Hey all. One of the lucky fellas that got a dockhand job this season at a smaller company. They seemed to promise the standard work hard for us, and we’ll throw ya in the plane and train you as much as possible and should be full time flying by next year sort of thing.
I sit around 250hr, 7hr float, multi/ifr so I’m fairly green. With a background in welding in fort Mac. So I’m not stranger to hard work and kinda just am going at it like I’m a first year apprentice again.
Just curious to anyone who’s worked as (or hired) dockhand what does a GOOD dockhand look like. Like obviously not lazy, but is there anything that make some super useful?
When I was welding, having a good hand made my life super easy. So I’m kinda looking to be that same idea for the pilots this year. Any advice appreciated
Going into it with a first-year apprentice mindset is a great start already!
You aren't going to know anything at the beginning, so pay attention and try to absorb as much as you can. It's annoying to have to teach/tell someone things multiple times. But if you don't know, definitely ask. People usually have extra patience for green people who are making the effort to learn.
Different people will have different ways they prefer things done, so the sooner you can figure that out, the better.
If you don't have anything to do, find something to do, there's always something. Sweeping floors/cleaning, organizing, fresh pot of coffee, helping maintenance, etc.
You can learn a lot from after work beers with pilots/AMEs, and having a good relationship with your coworkers is possibly the most important thing career-wise.
The usual small motor maintenance and basic carpentry will go a long way too.
What prop feather said and…. Pumping the floats of the airplanes will keep the pilots happy. Cleaning the windshield between flights is nice gesture too. Saying the words “it must have been a gust” if you catch your co-workers bounce a landing is also super appreciated. Looking the other way when the pilots leave their water rudders down is also an important skill that most dockhands lack!! And Certainly don’t bring this observation up at the company bbq.
Trust me, hit the gym this winter. You will be constantly lifting 4-stroke outboard motors, fuel drums, propane, lumber, plywood and the infamous 150 lbs Yeti coolers.
Flying floats is a pretty awesome job. Good luck this summer.
-Keep the airplanes as clean as you can, nobody likes a dirty airplane when the dockhands are sitting around doing nothing. On that note, after you clean the windshield, go inside and check that it's clear and not streaky, that's a real pet peeve of mine.
-As others mentioned, do the other non-airplane related tasks around the base, taking initiative and doing a good job will be noticed.
-When you're fuelling, make sure you're putting the amount of fuel that the specific pilot wants, as mentioned before different people like different things, and that's often one guy wanting a full tank in the beaver and the next guy wanting an extra 8 gallons, or something similar.
-Triple check fuel and oil caps after you touch them. An absolute rule is never leave anything in a position where it will cause problems if the airplane goes flying like that. Even if it's the time between dipping a tank and going to get the hose, make sure the cap goes back on.
-It will take a bit of time, but learn how the wind is going to influence each airplane. They always want to point into the wind, and can have a real hard time doing otherwise if it's strong. Otter is worse than the beaver for example. Understanding what the wind will do to the airplane makes it a lot easier to catch/launch, because you know how fast you need to grab the rope, which rope to grab first, all that stuff.
-This is nuanced: try to be engaged and eager to learn, but try not be annoying about it. Most pilots have lots of time for new guys getting into the industry, but between the long, hot days, and the receptiveness of the job, it can make it hard to be always have the energy to talk airplanes non stop. Try and find commonalities with the pilots outside of airplanes. Whether it's fishing, boating, hunting, doesn't matter, but having a relationship with the guys will go a long way.
-Having a cold beer on the dock ready for guys when they get back at the end of the day is awesome, if it's that kinda place.
Don't be like a pilot.
If pilots are sitting around telling each other War Stories. Don't be sitting with them. Be working. Your day will come where you can hang around and drink coffee.
Not needing to be spoon fed instructions and tasks all day is important. You will learn quickly what is required. Looking busy is important.
Don't pump the floats of other newbies unless your boss tells you thats you responsibilty. It just makes them more lazy.
Never put your hands in your pockets. If its a habit. Sew them shut.
The window cleaning thing is a nice gesture as float planes spend all day down in the swarms of bugs, just be sure to use a product that won't damage the window. Using windex on a plastic windscreen would craze it over time. If in doubt, water and your bare hand works on any window, you can wash the bug guts off your paws later. But don't use paper towel to dry the windscreen, use a soft cloth, or usually those blue shop towels are good.
The 1st year apprentice approach will go well for you. My first Jman used to explain something to me once, If I needed clarification he would repeat it to me in exactly the same words, just much louder. You never wanted to ask that man anything twice, luckily the other more experienced apprentice spoke "Dave as a second language" and was happy to interpret for me.
Prist, or my personal favourite pledge works wonders for cleaning oil, dirt, fire ash, and bugs off the Plexiglas windscreen. Works excellent as a rain x style repellent as well for a rain shower or two. If the clean microfiber cloth lands on the ground or in the footwear of the beaver where sand etc is present it is now u/s. Grab another clean cloth to avoid scratching.
You never wanted to ask that man anything twice, luckily the other more experienced apprentice spoke "Dave as a second language" and was happy to interpret for me.
