The Bear

Dim · Post by **Dim** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:20 pm

What's the deal with Bearskin these days? Do you still have to pay 10 grand for the Metro checkout? Is it a two year payback? Interest included?
What about time for Captain upgrades? Which base is prefered among pilots, Thunder or the Peg? Do they provide transportation for the interview? Any information from current emplyees would be greatly appreciated.

redbaron80 · Post by **redbaron80** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:32 am

Hey Dim

There is still a 10G bond at the bear. It is paid back monthly, over two years, at either the bank interest rate that you got or prime plus one percent if you come up with the money yourself.

Upgrades are about a year now. Last few upgrades have been in that time frame. Alot different than in the past.

I don't think that there is really a base preference any more. People usually want to go to the closest place as to where they are from, I guess.

The Bear will provide transportation within the network. Your interview would be in Thunder Bay so they would get you there from anywhere they fly.

The Bear is definately the best company that I have worked for. I have never heard of anyone complain or bad mouth the joint after they leave. I know that alot of peoples hesitation in coming to the bear in the past has been upgrade times, but they are happening within about a year now. Not to many other places could you be the captain of a "large" multi engine tubine aircraft, making this kind of money, in one year. Also the travel benefits, although not pay, save you a huge chunk of cash if you want to travel at all.

Hope it helps, if youo want more info PM me.

Dim · Post by **Dim** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:06 am

Im sold! Had my resume in for a while now and no response. No Turbine time though, maybe that's the problem. Got my fingers crossed!

CAL · Post by **CAL** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:33 am

Hey Baron.....I think the other reason guys shy away is that 10k up front bond.....what if you cant come up with it?....they interview you offer you the job but you have no way to produce 10,000 bucks...they have no alternative so in my case it was no money no job...

jetway · Post by **jetway** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:26 am

CAL wrote: so in my case it was no money no job...

Are you serious? That is hard to believe ( I do not doubt you, CAL, in any way - It's just hard to believe) What about promissary notes. I thought they were the norm. 10G? Holy Frig!!!

CAL · Post by **CAL** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:47 am

I did ask...more than once...almost pleaded....but was told no exceptions...I stalled for as long as I could but in the end just could not come up with it and was not risking the move to yqt if I had no promise from the bank....sure enough a week later they had a new add in for FO's...just to many other guys who will produce the $..

Localizer · Post by **Localizer** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 1:53 pm

Can you really blame a smaller company for holding you to a training bond during these times? People are moving around at a pretty quick pace right now .. and they just don't want to get screwed. I do think that 10G is WAY to much especially for a Metroliner .. But its there company and there rules. Promissary notes are not worth the paper they are printed on. That's why they are not willing to settle for just a promissary note.

Cheers,

Loc

185/310 · Post by **185/310** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:12 pm

hmmm, 10 grand to fly a metro in northern ontario, with not so great pay. Whatever floats your boat.

. . · Post by **. .** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:14 pm

You're clearly not very in the know about the bears pay scale. It's second to none in the 704 sked world.

desksgo · Post by **desksgo** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:48 pm

endless wrote:You're clearly not very in the know about the bears pay scale. It's second to none in the 704 sked world.

No kidding...seems people always want to jump on the Bear bashing wagon without having a clue what they are talking about. Great place from the people I know there.

. . · Post by **. .** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:53 pm

Indeed, the bear is definately a good spot to hang your hat. If you look at the sunwest thread, they're asking 18k for their metro bond. If the upgrade time at the bear is truly down to a year now this is a great chance for some people to get in there. Previously the upgrade time was massive because no one was leaving the bear.

CAL · Post by **CAL** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:47 am

second to none in the 704 world doesnt make it a good salary...but I agree with you it is a good company and I would have gone if it was not for the bond.

185/310 · Post by **185/310** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:54 am

I would of as well, even if the bond was a signing bond, I would of possibly re-considered it, but 10 grand up front. Even if I wanted to pay it I dont think the banks would of given me the money.

Localizer · Post by **Localizer** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 2:05 pm

Hey Cal ...

If you got into flying for the big money then the joke is on you ... you should have stayed in school and worked toward becoming a Doctor or Lawyer ... Quit whinning about the pay ... Its a stepping stone job and they don't plan on you sticking around forever, so they're not going to pay you too ...

Loc

redbaron80 · Post by **redbaron80** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 2:45 pm

For most people it is a stepping stone. I make more money in the right seat at the bear than i was in the left seat of a PC12 at another company, well long story there. As a stepping stone company, you will not make more money anywhere else, to my knowledge.

As for bonds, I agree that they suck. But, I cannot think of another company, of this size, that does not have one. Maybe Georgian, not to sure though. In this area everyone pretty much has a bond. I lost about 500 bucks in the stock market and mutual funds in the past three years, I should have had my money in a training bond getting prime plus one. LOL

CAL · Post by **CAL** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:03 pm

CAL · Post by **CAL** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:03 pm

loc.....its not about the salary...I make less now than I would have at the bear...its about the bond....all about the bond....I doubt the bank would have given the me the money....

ei ei owe · Post by **ei ei owe** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:24 pm

Forget the pay, it's the new paint scheme I'd work for. I see the bear paw being painted but what about the skin part? What's the paint job for skin?

Localizer · Post by **Localizer** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:43 pm

Do we really wanna go there?

dangerous · Post by **dangerous** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:53 pm

What type of drivers is the Bear hiring these days? Time? Experience? Any low timers getting on the Beeches?

Dim · Post by **Dim** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:52 pm

No clue man, Ive got 2300TT and 500MPic IFR 2 Crew time and havent heard squat. Maybe they want turbine?

redbaron80 · Post by **redbaron80** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 9:08 am

Hey guys

There are only two beeches on line right now. They just hired a guy for the North Bay base maybe a month ago. People hired recently have been across the board really. I just flew with a guy hired not to long ago with 3500 hours, and last week a guy with 2000 hours. If you have northern time, bush time, PIC time you have a good shot. My advbise would be to make sure you fill in the online application and update it regularly.

neechi · Post by **neechi** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:09 pm

Anyone have any numbers regarding the pay scale? Starting wage metro F/o. Captains starting salary. ty

ditshisturber · Post by **ditshisturber** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:52 pm

neechi wrote:Anyone have any numbers regarding the pay scale? Starting wage metro F/o. Captains starting salary. ty

The internet search engine is a wonderful thing... found it...

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines ... rskin.html

Enjoy

2milefinal · Post by **2milefinal** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 8:30 am

185/310 wrote:hmmm, 10 grand to fly a metro in northern ontario, with not so great pay. Whatever floats your boat.

Lets see now, they fly to and from places like.
YWG
YRL
YXL(ok this is a bit north)
YAG
YQK
YQT
YAM
YSB
YTS(ok thats-a-bit north to)
YYU
YYB
YOW(I hear they have good layovers here)

You can hardly call those stops North, i mean really.