Hah, yes I try to be thankful that I have a job as well. I'm sure we both have plenty of friends who would kill for a lesser flying job right now. I don't have any fixed wing ratings, maybe 10 hours f/w in my logbook. I would like to add-on but I don't want to spend the money right now. The fixed wing careers don't really interest me that much so it would generally be for fun, or to make myself look better on a resume. I have enough friends with fixed wing CFII tickets and access to planes back home that I can do it for cheap, when the time comes.
But yes, this schedule is terrible. I planned on this being a temporary gig but the economy tanked. Layoffs in the Gulf of Mexico have made it tough for new guys to get on without offshore experience unfortunately. That is not really my dream job, but 14 on/14off is my dream schedule. I have so many friends flying in the Gulf right now and they travel and play on their 14 days off without a care in the world. Meanwhile I have to stress about my phone ringing if I go so far as Ohio, even on a weekend. To add to that, I haven't flown in over two weeks but I still can't get away.


I think you'll be happy with the 4.56 gears anyway. I know that you could gear it taller since it is so flat here, but if you relocate somewhere else you would probably be thankful. Honestly when I picked up my truck with 4.56 gears, my first impression was that I could have gone with 4.88s. Although now I feel like the 4.56 gears are just perfect with 35s.

 

You are correct about many wishing for a lessor flying job. I was sitting in the left seat of an RJ with a 6 figure salary (overseas of course) at the age of 24. Now at 28, its a quite the paycut and turboprop... I do have it better than most though. Things will turn around eventually. I meet the minimums everywhere and have 37 years to hit the career jackpot. There are places hiring where I could fly heavier equipment such as 727s or 747s, but my Beech 1900 pays more. So I will stay put until a place I can see myself making a career out of opens up the hiring window.

Your on call status confirms my decision to not go into the world of part 91 or on demand 135 ops. I did 3 months of that type of flying out of San Juan, and I showed up to the plane when I felt like it. No set reserve schedule = me not guaranteeing a 1 hour callout or even accepting the flight... I hope they are paying you well to be on call.

The shop I called two days ago, called me back yesterday and quoted me $2,000. I said I wasnt going to spend more than $1500 and before I could say another word, the price dropped to $1500. I threw $750 down over the phone and now its a matter of waiting for the Yukons to arrive and drop the truck off.

 

They are paying me okay based on my hours and the amount of work I do. I only have around 1500 hours. I took this job expecting to fly twice as much, based on what they told me initially. Here I am sitting with my thumb in my bum wishing I was filling up my log book so I could move on. I have some friends making good money in the middle east, some on 6 week rotations. No thanks, not for now anyway. I may look for something seasonal this spring/summer and bail if my wife can get work back home. A huge raise still wouldn't make me want to stay here, I've had enough. lol

$1500 is fair if that is all parts and labor. Not the deal of the century but definitely reasonable.

 

I wouldnt expect rotor flying to be a huge time builder. Pay and quality of life in this business are key. In my experience, try to find a permanent gig. Contract flying is great short term, but no way to make a career. Its too unstable... I know, I gave up a seniority number at an airline to chase the dollars overseas. I made a lot of money in a short time, but had many months where I didnt make a dime.

I know $1500 isnt the best price, but seems to be within the ballpark. Hopefully they get installed next week.