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new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:14 pm
by cpcat18b
Just got my float rating this year and about 500 hrs total.
start looking for a job (dock hand ). it came up recent interview : "whats your salary exception ?"
anyone can help me ?
thanks guys

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 10:34 am
by Kzanol
You could just say you aren't sure because you have never done it before, it's the honest answer. I made 2000/month on the dock 10 years ago.

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:05 am
by North Shore
If you figure 8hrs/day and 6 days/week @ $10/hr = $1900 month, $12 = $2300, and $15= $2900. If they're only paying you $2k, I'd ask for a room to be thrown in (and not as a taxable benefit, either!)
What's the progression to a seat? At 500 hours, your time on the dock should be at a minimum - as in, they'll check you out on a plane as soon as you get there, and then throw you empty legs from then on, with the probability of getting flying full-time by the middle/end of the season..

Have fun! We all did..

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:58 am
by SuperchargedRS
cpcat18b wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:14 pm Just got my float rating this year and about 500 hrs total.
start looking for a job (dock hand ). it came up recent interview : "whats your salary exception ?"
anyone can help me ?
thanks guys

I don't like being the first to say a number during any negotiation.

I'd probably say

"What do you normally pay your dock hands?"



Or if the person in the interview has a personality, jokingly
"One miiiiiiilion dollars"

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 1:36 pm
by angry inch
Just my opinion, but you are really selling yourself short in this hiring climate with 500 hrs & looking for a dock job. If you get some flying right away, then maybe.... But there will definitely be many pilots with fewer hrs than you & a basic float rating getting a flying seat this season.

Perhaps, you have your own reasons though. So, having said that, you need to be able to play the negotiation game. Everywhere I have worked in my career has always had some degree of negotiability for wages. (I have not worked for large airlines..) Always start with a number higher than you think you can get. All they can do is say they can’t pay that. Definitely do a bit of homework to find out what industry standard is & go from there.

Good luck

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 3:27 pm
by C-FDPB
There will be ads come up this spring for dockhand at companies that don't have an aircraft you can fly as a junior. Don't apply at any of these places. In this job climate you should be able to get something flying.
DPB

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:18 am
by phillyfan
Follow others advice at your own risk. There is a small group that thinks pilots are above getting their hands dirty because mommy and daddy bought them a license. They are the same ones who stand around with their hands in their pockets looking down at dockhands, dispatchers and AME's. All that aside. $3000 a month with housing paid for is not unreasonable. PM me

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:45 am
by sdp
Check out the kebeelo add. You could be flying a beaver this summer!

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 10:08 am
by C-FDPB
sdp wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:45 am Check out the kebeelo add. You could be flying a beaver this summer!
that's unreal! When I was first looking for work around 2012-13 minimums were pretty well 1000 across the board. Different times.

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:16 pm
by C.W.E.
I would prefer a low time pilot for a small private operation like a fishing lodge for the simple reason I would not have to un-train bad habits that a lot of pilots develop, low time pilots can be trained to fly the way I would want them to fly my airplane.

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:31 pm
by TeePeeCreeper
C.W.E. wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:16 pm I would prefer a low time pilot for a small private operation like a fishing lodge for the simple reason I would not have to un-train bad habits that a lot of pilots develop, low time pilots can be trained to fly the way I would want them to fly my airplane.
And you speak from “experience”?
You are all piss and vinegar from what I can tell by your posting history.

I might not own a company or outposts but I have owned an aircraft for over 10 years operated on floats, wheels and skis. With that said I would trust my asset to the highest time guy or gal and would expect them to fly my bird according to my standards. At least that’s what a professional does regardless of experience.

All the best,
TPC

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 12:41 pm
by C.W.E.
With that said I would trust my asset to the highest time guy or gal and would expect them to fly my bird according to my standards. At least that’s what a professional does regardless of experience.
Everyone has to start from zero experience on the road to flying for a career.

What is wrong with the owner of a lodge interviewing, flying with, and checking the background of a low time float plane pilot and if the applicant has the proper attitude to learn and good hands and feet giving the applicant a chance to fly and get experience under your supervision?

I am very grateful to the company that gave me my first float plane flying job and I had about half the total flying time the poster who started this thread has.

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 1:54 pm
by 7507
What would the float operators be looking for in time required "on floats" to get on board?

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 2:22 pm
by C-FDPB
Depends on the operator. I've seen guys get hired onto a dock/180 gig with the bare float rating and others started at 25-50 hours at different places. Working the dock/swamping is a great way to get your foot in the door. Watching and learning about good judgement and decision making skills. You'll learn the ins and outs of an operation over a season and acquire A LOT of useful knowledge that will be later applied to your flying. It's just nice if you can get on with a company that actually has a plane that you can get checked out on like a 180 or a cub. Other useful skills to have are to be handy with a chainsaw, outboard motor, and have some basic handyman skills like carpentry. Having a little bit of knowledge in these areas will help the learning curve into the float world.

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 2:47 pm
by SuperchargedRS
C.W.E. wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:16 pm I would prefer a low time pilot for a small private operation like a fishing lodge for the simple reason I would not have to un-train bad habits that a lot of pilots develop, low time pilots can be trained to fly the way I would want them to fly my airplane.
Yet most insurance companies who pay out for "oppses" would disagree with you, normally the reason to hire low time guys is based on not being able to attract higher time guys.


It's like the guy who says he would rather date the ugly chick vs the 10, buuuuulllllll chit!

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 12:04 pm
by cpcat18b
thank you very much for help everyone.
I got so far three emails back from them and no firm answer yet but I got a feeling that this will all workout.
we will see soon !I will let you know as soon as I got an offer !
take care

you guys are awesome !

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:10 am
by geodoc
A reasonable response would be "how much do you have budgeted?"


cpcat18b wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:14 pm Just got my float rating this year and about 500 hrs total.
start looking for a job (dock hand ). it came up recent interview : "whats your salary exception ?"
anyone can help me ?
thanks guys

Re: new to float operation. need some information please

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:29 am
by Black_Tusk
7507 wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2018 1:54 pm What would the float operators be looking for in time required "on floats" to get on board?
A few years ago I landed offers for two float jobs in my first season. One on a cub, and one on a 180. With 30 hours float time and 230 hours under my belt. I'm only assuming the demand has increased since then. Both jobs included side duties but they had a lot of hours of flying attached. I could also assume a reason they may have been willing to take a chance with me was the fact I showed up ready to work, and was 27 with 6 years of small engine wrenching experience prior to flying.

One job paid $3000/month with a trailer and dinners provided. The other $3500/month with a cabin but no food.