Southwest Caravan Drivers

[Justwannafly]

Just saw a job posting & was wondering what the job would entail....probable location, type of flying, & likelyhood of advancment

[Rudy]

Goodluck. At Southwest only the senior 737 capts get offered the caravans.

[privateer]

Ya I hear there using the caravan for lost baggage transfer. Good job southwest for choosing the caravan!

[Rowdy]

Don't pay attention to the other two clownies! hahaha Thats right you heard me privateer!

It's SUNwest. Main base here in lovely calgary. The FO spot is basically due to the fact that the machines don't have an autopilot I'm guessing. Also to help load and unload all that crap day in and day out.

Not sure what the advancements are like. Good slot for a 250hr wonder.. not so much for anyone with actual time.

[Doc]

Still, better than working a ramp.

[husky]

Can't they find some poor sucker working there ramp right now to fill this position? Oh right, then they'd have to hire a non-pilot to replace them and pay them a wage they might be able to live on in Calgary....

When a company hires outside the company to fill FO spots, when there are poor souls toiling away on the ramp, talk about a kick in the nuts.

[avmg]

I hope your cover letter wasn't addressed to Southwest!! Ooops.. Hahaha! Either way, good luck with the process and don't stop trying!

[Justwannafly]

I hope your cover letter wasn't addressed to Southwest!! Ooops.. Hahaha! Either way, good luck with the process and don't stop trying!

well their job is not quite what I'm looking for, I would prefer a King air or a 1900 BUT still currious all the same

[bigcanuck]

Last I checked everyone on the ramp with a license is going on the PA31?

[Wacko]

Last I checked everyone on the ramp with a license is going on the PA31?

where did you hear this?

[C206Pilot]

so, let me get this straight....sunwest DOES have people on the ground waiting to get upgraded.....and they're hiring a Caravan FO with 300 hours from outside, direct entry?

i fucking hate canada and this industry.....im so glad companies are getting screwd over now with all of this movement....and you still see shit like this....its one thing when there AREN'T any jobs out there, so you work the ramp to wait for something...but when you see a company hiring a 300 hour pilot for right seat on a caravan and not promote someone, that company deserves what they get....and for me, its a bad reputation now.

[xsbank]

Like I said before, ramp guys and dispatchers make a company; pilots are a dime a dozen. Where else are you going to get a plane-savvy, eager worker who you can pay McDonald's wages to and he won't leave??? I'm with you, C206pilot.

Shake your heads, rampies. If that happened to me I might just lose it.

[Freddy_Francis]

xsbank and 206 i 3rd that motion....disgusting....you spend $40,000 plus, you spend 2-4 years studying and training and then you decide to sit on a ramp for "6months" waiting for a spot in the right seat? give me a fucking break so sad.....

now it was said that sunwest was doing this half ramp half right seat deal....thats one thing....but being a "rampie" for 6+months and then job ads going up for outside fo's? HOLY HELL!!!!!!


(blood pressure to high....im stopping here)

[privateer]

Well actually the rampies have already done the ground school for the hoe so why go on the caravan? I think Sunwest's new ramp/fo program should be an example for all charter companies. It won't hurt a 200hr wonder to get their hands dirty and learn a few things about running a company before they start flying.

2 cents

[RatherBeFlyingInCanada]

Well actually the rampies have already done the ground school for the hoe so why go on the caravan? I think Sunwest's new ramp/fo program should be an example for all charter companies. It won't hurt a 200hr wonder to get their hands dirty and learn a few things about running a company before they start flying.

2 cents

Not a bad idea, sunwest is a great company. Lots of room for advancement.

[SQ]

so have they choosen the lucky 208 F/O yet ?

[privateer]

why don't you phone KM and find out. Besides the reason there is a caravan opening is becuase one of the 208's dosen't have Autopilot. I would be going for something better if I were u

[Wacko]

Just called, they are still going threw the internal guys. No decision made.

[Rowdy]

xsbank and 206 i 3rd that motion....disgusting....you spend $40,000 plus, you spend 2-4 years studying and training and then you decide to sit on a ramp for "6months" waiting for a spot in the right seat? give me a fucking break so sad.....

now it was said that sunwest was doing this half ramp half right seat deal....thats one thing....but being a "rampie" for 6+months and then job ads going up for outside fo's? HOLY HELL!!!!!!


(blood pressure to high....im stopping here)

Okay.. 40k and 2 maybe 3 years of pretty simple and easy work. Flying and the flight training is a lot of fun. Grow up.

You're entitled to NOTHING in this life.. Work for it.. or choose something else.

I'm sorry guys.. I'm usualy captain positivity.. but this attitude that "I have 40 or 50k in my licence and 2-3 years and I should HAVE a job in a turbine right now and make 50k a year" is bullshit. We've all been there.

At least sunwest is puttin ramp guys onto machines.. That kicks ass for 250hr guys. Wasn't happening 5-6 years ago.

I Love you all

Rowdy

[Dojoroboto]

Hey;

Just got the call for the Caravan Job interview. Anyone who might have some tips, or common questions, please PM me or post them.

Thank you

[xsbank]

Where's the key to the commissary cupboard?

Break a leg!

[Wacko]

Dojoroboto: what kind of qualifications do you have if you don't mind my asking.

Cheers

[Justwannafly]

xsbank and 206 i 3rd that motion....disgusting....you spend $40,000 plus, you spend 2-4 years studying and training and then you decide to sit on a ramp for "6months" waiting for a spot in the right seat? give me a fucking break so sad.....

now it was said that sunwest was doing this half ramp half right seat deal....thats one thing....but being a "rampie" for 6+months and then job ads going up for outside fo's? HOLY HELL!!!!!!


(blood pressure to high....im stopping here)

Okay.. 40k and 2 maybe 3 years of pretty simple and easy work. Flying and the flight training is a lot of fun. Grow up.

You're entitled to NOTHING in this life.. Work for it.. or choose something else.

I'm sorry guys.. I'm usualy captain positivity.. but this attitude that "I have 40 or 50k in my licence and 2-3 years and I should HAVE a job in a turbine right now and make 50k a year" is bullshit. We've all been there.

At least sunwest is puttin ramp guys onto machines.. That kicks ass for 250hr guys. Wasn't happening 5-6 years ago.

I Love you all

Rowdy

Rowdy I have NO PROBLEM with them hiring outside guys...BUT if they hire guys & gals with those qualifications & tell them that they have to work the ramp & then they will get the job. THEN it IS owed to the rampies....It was part of their contract...Break yoru back with us & when a seat comes available you will be given the oportunity to warm it up.

[Justwannafly]

I might add that if they were hired on the ramp but NOT promised the seat then sucks to be you....it's not fair but then again it's not owed to you either

[privateer]

justwannafly, I think you should work the ramp


Rowdy loves king air's