questions about nakina

[scubasteve]

Hello, I've done a search on the company and it sounds like a good spot. Someone said rampies make $12.50 an hour. I applied even though I only have 150 hours and had to stop flying for financial reasons and I got a surprise phone call this morning about an interview. I am living in BC at the moment and trying to decide if it is worthwhile for me to drive 2600km for an interview. I have no idea how many people applied (assuming alot) and not sure if given my hours etc that it was nothing more than a courtesy call - which I very much appreciate and give the company credit for.

Any insight on this would be fantastic as well as tips on cost of living and availability of housing in the area etc. I initially said no to the interview due to the distance and the fact that the interview is about 10 days before the end of the ski season and I get laid off - Now I'm kicking myself wondering if I passed up a great opportunity. It sounds like a good company where advancement is possible.

[Twotter2]

Looking for an opinion.....Here's mine. I think you would have been one of the best candidates for the job (based on a company standpoint). With 150 hrs they (Nakina) know you're not going to be 'bitching' about not flying the first season. Giving you a chance to prove yourself and also hopefully being able to finance the other 50 hrs needed for your CPL along the way.

[scubasteve]

Thanks Twotter - I'm in a sticky situation having to pay off my student loans from university and my flight training as well as trying to save up to finish my CPL and do a float course (or use a 50 hour course to finish my CPL) I know I could make some money here over the summer but could be passing up a great opportunity. Not too mention that the day before the call came my girlfriend and I committed to a new place to live.

I figured I'd be the last guy considered given that I cant step in and fly if need be but I am willing to work my way up over a few summers and that way continue my job as a ski patroller in the winter as well - until I build up enough time to move on if I so choose.

I think that I might just have to email or call them back directly to see what they say.

Any thoughts are welcome.

[CAL]

hey steve...you still in mwcr?

[scubasteve]

mwcr??? not sure what you're getting at...sorry

[Bushpilot82]

Thats funny!

I also managed to get an interview in Nakina for next week!!

good luck, am driving 2000 km

The odds aren't looking good!

[Chubbaguts]

Yes you did pass up a good opportunity! If I were you I would call them back and beg to be able to have that interview!!!!

[scabber]

I hear that place is dangerous!!! BAD airplanes, BAD people, EVEN WORSE management! Screw the money if you are going to die!

[flatlander]

You are so far out in left field scabber that I don't think there is any hope for you. Judging from your profile you are a few bricks short of a load. In fact Nakina's aircraft are second to no'ones in Northern Ontario or all of Ontario for that matter. You seem to have one serious chip on your shoulder and might I suggest psychiatric help. Good luck.l

[scubasteve]

looks like I'll be going afterall. Cant live with myself if I dont give it the ol college try.

[Pratt]

scubasteve, way to go, give 'em shit. Hope you get the job after going so far for the interview.

[jimdandy]

Best of luck brother. That is one long drive for a job. Surprised u couldn't find someting closer. Try Northway aviation in Pine Dock MB while your driving by. Someone had a good point that with the 150hrs, u won't be bitching for flying. Heared of one guy at Northway that finished his CPL after a season on the dock and started to fly the next. Good Luck
Cheers!

[whhat]

you'll never regret it if you can work 'ard.

[scubasteve]

well did the drive there and back in 4 days so I wouldnt miss too much work but did not get the job. Thanks for the tips and advice etc tho. It was my first interview for an aviation related job (other than flight school dispatcher) so I learned something anyway.

[skinsoda]

was it generally a tough interview?

[scubasteve]

I wouldnt say it was tough, just wasnt expecting some of the questions and stuff. As soon as I drove away i realized I had screwed some questions up which kinda pissed me off. I had a good feeling initially as I didnt get all dressed up like some of the others did and I have some other skills and experiences outside of aviation that may have helped but I have flown only twice in the last 2 years. We were walking to the hangar and I was asked which direction the wind was coming from and its strength - i think i got that one right but inside i messed up a simple math question and when asked what a 45 gallon drum weighs I for some reason used 3 pounds per gallon. I realized my mistakes as soon as I pulled out of the parking lot and was pretty upset at myself.

There are probably some people here who are going to get on my back for forgetting the weight of fuel etc but I'll be the first to admit that I messed up and like I said before, now I have a better idea going into the next interview.

[NapoleonDynamite]

I was one of the guys who dressed up a little, but I didn't wear a tie though. Yeah, I was expecting more ramp questions going into the interview. More than half were flying questions and IFR for that matter which made me feel good about the job at least. My mindset however, wasn't on flying and for that mistake, I answered some of them wrong. I Know I got the wind wrong. It was coming from the south @13kts. It's a sound operation with a nice facility. How did you do tying down the 5 drums in the Otter, scubasteve? Did you find anything else on the way? Did you stop in St. Andrews? A friend of mine, that was interviewed before me, didn't get the job but landed a nice position at Transwest two weeks later (RAMP).

[Northern Skies]

I think they tailored the questions to what kind of training you have, as they asked me absolutely nothing about IFR, and a ton of floatplane questions. I didn't know what jet A weighs, so they got me on that one. And the way he said the wind question, I thought he was asking me what was causing the winds. Silly me.

The drum test was unexpected and fun! I ended up tying each of them to the wall individually with a 2:1 mechanical advantage system to cinch it tight, and hooked the herc straps to the floor, looping them overhead. You couldn't move those things with dynamite. It would have been more interesting if they were full though.

Cheers!

[Captain X]

why would you be expected to tie up Drums.... if you don't know so what..... they'll show you how... thats what a bit of training is for... it sounds like Greg and the boys are having fun at your expense.... and if they were really doing it as a sign of what you're made of, then they are the idiots... all they like is workers who can get yelled at and won't talk back........ I had a buddy that was up there and was trying to chat with one of the rampies and he had this nervous look to him and after talking for less than a minute said " i have to get back to work or my boss will freak out".... now i know that you shouldn't dog Fuc* while being paid, but to talk for 2-3 minutes that ridiculous... If Greg is having abad day so do the ramp guys.

and also who fuc*ing cares what Jet A or Avgass weighs... ask another rampie or use a damn scale!!

[Beacon Final]

I did the interview and had a blast. Got some right, some wrong. And most importantly got some experience. The drum thing was fun. CP told me I did good on that part. Glad I was wearing old jeans and stuff. Felt bad for the white pants and tie guy. But he was nice and learned a lesson like the rest of us.

Just would like to say to the pilots at NAS and the rampies.... you know who I am and thanks again for everything.

If anyone heads up go to the Legion!!! Great times!!

BF