EMS vs. the Oil Patch
 

How does flying for an EMS outfit compare with flying for the oil industry? I've been in the US Air Force for the last 18+ years and I'm clueless on the civilian world. Any wise words of wisdom would be appreciated, I'll start job hunting in the near future.

EMS - lots of standby, therefore less flying hours per year, maybe get home every night, or at least your sleeping quarters. Generally good maintenance on decent equipment.

Oil patch - Maybe get home about two weeks after your official stint is over, flying something that someone has flown without a torque meter for ten weeks sometime in its recent history (true), lots of hours, lifting, longlining, marvellous countryside, customers used to working without regulation, therefore lots of pressure.

OK, so it's maybe overly dark, but that's my own experience. There are some good companies in the oil patch, but you will have to ask around to find who they are.

Good luck

phil

[ 20 January 2002: Message edited by: paco ]</p>

If you want to fly and forget the job on scheduled days off-the Gulf of Mexico.. .If you want more involvement and work in your hometown-EMS.

Average annual flight time for a "Day VFR cog in the Gulf of Mexico machine": 3-400 hours. Lots of jobs fly 4-6 hours a day and some do 8 hours day in and day out.. .EMS seem to fly a lot less. Not a universal rule.

You can fly crap in EMS or oil patch. Or you can refuse and insist on airworthy aircraft. Greatest favor somebody who won't fix the aircraft can do me-hassle me off the job. I think the expression is "I was looking for work when I came here, so I haven't lost anything leaving..."

Of course, I meant the oil patch on land in the deepest oulu <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Phil

Are there any US based EMS companies that fly outside the US, i.e. Europe, UK, Asia ect?