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Work in the Caribbean

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Old 1st Nov 2003, 14:14
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Work in the Caribbean

Anyone know visa, license and experience requirements to work in the Caribbean?
I have an Australian and Canadian CPL, and an Australian and British Passport - and 2200hrs total time - almost all single, but 400hrs turbine and a multi- IFR rating.
I was thinking of trying the British Virgin Islands, but anywhere in the Caribbean would be great...
Any advice??????
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Old 1st Nov 2003, 21:54
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Past Experience down there in Helos only but Observations of the Fixed Wing side. Jobs do pop up once in a while but you should take some vacation and visit. BVI is expensive and I dont see many overweight Pilots down there. Its extremely important to put your face to a resume with Chief Pilots. You never know you could start work right away. There are some Operators you should stay away from. They love to fire folks just before pay day and even from a small company that looks bad on the resume...
If your headed that way for "vacation" drop me an email and I can give you a couple names to ease your travel. Maybe some guidance on how to get by cheap for a while...
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Old 4th Nov 2003, 17:33
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Hi folks,

zakpeegoodus, I hope you don't mind piggy-backing on your thread but had the same question myself (I have both UK and Australian CPL(A)s with Brit and Aussie passports).

I'll be visiting Bermuda and Beqwia in December and wondered who the best people to see when I'm down there would be. So if anyone knows the bods to see or fancies a chat over a beer down there, I'd appreciate it.

B Sousa, It would be great if you could give the names or a hint of the operators to stay clear of (either on thread or via private mail).

Cheers,

Chips
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Old 5th Nov 2003, 18:44
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Piggy back all you want! Isn't that what this pprune thing is all about?
U.K license? You mean the JAR license?
I was thinking of doing it but $$$$$.
I'm now committed until easter in a caravan amphib ( any floatplanes in the caribbean? ) - so can you let me know how you go in December??
You can e-mail me at [email protected]

B Sousa - thanks for the reply, I'll give you a hoy if and when I make it over...
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Old 6th Nov 2003, 02:54
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Guys with a Brit passport there is not much to worry about on the visa side - you should try a wee airline based out of Nevis and St Kitts - 'Nevis Express'. They are often looking and have a few islanders and might still have a couple of 1900c's. The DO there is Sean Heanville. The office is right at the Nevis airport and once down there it is pretty easy to jump seat around with your ID. Good luck, its a chilled out place with easy hours (30 or so a month). They fly N registered a/c so an FAA license is a must.

Good luck if you get down there let me know.
Cheers
Juba
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Old 6th Nov 2003, 16:49
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Is that Eric Lamb or Alan Hadadi?
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Old 6th Nov 2003, 19:23
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Let's go! or not

Hello dear fellows,

Instead of beginning a new thread, I will ask the same kind of question as you zakpeegoodus, I hope you don't mind piggy-backing on your thread (again!!!)

My case is a little less attractive than yours as I am just leaving school with a minimum of hours... Cpl Ir Me 200h total time.

I don't have much hope to find a job in the "big jets" for the moment in my country (belgium) as it is virtually impossible for an ab-initio to be engaged.

So, what to do? Move to a country where they operate relatively small a/c, fly there, get paid, fly and fly again, build an experience, have some good time, and then come back (maybe). That would be nice, I want to do it!

BUT, Is it realistic for a guy like me to move to the caribbean and find a job there?? HELP ME please!

Another issue is about type ratings... (I do not have any).

I have a JAA licence, a belgian passport. I am 20, and the only thing I want is to fly.

If you could just tell me if it's an option to keep in mind in my case, I would be very pleased.

Thanks in advance,

Dan
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Old 6th Nov 2003, 20:21
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BUT, Is it realistic for a guy like me to move to the caribbean and find a job there??

Without trying to sound negative, I would have to say that with 200TT your chances in the Caribbean are pretty much zero (competition-- many people are wanting jobs and the Caribbean sounds someone exotic for time building). I have no other place to point you to-- things are rough everywhere. A good many Euro types head to Africa, but realize that with 200TT (here I go sounding negative again) you're pretty much a commodity. Good luck though and lets hope things improve in the not too distant future.
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Old 7th Nov 2003, 23:52
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Zaakpeegoodus - no problem. Will drop you a line when I have some info. BTW, I meant to say Barbados rather than Bermuda (small short circuit there as I didn't book the ticket )

I have the older UK CAA license as it was issued before the JAA license came into effect - but it's effectively the same thing for the most part. And yes, it cost a bit . Just hoping that it pays off at some point.

Now I have to decide whether or not it's worth getting an FAA license as well - $$$$

Ciao,

Chips
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Old 8th Nov 2003, 03:16
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Alan Haddi is the owner - didnt come across him much as the chief pilot (who I believe has moved on) Stephen Hunter and the Director of Op's ran the show!
Cheers
Juba
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Old 8th Nov 2003, 04:02
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Chippie Chappie,

If you meet the time requirements for the FAA ATP, you can get it done at a few places for about $1000 USD, including written and checkride. I don't think you can get anything done in Europe for about a $1000.
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Old 9th Nov 2003, 00:34
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Advice

g'day chippie Chappie,

Give me a buzz on my private email and I'll give you some advice on potential operators to contact. I'm an aussie who has been flying out of the Southern Carribbean for about 18 months. Also fly into Barbados/Bequai pretty much every day so might be able to arrange a jumpseat.

Cheers

Gramps
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Old 9th Nov 2003, 10:26
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Hint: Air St Thomas
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Old 10th Nov 2003, 23:56
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Hi folkes ,

Thanks for all your help.

Panama Jack - If I can do that in the Carribean itself, it would be great. Unfortunately, I fall just short of the full ATP requirements so would probably need to start of with a CPL. Is that a problem down there or can it be done fairly easily?

Gramps - I've sent you a message to your personal e-mail so give me a yell if you didn't get it.

B Sousa - Thanks, I'll check them out

Cheers,

Chips
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Old 11th Nov 2003, 03:02
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Unable to say for certain what you can do in the Caribbean (I live in Central America). Since you are probably going through Miami, I would do any training there-- since fuel prices on islands tend to be elevated (everything is shipped in). I have absolutely no ideas about costs these days.

Out of curiosity, what exactly are you lacking on ATP requirements? What are your times-- PM me if you wish.
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Old 11th Nov 2003, 22:36
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PANAMA JACK...
Many thanks to the prompt reply to my PM...I tried sending a detailed reply back but for some reason it just doesn't send...just keeps asking me to log in again and erases the message..
Once again... many thanks and much appreciated...
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Old 12th Nov 2003, 01:36
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Bummer, maybe give it a day and try again.

Would love to hear from you.

PJ
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Old 12th Nov 2003, 04:38
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Hi,


If you guys are thinking about conversion to FAA licenses in the States, your best bet is to do the training at a Part 61 not Part 141 school, as there is no 3 month security back ground checks done for that.
On saying that do your research before heading to Miami, contact Airborne Systems in Ft Lauderdale (141) and American Flying Club (61) and see what they have to say. re papers needed.

Or

Go to a flight school in the Carribean, pay more for fuel and then fly back to the states to do your checkride as long as all paper work is complete.

CL
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Old 17th Nov 2003, 02:07
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Belize

Panama Jack

Can you tell me anything about flying in Belize? I have been looking at two outfits, Tropic Air and Maya Island Airways. I am sending resumes to both. I was able to talk to someone at Maya Island Airways but have not heard anything back from Tropic Air. Any info you can provide would be appreciated.
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Old 17th Nov 2003, 02:21
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AV8R4,

I would do a "search" of postings about Belize and Tropic Air. There was one pilot on this forum who gave some valuable infomation. I would not expect any airline to respond to you unless they want you. In the case of the airlines in Belize, I imagine they have file cabinets full of resume's and from what I have heard they normally hire people who they have met-- they get a steady procession of those folks too coming through Belize. I imagine that they have a large batch to choose from, but the day they need someone and you are there and meet the qualifications, bingo! Good luck!
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