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On 1/8/2024 at 8:29 PM, cbox chip said:

I think we're arguing the same side here. I don't think relying on a couple experienced guys at head office to male all the decisions is doing anyone much good. Almost as bad as having the apprentice do the whole 100 hour and the licensed Engineer show up to sign it off.

You need experience in the field and in the shop and that is on short supply.  I know more AME’s out of the industry than currently in (in Canada).  

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On 3/10/2022 at 10:14 AM, Superwrench said:

The rates are not just controlled by the operator, the customer are a large part of the rates.  I have been in the industry nearly 20 years and the hourly rate for helicopters has not gone up much ( if at all) in that time.  Cost of aircraft, insurance, US dollar, cost of parts ( typically increases 1-3% annually), and labour cost have all gone up in that time.  It may not be the operator doesn't want to pay more, it could be the operator can't pay more.  Canada probably has some of the lowest helicopter rates in the world.  Everyone seem to be on either long term exploration ( generally a lower rates steady flying all season), or chasing fires ( better rates, less days of flying or non with wages still to pay), or Heli skiing ( the lowest rates, highest risk generally done to keep crew busy in the winter and cash flow only).  The Canadian market has done this to ourselves, everyone tries to undercut to get the work, and the the helicopters rates don't change.  If rates don't change there is not room for employee pay to increase.

This is exactly why I left Canadas market and took my skillset outside Canada where it’s remunerated appropriately.  If you want a constant metric for what Canada pays take a similar position in the states and divide it in half.  I agree wholeheartedly that the industry has done it to itself.  It just takes one big player that uses their assets primarily for crafty accounting to set the bar (and rates) so low.  I don’t usually come on vertical much anymore because I of the dismal reminder of how dogsh1t this industry has become.  Best of luck to anyone still making a go at it here, I wish things were better for everyone.

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On 2/8/2024 at 6:15 PM, FiveCut said:

You need experience in the field and in the shop and that is on short supply.  I know more AME’s out of the industry than currently in (in Canada).  

Its always been like that in Canada,  but not this bad

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On 2/8/2024 at 5:46 PM, FiveCut said:

This is exactly why I left Canadas market and took my skillset outside Canada where it’s remunerated appropriately.  If you want a constant metric for what Canada pays take a similar position in the states and divide it in half.  I agree wholeheartedly that the industry has done it to itself.  It just takes one big player that uses their assets primarily for crafty accounting to set the bar (and rates) so low.  I don’t usually come on vertical much anymore because I of the dismal reminder of how dogsh1t this industry has become.  Best of luck to anyone still making a go at it here, I wish things were better for everyone.

Maybe I'm out of touch have wages for helicopter A&P's changed that much in the US in the last few years? My experience down there is limited to fire fighting on Bell mediums. 12 and 12 is a nice rotation.

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On 2/28/2024 at 8:43 PM, cbox chip said:

Maybe I'm out of touch have wages for helicopter A&P's changed that much in the US in the last few years? My experience down there is limited to fire fighting on Bell mediums. 12 and 12 is a nice rotation.

They’ve always been higher.  There’s more variety, more support, better everything.  I do see guys catching up with interest at least these days in Canada but the rates aren’t worth it for what’s left.  The only thing worth doing in Canada is forestry I think.  

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On 2/28/2024 at 8:43 PM, cbox chip said:

have wages for helicopter A&P's changed that much in the US in the last few years?

Yes, what we’re seeing down here is a demand for better wages and working conditions than ever before.  There’s definitely a workers revolution of sorts in all trades.  Canada may or may not follow this trend, that’s depending on work available of course.  
I keep running into old colleagues I knew from Canada years ago at major airports that made the switch like myself and so many others.  There’s more demand and even less pilots and ames available to work than ever before.  It’s a very similar situation to post 911 after so many hung it up in the early 2000’s.  

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