Thanks for the reply! You’re quick! I really appreciate the advice
Air Sprint seems like a great place to work and I’m glad you think it’s a good place to build some valuable experience. Their DFO came to do a presentation at our school earlier in the school year and I definitely got really good vibes from him. We’re extremely fortunate to have an agreement with them where they’ll take one student a year from our graduating class and put them right seat in a jet after a year of “proving ourselves” as a clerk. They’ll even pay for us to rent a plane to meet the ATPL PIC requirements. I’m definitely aiming for that! If luck isn’t on my side for that though, I’m sure there’s about a thousand other ways to get there!
I can imagine that being with someone who can’t hold a conversation to save their life on a long haul flight and then goes straight to the hotel until the flight back would be pretty painful!
I totally agree with you about the sense of humour.. it makes all the difference, even on those 2 hour long haul flights in a 172
In the corporate world you don’t build time very quickly (less than 100hrs per year in some cases). If you ever want to upgrade to Captain you NEED to get some PIC hours somewhere else, like a regional airline or a busy charter company etc...
schnitzel2k3 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 28, 2018 4:53 pm
It's pretty quick nowadays - best bet is to direct your energy on the charter side of the industry as soon as able to build the time, and appropriate experience. Airlining at the regionals will help with total time, but transitioning off a schedule can be a challenge some aren't willing to accept.
Actually - a great spot whether short term or for the long haul is Air Sprint. Bases west and east, lots of different aircraft. Company is very open, and that type of flying can lead you to meet lots of important individuals who down the road can help you get to a corporate FD - if that still is your goal at that point in time.
You'd be surprised - while experience (hours) helps, a lot of it is personality. If you can shake hands with those that matter, drink a coffee over a good conversation, that makes up for a lot of total experience. What most corporate pilots want in the cockpit with them is someone that they can socialize with at their destination. They spend a fair amount of their life on the road with only one or two crew members. The bigger the jet, the farther you go. Sitting in an office no bigger than a walk-in closet, personality is a must.
Keep that PMA (positive mental attitude), and watch lots of stand-up, Archer, Family Guy, Simpsons. The perfectly timed joke can make the difference on a 12 hour overnight leg. At least those are the guys and girls I like to fly with once I ascertain they aren't a complete block of rot wood.
Best of luck in your endeavours brother, fly safe.
S.
Yea, you need to come work with us.
This industry is small, I'm sure we'll cross paths at some point - especially on this side of the coin.
JohnnyHotRocks wrote: ↑Wed Mar 28, 2018 5:51 pm
In the corporate world you don’t build time very quickly (less than 100hrs per year in some cases). If you ever want to upgrade to Captain you NEED to get some PIC hours somewhere else, like a regional airline or a busy charter company etc...
Don’t corporate carriers not like it when you come from the airlines? A buddy of mine told me that they might be reluctant to hire you since your customer service might not be up to par compared to someone who has previous charter/corporate experience.
The preference is definitely for corporate experience but if you come in with 1500 hrs total time with a bare minimum of PIC, and you are now flying as SIC doing 200hrs per year, when can you expect to upgrade?
Not reluctant - but it will be a conversation in the interview as to your intentions. Someone who has a history of corporate rarely has to discuss their ability to be on call or intentions.
Go get your experience up - whatever way that happens - medivac, northern charters, survey, Air Sprint. Have a blast - get as much experience as you can - 2500-3000 seems to be the magical number nowadays with jet time for upgrades and DEC.
Chartright has their Ultras and those guys are packing on hours quickly - possibly another great avenue - and something that wasn't there 3 years ago. Don't know how long they can run those Ultras at their current rate.
It seems like a long way off - but corporate comes quicker than you think. Who knows - you may change your mind altogether.
NovaBoy wrote: ↑Fri Nov 18, 2022 3:43 am
Most established corporate flight departments only hire captains, and I would guess those folks are making north of $200K right now.
This is accurate, salaries have definitely gone up on heavy biz jets in Canada.
I've heard so many varying descriptions of Barrick over the years, I thought I would try and actually speak to someone that has spent time there.
Would you mind answering a few questions?
Could you describe the scheduling there? Do crews rotate to meet the aircraft wherever it is located? How long is a rotation and how long are you home for in between?
How are the guys to work with over there? I would imagine it must be a pretty knit tight crew for them to spend so much time together away from home?
And of course I have to ask...Pay
I have heard some wild numbers out there over the years. Could you please shed some light on compensation.
Wheels wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 12:01 pm
Thank you so much for reaching out.
I've heard so many varying descriptions of Barrick over the years, I thought I would try and actually speak to someone that has spent time there.
Would you mind answering a few questions?
Could you describe the scheduling there? Do crews rotate to meet the aircraft wherever it is located? How long is a rotation and how long are you home for in between?
How are the guys to work with over there? I would imagine it must be a pretty knit tight crew for them to spend so much time together away from home?
And of course I have to ask...Pay
I have heard some wild numbers out there over the years. Could you please shed some light on compensation.
Wheels wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 12:01 pm
Thank you so much for reaching out.
I've heard so many varying descriptions of Barrick over the years, I thought I would try and actually speak to someone that has spent time there.
Would you mind answering a few questions?
Could you describe the scheduling there? Do crews rotate to meet the aircraft wherever it is located? How long is a rotation and how long are you home for in between?
How are the guys to work with over there? I would imagine it must be a pretty knit tight crew for them to spend so much time together away from home?
And of course I have to ask...Pay
I have heard some wild numbers out there over the years. Could you please shed some light on compensation.
Thank you so much.
PM sent
Hey, any chance you can share that info with me as well? Much appreciate it!
