CHC Alumni Posted May 27, 2011 Report Posted May 27, 2011 Over the past thirteen years we have seen people come and go on this forum, under many names (AviatorSelect.com, CanadianAviation.com, CanAv.com, CAaviation.com... and a few others before it was purchased by VerticalMag). One thing I keep thinking of is how guys like RDM, Bladestrike, Longranger and CTD helped me make decisions in my career. These are all great people that contribute positively to the business. Thanks guys. A few of these fine fellows have bowed out and changed names or gave up on the forum after getting abused by new folks that thought that they had the right to do so after acquiring the 100 hours that Transport Canada dictates. That's a shame, it's a small industry and some of us know each other fairly well. I still get private messages asking about how a new person should prepare themselves for a job in this wonderful business we call "our industry". If you have little tidbits or positive stories, please add them to this topic. I left the best job I've ever experienced almost ten years ago to do something that I thought would be great. Sometimes you don't know what you have until you've lost it. Some basic things I have learned along the way... - Carry a small container of good quality candy such as Jolly Ranchers or Werthers Originals (they won't melt on the Astar tray). - No matter how terrible a client is, be friendly and helpful, they put the bread on your table. - Don't be too helpful. If they want to be inefficient and ask you to do something the long way, do it their way. If you embarrass them and save them money, you may never see that job again. If you undercut the next guy, remember that guy might be your boss next year. This is just a start. Please add what you can. 3 Quote
SuddenStop Posted May 27, 2011 Report Posted May 27, 2011 be yourself, you ARE you. Not everyone will like you, but you aren't them and you never should be. don't be afraid to voice your opinion, you after all formed it based on your lifes paths, not someone elses. don't back down when bullied, bullies never win. learn, includes pertinant career info as well as who your enemies and allies are. listen, not only to the seasoned guys, but the new guys as well. In my world fresh ideas are as important as the tried and true methods accept criticism and never be afraid to point it out to others repeat above steps as often as necessary 1 Quote
PoleHog Posted May 27, 2011 Report Posted May 27, 2011 " Carry a small container of good quality candy such as Jolly Ranchers or Werthers Originals (they won't melt on the Astar tray)." But be careful.........kinda funny now but, I remember a ferry flight from Victoria to Rupert one time,...Somewhere around Bella Bella I almost choked to death on a Jolly Rancher.... believe it or not, Its surprisingly hard to fly in that state..... I chew gum now instead, and avoid hard candies. 1 Quote
helidude Posted May 27, 2011 Report Posted May 27, 2011 But be careful.........kinda funny now but, I remember a ferry flight from Victoria to Rupert one time,...Somewhere around Bella Bella I almost choked to death on a Jolly Rancher.... believe it or not, Its surprisingly hard to fly in that state..... I chew gum now instead, and avoid hard candies./quote] Holy crap!! Never thought of something like that happening!! I guess you'd have to "Heimlich" yourself on the cyclic! Can you imagine the accident report on that one?!! Quote
CHC Alumni Posted May 27, 2011 Author Report Posted May 27, 2011 The hard candy was for the passengers, but yes that is a consideration. The small tupperware container filled from the bulk section costed very little compared to the extra flight time I was paid when the customer would request me again. 1 Quote
Skidmark Posted May 27, 2011 Report Posted May 27, 2011 In some situations it is OK to run from your helicopter, but never run to your helicopter. Slow down because some day you are going to forget something that will make you look like an *** or worse. Attitude is the most important, but untrainable skill required for this biz. Quote
rainman Posted May 27, 2011 Report Posted May 27, 2011 A wise older pilot once said to me when I had 100.2 hours " don't worry son, you can train a pilot to do most things but you can't train him to not be a jerk (other word used) Don't eat and fly if you can help it, in reference to Polehogs story, I also almost choked on an apple once while flying out of Rupert...Maybe it's Rupert? It's not the engineers job to do your windows! Maybe if your doing 8's and 14 hour duty days but ask him/her first. That's team playing! Your bucket is your revenue producer, treat it with respect. Even if the customer/ crew are seemingly not at the top of the food chain, treat them with respect. Have fun everyday, remember why we got into flying in the first place! Someone else's turn... 1 Quote
Daz Posted May 27, 2011 Report Posted May 27, 2011 Another excellent thread; thanks! At only a couple hundred hours I don't have much wisdom to share . Somebody once said "get along with your fellow students and lowtimers - someday one of them might be in a position to hire you". A guy I met in flight school IS now in a position to hire other pilots, and I'm glad we keep in touch. You never know... Darren Quote
Jamhands Posted May 27, 2011 Report Posted May 27, 2011 "In some situations it is OK to run from your helicopter, but never run to your helicopter. Slow down because some day you are going to forget something that will make you look like an *** or worse." Rush up -> #### up Some of the best advice from my first employer. My tidbit of advice for new pilots especially if you're young or look young when faced with sceptical pax (I am well experienced in this department) is give a detailed and accurate pax briefing and make sure the ship looks good. Before they hop in it's just about the only way you can prove you know what you're doing. On that note if you legitimately don't know what you're doing, say something. 1 Quote
Iceman Posted May 27, 2011 Report Posted May 27, 2011 - Never leave op"s gear in the bush even if you are certain you will be there the next day to get it. Once in northern Quebec with legal dark closing in and a full load of passengers I elected to leave my bucket at the fire thinking I'd pick it up the next day. Of course we were weathered out for the next 3 days and there was a real possibility of being released before I could retreive the bucket which was a 40 minute flight away. Luckily the weather cleared, things started smoking again and I was able to pick it up. - Always bring all your personal gear with you (duffle bag, sleeping bag etc) even if you think you will be back at base that night, things change quickly and you could get sent somewhere else without your stuff. Thats it for now without divulging all my stupid mistakes. Quote
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