What was the coolest flying job (had or heard of)

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02-10-2007, 02:46 PM

#41

ToiletDuck

Che Guevara

Joined APC: Aug 2005

Posts: 6,408

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiseclimb

I'm at a criticle point, like many others here. I'm getting ready to leave the military (retire at 41 yrs old), and since the airline industry has changed so much over the years, it may not be what I want. I've heard of so many cool jobs, like floats in Alaska, DC-3s in the Carribean, flying NASCAR teams, Flying Dr.s in Africa, G-Vs and playing golf with the CEO... etc.. What was the coolest one you've had or heard of, and do you still think flying the line is worth it? In my case, I'll have a military retirement to help make ends meet, and currently single. Would appreciate your perspective...

Thanks,

Cropdusting is awesome. I ride with our duster from time to time in a few planes he owns and it's pretty crazy. Another duster from a town close by owns an old bell helicopter and for the price of fuel you can grab a shotgun, few cases of buckshot, and a harness and he hovers over your rice fields killing all the wild pigs in there.

Also on my way to our bayhouse there are several ricefields an now one or two other crops where they make new genetically altered types. They use heli's (schweizer 300's spelling)to hover up and down the fields over 10ft strips of the plants using the winds to cross pollinate them.

02-10-2007, 03:02 PM

#42

CaptainMark

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Mar 2006

Position: FDX A300 CPT

Posts: 967

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02-10-2007, 03:14 PM

#43

CVG767A

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Apr 2005

Position: 767ER capt

Posts: 1,190

Here's an idea- consider going with a carrier with a large international presence. At Delta (and probably some others, as well), international F/O can be held with little seniority. The flying itself may not be much fun, but the layovers are great, with 24, 48, or more hours with a nice hotel room.

02-10-2007, 11:13 PM

#44

Baradium

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Dec 2006

Position: 737 FO

Posts: 2,370

Exciting jobs?

Well, depends on what you want.

Up here in Fairbanks we've got 2 companies operating DC-6s and one operating DC-4s and an ATL-98 Carvair (DC-4 conversion that looks like a cross between a 4 and a 747).

Speaking of the 4s, that company lost one last month. Had 3,000 gallons of fuel oil onboard and had to ditch in the tundra... I'll look for some pictures...

One of the companies with -6s operates C-46s as well (world's largest taildragger).

The DC-6s are something else, love hearing them takeoff. There are some companies in Anchorage operating DC-3s, although I don't see them in Fairbanks.

I'm an F/O on Beech 1900s into the Alaskan Bush. I get to land the 1900 on runways I never would have dreamed of going into before (mostly gravel, although right now they are covered with ice and snow). Wish I had pictures to show you of some of these places. Upsloping runways, U shaped (saddle) runways etc. Strong gusty winds are common place in some areas.

There are government contractors that fly casas and other turboprops into combat zones as well if you still want the danger... something like $20,000 a month with a 2 month on / 1 off rotation.

Here are the pictures....

The DC-4 crash site:

All from this webpage: http://www.ruudleeuw.com/tmp-photos-6.htm

We have different pictures at company, but I don't have a copy of them.

There is another picture, as well as a picture of the Carvair that is now in Fairbanks (I'm pretty sure it's the same one) on the site. Apparently 3 is the max per post...

Last edited by Baradium; 02-10-2007 at 11:32 PM. Reason: adding pictures