Union? Guys at Pasco don't have the guts to unionize.

Sideshow...I think I might agree with you on that one.

As far as details go, I only heard it as a rumour from someone else and know no more than that. The rumour of people wanting a union has been circulating for months, but this rumour was different. Sounded like someone was actually doing it. That's all I have. (Might have something to do with the details of the new pay structure finally coming out, and some key points in it are different than what everyone agreed too.)

Geeze, another great post I've missed getting in on!!

I'm a ex-Goose, current 1900 pilot just starting into Saab GS.

Pasco is the best flying job I've ever had. This year I am guaranteed to make over $73k on the IFR side (on the new pay system). I work about 15 days a month give or take. I commute from Qualicum and don't find it a bother. I make more money IFR than I ever made on floats.

In my opinion, driving a Goose in the mid coast is way harder than flying a 1900.

I've made as much as $10k/month flying floats in the summer but I worked 26 days to do it.

I haven't heard anything about a union. I don't know of any airline where everyone is happy. There are people that are unhappy a Pasco (some rightly so) however I think that the prevailing attitude is pretty happy.

As far as the Goose guy that came down this year: He's one of the hardest workers I have ever met. The thing that would bother him more than anything else would be not pulling his own weight. He's getting a chance on the IFR side because of the work ethic he's already demonstrated. My money is that he'll have it figured before the next batch of new hire give people something new complain about.

The company has done some big time expanding and has had/is having some growing pains. In my humble opinion it been dealt with pretty progressively. I think that some people have an overly simple idea about all the logistics that go into running an airline. The Smiths have been able to succeed at it, employ 350+ people, expand and still give profit sharing cheques this year.

At Pasco the owners greet me by name and I can walk through an open door and talk to the CP or Ops man or just about anybody and talk no bullshit with them. I've been treated fairly and with respect while I've worked here.

my 2 cents.

Sideshow wrote:Union? Guys at Pasco don't have the guts to unionize.

Maybe we just don't think we need one?

Funny dog, or more fitting it should be Horse, right G.H

real pilots fly 172's out of boundry bay

Airliner...any thoughts on the subject?

I like my job.
Its the bestest job of all jobs in jobland.
Yes there are a few problem, but the same as with any other company. I like the float guys even if some look a little funny (DOG). They also get paid a great deal of money for a fairly short season, but they earn it.
In the ifr depot. well i get paid well... so who cares.....
As for the other topic im not going to touch it with a (insert size here) pole.

Too scared to even express an opinion about a union? I guess that answers the question right there.

Was only wondering if you had heard anything or not.

Until a union is introduced all matters are private opinion.

I like pasco.

I LOVE LAMP

Those are some fine balls... and what is lamps?

I'm not funny lookingL I'm dead sexy.

Hey that is you in the Otter now that I take a closer look. You be wearing the wrong colours there dude. Seeeposstt to be Blue and White.

horse wisperer

I've been at Pasco for years, and I think I can provide some information and make a few comments. The reason many of us have been here for years is because it has always provided a good stable income, and lifestyle that some of us like. For those who come here for a year or two to get enough hours before jumping to a bigger carrier, it might not seem the best place. So? You're only here for a while, why should the company bend over backwards for a person who only wants a springboard to the next level? But if you're a level headed, hard working person, then you'll do just fine.

And if your stuck at Pasco because the bigger airlines don't want you.... well what does that say... we would rather you you went somewhere else as well.
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To answer some of the other queries at the beginning of this stream...

Pasco's ideal IFR candidate for FO, twenty to thirty, living YVR, minimum 1000 hrs PIC. Multi IFR. ATPL or
- obviously they're flexible on these conditions, but that may limit the persons ability to be promoted to Captain, and effect pay levels.

IFR Captain, Living YVR, minimum 2000 HRS, 1500 PIC (2000 for SAAB) Multi IFR, ATPL.

Beaver Pilot , 500 hrs PIC float time. This has become less a hard fast rule as it is harder to find float pilots.

Goose Pilots, 1000 PIC hrs float time, multi rating, tail dragger time a big asset.

All qualifications are flexible depending on the person and their references. Having a person who already works for Pasco to give a good reference is always the best.
-------------------

Pay levels

A new system is now in place because the growth in recent years was causing issues with the old system. Is this the best? We don't know yet, it's only been in place for a couple weeks. If it doesn't work, it'll be changed. Is there going to be some adjustments? probably. Always is.

These rates are approximate :

Captain rate for B200/B1900 - Starting around $55,000 after 55 months $70,000

Captain Shorts/SAAB - Starting at $63,000 after 55 months $81,000

FO rate low PIC < 1000 - Starting at $27,000 after 31 month $32,000

FO rate PIC 1000 > 1500 - Starting at $35,000 after 31 months $39,000

FO rate PIC 1500 > Starting at $38,000 after 31 months $43,000

Float Pilots (Beaver/Goose), day rate - first year - $125 - fourth year $160
- $0.24 - $0.33 / mile based on type and years of service
- average probably 300 miles/day winter and 800 miles/day summer,
- usually 21- 22 days per month

Goose pilot at top of scale probably about $70,000 / year.
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All the above pay also doesn't include the extras, such as

-per diems, usually $1500 - 2500 a year. (IFR Pilots mostly)
-company pension plan that matches an employees contributions up to 5%, and you don't have to buy shares in the company!
-profit sharing, last few years has been about $1000 - 2000 depending on your pay rate, paid before Christmas.
- Full medical and good benefits.
- interline travel on many airlines.
- Also several parties every year including an awesome Christmas party.

******

And those of you who want to compare Goose pilots to IFR pilots. Like the other person said , supply and demand. If you think the Goose flying is easy and overpaid, why don't you give it try. It takes a certain person to fly one. Good hands and feet, independent, able to make decisions for yourself without everything laid out and no one to hold your hand. Do I sound bitter? Our Goose drivers are the best.

And if they don't jump right into the IFR world as easy as some, it's because they haven't spent 1500 hrs flying around a circuit for their PIC time. A few have had a hard time transitioning to instruments because they fly by peering outside watching the water, the huge waves, and the trees and islands emerging out of the west coast drizzle. But once they figure out how easy IFR flying really is, they make the best drivers around.

If you don't agree with me, give it try, I bet you'd wet yourself on the first big wave and get a job at the local gas station.

Baaaaa is a good typer

right from the goats mouth

So you guys hiring? I have always had an interest in this company

Great post!!!

Especially the bit about the Goose pilots.

I would give my Cub to a Goose pilot to fly any day.....All I would ask is be sure to fill the tanks when you bring it back......but I wouldn't just give it to a squak ident monkey for fear they would wreck it taxiing to the runway.

Great thread!

Some guys just had flight evaluations on the ninth and they had interviews before Christmas. I heard they were looking for more Saab FO's and a couple Shorts FO's for the summer. Five 1900 captains just got upgraded to Saab which led to a few 1900 FO's with left seat rides finally getting released to captain which I presume will lead to them needing more 1900 FO's. Next Saab groundschool will be in Feb or March with them going to sim in April. I'm not sure if they will be doing any more interviews or if they have done all they need for this summer. 8 Saabs and counting...

Remember that no matter what a company decides with pay or schedule structure that you can't please everybody but the general consensus is that people enjoy working there.

Not a bad place to be if the music stops...

. . wrote:I would give my Cub to a Goose pilot to fly any day.....All I would ask is be sure to fill the tanks when you bring it back......

Careful there ., I'm only thirty minutes up the road from Casidy. I Might take you up on it. Of course you would have to regularly inspect it for bottles of you favorite poison.

Hey, why do you have two handles now?

Like I said, any Goose pilot can borrow my Cub as long as they pay for the gas.

It is a homebuilt and if in the unlikely chance something brakes we will just fix the fu.kin thing.

All I have to do is finish building it.

From the ramp side I will also agree that Pasco is an excellent place to work. Great people, and yes, great employee parties as well.

I also share a love of the Goose. It was great having one based in Vancouver for a while, I never got tired of seeing it come in and out. Hopefully they will still be around in a few years so I can come back and fly em!

Here's a shot I took of it in YVR a couple months back.

Aren't those wages a 'bit' low? There must be a lot of Pasco guys still living at home. How the hell can you live out here on $70,000 before taxes?