Winnie

Canshield in Manitoba. not as long a waiting list.

Thankfully I took work at a company where it is built in and expected. I can even speak up mid shift and declare that I am fatigued. Only rule is that I have to leave immediately, and sometimes they may ask that I use a cab rather than drive myself home.

Aerocourse for the IFR is also very good, and practically guarantees a pass. Worth the cost for sure. They also do a "cram course" at several locations, that you do just prior to the written. Also, get yourself an AIM and a CAP Gen book, and if you have a tablet, but haven't bought Foreflight because of cost, get FltPlan go app and use that. very handy app. Cheers!

Sorry I missed your point there. At Ornge, the there are 3 "levels" of Captain, and 1 of FO, Level 1, is the Line Captain and FO, their schedule is fixed relatively solid, and it requires a lot to change, with a penalty if the change is short notice. Level 2 is Relief, and it's more restrictive on change. Level 3 is Float, and their schedule can be changed up to 96 hours prior, but in my experience it happens, but not too often. There is also Touring, which is 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off, and change on your day at both ends, and for us the schedule is Tentative in nature, but generally you go where it said. They can bounce us around, but not change the dates of start and end. In general the 3 levels of Captain and 1 FO work about 142 days or less per year. the guys with lots of seniority will have a bunch of extra days off. Touring don't get vacation, but get paid out instead.

During my 2 week tour, 1 week at one base and 1 at a different base, they moved me to a 3rd base for 2 days in the middle. It's "their days" so I don't really care how I work to get paid. Whether it's at Air Canada on Business class (I paid for my own upgrade), or on shift at a base doesn't matter to me...

Yes, I have been asked if I could do an extra day, and I have also had my in schedule changed this tour, but it's mid tour so doesn't matter to me.

so not arguing the points made earlier, but with goggles in the dark, you can see things you can't in the daylight. Embers and burning under the top layer of turf. So there are benefits to fighting fire with goggles in the dark. Now having 1 Dauphin with goggles seems a bit too little...

Um this is a CANADIAN forum??

I'm sure someone will still claim the schedules are chaotic, but you'll know in November when your shifts are for the year, so it is what it is. I switched to touring, and I know what base I will be at when for the year as well.

At Ornge, and Custom for the IFR part it is honored. At both they'll ASK if you want overtime, but there is no penalty for saying no. As a matter of fact, at Ornge you may at some bases struggle to get extra time, because there may be people with more seniority hogging available OT.

Ornge for Touring pilots

"Headed", more like "Beheaded to..." (Snark off)

Merry Christmas all around! I'm keeping Santa Busy this year!

When they stop hiring, this is what happens. There are so few helicopter people left, and nobody wants to join due to low pay, and lack of actual flying.

it was the "wind"