Maintenance Engineers

[crc_66]

Thank you WIDOW
I have read it and I guess we will see what, when, how and if happens. Will keep on chequing progress.

[Pat Richard]

Job Description:
look after the running and heavy maintenance of our fleet. Organize and deligate the maintenance personnel,order parts and necessary materials to keep the fleet servicable. Must have supervisory experience

Salary:$30 to 36hr

well, at least they are showing the pay.

Really funny part is Shell offering the same pay+transportation/accommodation for GROUND PERSONNEL out of ft mac.

Add another 20 bucks an hour and you might have some interest.


Pattie

[dstechnical]

I have 30yrs in this industry. There is no shortage of engineers. There is a shortage of engineers working in the industry. I know many engineers who no longer work n the industry. When the industry will pay as much for an engineer to work on their $2,000,000 aircraft as they will to the plumber to come and unplug the toilet, they will get engineers. When engineers get the pay and respect of other trades there will be no shortage. when the government stops allowing overseas engineers, because operators do not want to pay when the price of locals start to get respectable, there will be no shortage. $90/hr to fix a $400 computer, or a four wheeler as opposed to $55/hr at the local FBO, no shortage of engineers. I think I have made my point

[azimuthaviation]

I saw the guys on Ice Pilots turning wrenches on an old radial engine (C46) in - 40 weather with little or no lights in the dark, no hanger or shelter, and the winds were blowing 10-15kts. At the end of the show the engineer stated he did it ‘because of his love for aviation.’ Really? Wow! That’s dedication!

Well some people do this as a career, not a hobby.

[acidgambit]

i just started in this industry.....and the first heavy check airplane that i worked on got out on time. It's a great feeling. But in the back of your mind you know that a lot of the old and experienced guys are pretty bitter. They don't have that sense of pride and joy anymore. They have dealt with too much bullcrap. Too much politics from management and this industry is really unstable. To the point they're just doing the job just to put food on the table for their family. I respect these experienced mechanics very much and wish to learn from them everyday.

I do wish that one day mechanics will be treated with respect and actually earn the proper wage for the responsiblity we take working on these flying tin cans.


like people posted above...it would be nice to see airplanes being grounded cause there isn't enough mechanics in this world to fix it. Now what will those airlines do?? raise the salary to 50 bucks per hour???

[pistonpounder]

No they would not pay 50 hr because some shmuck will do it for 30 hr because of his/her "love for aviation", and there lies the biggest problem in this industry, and as long as people say that and do that it will never change, its unfortunate but in this buisness it hurts you to love your job.

[Fox 3]

Just out of curiosity. How many people got into this career expecting to make big money? Also, what is a fair wage in your opinion?

[billy ray valintine]

No they would not pay 50 hr because some shmuck will do it for 30 hr because of his/her "love for aviation", and there lies the biggest problem in this industry, and as long as people say that and do that it will never change, its unfortunate but in this buisness it hurts you to love your job.

+1

brv

[acidgambit]

For me i got into this industry was because...i just couldn't handle sitting in an office all day long.
At first i took the course thinking i was gonna earn big bucks, but after i realized the reality...i just threw that thought out. hahaha.

I have heard of stories here and there about AMEs going overseas to do contract work and earning big bucks. And i guess that's what i am aiming for.

For now..as long i can have enough money to pay my rent, eat and spoil myself a little bit...i'm not going to say anything. I'll leave the talking to the licensed experience guys.

I have asked around....and every single experienced AMEs i have encounter..most of them said that they expect that starting wages for apprentices fresh out of school should be $25...and once licensed wage should jump to $35~40 and if you're a lead $40~50. I guess that's fair <-----That's not including indoresments. What do you say?.......but hey come on...that is not going to happen for awhile. hehehe.

[coldandwet]

Man...after reading all this talk I am getting out!!!....But seriously, I too have been in the industry since 86, and Have pretty much done it all...from floats on a piper in Kuujuaq to 747-400 engine changes,E license M1/M2, multiple ratings it does get frustrating listening to all these posts...The industry does indeed seem to be in a downward spiral and beleive me when I say that the dwindling numbers of AMEs and lack of control at a federal level will not bring salary up!....Take a look at what the average wage is for TACA in the central america range and you will see that what we perceive as a shite wage looks pretty good to a frustrated AME there. I wish nothing but the best for all fellow AMES but in the end the decision has to come from within and if it works for you... oh yeah at the job I am at now with a regional carrier in the north with 20 years Dash8 with E rating as well and chief engineer......36.50/hr with no pension or rrsp.....take it for what its worth...thanks.

[acidgambit]

it's better than nothing eh. Good luck dude.

[Tires319]

Wilderness North Air?
Are you knew to this industry or just retarded?
You want a dedicated engineer to move to bum f**k nowhere for probably less pay than what you pay a guy at the Toyota dealership to fix your Prius.
Wake up buddy and get with the program.
see ya

[dstechnical]

Just paid $80 for service call on my $200 fridge. (relay change) All the guys tools in one belt and a truck. No sign outs no worry. Just try to get $50/hr out some guy with his $40,000 Cessna. Need we say more.

[iflyforpie]

Just paid $80 for service call on my $200 fridge. (relay change) All the guys tools in one belt and a truck. No sign outs no worry. Just try to get $50/hr out some guy with his $40,000 Cessna. Need we say more.

My shop charges $90/hr, 1 hr minimum for working on light aircraft. I'm currently working on a $25,000 Cessna who's owner will wind up paying roughly $2000 in labour by the time I am done for a couple day's work. I haven't had too much problem with people paying their bills.

If you think that being a fridge service man is the key to wealth and happiness, fly right at 'er. One of my friend's dad does appliance repair as a semi-retirement job...

[dstechnical]

$90/hr ! sure not going to get that in htis part of the country.

I don't know about semi retired fridge/appliance repairmen. But the one local appliance guy just bought a nice new house on the lake. A lot nicer than any AME's house i know (mine included). Years ago I did some work on a 172 owned by and independant appliance repaieman. he asked me how much I charged, I told him I would take the same rate he charged. HE TOOK THE AIRPLANE SOMEWHERE ELSE.

[Fox 3]

Are you knew to this industry or just retarded?

*snicker*

[bleedair]

It doesnt matter if you twisted wrenches with your daddy since you were 3 or straight out of ubc or some foreign dumb f*CK who didnt finish grade 8 and can't spit words in ingrish, BCIT puts you in a pot with all your money and cranks you out to be the same as everyone else. A Cars blabbing moron, waste of skin, unemployed, broke with no mentor, no hope, no future. No one wants apprentices right now. Middle aged manpower scoffs at us because they are jealous and dont want to lose their jobs and they are scoundrels. Employers dont seem to give a rats behind. They dont show themselves, they trash resumes, they do a piss poor job on the phone, and they are all uneducated arrogant little jackals who couldnt agree, coming to terms with the economy, to hire just one apprentice per company. The economy is the way it is either go work at safeway or stop shopping for stupid useless courses at the BS institute of trash and get a real education elsewhere. Dont try to get your hands on the oily flying tubes of death cause you will get caulkblocked and end up at home, sending online resumes for 2 years to arrogant companies like worst jet and be stomped all over like rotten dung by all the smaller companies. All while the economy keeps getting worse. Don't expect BCIT instructors to get you a job. Thats their claim to fame but it aint like that no more. You got a bunch of old men who are hiding there wanking off i swear they are drunk almost all the time, and poor useless idiots myself included who wanted to work their way from the bottom up but instead shoot pool during school hours and get a job in a sweat shop for some fat phuck who keeps saying "it will get better, just hang in there" I've never met an AME who tells me they love what they do, or say some corny line like the hangar is my office. All i hear is complaints, whining about broken marriages, and stuck up little turds who think they are god because they fix planes when dam well they are insecure miserable little tyrants who've been misendowed. Employers, you do a horrible job of coming out to hire apprentices, you don't teach, you don't mentor. You are the reason young people are not the AMEs of tomorrow. Your promises are as empty as the wind

[HS-748 2A]

We have met the enemy and he is us....

[212wrench]

To Bleed Air- I can only paraphrase Mark Twain, "It's one thing to have the world think your and idiot, its another to make posts that eliminate all doubt"
You know what gets you a job and enables you to keep a job? ATTITUDE and by your post I can only say your attitude, as Bart Simpson said, "It blows and sucks". Can you tell me where it says that BCIT instructors (or any ATO's instructors) are responsible for getting you a job? Just so you know, there are jobs out there for apprentices, the problem is you have to get off you fat ar*se and go find them. And another thing, I love being an AME, have been married for over 15 years, got a nice house, great kids, have done things that I tell "common folk" what I have done and where I have been and they are amazed that one profession enables you to do all that. I have said this before and will repeat myself, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT QUIT, give the job to someone who wants it.

[iflyforpie]

I took an introductory maintenance course at BCIT years ago and the first thing I remember seeing on the wall of that old Boeing hanger was a poster that said:

Attitude is everything!

This is a tough industry. BCIT has gone downhill since I was there (I'm actually a SAIT graduate). Most AMEs aren't the best managers or HR people, but neither are the white collar, wine and cheese department types who typically aren't constrained by the bounds of reality.

The truth is this industry is hurting. Jobs are being sold to cheaper countries and BCIT keeps on cranking classes out; a long cry from when I started where I had to wait for a year and go out of province to get my course and had a job within a week of finishing. But this is in everything, not just aviation.

I've found that in aviation, you sometimes have to be creative. Not every company can ferry aircraft to the third world to get maintenance done. Go north, check out companies that you wouldn't think would have a place for AMEs (paint shops, private operators, flight schools, small helicopter companies), and be adaptable. It isn't the instructor's job to find you work.

PS: I will be celebrating my 8th anniversary next month...