Mr. North wrote:Newbies shouldn't have a problem getting offers this year if they do the right amount of leg work.
Exactly my point, so why should they accept $1500/month to fly airplanes that are notorious for being less-than ideally maintained. A first year 185 driver should be making at least $2500.
Mr. North wrote:As for me, I enjoyed my time there, the work, the machines, and the people (except for one lady) were all great. After 5 seasons and 4 operators, last year at KAS was my favorite and most productive hands down. However like any operation there's always room for improvement.
While it's good to hear that you enjoyed your time there, after 5 seasons you should know by now that there are, without question, far better operators out there that will pay you what you are actually worth. I'm not trying to slag you or a job you enjoyed (I have many, many friends who have worked there), but with your experience, you could have been flying a better machine for alot more money, and probably with a more level-headed boss
. I was offered a Beaver spot with KAS this past spring and turned it down for a couple reasons, most importantly was the insultingly low pay--only $200/month more than what I made at my first 185 job (where housing was included on top of that.) Turned out to be a great decision since I ended up at a fantastic operator, who I never have to worry about taking flack from if I choose to turn around due to weather, not depart due to weather, not to take ignorant loads, etc. Add to that the impeccably maintained machines and the fact that I made literally twice what KAS offered to pay me. I realize that there are worse operators out there, I have worked for a couple of them myself, and that's why I don't say don't work there. But, there is a very good chance, as you pointed out, that with good timing and some research and leg work, alot of newbies could do alot better for themselves.
Is the Beaver really that more difficult to fly than a Cessna that you should have a season on the Cessna before attempting to fly a Beaver?
Actually, I don't think either are really all that difficult to fly. They each have their own quirks, but once you get onto them, they're just an airplane. A 185 is a squirrely bird, but if a pilot can't handle it, they probably shouldn't have a pilot license. I don't necessarily agree with starting a newbie on a Beaver. Everyone likes to point out the Beaver is more forgiving than the 185, but there are a few things that an inexperienced float driver is likely to do out of sheer lack of experience that you can get away with in a 185 and merely scare yourself, but do the same thing in a Beaver and you may not be able to get away with it period. The 185's better power-to-weight ratio and climb ability allows it to pull itself out of shitty situations much easier than the Beaver, at least, in my opinion.
). This is something you kids should seriously take into acount when considering your "shitty" wage among other things. 
