Notices
Part 91 and Low Time Jump pilots, crop dusting, and other Part 91 jobs

The DiverDriver Thread

Old 06-30-2019, 04:05 PM
  #141  
New Hire
 
Joined APC: Jun 2019
Posts: 1
Default

This was my first flying job. I had sub 500hrs when i started. I signed the contract, worked here for two years and flew over 2,000hrs.
This is where i learned how to fly. The environment was perfect for making small mistakes and being able to learn from them. The pilot group was bitter at the time but we all knew we were entry level and on to bigger better things. We taught each other. I taught someone how to fly the Otter and the same guy taught me to fly the Skyvan. It was a challenge.
The pay was survivable. Near the end I was making more than I did as an FO at a regional. I fought for "fair" pay when I was there. Not necessarily more pay but pay related to work load. Often the SEALs would fly 2 - 5 loads in a day while the civilian side flew 40 loads in multiple aircraft. You'd have one pilot flying sun-up to sun-down making the same pay as a guy who showed for a few hours. ...so I fought for pay based upon load amount. Even +$1/load would have been an incentive for the guy stuck flying 20 loads.
Overall, I feel like pilots need to stop being whiny little babies. Y'all aren't going to make the big bucks straight out of the gate. If you have a better option, take it. I am not one of the lucky ones who "knows a guy" so i tightened my belt and i flew like a cowboy up and down over 4,000 times on that stinkin runway in Eloy. I flew an Otter to Moab. I flew an Otter to Winterset, IA. I ferried an Otter from Denver. It was a blast of a career starter.
Now as a Captain of a real jet plane, i wouldn't trade that time for anything. Everyone i know is so jealous i got to do what i did.
OtterDriver is offline  
Old 06-09-2020, 07:33 PM
  #142  
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Position: DiverDriver
Posts: 303
Default

So otterdriver you do what now? Deal with inflight emergencies now? Switching to com2 and transponder 2 whew! You can thank your Sdaz training for that
93Sierra is offline  
Old 06-10-2020, 06:56 AM
  #143  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 445
Default

Originally Posted by 93Sierra View Post
So otterdriver you do what now? Deal with inflight emergencies now? Switching to com2 and transponder 2 whew! You can thank your Sdaz training for that
Took you a whole year to come up with that "burn"?
deftone is offline  
Old 06-12-2020, 08:28 AM
  #144  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Posts: 103
Default

Hopefully DZs start opening up soon - have fun out there and fly safe.
Ticon is offline  
Old 06-12-2020, 09:22 PM
  #145  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 445
Default

Originally Posted by Ticon View Post
Hopefully DZs start opening up soon - have fun out there and fly safe.
I put out some resumes and got some calls back, so they are definitely opening up, I would say most are operational to some degree now.

I managed to get myself a full time gig in a 206, happy days!
deftone is offline  
Old 06-14-2020, 10:42 AM
  #146  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Posts: 103
Default

Originally Posted by deftone View Post
I put out some resumes and got some calls back, so they are definitely opening up, I would say most are operational to some degree now.

I managed to get myself a full time gig in a 206, happy days!
Local club opening up soon - spooling up a few new pilots. I live to far away to make it worth while, but might help out. Let the new guys build some time!

Congrats on the new gig - seriously enjoy it!
Ticon is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
757Driver
Major
0
10-13-2010 01:33 PM
⌐ AV8OR WANNABE
Hangar Talk
2
04-12-2008 10:46 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices