Hi all-
Sorry for the late reply. The 1000tt is an insurance issue from what I understand. I'm just a pilot so I can't speak for the company in terms of their flexibility.
The gathering systems I fly require around 5-6 hrs a day, 5 days a week to complete. All low-level (200-250 agl) with a bunch of "yanking and banking," to stay on the lines. In addition, there are towers, silos, birds, antennas, power lines and spray pilots that will keep you on your toes. Add wind, poor visibility and thunderstorms to the mix and it makes for some challenging but fun flying. We fly single pilot 152s and 172s. No observers. You fly, you find and you report.
This kind of work is not for everyone, but the folks I work for are great. Further, I make more $ than any FO I know of. A note of caution, my outfit wants long term pilots, not people working to build time then leave. BTW, Three of our pilots have in excess of 16000 hrs and most of our 13 pilots enjoy being home at night and have no desire to work elsewhere. To the best of my knowledge none of us are "crazy" nor have been institutionalized
There is a probationary training period, some additional testing and a checkride process to get through. Like I said, flying pipeline it not for everyone. But then I,ve never wanted to fly for an airline.
Paul