Working and Living in Trinidad
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Working and Living in Trinidad
I see Bristow is looking for 412 pilots in Trinidad. $6,600 US per month tax free with $1,100 per month living allowance. 6 days on, 3 days with 28 day per year leave. Does anyone have any specifics on the job and living conditions?
My goal is to go international someday so I can see the world and do some traveling. Would Trinidad be a good place to start?
Thanks,
Ratherboutside
My goal is to go international someday so I can see the world and do some traveling. Would Trinidad be a good place to start?
Thanks,
Ratherboutside
Give them a call, they are rather nice people. Trinidad has a very marked West Indies influence, lots of European style shopping.
Housing ain't inexpensive though and there's quite a bit of new residential construction going on in gated communities.
Some petty crime.
Housing ain't inexpensive though and there's quite a bit of new residential construction going on in gated communities.
Some petty crime.
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Trinidadians are fun, social people for the most part - except the ones who wanna kidnap ya - who KNOW how to throw a good party, and Trinidad & Tobago is relatively inexpensive to live there.
Like anywhere in the Caribbean though, unless you're from there and grew up with the pace of life / culture there, it is probably going to frustrate the average european / north american immensely.
I personally have nothing but good experiences with T&T and would definately take a job there - but then again, I'm an island boy from not too far away :-)
Like anywhere in the Caribbean though, unless you're from there and grew up with the pace of life / culture there, it is probably going to frustrate the average european / north american immensely.
I personally have nothing but good experiences with T&T and would definately take a job there - but then again, I'm an island boy from not too far away :-)
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If you are interested in a bit of fairly ancient history take a look here:
http://209.196.171.35/bases_trinidad.htm
or www.skyweaver.co.uk
Galeota Point, Trinidad 1985:
Piarco airport
http://209.196.171.35/bases_trinidad.htm
or www.skyweaver.co.uk
Galeota Point, Trinidad 1985:
Piarco airport
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Is there anybody working in T&T yet living on one of the other islands? I understand there is a very good air bridge through the islands. Anybody working there care to comment on the day to day work routine, how many hours etc
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I lived in Trinidad for 11 years (ages 7-18). With the exception of 1994 and 1995, I have been home every year since I left to come back to England.
For me Trinidad is a wonderful place.
Crime does exist, but where in the world is crimefree? You will find that it is mainly concentrated in the east-west corridor and is usually drug/gang related. Once you remain inconspicuous you should be okay.
There are some attitudes to life that will annoy you. The locals will let anyone walk over them and they also expect everyone else to have the same attitude. So if you feel as if you have been hard done by and are prepared to stand up for yourself you will get a lot of opposition and you will hear the assinine statement "well in Trinidad we do it like..." as an excuse. They need to buck up on that idea because the world is a global village now.
Cost of living is cheaper than in the UK. But because the TTD is practically worthless and fixed to the USD everything "sounds" expensive (£1 GBP = $12.50 TTD).
Currently it's the rainy season (May-November). Hurricanes are not a problem in Trinidad or Tobago. Their location close to the South American mainland assists them in that respect. They get heavy rainfall but none of the winds. About a century ago a hurricane passed close to Tobago but the islands have never been hit as far as I know. Other than that the weather is hot, or hot. Average is 30C for the year - 26C at night.
Panman
Panman
For me Trinidad is a wonderful place.
Crime does exist, but where in the world is crimefree? You will find that it is mainly concentrated in the east-west corridor and is usually drug/gang related. Once you remain inconspicuous you should be okay.
There are some attitudes to life that will annoy you. The locals will let anyone walk over them and they also expect everyone else to have the same attitude. So if you feel as if you have been hard done by and are prepared to stand up for yourself you will get a lot of opposition and you will hear the assinine statement "well in Trinidad we do it like..." as an excuse. They need to buck up on that idea because the world is a global village now.
Cost of living is cheaper than in the UK. But because the TTD is practically worthless and fixed to the USD everything "sounds" expensive (£1 GBP = $12.50 TTD).
Currently it's the rainy season (May-November). Hurricanes are not a problem in Trinidad or Tobago. Their location close to the South American mainland assists them in that respect. They get heavy rainfall but none of the winds. About a century ago a hurricane passed close to Tobago but the islands have never been hit as far as I know. Other than that the weather is hot, or hot. Average is 30C for the year - 26C at night.
Panman
Panman
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It may be inexpensive for a Bajan to live in T&T but for a European or American it's expensive. Very.
You will not live on $1,100 / month, not even close - unless you live in a tent walk to work and eat toast all day - or live on a diet of beer.
It is possible to commute from other islands to T&T, at least one forum member here does it.
I'll let the current guys comment on the flying but my comment would be that there's lots of it. There are other operators in T&T who may be hiring.
The lifestyle in T&T can be amazing, lots of parties to go to. Gorgeous women and cheap beer.
You will not live on $1,100 / month, not even close - unless you live in a tent walk to work and eat toast all day - or live on a diet of beer.
It is possible to commute from other islands to T&T, at least one forum member here does it.
I'll let the current guys comment on the flying but my comment would be that there's lots of it. There are other operators in T&T who may be hiring.
The lifestyle in T&T can be amazing, lots of parties to go to. Gorgeous women and cheap beer.
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Trinidad
Thanks for all the information. It's great being able to get on here and access such resources.
I will give them a call get some more specifics.
Ratherboutside
I will give them a call get some more specifics.
Ratherboutside
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Trinidad
I came here in 1988 on a two year contract and, except for a short stint in ADA, am still here.
This is not a "Tropical Paradise", but a developed Island with traffic jams, free press, many radio stations, restaurants, shoppping malls, local crime and a higher living expense than the US.
If you come, you will see a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-gender society.
The age limits for pilots is now 65. For a two crew operations, the total age can't more than 120 years.
The local tempature varies between 75 and 85 Far. Year round.
The longest distance we fly, currently, is 66 NM.
There has been a large turn-over recently.
If you come here you need your own housing, expensive, car, twice the US rate and local advice.
A good place to start a foreign career.
We do have two female Captains, highly trained and very competent.
If you would like to join, PM and I will give you the details.
Chas A
Sir Vivr
This is not a "Tropical Paradise", but a developed Island with traffic jams, free press, many radio stations, restaurants, shoppping malls, local crime and a higher living expense than the US.
If you come, you will see a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-gender society.
The age limits for pilots is now 65. For a two crew operations, the total age can't more than 120 years.
The local tempature varies between 75 and 85 Far. Year round.
The longest distance we fly, currently, is 66 NM.
There has been a large turn-over recently.
If you come here you need your own housing, expensive, car, twice the US rate and local advice.
A good place to start a foreign career.
We do have two female Captains, highly trained and very competent.
If you would like to join, PM and I will give you the details.
Chas A
Sir Vivr
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120 years , huh? I guess that rules out you and I flying together! We're off to Whidbey next week... Have fun flying with those female pilots who keep the sum below way 120!
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BG:
They didn't want us flying together in the National Guard back in the 70's.
John Ghere has a Snake next to his hangar in Onondaga. Last one flown by General John Eddie. VFW Post, of course.
Please check out the house. May have to change rental agents.
Chas A
They didn't want us flying together in the National Guard back in the 70's.
John Ghere has a Snake next to his hangar in Onondaga. Last one flown by General John Eddie. VFW Post, of course.
Please check out the house. May have to change rental agents.
Chas A
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Chas,
Who's Foggy Bottom? Is there a way to tell who's who on this forum? Anyway, I'll check on your house, and hoist a few in your genreal direction form the Dog House!
Al
Who's Foggy Bottom? Is there a way to tell who's who on this forum? Anyway, I'll check on your house, and hoist a few in your genreal direction form the Dog House!
Al
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real life trinidad
Let me give you a few hints about this job:
a) The 6 and 3 rotation is only after you get night qualified , you will start on a 5 1/2 and 2 till you get so high on your yearly maximum flight time ( 1000 hrs. t&t car's ) then and only then you will get a 6 and 3 .
b) you will fly 7 to 8 hours a day 100 hrs in 28 days and 12 hrs. duty days starting at 6 am most days.
c) no company provided housing, meals or transport, housing is not cheap and very limited supply due to the oil boom , a car will cost you 600$us a month to rent, unless you want to expend money and buy one, housing normally involves 2 months out of the pocket money to move in ( first and deposit ) average rent 1200 $us, we had a pilot paying for a hotel room out of his pocket( 60 $ us a day ) for 2 months till he moved to an apartment ( with no water ) he is in Qatar now thank god. do the math....
d) if you plan to travel the Caribbean islands on your days off, don't come here there is no time to do that on your 48 hours of time off, you have to do laundry and groceries and of course try to get some rest.
e)the pilot rest areas at the hangar are substandard, crowded , noisy no TV, no INTERNET access to the crews.
f) maintenance has improved a lot , aircrafts are new 5 of them, the others are 10000 to 15000 hrs. TT
g)the island is nice lots of activities if YOU HAVE THE TIME OFF.
h)If you accept the job don't come with empty pockets, there is a lot of money to be spent before your first check....
i) try to negotiate a 56 and 28 or a 6 and 6 before you come here or you will get fed up with the job in no time.
In a nut shell, DO YOUR MATH .
a) The 6 and 3 rotation is only after you get night qualified , you will start on a 5 1/2 and 2 till you get so high on your yearly maximum flight time ( 1000 hrs. t&t car's ) then and only then you will get a 6 and 3 .
b) you will fly 7 to 8 hours a day 100 hrs in 28 days and 12 hrs. duty days starting at 6 am most days.
c) no company provided housing, meals or transport, housing is not cheap and very limited supply due to the oil boom , a car will cost you 600$us a month to rent, unless you want to expend money and buy one, housing normally involves 2 months out of the pocket money to move in ( first and deposit ) average rent 1200 $us, we had a pilot paying for a hotel room out of his pocket( 60 $ us a day ) for 2 months till he moved to an apartment ( with no water ) he is in Qatar now thank god. do the math....
d) if you plan to travel the Caribbean islands on your days off, don't come here there is no time to do that on your 48 hours of time off, you have to do laundry and groceries and of course try to get some rest.
e)the pilot rest areas at the hangar are substandard, crowded , noisy no TV, no INTERNET access to the crews.
f) maintenance has improved a lot , aircrafts are new 5 of them, the others are 10000 to 15000 hrs. TT
g)the island is nice lots of activities if YOU HAVE THE TIME OFF.
h)If you accept the job don't come with empty pockets, there is a lot of money to be spent before your first check....
i) try to negotiate a 56 and 28 or a 6 and 6 before you come here or you will get fed up with the job in no time.
In a nut shell, DO YOUR MATH .
Last edited by flysmart2; 7th Nov 2007 at 19:26.
