450knotOffice

I posted this question of the GLA pilots web forum, but have gotten no responses yet, so I'll pose the question here: a good friend of mine is in Brasilia training as I type this. He's to be based in ISN. How are the pilots based in ISN dealing with the super expensive and almost non-existent living situation out there. He's a little worried - rightfully, I think. Are crashpads with the other pilots based there available? How about living in a town maybe an hour's drive away?

Useful comments appreciated. Thanks everyone.

Senior Skipper

Williston, North Dakota is expensive? It's criminal what you guys get paid.

450knotOffice

It's an oil boom town (the whole region is), so the rentals are scarce and SUPER expensive. From what I hear, they're pricing the rentals for the 100k incomes of the oil workers. According to a report dated January of this year, it seems the rent is anywhere from $2000 for a one bedroom to $3400 for a three bedroom place. Motel 6 is charging $129.95 per night.

That sort of rental rate is high no matter how one looks at it.

And it's not ME I'm worried about. It's my friend who's about to based up there. The sooner he can get out of ISN and into DEN, the better; but he has to deal with it for at least a few months.

EMB120IP

One of the ISN guys is asking around and hasn't called me back yet. They're starting to build apartments again...but alas are pre-booked already. One suggestion is to put an advertisememt in the paper up there for a room. The crews do a good job of making sure nobody is on the street, but it's usually a short term deal since the rooms are all full already.

Senior Skipper

Ok. When you explain the oil, it makes more sense (in a twisted sort of way).

atrdriver

On a 40-hr work week, that's more than a GoJetz FO makes.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/econom...ota/50136572/1

The Juice

It's official. The McDonalds worker does make more than the Regional Great Lakes pilot who works in the same city.

We joke about it but let that fact sink in. Dropping fries into oil is harder to staff than flying a B1900

block30

People don't want to do jobs that aren't cool anymore. Folks will take unemployment/remain jobless instead of work min wage jobs....unless the job is somewhat cool; lifeguarding, forestry-type service, rampie, pilot...Lots of jobs pay squat because there is a line around the block full of applicants.


So the uncool jobs have to pay a little better. I know several folks turning up their nose at entry level types jobs, and instead wait for something better to come along. Don't get me wrong, folks should want good paying, decent jobs, but unemployment is becoming more 'en vogue' than working at, say a fast food restaurant, grocery store, etc.

I'm not saying every single person, but the "image" one's job projects I think is becoming more and more important as America becomes more and more image-centric. (speaking generally about the average American.) It will be interesting to see how these types of jobs attract staff.

200Driver

And it won't change till they can't staff the airline, kinda like McDonald's. Is it just me or does there seem to be an obvious solution?

200Driver

Pretty well said! A lot of truth and logic there IMO.