Employment in the Caribb.

[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.

[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,

[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!!




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.............

[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

[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]

Fokker 50 in the caribbean ?

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]

[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?

[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!

[B Sousa]

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