Kenn Borek Scooping Up All DHC-6 Pilots

[DKO]

Rumor has it that Kenn Borek is very short on Twin Otter co-pilots. They will take almost anyone that has a current PPC.

[just curious]

They will take almost anyone that has a current PPC.

Not exactly. Borek, like most companies achieves certain cost savings when hiring a PPC'ed pilot. Normally we hire a bunch from Yellowknife during the fall "Culling of the herd" when excess co-pilots are laid off. Which makes it a win-win situation.

That having been said, we are always turning over pilots. A dozen captains or more over the last year have gone to the blue and teal team. Lots of FOs have been moved up. Occaisionally one of the FOs waiting for an upgrade will shift over to CMA.

What this means is that the resumes get sorted into stacks.

• People with time on either a turbine Beech or Twin Otter, hopefully PPCed, but perhaps just having spent a lot of time loading fuelling and washing one as well. It is helpful that they have a float rating as 17 of our machines are on floats.
• People with no Beech or Otter time, but who have 500 hours (for the Fire, GNWT/GNU, and Medevac contracts)
• People without 500 hours, but who seem to display the atttributes we want and are recommended from within.
• People who just grabbed the April issue of Wings and shotgunned a resume to every company in the known world.
• The particularly inept ie people who cannot spell, type, or add, but who have attached a picture (themselves in front of either a C172 or the Concorde)to their 12 page hand-written/printed essay.

We start with stack one. Each stack is about 4 inches high. The fifth stack ones are often framed. Some are so amusingly bad that we've actually considered flying them in for an interview. Not for hiring. For entertainment.

Clearly it would be better for one's resume to be in one of the first three stacks. To achieve the move from stacks four and five, one need look no further than the dozen threads in this and most other forums for the faux pas to be avoided.

• Learn to spell.
• Get someone else to check it who doesn't love you.
• Don't give us pictures or cloud paper.
• Get the Chief Pilot's name right.
• Don't write us from Toronto and tell us you aren't willing to relocate.
• Don't tell us you can't wait to get on with us so that you can go to Jetsgo in another year 'cause we fly lots.
• Understand that the motto Anywhere Anytime World-wide means the employee, not the customer in a lot of cases.
• Our job (potentially your job), involves: Fuelling out of drums, loading, flight-planning (often around the world), Navigation (involving ADF, VOR, IFR GPS, map and Astro Navigation).
• Several of the pilots I am flying with currently have been to: Burma, the Maldives, the Antarctic the Eastern Arctic Greenland and Northern Quebec. In the last year. A passport, packed bag, no criminal record, and some flexibility are necessary things.

If you plan to apply, then a certain foreknowledge of this would be handy.

• Knowing how to work a: float pump, wobble pump, Honda pump, and a herc strap would be good.
• So would a limited knowledge of the Astro compass. If you can find anyone outside of Borek that can still remember what they even look like.
• Read the Cap Gen, particularly the sections on limits for approach alternate landing and takeoff.
• Get really good at finding and using the cold weather correction chart. It isn't summer yet, at at least four of our bases:evil:
• Find out from your local Police department how toget a criminal records check
• Find out from your local Public Health how to get an international vaccination certificate.
• Get a passport
• Get a low limit credit card for personal emergencies (mine's tapped out)
• Be prepared to study if you get on.

Like any other job, it has it's strengths and weaknesses. Like the Marine Corps if you join you will likely see the world. At the top end you can fly for half the year and make close to 100k. But if you want a company hat, that'll be ten bucks.

[low n over]

It's a shame though that fellas with pic time in the arctic, knowledge of straps, who confortably fit into the townsite, and have cycled all of shell lake through Willards floats don't get considered for an FO position because of no PPC.

[hz2p]

Is there any flexibility on that "no criminal record" requirement?

[just curious]

It's a shame though that fellas with pic time in the arctic, knowledge of straps, who confortably fit into the townsite, and have cycled all of shell lake through Willards floats don't get considered for an FO position because of no PPC.

Actually, sometimes they do. a couple of Willard's "graduates" are with us now, and a couple former grads left recently for the blue and teal team.

Timing and persistence I suppose.
Check your PMs

[2ndtime]

so just curious,
how often do the guys in that 3rd pile get a shot? and what kinds of qualities are you talking about.
2T

[just curious]

Fair question. I would say about 1 third of our new entries are from stack 3. While an internal reference is helpful, being able to express a certain knowledge of bullet points 7&8 from the first list, and all of the points from list two is a definite advantage.

For the internal reference, there's a Tim Hortons near the hangar and a bar at the Port O'Call. They (they being KBAL employees) can be found there from 7-8am on ost work days. Some employees may be found having a Coke at the Port on a friday evening. It shouldn't be hard to interogate them. Donuts don't cost much Ask them if they have time for questions, the nickle tour etc...

How you'd express all that other stuff in a resume or cover letter... dunno.

[Flyin' Hack]

(I just read your reply post to someone else, so have editted my post accordingly)

Just Curious,

I would really like to work for Borek because of the international work and the chance for advancement within the company. But driving up there to lurk at the Tim Horton's isn't a possibility since I have a full-time 84 hour/week job. So, how do I show them I'm serious if I respect their "no calls" policy? You said two things are key. Timing is self-explanatory, but persistance is open to interpretation. Could you elaborate given the above?

Btw, thanks for all of those great tips. Already have a criminal record check, need that to drive taxi, but you've reminded me to go and get passports and international vaccination certificates, pdq.

Thanks!

[w squared]

Just Curious...I'm glad to see someone willing to spell it out in black and white for prospective new employees!

I'm still training, but it's reassuring to see that a lot of the same fundamentals that make someone successful in my current line of work (locations are Northern Canada, Africa, offshore in Europe and SE Asia) translate into increased marketability when it comes to flying.

Willingness to get one's hands dirty (I spent about 10 minutes scouring my hands after work today), understanding that the glamour inherent in a skill is not a valid indicator of it's value, ability to successfully apply both old and new technology, and realization that the customer's needs dictate the employee's schedule...things that seem to be in short supply today. Borek isn't the only place, and aviation isn't the only business where these things will help you to do well. Difference is that in my line of work, these things will keep you steadily employed, make sure that clients will request you by name, and keep you moving up steadily. I guess they're what you need to just get hired by the right kinda company in aviation. Time for me to adjust

[outsider]

A question for the moderator

1.are borek pilots on contract or permantly employed with the company?

2.Are they permantly based or on a rotation?If its a rotation, how long usually?

3.What is the average time for an f/o upgrade?

4. If one has a curren't DHC 6 PPC and time on type and has sent a resume via fax, will he get a reply?

5. Thank you for your time.

[BirdDog IV]

Hello everyone!
Just wondering,
If my resume would be in the first "pile", and I have a residence in YYC and YYZ, with BE20 time as a MEDIVAC Pilot- with experience on gravel strips, and a float rating with an ATPL and 2400 hrs...NO criminal record...do you think there is even a remote chance I might hear from one of thier Chief Pilots.....?
I'll let you all know when I do.

[ahramin]

Maybe if you knew how to spell MEDEVAC?

[...]

Clearly it would be better for one's resume to be in one of the first three stacks. To achieve the move from stacks four and five, one need look no further than the dozen threads in this and most other forums for the faux pas to be avoided.

• Learn to spell.
• Get someone else to check it who doesn't love you.
• Don't give us pictures or cloud paper.
• Get the Chief Pilot's name right.
• Don't write us from Toronto and tell us you aren't willing to relocate.
• Don't tell us you can't wait to get on with us so that you can go to Jetsgo in another year 'cause we fly lots.
• Understand that the motto Anywhere Anytime World-wide means the employee, not the customer in a lot of cases.
• Our job (potentially your job), involves: Fuelling out of drums, loading, flight-planning (often around the world), Navigation (involving ADF, VOR, IFR GPS, map and Astro Navigation).
• Several of the pilots I am flying with currently have been to: Burma, the Maldives, the Antarctic the Eastern Arctic Greenland and Northern Quebec. In the last year. A passport, packed bag, no criminal record, and some flexibility are necessary things.

What he said.....

[just curious]

A question for the moderator

1.are borek pilots on contract or permantly employed with the company?

Usually permanently employed, although occaisionally a high time off strip pilot might choose contract work.

2.Are they permantly based or on a rotation?If its a rotation, how long usually?

A very small percentage of the pilot staff are based in the big city. Not much flying, usually training staff. Not an effective way of building time, making money. Few if any new hires go this route. Medevac & Bandit two weeks in and out. Otter, other beeches, three in three in three out. Overseas, six weeks, Maldives, Six months one month then who knows.
3.What is the average time for an f/o upgrade?

4. If one has a curren't DHC 6 PPC and time on type and has sent a resume via fax, will he get a reply?

We go through a package of paper a day on resumes, so likely not. That would be a full time position.

5. Thank you for your time.
You're welcome.

[jackalope]

I'll throw one more question out there for you Just Curious: can rotating pilots live pretty much where they choose, or do they have to be within an hour of Calgary?

Would living in Ottawa work, with good 7f connections to Iqaluit, Yellowknife, etc?

[Cat Driver]

Hey... J C :

Would they give me a job at my age taking into consideration that I have thousands of hours of high Arctic time including in a T.O.?

As a bonus I lived in Inuvik and built up a resistance to VD so I could save medical expenses that way.

Should I apply?

Cat Driver:

[pika]

Great Post! And if you still want to be a pilot after that you need help! Good luck to all.

[BirdDog IV]

...Oh

MEDEVAC.... right.

Good thing I didn't spell it that way on the resume I sent in about a month ago!!!

Spelling only counts when filling out TC Accident/Incident Reports.

Phantom.

[ahramin]

And silly me thinking spelling counted on all correspondence that you wanted people to take seriously.

[maxofthenorth]

I'll throw one more question out there for you Just Curious: can rotating pilots live pretty much where they choose, or do they have to be within an hour of Calgary?

Would living in Ottawa work, with good 7f connections to Iqaluit, Yellowknife, etc?

Well just so you know if you are looking for work at Borek you might first want to make note that Borek works as a partner/code share with Canadian North (5T) and rotates their pilots on 5T, not First Air (7F). Anyway Borek seems to have pilots based in Ottawa, Edmonton, and Calgary (Some live in other places like Toronto, Vancouver, and Kelowna, but they have been with Borek for some time).

[just curious]

Hey... J C :

Would they give me a job at my age taking into consideration that I have thousands of hours of high Arctic time including in a T.O.?

As a bonus I lived in Inuvik and built up a resistance to VD so I could save medical expenses that way.

Should I apply?

Cat Driver:

Sorry Cat, but Freddie says that you were flying the easy twin otters withthe dash 20's and not the Complicated ones we drive with Dash 34's. Even the DC3 has gotten more difficult with the upgrade to the super 3.

You could maybe send me a resume listing all your human factors courses and we could take a look at you.

Oh, and the NWT has full health care coverage, so you can go back to your earlier ways. The original nurses are still around, so maybe you could come visit your kids.

[co-joe]

Great post JC!

(froom a guy who once had Everett point out that he spelled the company name Ken Borek) oops!

[fche]

> 4. If one has a curren't DHC 6 PPC and time on type and has sent a resume via
> fax, will he get a reply?

We go through a package of paper a day on resumes, so likely not. That would be a full time position.

Oops, better change the employment web page at http://www.borekair.com - it insists on applications being sent by fax only.

[outsider]

Another question for Just Curious

Thanks for your answers to my last questions.
I have a curren't DHC6 PPC with 900 hours on type, and 2500 hours tt. I spent two seasons in the north. I think I would like to work at Borek because I want to see different places and I like doing rotations, I sent a resume by fax like it said on the Borek website. Are they currently hiring and if so do I wait to hear from them or just keep sending resumes every week. Right now I'm down in the Caribbean island hopping for a local carrier on a twin otter.Its a good job but I always wanted to work at Kenn borek.Thanks again for all the good info.I do have a passport and already have my police records on hand.

[just curious]

A question for the moderator

.
3.What is the average time for an f/o upgrade?

From 2600tt to 3000tt on average for Beechs, for otters, depends on wheter you are floats or off-strip wheeel s and skiis.

4. If one has a curren't DHC 6 PPC and time on type and has sent a resume via fax, will he get a reply?

We go through a package of paper a day on resumes, so likely not. That would be a full time position. Replies would be sent to those we are contacting for an interview. An acknowledgement of simple receipt would not likely be forthcoming.

5. Thank you for your time.
You're welcome.