Voyageur Airways Interview

[AuxBatOn]

Doc, agreed, however having the more in depth knowledge may help you take other decisions, like WHERE do I land (come back to base or go somewhere else)

[Doc]

Auxbaton, I've been doing this for way too long, and I've yet to have a "question" as to where to land. Or, when to head back to base. Or, for that matter, to go, or not to go.
When something goes "out to lunch" I just ask myself one question. Can I live without this? It can really be that simple.

[Never Mind]

Hey any info or advice for the Voyageur Airways Interview, with regards to types of question...IFR? Personal? Company Info?

Some time ago I had an interview with Voyageur. Here are some of the details.

1. There were no IFR questions
2. I was asked however how I personally rated myself on IFR flying skills on a scale of 1 to 10
3. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
4. "What is your worst quality?"
5. There was a discussion pertaining to the training bond - $8,000 at the time
6. I was asked how long it would take me to reach 1000 hours - I was about 80 hours short

On my way down to Toronto I felt privileged to have been considered for employment with this company. The prospect of flying multi-turbine in IFR really enthused me, especially since I was an instructor at the time.

A week later I was disappointed when I got the "Thank you for your time, but..." notification. I felt that I was never going to be able to break into the aviation industry. On the positive side it focused my attention on better preparation for future interviews.

Never Mind

[KenoraPilot]

Thanks Never Mind for at least getting back on topic! Much appreciated!

['effin hippie]

My guess is KP likes the international lifestyle, and wants to try something other than the 'Dives, but not Rothera or Resolute. So he's interested in the overseas stuff.

I'm also pretty sure he's going in with his eyes open and has some inside info regarding conditions on VAL's overseas ops, which does sound a lot nicer than the domestic.

Anyway, good luck, buddy, if you want it, I hope you get it.

ef

[KenoraPilot]

couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for the good luck....I hope I get it!

[Cat Driver]

couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for the good luck....I hope I get it!

I have been following your career and even encouraged you to go to the Maldives....but I draw the line at encouraging you to pay for a job just because you want to fly in another area of the world, in my way of thinking that is just reinforcing the mindset of these companies that pilots will do anything just to fly their airplanes.

Think about it.

[KenoraPilot]

Yes, that is my biggest hang up. I honestly don't even know if I can do it financially. So the way I am looking at this is....I want to do the interview, gain the interview experience and then see what happens afterwards. I have a job flying a DHC6 which is an amazing plane, so I don't have to worry about work. So I take this one step at a time. Its actually been a benifit, getting me to study for the IATRA, and brush up on my IFR again. I do love flying internationally, but yes $15,000 is a lot of money when I already have flying debt from my CPL training from years back. It could be a great chance, but like I said, I'll take it one step at a time....if nothing else I'll get a suit and tie 3 person panel interview and gain that experience! Thank you all for your support and your advice....

[AuxBatOn]

It shouldn't be a money issue but a moral issue... If nobody pays for a job, they will have to change their hiring policies. And aviation will just be that much better for every pilot out there.

[Cat Driver]

Kenora Pilot, there are many companies where you can get to work in Africa who do not ask you to go into debt to work for them.

It is a long road in aviation and you don't really want to taint your reputation by paying to work do you?

[mattedfred]

i chose to work for perimeter aviation when they had a training bond and again for air georgian when they had a promissary note

i regret both to this day

i will never work for a company that requires either but it is easy for me to say this now given my current position in my career

[Doc]

After all that's been said about buying jobs, we still have pilots willing to line up to do this. KenoraPilot, give your head a shake. PM Cat for a list of companies that will send your ass overseas without a cheque book. Do not do this.
Or, go to the interview and tell them to "pound sand".

[synthpro]

I would like to add a twist to this discussion.

Everyone here are a bunch of goody tooshoos.... declaring how they would never pay for a job. You should all be christined Catholic saints you are so good.

But tell me this.... what exactly is the difference between paying for a job up front........ OR accepting a shit galore salary which pays $580 every two weeks (AFTER TAX)..... while having to work over 3000 hours a year, PLUS having to relocate to the shittiest places in Canada???

Before pointing the finger... realize that we're all in this same shitty boat together. Different flavors, different strokes but essentially the same thing.

Escort services, Porn stars and Prostitution are all pretty much identicle if you ask me

Synthpro

[Doc]

Nobody asked you...

[Cat Driver]

........ OR accepting a shit galore salary which pays $580 every two weeks

You obviously have made a mistake there, $580.00 would be for one day if you have any real qualifications.

[synthpro]

Uh huh.... well tell that to 70% of the other poster's here BIG GUY!

Synthpro

[Hoov]

I would like to add a twist to this discussion.

Everyone here are a bunch of goody tooshoos.... declaring how they would never pay for a job. You should all be christined Catholic saints you are so good.

But tell me this.... what exactly is the difference between paying for a job up front........ OR accepting a shit galore salary which pays $580 every two weeks (AFTER TAX)..... while having to work over 3000 hours a year, PLUS having to relocate to the shittiest places in Canada???

Before pointing the finger... realize that we're all in this same shitty boat together. Different flavors, different strokes but essentially the same thing.

Escort services, Porn stars and Prostitution are all pretty much identicle if you ask me

Synthpro

those companies with bonds often pay shit as well.

[ClevelandSteamer]

nicola@coastal.cc

You know you want to come here to Tanzania KP!!

[Cat Driver]

Uh huh.... well tell that to 70% of the other poster's here BIG GUY!

Synthpro

Why the snotty attitude Synthpro?

Are all you low wage earners forced to accept those wages?

Pilots are their own worst enemies because they would rather starve to death than not be able to fly.....so quit complaining.

[KenoraPilot]

PM'd Cat and yet to have any responce.....

[mattedfred]

"But tell me this.... what exactly is the difference between paying for a job up front........ OR accepting a shit galore salary which pays $580 every two weeks (AFTER TAX)..... while having to work over 3000 hours a year, PLUS having to relocate to the shittiest places in Canada???"

both scenarios suck big time but i would choose the lower pay over paying up front.

what happens to the financial equation if you get fired, quit or the company shuts down?

my first IFR job right seat in a twin turbo i made $5/hr and that was only in 1995

[KenoraPilot]

Since you are all against this company, do any of you besides Cat (who didn't have any companies to offer) have any companies I could apply to....open to all suggestions. Thank you in advance.

[synthpro]

Uh huh.... well tell that to 70% of the other poster's here BIG GUY!

Synthpro

Why the snotty attitude Synthpro?

Are all you low wage earners forced to accept those wages?

Pilots are their own worst enemies because they would rather starve to death than not be able to fly.....so quit complaining.

Well Catdriver, unfortunately for me, I do admit that I certainly fall into the low wage category. But you know, I am no better for accepting my circumstances than the other guy who paid for their PPC. So if someone tells me they paid for their job, unlike most people here, I say to myself, he did what he had to do. Not really any different in my mind from what I am doing.

And yes, you can make a case by saying we are our own worst enemy, but I really believe, that it is the laws of supply and demand that force us into this situation. If I turned down my job, their would be ten other guys lined up to replace me. I know that. What to do??? I'll be the single guy standing in a picket line waving my sign "PILOTS AGAINST CHEAP LABOR" while everyone else goes in to work.

Their are just too many pilots at the bottom end of the spectrum. It didnt happen like this by accident.

Synthpro

[mattedfred]

kenorapilot,

why not start by applying to the list of companies that someone started under the companies that don't have training bond thread?

it may appear as though you don't have a choice right now but i know i regretted my decision to work for companies that had training bonds/promise notes

as you know aviation is very cyclical and there is no set path to take

i have former CSAs, flight followers and dispatchers that have more seniority then me or went to AC before i was even called for an interview

make an informed decision, strike your own path and pursue your career dreams even if they don't fit the normal profile

how many 777 drivers do you think wished they just had one more season in the bush to fly that type they always wanted to yet will never get the chance again?

i still miss aspects of the bush flying that i got to do

good luck

['effin hippie]

He isn't looking for his 1st job. He wants to fly in Africa. Or Asia. Or wherever other than Canada. The furthest that list will get you is maybe somewhere in Nfld, which probably isn't really Canada, but has worse weather, so f*** it.

KP knows what he is doing. Maybe someone with a topical response could just answer the guys question instead of crapping on him from lofty heights.

ef