For the past few weeks, I've been flying a Cessna 402 (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e1/Cessna402C-FFAP02.jpg) between Nantucket and Hyannis for Cape Air. Due to Cape Air's codeshare agreement with JetBlue, I was able to get a sort of cadet/internship position with JBU. Unfortunately, JetBlue has not answered my calls and it looks like that's going nowhere.
Yesterday, I called Cayman Airways to inquire about job oppertunities for a 17 year old with a commercial rating and an almost-ATP rating purely out of curiosity and expecting to be laughed at and made an example of. Surprisingly, they called back earlier today telling me they needed several pilots to man the Twin Otter (http://www.bracreef.com/imgdata/site/Cayman-Airplane2.jpg) on Inter-Island routes and, if I got some seniority, to Montego Bay, Jamaica. When I asked the lady if she was kidding she said no, and that they were actually looking for some young American pilots to impress the tourists. Unfortunately, I live in New York.
In short, the pay is far better because CAW is the flag carrier for the Cayman Islands, but I would have to find a way to live in Miami and commute to Grand Cayman every day. I'm willing to do it, but I wish there was a better way. In addition, I could be stuck in the right seat all summer and not make Captain.
To the contrast, Cape Air is a small airline but I'm already more senior than most of the 35 year olds flying for them and have secured a captain position. It's also ridiculously easy to commute into Massachusetts.
What are your opinions? What should I do?
Some serious answers would be appreciated.
DO IT
It's actually a realistic possibility for you to move to Miami for this?
Quote from: xXTheHaunted on March 14, 2008, 07:40:47 PM
DO IT
gimpdood;
How long are you expected to stay in Miami?
Quote from: JMV on March 14, 2008, 07:44:12 PM
gimpdood;
How long are you expected to stay in Miami?
Pretty much the entire summer. I'd be jumpseating in the cockpit with other Cayman pilots, so I wouldn't be paying air fare.
Would joining this other airline destroy your standing with your current one, or would you still be able to go back?
Quote from: Title on March 14, 2008, 07:45:57 PM
Pretty much the entire summer. I'd be jumpseating in the cockpit with other Cayman pilots, so I wouldn't be paying air fare.
Your girlfriend is fine with it?
A summer in Miami doing something I enjoy seems like something I'd want to do.
What kind of pay would you get?
Quote from: Your Posting Rival on March 14, 2008, 07:47:34 PM
Would joining this other airline destroy your standing with your current one, or would you still be able to go back?
Here's the thing: If and when I move on to a Major American Airline, 2 months of flying an Airliner with the flag carrier of a fairly well known country is going to look damn good on my resume compared to zipping a cessna around Massachusetts.
Quote from: JMV on March 14, 2008, 07:47:50 PM
Your girlfriend is fine with it?
A summer in Miami doing something I enjoy seems like something I'd want to do.
I don't know, I haven't had a chance to ask her.
I'm not absolutely familiar with the city, but my main concern is finding a place to live. Perhaps there are other cayman pilots commuting from Florida that I could room with...
Quote from: Houdini on March 14, 2008, 07:48:16 PM
What kind of pay would you get?
Just about 50 dollars an hour, which is more than a first-year captain at American Airlines makes. I'm currently making more at Cape Air, because each flight is about 35 minutes long. If I get captain, I could make 80 dollars an hour. If I got the route from Crand Cayman to Jamaica, I could make a few thousand dollars during vacation.
Well if you can find a suitable residence in Miami, it sounds like a great plan to me. I'd say do it if you can get the housing situation to work out.
Quote from: Your Posting Rival on March 14, 2008, 07:52:30 PM
Well if you can find a suitable residence in Miami, it sounds like a great plan to me. I'd say do it if you can get the housing situation to work out.
I think tomorrow I'll get a list of the CAW Roster and call up a few of the guys that are living in Florida.
Quote from: Title on March 14, 2008, 07:52:01 PM
Just about 50 dollars an hour, which is more than a first-year captain at American Airlines makes. I'm currently making more at Cape Air, because each flight is about 35 minutes long. If I get captain, I could make 80 dollars an hour. If I got the route from Crand Cayman to Jamaica, I could make a few thousand dollars during vacation.
If you can find a place to live in Miami that won't offset your income, do it.
Wow someone on Boyah is actually doing something with there lives.
Quote from: xXTheHaunted on March 14, 2008, 07:55:41 PM
Wow someone on Boyah is actually doing something with there lives.
smithicide;
V, Socks, Kaz, and I are in college; I don't think that is not doing something with our lives.
Quote from: JMV on March 14, 2008, 07:56:45 PM
smithicide;
V, Socks, Kaz, and I are in college; I don't think that is not doing something with our lives.
Posts: 23,421 n_u
Alright, thanks guys. I'll call around tommorrow. If I can't find someone to room with, I'll look into just going ahead and living in Grand Cayman. I would much rather live in the US this summer, but the airline would undoubtedly give me a pretty damn good room at a nice tourist hotel in Georgetown if I actually expressed interest in living there. They WANT americans to live in their country, so it could end up being a good idea.
Quote from: xXTheHaunted on March 14, 2008, 07:55:41 PM
Wow someone on Boyah is actually doing something with there lives.
Not everyone had the resources I had to start my flight training...
Quote from: JMV on March 14, 2008, 07:56:45 PM
smithicide;
V, Socks, Kaz, and I are in college; I don't think that is not doing something with our lives.
Also me
Quote from: Your Posting Rival on March 14, 2008, 07:57:38 PM
Posts: 23,421 n_u
hey you, get a high school diploma before trying to talk smack
Quote from: Elep on March 14, 2008, 07:58:51 PM
Also me
oh ya lol pele too
and reaper is like in high school and college at the same time.
Quote from: JMV on March 14, 2008, 07:59:40 PM
hey you, get a high school diploma before trying to talk smack
coming this june
Also, not really smack
That's fucking awesome. You should really try going for it. thumbup;