Thought on Hawaii

[MikePalazzo]

I would like to know everyones opinion on the state of Hawaii to make a living in aviation....Im a junior in college (mainland) CFI/CFII, and am debating on grad school @ UH.....Whats the market like for pilots? Not just getting a job instructing, but is it a place I could call home and make my living as a pilot?

any opinions or experience would be greatly appreciated....

[Texasspilot]

there are a couple of small 135 outfits in a hawaii and they hire on occasion just make sure you do your homework on which companies are hiring. People usually seem to progress from the smaller places to island air then to hawaiian/aloha. Just remember its freaky expensive to live there. Most of the small places pay 30k or so but thats chump change in hawaii when a can of tuna is 1.50 and ramen is 99cents a pack. It can be done but its even harder than making it on the mainland. Aviation in general is a pretty small community and Hawaii aviation is even smaller. I did it for a little while but ultimatly hated who i was workin for and got out as quick as I could. If i had a good job the state was great except it wasn't Texas and thiers no place like home.

[MikePalazzo]

Hawaii Airlines Mininums

Employment as Pilot

Question
What are the requirements to apply for the position of a pilot?

Answer
Pilots hired by Hawaiian Airlines begin as first officers on the 717 aircraft.

Qualifications include:
* High school diploma or equivalent education
* 1500 hours or 1000 hours turbine as P.I.C. as defined by F.A.R. Part 1
* 300 hours M.E.
* F/E written within the last 24 months
* Radio Telephone License
* Current U.S. passport or its equivalent
* ATP written (preferred)
* Two letters from individuals who can attest to the pilot's flying skills by having observed them over a sustained period of time (preferred)
* Ability to obtain restricted area clearance and U.S. Customs seal


How valid is this and what are realistic #'s????
Anyone know pay scales? and how large the pool is?

[BrettInLJ]

[ QUOTE ]
there are a couple of small 135 outfits in a hawaii and they hire on occasion just make sure you do your homework on which companies are hiring. People usually seem to progress from the smaller places to island air then to hawaiian/aloha. Just remember its freaky expensive to live there. Most of the small places pay 30k or so but thats chump change in hawaii when a can of tuna is 1.50 and ramen is 99cents a pack. It can be done but its even harder than making it on the mainland. Aviation in general is a pretty small community and Hawaii aviation is even smaller. I did it for a little while but ultimatly hated who i was workin for and got out as quick as I could. If i had a good job the state was great except it wasn't Texas and thiers no place like home.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ramen is $.99 a pack?! That would triple the average instructors cost of living!

[scoobs]

Island air hires around 1000hrs and is a regional. Cal has a Gum base which would be an easy commute. And of course there is Hawaiian and Aloha.

[Screaming_Emu]

I love Hawaii, and would love to fly there, but I gotta admit that flying single engine over large bodies of water containing sharks kinda freaks me out...but I'd still be all over that if there was an opportunity at the right time.

[LAX_Airport]

Hawaii is cool, lived there for a summer and got Island fever.....
Gas was $2.50 back in 1995. Imagine what it is now?

Hawaii (Honolulu) is like living in Japan! Go for it, but it's expensive as stated previously. Also, there aren't many flight schools there.

I predict Arizona will become the new hotbed of Aviation.
Florida is just too unpredictable with the hurricanes, etc...

[JEP]

Hawaii....

- Loved it.
- Very Expensive ($1200/month rent in 1991 for no special apt.)
- Had pt jobs while stationed there and for the majority of civilians I worked wuith, it was a second job.
- cannot imagine working/living on a regional/cfi pay wage without some help.

[MikePalazzo]

Does anyone know how valid the 1500TT 1000PIC/300 multi are for Hawaiin airlines? Also does anyone know the size of the pool? I checked out salarys for HA at willflyforfood.com and F/0 717 pay is around 30k......Anyone have any experience this this airline??? any info or advice would be awesome! thanks all

[aloft]

FWIW, the CFI I did a checkout with in Kona in late 2003 said he was heading back to the mainland as he just couldn't afford to live on an instructor's salary there.

Sure it's nice there and all, but unless you have family there, why would you want to live in a place that minimizes what little you will make? And really, Hawaii ain't all that; the above trip was my one and only to HI and it left me pretty underwhelmed after living in San Diego for 2 yrs.

[Texasspilot]

Yah I'd definatly say so. cal is better than HI except the waters colder. I know it helps if you are hawaiian with the minimum times but I wouldn't count on getting in at the minimums unless you come from the mainland with quite a bit of experience as well. There are some cargo companies out their. Alpine i think is one that pays decent.

[liebhabe]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone know how valid the 1500TT 1000PIC/300 multi are for Hawaiin airlines? Also does anyone know the size of the pool? I checked out salarys for HA at willflyforfood.com and F/0 717 pay is around 30k......Anyone have any experience this this airline??? any info or advice would be awesome! thanks all

[/ QUOTE ]

As far as I'm aware, Hawaiian still has guys on furlogh. It's gonna be a long time coming getting a job with either Hawaiian or Aloha since most guys at Island Air either have the in at Hawaiian/Aloha or still hold seniority numbers there.

[DE727UPS]

"Does anyone know how valid the 1500TT 1000PIC/300 multi are for Hawaiin airlines?"

I can remember when United advertised 350 total and a commercial license when it was taking MUCH more than that to get a look. I'd say with guys on furlough and many more guys who would love to work there, the stated Hawaiian mins are NOT very valid. End of story.

[MikeD]

[ QUOTE ]
"

I can remember when United advertised 350 total and a commercial license when it was taking MUCH more than that to get a look.

[/ QUOTE ]

They were still advertising that in the early 90s, as I remember.

[DE727UPS]

I'd say if you really want to be in HI that bad. You should move over there, go to school, and get to know the local aviation scene and do some training there. Get a CFI job, when able, and look to move on to Aloha Island. From there, who knows. I know the local airlines like locals and if you stick around long enough to be a local, and they were hiring, you'd have a better shot than a lowly mainlander.