Air Turks and Caicos
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Air Turks and Caicos
Hey everyone
Looking to see if anyone has any first hand experience flying in the TCI, and particular with Air T & C. Any relatively recent info on the operations and living in Provo would be appreciated.
Thanks
Looking to see if anyone has any first hand experience flying in the TCI, and particular with Air T & C. Any relatively recent info on the operations and living in Provo would be appreciated.
Thanks
Gatvol
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Strange they disappeared, you might ask the Stable Captain if for some reason he bumped them..........I certainly would.
Again the question as to what you brought to the plate lingers. Low timers traditionally get screwed as they sometimes take anything that comes along.
What you have JUST posted mirrors about every small charter company that I have seen in the Caribbean and Pilots live worse than most unemployed locals. They do so to build time in the hopes that American, Delta, United or some other big carrier will send a rep down there as they are "something the Airlines really needs and NOW".............It aint gonna happen.
Lots of Pilots compromise themselves by flying some of these crappy planes and when something happens guess who takes the heat.....You got it.The Pilot not the owner/operator. Pilot has the sole responsibility.........Keep that in mind. You can always get another ****ty job.
Your obviously in the fixed wing side, consider that if you were a Helicopter type, they wont even talk to you until you get at least a thousand hours..........and that is just a talk, not necessarily a job.
Again the question as to what you brought to the plate lingers. Low timers traditionally get screwed as they sometimes take anything that comes along.
What you have JUST posted mirrors about every small charter company that I have seen in the Caribbean and Pilots live worse than most unemployed locals. They do so to build time in the hopes that American, Delta, United or some other big carrier will send a rep down there as they are "something the Airlines really needs and NOW".............It aint gonna happen.
Lots of Pilots compromise themselves by flying some of these crappy planes and when something happens guess who takes the heat.....You got it.The Pilot not the owner/operator. Pilot has the sole responsibility.........Keep that in mind. You can always get another ****ty job.
Your obviously in the fixed wing side, consider that if you were a Helicopter type, they wont even talk to you until you get at least a thousand hours..........and that is just a talk, not necessarily a job.
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insert_name and I have been in conversation via PM. I have told him that a form of his post that he sent to me is acceptable.
I have also answered one or two questions he had concerning what is permissible here and how PPRuNe mods operate.
I have also answered one or two questions he had concerning what is permissible here and how PPRuNe mods operate.
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What Air Turks and Caicos don’t want you to know!!
Do not quit a job to come here!
The only reason you should consider joining air T & C is if you have no job, no hours, no life, no wife or partner and get everything in writing before you come.
You will have to pay for everything yourself
1. Return airfare here annually
2. Air law exam US$50 once
3. Validation Check flight US$200 once
4. TCI Validation US$88 annually
5. 1/2 of Work Permit US$750 annually
6. Blood test US$80 annually
7. Police check (from local country) annually
8. Airport ID US$20 annually
9. Uniforms
10. Medicals
11. License renewals
This has been the experience of all the crews once they arrived.
* you will not be paid during training. They claim training is 2 weeks. The average is 5 weeks, some have been longer. So bank on no salary for 5 weeks.
* you will have to find your own place on your own during training and have to come up with a rental bond of usually 2 months rent. And you are not getting paid yet.
* The cost of living here is high. Gas is US$5.15/gallon.
* Utilities are expensive. If you run A/C nightly expect to pay USD$250/month, no A/C should run about $130
* Rent in Provo for an apartment in good condition will cost US$1000-$1900 / month. There is nothing for less that any westerner should consider living in. You will have no help at all to find a place to live. Its hard to find apartments and its expensive.
* Internet cost $50 / months for 128kb ADSL, Phone line is $40 / month. Calls to the USA/Canada are US$0.45/min, Asia/NZ US$7.50/min.
* Crime is a problem in Provo.
* The aircraft are running on the MEL most of the time. Things take a long time to get fixed Maintenance department are good but hands are tied from above.
* Roistering is a nightmare. Expect to come here and just work. 7 on 2 off, or 5 on 1 off then 6 on 2 off. You only ever get the minimum 7 days off a month.
* Duty days are long, right on the max, and they try not to count dead heading as duty.
* You are on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
* You never know when you will be off. you cant organize anything so expect to have no social life at all. You exist here only to work.
* You need permission to leave the country on days off
* You won't get staff travel or jumpseat with any other airlines, if they tell you they do....they don't, and probably never will. They have been saying that for years.
* If you are flying on any license other than FAA you will have to pay to return home and renew your license at your own cost, during your holiday time. There is no local TCI license just a validation.
* The salary is not good. If you have a partner then it is impossible to live on your salary alone. You can not save money here if you have a life.
* There are no benefits such as Medical or retirement plans.
* All levels of management tell you what they think you want to hear.
* There have been 5 pilots leave recently, why???? Its not good here.
The only reason you should consider joining air T & C is if you have no job, no hours, no life, no wife or partner and get everything in writing before you come.
You will have to pay for everything yourself
1. Return airfare here annually
2. Air law exam US$50 once
3. Validation Check flight US$200 once
4. TCI Validation US$88 annually
5. 1/2 of Work Permit US$750 annually
6. Blood test US$80 annually
7. Police check (from local country) annually
8. Airport ID US$20 annually
9. Uniforms
10. Medicals
11. License renewals
This has been the experience of all the crews once they arrived.
* you will not be paid during training. They claim training is 2 weeks. The average is 5 weeks, some have been longer. So bank on no salary for 5 weeks.
* you will have to find your own place on your own during training and have to come up with a rental bond of usually 2 months rent. And you are not getting paid yet.
* The cost of living here is high. Gas is US$5.15/gallon.
* Utilities are expensive. If you run A/C nightly expect to pay USD$250/month, no A/C should run about $130
* Rent in Provo for an apartment in good condition will cost US$1000-$1900 / month. There is nothing for less that any westerner should consider living in. You will have no help at all to find a place to live. Its hard to find apartments and its expensive.
* Internet cost $50 / months for 128kb ADSL, Phone line is $40 / month. Calls to the USA/Canada are US$0.45/min, Asia/NZ US$7.50/min.
* Crime is a problem in Provo.
* The aircraft are running on the MEL most of the time. Things take a long time to get fixed Maintenance department are good but hands are tied from above.
* Roistering is a nightmare. Expect to come here and just work. 7 on 2 off, or 5 on 1 off then 6 on 2 off. You only ever get the minimum 7 days off a month.
* Duty days are long, right on the max, and they try not to count dead heading as duty.
* You are on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
* You never know when you will be off. you cant organize anything so expect to have no social life at all. You exist here only to work.
* You need permission to leave the country on days off
* You won't get staff travel or jumpseat with any other airlines, if they tell you they do....they don't, and probably never will. They have been saying that for years.
* If you are flying on any license other than FAA you will have to pay to return home and renew your license at your own cost, during your holiday time. There is no local TCI license just a validation.
* The salary is not good. If you have a partner then it is impossible to live on your salary alone. You can not save money here if you have a life.
* There are no benefits such as Medical or retirement plans.
* All levels of management tell you what they think you want to hear.
* There have been 5 pilots leave recently, why???? Its not good here.
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Insert_name I find somehow difficult to believe that you still continue to work for this employer.The "paradise" you have described is beyond belief. I admire your patience and courage, but you should step up, pack your belongings and look for better place.
CB
CB
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insert_name is right
Just thought I'd take a moment and confirm what was being said about Air Turks and Caicos. First, keep in mind that the owner and upper management call it "Air Turks and Chaos." They know what they're doing, they're flying planes illegally, scheduling illegally, maximizing revenue and trying to keep costs down. How can this be possible you ask?
Well, let's see, first the owner Lyndon Gardiner is related to the Chief Minister. I think in the real world that's called nepotism and political capital.
I left there a few months back after working for roughly four months there. The pilot group is sensational, but unlike Americans, pilot jobs around the world require substantial flight time and good jobs are in extremely high demand. It's no wonder folks head down there. The Wx is usually awesome, the beaches phenomenal, but you'll only see them from the air.
I flew as a CA and was asked to break rules everyday. I have no problem being a cowboy within limits, but I do have limits. This organization will put you in bad situations daily if not on every leg. They'll throw bags on the plane and lie on the manifest about the weight. If you go there, assume they are out to kill you and you need to manage everything... It's worse in Haiti. Unless you're fluent in Creole or have pretty decent French skills, you better never leave the airplane.
My advice, work anywhere else... It's simply not worth the risk of anything happening and jeopardizing your future.
SkyKing is a much better operation, but it's not perfect either. They offered me a CA slot the day I was leaving. They continually offered me a job for weeks. I considered it because they run a more professional organization. However, your living conditions will be the same expensive, poverty level accomodations that exist on all the islands. If you're a multi-millionaire you could live well, but then why would you be working?
Well, let's see, first the owner Lyndon Gardiner is related to the Chief Minister. I think in the real world that's called nepotism and political capital.
I left there a few months back after working for roughly four months there. The pilot group is sensational, but unlike Americans, pilot jobs around the world require substantial flight time and good jobs are in extremely high demand. It's no wonder folks head down there. The Wx is usually awesome, the beaches phenomenal, but you'll only see them from the air.
I flew as a CA and was asked to break rules everyday. I have no problem being a cowboy within limits, but I do have limits. This organization will put you in bad situations daily if not on every leg. They'll throw bags on the plane and lie on the manifest about the weight. If you go there, assume they are out to kill you and you need to manage everything... It's worse in Haiti. Unless you're fluent in Creole or have pretty decent French skills, you better never leave the airplane.
My advice, work anywhere else... It's simply not worth the risk of anything happening and jeopardizing your future.
SkyKing is a much better operation, but it's not perfect either. They offered me a CA slot the day I was leaving. They continually offered me a job for weeks. I considered it because they run a more professional organization. However, your living conditions will be the same expensive, poverty level accomodations that exist on all the islands. If you're a multi-millionaire you could live well, but then why would you be working?
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Re: Air Turks and Caicos
They are getting an EMB 120...it is currently scheduled to ferry to Provo later this week.
I just completed some manuals for them and was paid promptly. I only see them as moving forward.
Have time on the EMB 120? You need to go through the crew placement firm that is handling this. I believe they are still looking for cockpit folks.
PM me if you have time in type and I will put you intouch with the right people...
I just completed some manuals for them and was paid promptly. I only see them as moving forward.
Have time on the EMB 120? You need to go through the crew placement firm that is handling this. I believe they are still looking for cockpit folks.
PM me if you have time in type and I will put you intouch with the right people...
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Air Turks and Caicos Follow Up
Just to follow up on my previous post. I just returned from doing a little work for Air T&C. I was paid promptly, the apartment was comfortable, and clean...well except for the shower curtain.... I did not have a problem there at all. I do not know what flew up the guys butt who felt it necessary to put down this airline.
I found them to be reachable, knowledgeable, and professional.... If you really want to fly in the Caribbean...send them your CV. EMB 120 time is a must......
I found them to be reachable, knowledgeable, and professional.... If you really want to fly in the Caribbean...send them your CV. EMB 120 time is a must......
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Air Jerks and Chaos
I cant believe the 
from ContractFlyGal.
There are 3 pilots that had to live here and deal with the incompetence on Air T C daily that all have the same story here on this thread.
Just because one American comes over and has a nice time for a few days does not mean that it is a good place to work.
The EMB120 was meant to be there the first week in November, then December. CFGal said it would be there later in the week and it wasn’t. It finally came a week later now that the high season has ended.
The hotel that Air T C use for the twotter / king air crews is a certified 1star dump and you usually have to walk back to the airport. So I am glad for you CFGal that you had a better hotel, a nice time in the islands and you could go back to civilization.
Some recent examples of the lies are.
A new pilot was told he would have his airfare reimbursed and a hotel supplied by the company in Provo upon arrival. He had to pay for the room and he never got a cent towards his ticket. He left after a week. Must be a great place.
If you are going to go, make sure you have your expenses paid before you leave!
Also download CAP 371. That is the legislation for flight and duty times in the Turks. They don’t give it too you and they don’t want you to have it.
http://www.caa.co.uk/application.asp...e=detail&id=22
from ContractFlyGal.There are 3 pilots that had to live here and deal with the incompetence on Air T C daily that all have the same story here on this thread.
Just because one American comes over and has a nice time for a few days does not mean that it is a good place to work.
The EMB120 was meant to be there the first week in November, then December. CFGal said it would be there later in the week and it wasn’t. It finally came a week later now that the high season has ended.
The hotel that Air T C use for the twotter / king air crews is a certified 1star dump and you usually have to walk back to the airport. So I am glad for you CFGal that you had a better hotel, a nice time in the islands and you could go back to civilization.
Some recent examples of the lies are.
A new pilot was told he would have his airfare reimbursed and a hotel supplied by the company in Provo upon arrival. He had to pay for the room and he never got a cent towards his ticket. He left after a week. Must be a great place.
If you are going to go, make sure you have your expenses paid before you leave!
Also download CAP 371. That is the legislation for flight and duty times in the Turks. They don’t give it too you and they don’t want you to have it.
http://www.caa.co.uk/application.asp...e=detail&id=22
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ContractFlyGal
Here's the situation on Air T&C and the EMB-120. Almost everyone who had enough flight time for command on the EMB-120 left the company over the reasons mentioned on the other posts. The company has previously tried short-term leasing on a DHC-8 and knows that the regular staff pilots believe they should receive a pay increase to fly a bigger type aircraft. The company chose to go through a contracting agency for the pilots and kept them seperate from the other crews. They got a better hotel, rental cars, and paid through their agency, or I'm sure the agency would have removed the crews. In that situation I'm sure you had a good experience. Not to mention you were there a few days...
My question is this... Did you live in housing where the other islanders live - NO. Until you leave the initial honeymoon stage you received the few days you were there, you really are comparing apples and oranges. Did you know that crews were there for weeks without the other crew's knowledge? Did you spend any time with the other crews who had been there for years? The Aussies, the Swede, or the Trinis?
As far as things up peoples butt, honesty based on longer experience might save someone a lot of aggrevation. If someone goes through your agency, perhaps they'll have a different and better experience, but I'm sure too that CAA is watching them like a hawk and for now the company may have to toe the line. Let's see what happens when the Twin Otter comes back on line and the company is faced with removing a type from the AOC per CAA regulation. But oh that's right, you're not there...
My question is this... Did you live in housing where the other islanders live - NO. Until you leave the initial honeymoon stage you received the few days you were there, you really are comparing apples and oranges. Did you know that crews were there for weeks without the other crew's knowledge? Did you spend any time with the other crews who had been there for years? The Aussies, the Swede, or the Trinis?
As far as things up peoples butt, honesty based on longer experience might save someone a lot of aggrevation. If someone goes through your agency, perhaps they'll have a different and better experience, but I'm sure too that CAA is watching them like a hawk and for now the company may have to toe the line. Let's see what happens when the Twin Otter comes back on line and the company is faced with removing a type from the AOC per CAA regulation. But oh that's right, you're not there...
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Calm Down
To answer your questions, I did not stay in a hotel. I stayed in an apartment where the crews stay. My food was purchased, I had transportation and I was paid for my plane ticket and my time. I have no complaints.
I am going back in 10 days to continue what I started. I am helping them get the 120 on the AOC. Yes, I am contract and yes I will get paid through an agency. This first trip I did not, I was paid directly by Air T & C.
This is indeed apples and oranges, and perhaps some sour grapes. Thing is you didn't like it so you left. I like it so I will return. Simple.
I am going back in 10 days to continue what I started. I am helping them get the 120 on the AOC. Yes, I am contract and yes I will get paid through an agency. This first trip I did not, I was paid directly by Air T & C.
This is indeed apples and oranges, and perhaps some sour grapes. Thing is you didn't like it so you left. I like it so I will return. Simple.
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CFG,
Sour grapes, not even close. I was asked to post by someone there to help others considering going to make sure they make a better evaluation, and that they definitely visit and hammer out all the little details where the company notoriously takes advanatge. I could care less about that place. Glad I went, it made me appreciate what I have at home. Had they treated me even a bit better, I might have stayed. You need to be there six months or more and living like the other crews before you have any real perspective. You haven't been through enough iterations of anything there to know how you will really be treated. Glad you're enjoying it... now, watch your a$$.
Sour grapes, not even close. I was asked to post by someone there to help others considering going to make sure they make a better evaluation, and that they definitely visit and hammer out all the little details where the company notoriously takes advanatge. I could care less about that place. Glad I went, it made me appreciate what I have at home. Had they treated me even a bit better, I might have stayed. You need to be there six months or more and living like the other crews before you have any real perspective. You haven't been through enough iterations of anything there to know how you will really be treated. Glad you're enjoying it... now, watch your a$$.
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Why don't we concentrate on the most important thing? 
When I got the job with InterIsland Airways (as it was called 1994), I didn't do it for sunny beaches or fancy hotel. I went there to gain plenty of multi engine flight hours in minimum amount of time. And that's exactly what I got. Those 2 years at TCI were maybe not the easiest of my life, but they opened the doors for my future.
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Best regards:
Aviate
When I got the job with InterIsland Airways (as it was called 1994), I didn't do it for sunny beaches or fancy hotel. I went there to gain plenty of multi engine flight hours in minimum amount of time. And that's exactly what I got. Those 2 years at TCI were maybe not the easiest of my life, but they opened the doors for my future.
-
Best regards:
Aviate
Last edited by Aviate378; 19th Mar 2006 at 19:07.
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Air Turks and Caicos
I have been there 3 times now doing contract training for them. Each time I was either in an apartment or at the Comfort Suites or Ocean Club East. I was never housed in a "dump". I was paid promptly. I have no complaints. The twin otter is back in Provo and to the best of my knowledge it is flying. The EMB is ready to go and merely waiting for proving runs and IOE's. The flight attendants have been trained and graduated.