A few minutes of your time

[Gilles Hudicourt]

Maybe you just found the problem. If companies such as Canjet and Sunwing considered their pilots as assets instead of seeing them as a bunch of prisoners just waiting for an opportunity to bolt to freedom with their 737 type rating in their back pocket, they would not be forced to resort to temporary foreign labour and would gladly hire Canadians.

Why can water bombing outfits retain their pilots in the slow season while Sunwing and Canjet are unable to?

[toelessjoe]

By the way....it seems to be quite normal and accepted in the industry for the firebomber guys. Except Sunwing guys can get the summer off instead of the winter. Cool. In fact it is hard to break into that firefighting industry. Of course if you don't like it, just like the firebombing industry.

You're missing a key point, there, pelmet. On the firefighting side, we're generally regarded as an asset to the company, so we're paid well enough that we can manage to survive the off season without having to go and work elsewhere. That way, we are more likely to come back the next summer, saving on training costs, and keeping the level of institutional knowledge higher.

Well, that and the ankle monitor coupled with the whole "not allowed to leave the province" thing.

- Toeless.

[pelmet]

By the way....it seems to be quite normal and accepted in the industry for the firebomber guys. Except Sunwing guys can get the summer off instead of the winter. Cool. In fact it is hard to break into that firefighting industry. Of course if you don't like it, just like the firebombing industry.

You're missing a key point, there, pelmet. On the firefighting side, we're generally regarded as an asset to the company, so we're paid well enough that we can manage to survive the off season without having to go and work elsewhere. That way, we are more likely to come back the next summer, saving on training costs, and keeping the level of institutional knowledge higher.

OK...I didn't realize that. What does a Birddog pilot make in total for the year. Must be pretty good pay. It better be as you are likely not home every other night but in the middle of nowhere for months on end.