KFC -

k_bazz · Post by **k_bazz** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:42 am

was wanting a little info on KFC, if it's a good place to work, pay, crew. only worked with companies that have done line maintenance, just wondering from the guys that have done both, is it worth to move???

Pat Richard · Post by **Pat Richard** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:23 pm

Kelowna is an expensive place to live, and although KFC has apparently raised their payscale recently you'll find it challenging to get ahead there.

As for the place itself, speaking from the perspective of having worked there, and going by what people have told me recently, most of the same crap still applies. They seem to be in a slight warming trend, with periodic asshole breaks. I'd never go back there as long as BL has that place, or is running it, and would definately not recommend it to anyone having to move any distance.

As for crews, most there seemed ok people. There are number of "I love KFC, there's no better place to be, " tards there, but most of them have never been anywhere else, and are ignorant, and deserved of pity

. Dumb bastards.

If you are in need of a job, don't mind moving/paying to get there, and can deal with the political BS, go for it. Im sure they'll take you, especially if your M2 licensed. They have a helluva time attracting licensed/experienced AME's, as there last hiring attempt revealed.

Good luck

k_bazz · Post by **k_bazz** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:29 pm

thanks for the inside there pat, but what about the work?? is it goin to be a complete 180 compared to line maintenance??? and you also said it is expensive to live, what's a ball park figure for a place??

Pat Richard · Post by **Pat Richard** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:22 pm

Sorry, forgot. and I did work both line and heavy there.

They have either overhaul or line crews at ylw. Line there is convair and 727. Don't know what the line schedule is now, but it was 10 hr days, rotating days/evenings, with a mixed combination of days on/off.
Unless a person is experienced on modern types, or just wants a job, I would'nt tell anyone to invest serious amounts of time on the line crew. You're gaining experience on dinosaurs, and everything is done outdoors.

Heavy is better mainly in regards to the Mon-Fri shifts, which rotate days/evenings, and is actually the only thing I miss.
They are apparently pulling graveyards/weekends right now because of not enough experienced manpower. Apprentices are a dime a dozen there, and like I said, they have issues attracting experienced guys.
What kind of work you'll end up doing depends very much if you end up on a "bitch crew", or a "A team". You can figure out which gets the out of town trips and the interesting work. Roll the dice.
I know kfc claims to be doing dash 8's, but I have'nt heard of any being there since era was there 2 or 3 years ago.
I'm not sure what they're doing on the 757's besides the winglets, and the rest appears to be their own 727's/convairs.

Real estate in Kelowna is a bit nuts. You will be hard pressed to find anything decent for less than, or even around 300G. I'm not talking mansions, newer homes, or great neighborhoods. You'll be around that range in an area called Rutland, and most will tell you it is the slum area of Kelowna. Close to the airport though...
Rent is around 800 a month and up, if you can get a place.

Try doing a search in the maintenance for KFC, or kelowna flightcraft, and see what comes up.

Pat

jsmetalbashers · Post by **jsmetalbashers** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 6:00 pm

k_bazz, what's your area of expertice. I'll tell you that there was a temporary graveyard shift, but its gone, and when those shifts come up, its volunteer only. I was working on a Dash8 a couple of months ago, we dont do a lot of them, but Era brings a couple in every year. We're doing lots of different things right now 37's,27's, 57's, but Convair is the bread and butter for KFC. The mech's are a good bunch of guys. Line works a crazy schedule that doesnt make a lot of sense to me,at one point they work 8 days on and then 5 off. Overhaul works a 3 week rotation of days and evenings. We are smokin busy right now, so tensions can be a little high at times. The pay is good by industry standards, Licensed guys start at around 24 and top out around 31+ endorsements and annual bonus. KFC can be hard on people at times, but if you work and have a good attitude you'll be happy. Kelowna is expensive, Pat was right in saying 300G doesnt get you a mansion, my place went up in value 200G in 3 years.

tellyourkidstogetarealjob · Wed Mar 01, 2006 7:52 pm

$300G for a house. Rents tight. Company that can be, "a little hard," on guys. AND the princely sum of $24 an hour to start!

WHOOPEE! The line to apply forms behind me, no pushing and shoving.

Pat Richard · Post by **Pat Richard** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 8:40 pm

I'm not trying to butt heads, but my good attitude is directly connected to my earnings, and 24 a/hr for an experienced ame is the freeway exit to a bad attitude. I'd personally be looking at 30+ a/hr these days, particularly in Kelowna and area. You need it to get by. What kind of time do you have to serve at kfc to get to 31+? Im thinking 3 years or more.
js is dead on about the line schedule. That's the weirdness I dealt with also, and the heavy sched is the same as when I left.
The problem I see with the bread and butter convairs is that they can't be far away from being shitcanned by purlator. And when that happens, along with the 727, kfc is left with very little, except taking on new a/c types they know relatively nothing about, low balling the bid comparitively, and hoping the boys in maintenance save the day(graveyards, weekends, etc). I know BL sits on the board at purlator, but considering his age, that won't be for long either, and his influence will wane.

I don't see them as a forward thinking company, rather more trying to make past technology work in a modern world. It might be working for them right now, but I'd be real carefull to think that will be so 3-5 years from now, if not sooner. You can only convert so many tankers in a year, and that's if there's even a market.
For my money, I'd take a CL 415.
Just do your research before you commit, and make sure you are "physically fit"(as their website asks)now, in the past, and in the future. This type of place requires it.
PM me if you need further explanation of the above.

Cheers'

Pat

Pat Richard · Post by **Pat Richard** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 5:15 pm

area called Rutland, and most will tell you it is the slum area of Kelowna

Just wanted to address this comment, as I recieved a PM from a resident from this area, who is unhappy with the choice of descriptive term I used for Rutland.
Although I won't say it's a desireable area in Kelowna to live, it continues to be the low end of Kelowna real estate prices, there are some improvements being made in an attempt to improve the area.

So apologies for the "slum" comment, which is perhaps too strong a word for some, but I would'nt go as far to say all is great there.

Pat

jsmetalbashers · Post by **jsmetalbashers** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 11:41 pm

Another option for someone wanting to join KFC is to work in the YHM base where things are much more laid back and they don't do Convair maintenance. And Tim Hortons airlines is next door with a coffee shop in the front.

Froggy · Post by **Froggy** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:23 pm

YHM KFC!!!,

Don't do it!
Been there, done that. Great place to learn and get started if you're an apprentice but then you have to get the heck out! Same political B.S. from the "look at me boss, look at me" managers all tryin' to please that prick who runs the base!
My suggestion, Try CargoJet! Great place to work and learn but a smaller company with less crap to deal with and great crews! Still the same old dirty birds though, but that's why we do this job, we like working on airplanes! Not looking at them!

Good Luck!

BKIAME · Post by **BKIAME** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:22 am

I just heard that there is a base in Calgary for them is that true?? does anyone know how that base work?

aero-singidunum · Post by **aero-singidunum** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:19 am

Cargojet yes, but do you have B727?

737 Mech · Post by **737 Mech** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:01 am

aero-singidunum wrote:Cargojet yes, but do you have B727?

Not required...I was offered a line job with CargoJet (to bad it was in Miribel,Que) and I've never touched a 27 before. I was told CargoJet has a in- house training program that you can aquire a 727 endorsement course for your ACA.

fmrc3ame · Post by **fmrc3ame** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:45 pm

They didn't have any in house training unless things have changed. The 727 course was always outsourced but they have a good man in charge of training now. As to Calgary, it is strictly a "through" station with very few overnight aircraft.

737 Mech · Post by **737 Mech** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:20 pm

fmrc3ame wrote:They didn't have any in house training unless things have changed. The 727 course was always outsourced but they have a good man in charge of training now. As to Calgary, it is strictly a "through" station with very few overnight aircraft.

Really, I'm not sure, that is what they told me at the interview.

fmrc3ame · Post by **fmrc3ame** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:32 pm

YMX is a good station for CJ. There is a lot of work and the 2 guys there are top notch. The draw back is the weather, always working outside with no Hangar. If your looking to get on with CJ then YMX would be a good place to start.

ramp_rat · Post by **ramp_rat** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 11:43 am

737Mech wrote:
Not required...I was offered a line job with CargoJet (to bad it was in Miribel,Que) and I've never touched a 27 before. I was told CargoJet has a in- house training program that you can aquire a 727 endorsement course for your ACA.

737Mech, do you work for Canjet? If yes, then why interested to work for CJ with those 727 cargo birds?

737 Mech · Post by **737 Mech** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:54 pm

well that is a complicated answer.........a few things I guess.

-Pay
-shifts
-location
-etc..

I like CanJet and the 737-500 is a great plane I'm just trying to improve my overall situation. I really don't care what type of aircraft I work on, that being said I'd like to stay with large transport catergory. Plus it's good to have interviews and see what your worth if you haven't in a while...stay in-touch with the industry.

aero-singidunum · Post by **aero-singidunum** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:32 pm

YMX base manager had only few kids on interview, with no 27 working exp. So he end up hiring a good kid....
Are you in YYZ or YHZ base?
And yes, in house is awesome guy for training, course should held soon.
(that sounds OK ChinaMan?)

ramp_rat · Post by **ramp_rat** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:06 pm

Thanks for the feedback 737Mech.

Hey aero-singidunum, r u from YYZ? Any work from YYZ or YHM coming up for CJ?

aero-singidunum · Post by **aero-singidunum** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:10 pm

YHM, main base

Flyboy_172 · Post by **Flyboy_172** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:50 pm

what are the shifts like at YHM (KFC), and any idea what a first year apprentice would make?? Also i understand that line maint. is probably out of the question for a first year tech. ?? how does one get to do that sort of job??

ramp_rat · Post by **ramp_rat** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:16 pm

Flyboy_172 wrote:what are the shifts like at YHM (KFC), and any idea what a first year apprentice would make?? Also i understand that line maint. is probably out of the question for a first year tech. ?? how does one get to do that sort of job??

I dont know much about KFC, but in Toronto, I was making 14 bucks an hour when I started. About line maintainenance, it's not a big deal since you are paired up with some licensed guy to train you with everything you do. And remember, to always ask when you dont know!! The catch is, you dont know what kind of person you will be working with. I was lucky enough to work with guys who understood and still remembered that they were once an apprentice, so they treat you better. Most of the guys are great to work with anyway except for the few ones who likes to whine all day why they pick aircraft maintenance as a profession. They drive me nuts!! Back to KFC, I dropped my resume there quite a few times before, they never called me, which is a good thing, now I work for a better one!! Good Luck!

Riverman · Post by **Riverman** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:37 pm

Any insiders know if KFC is still hiring M1 engineers? They're still advertising on their webpage but it hasn't been updated in a while.
I'm seriously dying to live in Kelowna and I am ready for a change.
I think I might apply...

Pat Richard · Post by **Pat Richard** » Tue May 02, 2006 4:58 pm

I'm seriously dying to live in Kelowna

I can see them rubbing their hands together right now and hoping there's more in line behind you.

Im from there, and I'll never go back.

KFC

KFC

Calgary based KFC?