry about the ladies !!! He sabe them
muta good !!!:D

Wasn't there a mark flying the hid twotter who also bin
stab JB :confused: ????

Could be different one.

[lizzard]

Would greatly appreciate info on operators using Caravans in the Caribbean and South America.

Love it where it's warm, mmm and moist.
:p

[HugMonster]

In the Caribbean there are a few operators, only in the French islands though, St. Maarten, Guadeloupe and Martinique. Can't remember any names - sorry! :(

[Wadadli]

KJS

AirCaraibes uses EMB145 out of TFFG and TFFF and I belive that they have two EMB 170 on order. If U are an EU national, with a JAA ATPL AND speak french, then U might have a chance ........ AirCaraibes is the company name from the merger of Air Guadeloupe, Air Martinique, Air St.Barth and CAAP(?)(used C208/C406).

WINAIR in TNCM wants EMB 145. WINAIR has only used Twin Otters in recent years. They did use YS 11 for a brief while, but they might need some EMB 145 experienced pilots should their plans materialize. Check www.candoo.com. It has links to Caribbean AirNews and Caribbean ALPA.

Carribean Star in TAPA uses Dash8, but has the CRJ on the wish list. They would almost certanly take only Caribbean nationals as f/o, but have had contract Captains from both Canada and New Zeeland. Check the above mentioned web sites for news!

Good Luck, Wadadli :cool:

[lizzard]

Thanx for the info, looks like I'll need a bit more twin time before venturing out to the other side of the world.

[nungry]

For the Dash 8 guys out there, saw an ad on www.climbto350.com for Caribbean Star. They are slowly training there own pilots, which are all CARICOM Nationals, but still need expats for contracts to fill in the gaps every now and then. Looks like they're going ahead with their Peurto Rico expansion. All the previous contract guys I have met had a ball down here. Check it out if interested. Good luck.

[gramps]

Nungry,

Fancy seeing you on this sight!!

Na na na na na na na na CATVAN!!!!!

:D

[Mark CRUISE]

http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/aircraft/pigflys.gif

PIGs CAN FLY

[f16hotburner]

Does any one knows? about any job openings in the Caribbean specially in Dominican Rep. Pto. Rico, St Marteen, Bahamas or Cayman Islands. I am flying for Emirates but I want to go back to the real world.

Thank you!