KBA Antarctic pay?

[Pacqing]

No mention of pay in the add. Would anyone know? More than Big red in Regina I hope.

[-42]

Not enough.

[groncher]

-42. Have you worked there?

[-42]

Why the hell would I want to freeze my balls off with penguins to rub a clapped out twin otter? So no. Again not enough. I would class that as worth about infinity dollars.

[Ballsssssss]

Don't listen to the "there's not enough money in the world to go to Antarctica and freeze my balls off" crowd. I've done three "seasons" down there and never for a minute regretted it. Some of the best memories and experiences of my life were in Antarctica with KBA.

It's not for everyone, but if you're self-sufficient and don't mind some adverse conditions (no hangars etc) and have a desire for adventure you might be a good candidate. MY experience with KBA was as a contractor and currently have no association with them so there's no Kool-Aid being consumed here.

KBA in general is a lower-tier employer and don't expect to get your cold-weather gear paid for, free company clothing, or many perks or amenities. However management is pretty good and there are some fantastic people working there.

For current pay, I'd expect around $600 per day on contract with a DC3T would be a reasonable expectation. For M1 Twotter take $50 - $100 off that. Employees with benefits etc would be looking at a base pay + daily sort of pay scale these days (from what I've heard). I have no idea what those #s look like.

A full season with some of the contracts are around 120 days plus another 15-20 getting there and back. That is around $85K gross for 5 months. You really don't spend a dime of your own money while down there either.

I would encourage anyone that is capable of looking after an airplane on their own to give it a try. If anyone is looking for more details send me a PM.

[chowda]

So I had heard that there is zero facilities there with KB, but what are the living accmodations? I had heard it was tent living and you mention nothing about that in your reply

[propfeather]

So I had heard that there is zero facilities there with KB, but what are the living accmodations? I had heard it was tent living and you mention nothing about that in your reply

It depends on the contract. One is full-time tent living, one may have a period (a month or two) in tents, and the rest are single bedroom, usually in dorm type accommodations. The camping usually has lots of amenities and is quite comfortable though.

As far as facilities, there's often a building or heated tent for parts/workshop/etc.

[Pat Richard]

So I have to ask...at $500ish a day on a twotter, parked outside, living in tents or communaly in dorms, what would possess anyone to got that far geographically when you can make at least the same here in Canada's North???

Im speaking very much from personal experience that except for sleeping in a tent, there is plenty of opportunity to outside overhaul aircraft in this hemisphere for the same 20 year old day rate.
You mention the $85 grand at season end. Well a dishwasher could wash dishes(what is the day based on - garranteed day rate or hours?) for days/months on end doing nothing else but sleeping and shitting and then proclaim about the pile of money they made.It still doesn't deflect from the shitty rate of pay for what you're being asked to endure.

So straight up, the only guys that I've ever talked to who were pumped to be going there were/are the enthusiasts, who mostly don't care what they are making as long as they're fondling aircraft and thier nurse wives are making up the difference in wages.

It's good to see KBA struggling to find manpower for this shit. Companies like that just need to plain disappear.

[digits_]

So I have to ask...at $500ish a day on a twotter, parked outside, living in tents or communaly in dorms, what would possess anyone to got that far geographically when you can make at least the same here in Canada's North???

Im speaking very much from personal experience that except for sleeping in a tent, there is plenty of opportunity to outside overhaul aircraft in this hemisphere for the same 20 year old day rate.
You mention the $85 grand at season end. Well a dishwasher could wash dishes(what is the day based on - garranteed day rate or hours?) for days/months on end doing nothing else but sleeping and shitting and then proclaim about the pile of money they made.It still doesn't deflect from the shitty rate of pay for what you're being asked to endure.

So straight up, the only guys that I've ever talked to who were pumped to be going there were/are the enthusiasts, who mostly don't care what they are making as long as they're fondling aircraft and thier nurse wives are making up the difference in wages.

It's good to see KBA struggling to find manpower for this shit. Companies like that just need to plain disappear.

You don't see the appeal of an Antarctic adventure? They're taking advantage of that of course. But it's still a factor. Might be nice for a 'once in a lifetime' thing.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

Don't listen to the "there's not enough money in the world to go to Antarctica and freeze my balls off" crowd. I've done three "seasons" down there and never for a minute regretted it. Some of the best memories and experiences of my life were in Antarctica with KBA.

For current pay, I'd expect around $600 per day on contract with a DC3T would be a reasonable expectation. For M1 Twotter take $50 - $100 off that.

….. that kind of pay is grossly low and about what helicopter contractors made on one machine IN CANADA >25 years ago. Pull your head outa your

[Pacqing]

For the mentioned conditions eg tent living I'd say $500 or $600 a day is low. The adventure might appeal to some younger types but why do it for so little?

[-42]

What adventure? Where is the adventure in living like a homeless person in a tent and freezing your hands off while changing a boost pump in a 40 year old twin otter? Am I missing something? Crapping in a pail is that the adventure? Why oh why is this stuff still happening? If you want the adventure get a real job and go to Antarctica on your own dime and then see it like Chevy Chase get back on the airplane and go to much nicer climates. I have spoke to people over the years that have done it guess what they don’t do anymore for 500 a day? Go to Antarctica that’s what.

[digits_]

What adventure? Where is the adventure in living like a homeless person in a tent and freezing your hands off while changing a boost pump in a 40 year old twin otter? Am I missing something? Crapping in a pail is that the adventure? Why oh why is this stuff still happening? If you want the adventure get a real job and go to Antarctica on your own dime and then see it like Chevy Chase get back on the airplane and go to much nicer climates.

Most of Antarctica is not accessible 'on your own dime'.

I have spoke to people over the years that have done it guess what they don’t do anymore for 500 a day? Go to Antarctica that’s what.

The take away here is that they did it once. Just like I wrote in my previous reply.

[-42]

Your right the snow is definitely whiter on the other side. Spoken like a true crackhead I wish I would try it just once.Fill your boots. I am sure it will be glorious.

[Pat Richard]

So I have to ask...at $500ish a day on a twotter, parked outside, living in tents or communaly in dorms, what would possess anyone to got that far geographically when you can make at least the same here in Canada's North???

Im speaking very much from personal experience that except for sleeping in a tent, there is plenty of opportunity to outside overhaul aircraft in this hemisphere for the same 20 year old day rate.
You mention the $85 grand at season end. Well a dishwasher could wash dishes(what is the day based on - garranteed day rate or hours?) for days/months on end doing nothing else but sleeping and shitting and then proclaim about the pile of money they made.It still doesn't deflect from the shitty rate of pay for what you're being asked to endure.

So straight up, the only guys that I've ever talked to who were pumped to be going there were/are the enthusiasts, who mostly don't care what they are making as long as they're fondling aircraft and thier nurse wives are making up the difference in wages.

It's good to see KBA struggling to find manpower for this shit. Companies like that just need to plain disappear.

You don't see the appeal of an Antarctic adventure? They're taking advantage of that of course. But it's still a factor. Might be nice for a 'once in a lifetime' thing.

So I had to read this over a few times because initially I thought you were being sarcastic, but you're not, are you?

Anyway, the the same point applies. Why would you go way the hell there when the same frozen hell is nearly in one's back yard up here?

Prefer penguins to polar bears? Like sleeping in tents? Enjoy the adventure of aircraft parts so cold they burn/blister your skin when you touch them? Fascinated on how to determine how long to hold a bic lighter under your frozen fingers so as not to burn them, but still warm them up?

I mean I can go on and on about arctic "adventuring" from personal experience but Im really curious as to what exactly constitutes in the KBA AA experience as adventure worthy?

Does it impress chicks/dudes? Do you like get to be head of the table in the lounge at ame conventions???

Having experienced mid minus forties, windy/snowing sideways, etc, etc Im genuinely stumped at anybody claiming adventure status as a reason to subject themselves to this. Pay notwithstanding

Just a FYI - I did more than a decade doing arctic/near arctic contracts on prop/jet aircraft almost half outdoors.

[digits_]

So I have to ask...at $500ish a day on a twotter, parked outside, living in tents or communaly in dorms, what would possess anyone to got that far geographically when you can make at least the same here in Canada's North???

Im speaking very much from personal experience that except for sleeping in a tent, there is plenty of opportunity to outside overhaul aircraft in this hemisphere for the same 20 year old day rate.
You mention the $85 grand at season end. Well a dishwasher could wash dishes(what is the day based on - garranteed day rate or hours?) for days/months on end doing nothing else but sleeping and shitting and then proclaim about the pile of money they made.It still doesn't deflect from the shitty rate of pay for what you're being asked to endure.

So straight up, the only guys that I've ever talked to who were pumped to be going there were/are the enthusiasts, who mostly don't care what they are making as long as they're fondling aircraft and thier nurse wives are making up the difference in wages.

It's good to see KBA struggling to find manpower for this shit. Companies like that just need to plain disappear.

You don't see the appeal of an Antarctic adventure? They're taking advantage of that of course. But it's still a factor. Might be nice for a 'once in a lifetime' thing.

So I had to read this over a few times because initially I thought you were being sarcastic, but you're not, are you?

Anyway, the the same point applies. Why would you go way the hell there when the same frozen hell is nearly in one's back yard up here?

Prefer penguins to polar bears? Like sleeping in tents? Enjoy the adventure of aircraft parts so cold they burn/blister your skin when you touch them? Fascinated on how to determine how long to hold a bic lighter under your frozen fingers so as not to burn them, but still warm them up?

I mean I can go on and on about arctic "adventuring" from personal experience but Im really curious as to what exactly constitutes in the KBA AA experience as adventure worthy?

Does it impress chicks/dudes? Do you like get to be head of the table in the lounge at ame conventions???

Having experienced mid minus forties, windy/snowing sideways, etc, etc Im genuinely stumped at anybody claiming adventure status as a reason to subject themselves to this. Pay notwithstanding

Just a FYI - I did more than a decade doing arctic/near arctic contracts on prop/jet aircraft almost half outdoors.

Sounds like it doesn't appeal to you. Fair enough. Antarctica is one of the few places on earth where you can't really go privately. That has a certain appeal.

If Elon Musk would be hiring mechanics for his lunar or mars base, he will likely get many applicants to live in a sardine can for free for months. Antarctica has a similar appeal to some.

I also completely understand why people would hate it though.

[Pat Richard]

Antarctica is one of the few places on earth where you can't really go privately. That has a certain appeal.

Okay, I cant say I even begin to understand that but fair enough. All the things I, and you, mentioned still apply and then some including the poor pay.

To be fair, KBA was a known joke moneywise when I was frequenting the North so at least they're consistent.

-42 makes a compelling point as to why would anybody not just book a tourist tour for a week or two to AA and properly enjoy/experience the special non private experience instead of serving months straight enduring all that has been mentioned?

As for the Elon scenario, I think that the manpower pool who thinks along the lines of what you suggest, particularly relevantly experienced, is much smaller than what youre dreaming it to be. If one has nothing of importance going on otherwise in life, whether it be interests, family, activity, etc then that sort person fits but as aviation is seeing now there's not a lot out there.

For me, after 30 years, its about the most pay for the time I have to give up so as not having to return as long as possible.

To each their own but in todays market this honest discussion about KBA in the AA is most probably not selling the KBA experience to the masses.

[digits_]

-42 makes a compelling point as to why would anybody not just book a tourist tour for a week or two to AA and properly enjoy/experience the special non private experience instead of serving months straight enduring all that has been mentioned?

Because you can't! Antarctica has basically banned all tourism. You can go on a cruise and walk on the continent a bit during an excursion, but you can't overnight or go on a leasurely stroll by yourself.

As for the Elon scenario, I think that the manpower pool who thinks along the lines of what you suggest, particularly relevantly experienced, is much smaller than what youre dreaming it to be. If one has nothing of importance going on otherwise in life, whether it be interests, family, activity, etc then that sort person fits but as aviation is seeing now there's not a lot out there.

Now you're just being completely unreasonable. Canada's astronaut vacancy had over 3700 applicants. I doubt most of those people have nothing of importance going in their lives!

[Ballsssssss]

Antarctica is nothing like the Arctic or any northern work. It's summer down there so you get 24 hrs daylight and plenty of mild weather (excepting inland high altitude places like South Pole, Dome C, Vostok etc).

Adventure and saying "I've been there" were not the reasons I went. I went once @ the age of 39 and chose to go back two more times. Being an experienced and capable AME, there was/is plenty of opportunity for good paying jobs available but I chose to go back to Antarctica because I enjoyed it and felt the compensation was worth it based on the actual hours I worked while down there. You face challenges down there, yes, but most are easily overcome.

If anyone is considering it: Do you best to filter out the negativity from those that have never done it. You'll find the same ol' commentators saying the same ol' negative things over and over on here.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

For the mentioned conditions eg tent living I'd say $500 or $600 a day is low. The adventure might appeal to some younger types but why do it for so little?

It’s less than half of what should be paid

[rigpiggy]

1st time for the adventure
2nd time for the money
3rd time, because you don't fit in anywhere else

RIP Bobeth

[groncher]

There is actually inland tourism, and has been for a long time. Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (previously ANI). Its one of the companies Borek contracts to.

I can't speak to current pay, but I suspect that you can negotiate your wage based on experience. Being someone who I guess doesn't fit anywhere else, I too went multiple times quite a few years ago....

I wouldn't trade those times for anything. I met some of the most amazing people, many of whom I am still friends with. Saw some of the most amazing scenery and wildlife in the world. And generally ate like a king. I even got to do some wrenching. All while getting what I thought was a pretty good salary. AS mentioned earlier, you literally spend almost no money while there.

It's not for everyone, that's for sure. However I would encourage anyone considering it to give it a try. Just ignore the usual negativity on here and make your own decision.