Bearskin Info

[Dusty flaps]

Just wondering if anyone has some current info, work conditions, training...etc.
Thanks

[Doc]

You'll need to show up for the interview with ten thousand dollars to give them. I'm NOT bashing the "Bear", just stating a fact. Don't have a lot of respect for that way of doing business, though. Surely by now, Bearskin could afford to train new pilots without "milking" money out of their parents. Do NOT confuse this with a training "bond"...it ain't.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Hey,

Not much has changed at the Bear, meaning pretty much all info on here already is accurate.

A couple of things to know:

It sometimes seems that Administration has a slight "dislike" for the pilots. Not really a big deal as we are protected by a decent contract, but it is somewhat disappointing. Be prepared to endure the occasional nasty-gram on various topics.

As stated before... Upgrades usually occur within a year. Keep in mind that this only happens if you will have between 3000 - 3500 hours TT by that time. If not, plan to spend more time in the right seat.

You WILL get pressure to fly in unsafe conditions by dispatch, but like any company, you can say no. The difference at the Bear, again, is that you have a Union to back you up.

As I’m sure you know, you can disregard pretty much all of what Doc has to say when it comes to Bonds. While probably not a bad guy, Doc still lives in a world where all Pilots are honourable and bonds are not necessary. A quick search of this site on how to get out of paying a Promissory Note will quickly confirm the fact that we, (That's "we" not "I"... .) as a group, are no longer, all honourable, which of course make Bonds necessary.

Any other questions, don't hesitate to PM me.

Cheers,

CK

Edit to tone down the negativity.

[Cat Driver]

A quick search of this site on how to get out of paying a Promissory Note will quickly confirm the fact that we, as a group, are no longer all honourable, which of course make Bonds necessary.

This is a sad commentary on what the flying profession has come to.

One wonders what the core values are as far as the decision making abilities of people are who by their own admission are no longer honorable when it comes to their word?

[Captain Kangaroo]

Amen!

[Czar]

C.Kangaroo,
Does Bearskin require a 'cash upfront' or a personal loan for the training bond?

[Doc]

Yes they do. No matter how "out of touch" with reality the Kangaroo thinks I am, they still require you to put money "up front" ie. to PAY for your job. Or, is that BUY your job? This is NOT a "bond"...but I don't really know why I GARA?

"You WILL get pressure to fly in unsafe conditions by dispatch....." While we're on the subject of "back in the day...."

[bob sacamano]

You WILL get pressure to fly in unsafe conditions by dispatch, but like any company, you can say no. The difference at the Bear, again, is that you have a Union to back you up.

The guy/girl in the left seat are the ones deciding to fly. If you were put in an unsafe condition, it's due to the crew flying it and not dispatch. At a place like bearskin, the captain takes the decision, and if dispatch don't like it, well then too bad. No dispatch at any company can or should force any crew in an unsafe condition.

Next time they pressure you to do something unsafe, tell them you'd like this request in writing.

[Captain Kangaroo]

C.Kangaroo,
Does Bearskin require a 'cash upfront' or a personal loan for the training bond?

Doc is on the money here. (Pun intended)

It's $10,000 up front to cover training costs, and to keep you here of course. The funny story about where the $10,000 number came from is that it used to cover Sim Training at Flight Safety. They took out the Flight Safety part of the training years ago but left the price tag the same.

As for the bond, you can pay the money up front and they will pay you prime + 1% monthly for 24 months or you can get a loan and they will make your payments. I'm not sure on the whole loan thing as I just gave them the money up front and am collecting the interest. As discussed here in other threads, the Bear is pretty fair with regards to giving you your money back if things go south.

I actually agree with Doc for the most part. The $10,000 up front is paying for a job... no question. I think where our opinions differ is wheather the paying up front is a necessity or not. I've said this a few times on here and I'll say it once more and then leave it alone.

As long as we have posts on Av Canada asking:

"How do I get out of paying off a Promissary Note" or "Is a Promissary Note really Legal" etc...

Bonds will remain.

On a side note, I hope the "out of touch" comment wasn't taken too out of context Doc. It was merly my attempt at referencing a forgotten time when a hand shake was the "Bond" I too, wish those days still existed!

Cheers,

CK

[Cat Driver]

Next time they pressure you to do something unsafe, tell them you'd like this request in writing.

That of course will not work.

What you do is both pilots record the conversation, if they are really putting on pressure to fly in unsafe conditions you now have something to prove what happened.

Guaranteed two pilots with voice recordings of intimidation by dispatch will end that B.S.