GOM Gossip
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA USA
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You'll find that the 1000 hour point is what you are going to need before you start sending resumes out. That is what most of the large companies are requiring before sending you an offer for an interview. I have heard of a couple of the smaller companies hiring with fewer hours, but were still looking for over 800.
I must differ with 'Revolutionary' with what he posted about experience. The number of hours of flying time will equate with your ability as a pilot as far as how well you fly, however, it has no bearing on weather knowledge, aircraft familiarity, administrative skills, customer service, efficiency, productivity, or commen sense. Those are all traits that a person has whether they are a pilot or not. No amount of flying time can give a person common sense, a person either has it or they don't. I know people that have wonderful administrative skills, but have no clue on how to fly an aircraft.
As Gomer stated, each operator is different, so find out what each one requires and send them a resume when you get them met.
Doug
I must differ with 'Revolutionary' with what he posted about experience. The number of hours of flying time will equate with your ability as a pilot as far as how well you fly, however, it has no bearing on weather knowledge, aircraft familiarity, administrative skills, customer service, efficiency, productivity, or commen sense. Those are all traits that a person has whether they are a pilot or not. No amount of flying time can give a person common sense, a person either has it or they don't. I know people that have wonderful administrative skills, but have no clue on how to fly an aircraft.
As Gomer stated, each operator is different, so find out what each one requires and send them a resume when you get them met.
Doug
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ireland
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Dont be in any major rush to the Gulf till you have at least 1200+ hours. It'll still be there next year.
I went down to PHI with 1800 of instruction and ENG and found things tough. Its a very steep learning curve going from an R22 instructing, to an L model flying six pax 100 miles offshore in bad weather. If you start as a co pilot that curve is vertical... if you start as a p1 its very stressfull too. I can honestly say that I barely slept for my first few weeks on the job.. which didnt help much either. Of course its fairly straight forward once you know it, but untill you do, dont be in any mad rush.
I went down to PHI with 1800 of instruction and ENG and found things tough. Its a very steep learning curve going from an R22 instructing, to an L model flying six pax 100 miles offshore in bad weather. If you start as a co pilot that curve is vertical... if you start as a p1 its very stressfull too. I can honestly say that I barely slept for my first few weeks on the job.. which didnt help much either. Of course its fairly straight forward once you know it, but untill you do, dont be in any mad rush.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: USA
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HH60, of course 500 hours of experience as a pilot has a bearing on weather knowledge, aircraft familiarity, administrative skills, customer service, efficiency, productivity, or commen sense. These are all things you learn, in the context of aviation, while you are working your first paid job as a pilot. Even common sense is a learned trait -you gain it by making mistakes and saying to yourself: "Whew! I'm not doing that again!"
As Decks said, 1,800 hours is just barely enough on a practical level to be successful at your job in the Gulf. Never mind that a few small companies may hire someone with 800 hours of experience. I'm sure you would find that their standards are lower in every department. Protect yourself; stay in your current job until you get to, say, 2,000 hours and then get on with one of the big three: PHI, Air Log or ERA. They're all good companies to work for.
As Decks said, 1,800 hours is just barely enough on a practical level to be successful at your job in the Gulf. Never mind that a few small companies may hire someone with 800 hours of experience. I'm sure you would find that their standards are lower in every department. Protect yourself; stay in your current job until you get to, say, 2,000 hours and then get on with one of the big three: PHI, Air Log or ERA. They're all good companies to work for.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Around
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Type Ratings GOM
If one was hoping to look for work in the GOM region, what type ratings might be the most use for a resonably entry level fella (1300TT IFR etc).
What types are the most predominant and what would be the best to get for an entry level position.
Cheers
What types are the most predominant and what would be the best to get for an entry level position.
Cheers
FAA Commercial with Instrument rating.....Bell 206, EC-120, AStar 350.....will do it. (...a big ol' rubber ducky might be useful as well)
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Around
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120 and 350... sounds a bit odd for offshore. Got the 206 and the IFR though.
Why all the references to unplanned swimming? Dodgy pilots or dodgy operators? Or is it a particulalry challenging area?
Why all the references to unplanned swimming? Dodgy pilots or dodgy operators? Or is it a particulalry challenging area?
"Just a pilot"
Commercial and instrument. If you're selected, they'll train you to proficiency in the aircraft you'll be assigned to, including water landings, emergency egress and survival.
Being familiar with turbines is a plus. You won't get enough IFR to maintain proficiency unless you're in an IFR position, so consider how you'll maintain that- you'll NEED IT when you need it. The traditional 180 turns worked for me for 13 years, but not everybody's that fortunate. Flight Sims are better than nothing...
Being familiar with turbines is a plus. You won't get enough IFR to maintain proficiency unless you're in an IFR position, so consider how you'll maintain that- you'll NEED IT when you need it. The traditional 180 turns worked for me for 13 years, but not everybody's that fortunate. Flight Sims are better than nothing...
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Read the other GOM thread for why swimming is a good skill to have. When the one engine you have quits, you're going to have to swim, at least until you get the raft deployed and get your body into it. That said, I've been flying since 1968, and so far I have not had an engine fail me, in any type. The only swimming I've done has been in well-maintained pools.
There are a number of 120s, 350s, and other types flying in the GOM, not just 206s.
There are a number of 120s, 350s, and other types flying in the GOM, not just 206s.
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Getting a job in the Gulf of Mexico
Assuming I have 1,000 (piston) hours and FAA licences....
Do the GOM companies employ Europeans who do not hold work visas/green cards?
Or is a work visa/green card needed before they will even consider you for a job?
Do the GOM companies employ Europeans who do not hold work visas/green cards?
Or is a work visa/green card needed before they will even consider you for a job?
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: USA
Age: 54
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There are plenty of 'Furennurs' working in the GOM, but they all have valid permanent residency papers. Are there any Americans flying in the North Sea on a tourist Visa?
Gulf of Mexico / Sponsorships?
Are the rumours true about there being a shortage of helo pilots in the GOM?
The reason I ask is that I am a Brit currently in the US working as a CFI - on a J1 like all the rest, rapidly approaching the big 1,000 and wondering what my next move is...
I'd really like to know whether there are any companies in the GOM that are so hard-up they would sponsor an H1B?
I appreciate that US pilots don't want us dirty stinking foreigners taking all their jobs - I just heard a rumour that ERA might be considering it, and wondered what the score was...
The reason I ask is that I am a Brit currently in the US working as a CFI - on a J1 like all the rest, rapidly approaching the big 1,000 and wondering what my next move is...
I'd really like to know whether there are any companies in the GOM that are so hard-up they would sponsor an H1B?
I appreciate that US pilots don't want us dirty stinking foreigners taking all their jobs - I just heard a rumour that ERA might be considering it, and wondered what the score was...
Don't know about the H1B bit...but tea drinkers in coffeeland?
There have been some changes in the Visa rules lately...increased fees and such that might affect that concept.
Air Log is 42-50 pilots short each day I hear.
PHI is probably in about the same shape.
ERA is paying double time for workover to get guys to work (I hear anyway....)
If the big three with their pay and benefits are having those kinds of problems....they should be willing to explore avenues to address the problem.
However, that being said....do not hold your breath.
One of the outifits is still having a significant problem with turnover amongst the younger and newer pilots....as EMS jobs open up near their homes....off they go like a teenage girls knickers when she drops some Ecstasy at a party.
The 7/7 roster the company insists upon is the major problem....whereas a simple change to the 14/14 as ERA operates on, would go a long ways towards solving that problem. Commuting costs have gone way up with the increase in petrol prices and the pilots are paying the costs. The change to a 14/14 roster would cut commuting costs in half with no cost to the company....but that change is a dead issue. ( As I hear it anyway....)
Hit the telephone and start calling all the operators....maybe one of them will find a way to start importing some foreign help. Afterall...they can only say "No!".....until one of them says "Yes!", then you are in the offshore flying game.
There have been some changes in the Visa rules lately...increased fees and such that might affect that concept.
Air Log is 42-50 pilots short each day I hear.
PHI is probably in about the same shape.
ERA is paying double time for workover to get guys to work (I hear anyway....)
If the big three with their pay and benefits are having those kinds of problems....they should be willing to explore avenues to address the problem.
However, that being said....do not hold your breath.
One of the outifits is still having a significant problem with turnover amongst the younger and newer pilots....as EMS jobs open up near their homes....off they go like a teenage girls knickers when she drops some Ecstasy at a party.
The 7/7 roster the company insists upon is the major problem....whereas a simple change to the 14/14 as ERA operates on, would go a long ways towards solving that problem. Commuting costs have gone way up with the increase in petrol prices and the pilots are paying the costs. The change to a 14/14 roster would cut commuting costs in half with no cost to the company....but that change is a dead issue. ( As I hear it anyway....)
Hit the telephone and start calling all the operators....maybe one of them will find a way to start importing some foreign help. Afterall...they can only say "No!".....until one of them says "Yes!", then you are in the offshore flying game.
That would probably be plan D...
Problem is, with this job i've never got any free time to meet them...
Where I am all the decent birds are married with kids before 20 - usually to complete losers.
That whole thing about the English accent being irresistible is a crock of S*** too...
Plus a CFI's salary probably wouldn't keep them in too much style.
Anybody else done it? get married, that is...
I'd be interested to know the routine.
Problem is, with this job i've never got any free time to meet them...
Where I am all the decent birds are married with kids before 20 - usually to complete losers.
That whole thing about the English accent being irresistible is a crock of S*** too...
Plus a CFI's salary probably wouldn't keep them in too much style.
Anybody else done it? get married, that is...
I'd be interested to know the routine.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: All The Places I Shouldnt Be
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Dont dismiss it that quick. I was recently down at Era in Lake Charles and there were quite a few non Americans there, English guy flying the EC155, a kiwi girl doing her conversion onto the S76 etc. Think I saw a total of about ten non americans there.
Was talking to Ed Washecka their CEO yesterday and he said they are about to start a recruiting drive as they are going to need around 100+ pilots over the next few months because of expansions etc. Might be worth contacting them, like the old saying goes, you have to be in to win.
Ned
Was talking to Ed Washecka their CEO yesterday and he said they are about to start a recruiting drive as they are going to need around 100+ pilots over the next few months because of expansions etc. Might be worth contacting them, like the old saying goes, you have to be in to win.
Ned
Ned,
Was this after you had been at the Titty Bar for a few hours? Unless someone is going out of business down there....huge expansion just does not happen anymore in the GOM. I sure hope they do get to expand...and there is a shortage of pilots down there but with turnover that will always be the case. The cost of commuting is becoming an issue and fewer young folks are willing to live in Louisana or East Texas anymore.
Was this after you had been at the Titty Bar for a few hours? Unless someone is going out of business down there....huge expansion just does not happen anymore in the GOM. I sure hope they do get to expand...and there is a shortage of pilots down there but with turnover that will always be the case. The cost of commuting is becoming an issue and fewer young folks are willing to live in Louisana or East Texas anymore.