AirWillie

I've been to Hawaii 3 times. I don't know, it would seem to me that life there would become very boring after a few weeks. Might want to consider that too, and the fact that it's easy flying and mostly VFR.

spacemonkey

yeah, 1st yr pay is rough, but possible to live on. flyings fun and theres alot to see, whales, tow-ins, I dont know anywhere else you can surf on reserve. its a pretty good gig overall

Laxrox43

Spacemonkey,

That's what I was thinking too. I surf, so that would be a big plus for me. Plus I have a friend that wants to move there, and her sis and b/f live in Kailua already, so they want us to come live with them...so I would be set with a place to stay...And yes, it would be rough my first year, but what flying job isn't rough the first year, right? I don't know, maybe I am looking at it from the wrong point of view?

Any 'good ol boys' on here wanna chime in, please give me some input. I am 21 single, CFII, and soon the be a college grad in May 06 (and MEI by mid-March). I would like to move somewhere fun for my first few years of flying professionally - IE out west, or a place like Hawaii...Thanks guys...

D

D

Tomcat

Laxroc43,

I live in Kapolei, actually Makakilo on the Southwestern corner of Oahu. Commute from the mainland and fly for a major. My wife is a Federal Agent and makes more money than me, so that how we are able to live in the Islands....... Having said that. here's the OTHERS..... gas this past week was $2.91/gal, the average home is more than $450,000 and that wouldn't even qualifiy as a fixer upper. Food is unbelievably expensive. It's a rock and nearly everything you consume has to be shipped in from somewhere in the world. You always pay a premium for the shipping. There is a little bit of reverse discrimination, not from the Islanders but mostly from the Japanese.

Here's the goods...... It's paradise. There is always good surf somewhere on the island. People talk about "driving with aloha" or the "aloha spirit". My first month, I was stunned, you can turn on your turn signal in the middle of bumper to bumper traffic on the 10 lane H-1 and someone will let you in and give you the Shaka sign. Very nice people unless you do something to disrespect them, then it's another story. The trade winds just feel great, very relaxing.

Here's my recommendation. You're accustomed to the starving student routine, so it's probably not much different. Shack up with your friends, as you probably will be helping them out as well. You won't hardly have any money to do anything and it will most likely wind up being one of the most memoriable times of you life. It's not about the destination, but the journey. Finally, EDDIE WOULD GO!!!!!!!!!!!

UNDflyboy

Tomcat, you seem to know all the true things about HI including the slang. How long have you lived there? Seems like quite the life of flying for a major and commuting home to hawaii. I'm from HI and have always pondered doing that instead of flying for Hawaiian or Aloha due to there small ops and route structures. How bad or good is it really to commute to the mainland and is it easy to find available slots on other airlines and flights to get to your base on time? I'm assuming delta with the MD-88/90? I'd appreciate any input as I was thinking of eventually doing this. thanks.

dash trash

I am from Hawaii as well and the rents are still there. I went to UND and got out in 99 and over to Horizon. I had the same plan to commute from a job with more money and maybe get a base there later. Well After 9/11 all has changed. I would say, if you are absolutely set on Hawaii, you have to work there. Commuting is a *****. It is not worth your time for a little extra money. You have to add a day at the beginning and end of each trip, then count on a hotel to stay in out of pocket. Then if you have to sit reserve, where you going to sit?? I wish I could get back back there, but with HAL having over 30% out and no sign of coming back and Aloha at who knows where, that is the hand that was dealt. you got a lot of time Brah, keep your options and eyes open!

ALOHA

crewdawg52

NWA. Wrenched on the DC-10 and 747-200 there. Thought it was pretty cool to be hired by a major, and they put you in HNL, with a paid move to boot.

Tomcat

UNDflyboy,

I've been commuting from SLC and have only been able to make it home 1-2 times a month, I have an apartment in SLC. Just received an Advanced Entitlement to the LAX 767, so I think I'll truly be able to commute. If I were a young guy and wanted to live in the Islands, I'd find a job in the Islands. I'm doing this because my wife is stationed in Hawaii with NCIS. Yes, a chick with a gun and a great job. I think the commute from LAX is going to work out much better as I will have tons of options. The commute hasn't been that bad, but I always have to come back a day early, because the only flight HNL to SLC is a redeye and it trashes me out for the day. I don't fly tired. Just my choice. I wonder how the MESA thing is going to work out? Should give a few guys some opportunities while Hawaiin and Aloha have guys on furlough. Tomcat

Laxrox43

Tomcat,

You read my mind..."It's not about the destination, but the journey." And yes...I am used to the poor college student/CFI gig. I just think it would be a really fun way to build time, and just have a good time. From my reading, I find that this company is professional, yet laid back. And like I said before, I haven't been hired, or even interviewed. It is just an avenue that I would like to persue. My dad suggested to me that instead of jumping right into the jet, get used to the 121 environment in a little bit slower aircraft, get comfortible, then worry about flying the jets...besides I am only 21 (should be 22 by the time I get hired.

I love to surf, and my friend that would move down with me, as well as her sister surfs. And on my days off, I will be laying on the beach/working out/surfing...and all of those I can do for next to nothing. I am pretty sure that I will be all set. Now as for a car and gas $$$...we will see about that. Is walking an option living in Kailua? (More walking then driving to save gas...) Just curious. PM me sometime, maybe we can chat about the 'ins and outs' of living. Then I will be able to plan about a simple budget...plan ahead...thanks for your input Boss!

Keep the blue side up!
D

Tomcat

Hey UNDflyboy,
tried to PM you, but was blocked. Are you doing your flight training down at UND Barbers Point? I usually run along the beach at Barbers and think of how cool it must be to learn to fly in the Islands. I live in Makakilo. If you're flying out there, get in touch with me and I'll split the costs on some flight time with you. PM me when you get the chance. Tomcat