JohnBurke

In the summer, I fly a tanker. I've flown heavy tankers and single engine tankers, air attack, fire patrol, and spent a number of years on the ground as a firefighter, too.

What do you do in fire?

panhandlesmith

Hi. If you let me know where you are that is all I need to know. We may in fact, know each other.

Cubdriver

[mod note]

Cool down folks. If you can't be minimally nice to other users then don't post.

flynlion

Maybe this will lighten the mood:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr2yt5_X9ro

yz450f177

I have seen that Neptune is searching for pilot on the internet job sites.
So does anyone have information on them, the industry, contracts.

Shaft34

I'll try to provide you some info since no one else has replied. I'm not a Neptune pilot or even a tanker pilot, but did spend some time with a few of their P2V crews in Alamogordo early this past season. I'm an Air Attack pilot.

Neptune as a company appears to be doing well. They have several P2Vs on legacy contracts, but many believe their time is numbered. Maybe just a few more years. They also have some BAE 146s on exclusive use contracts now. Not sure of the exact number, but probably 4 or 5 at least. I think they have 7 total 146s.

By and far the crews were nice guys, although I can't really comment on how it would be to fly with them. I enjoyed hanging with them at the tanker base and such. Always a few quirky individuals, but nothing too weird. Never heard them complaining about pay issues. Just normal *****es, gripes, and complaints. Seemed to enjoy working for the company.

To start in tankers you'll be a copilot for quite a while it seems. No guaranteed upgrades or anything. The turnover for copilots is kind of high. Lots of people want to check out the industry, but it's not for everyone. I saw their copilots out cleaning, fueling, and generally helping with everything on the plane.

The tanker crews are on the road for several months every summer. No home base. The flying is great, but lots of time just sitting around too. Not a old time builder job. Really, you need to want to be in the industry to make the most of it. I fly charter and life flight in addition to air attack, but there's something about fire that draws me in each season.

Hope that helps!

JohnBurke

Generally Neptune doesn't advertise for tanker pilots, but has advertised for a king air pilot out of Missoula in the past.

What do you want to know about the industry?

Tpinks

Neptune has been advertising for approximately 4-5 months now for Neptune and BAE pilots and have even dropped their requested flight times during that period.

JohnBurke

The company does appear to have a vacancy announcement for the P2V presently on the company web site.

80Grit

I used to fly for Neptune (P2).

Though much has changed since I left, much remains the same.

The only thing holding me back is contract length. Not overly interested anymore in a 6 month contract with a couple 2 week reprieves. It's a long haul if you have someone (or something) at home that you may miss.

I miss the people more than anything. It is an occupation that will give you a sense that you are actually accomplishing something.

It did for me, at least.

I miss it like crazy.