This subject gets a fair amount of play on
this board every winter, perhaps you can
find some past info by searching for the
subject, if you haven't already.
I looked into it pretty extensively a few
years ago, went over there a few times,
and got a couple of offers. I didn't end up
taking it; worked out of Lauderdale
instead. Here's a very condensed version
of what I found, search and maybe you
can find more. This info is four years old, but things change slowly in the islands.
1) Season is from November 'til April, with
some layoffs at the end of season.
2) Many of the carriers are scheduled
operators, even if it is just a beat-up
Aztec. That means you must have an ATP
to fly PIC for this type of operation, and
island operators do not give up a potential
pax seat to have SIC's . . .
3) If you have less than 1200tt (non-sched
PIC IFR mins) you will need to find
companies flying aircraft that require a
SIC, like a DC3, DHC-6, Trislander (don't
ask) or similar. These jobs will usually go
to locals, but you never know.
4) Most activity in the Caribbean is
centered out of San Juan, PR. The best
way (almost the only way) is to go there,
and start knocking on doors. Go to the
charter terminal, and go dowsntairs. talk to
the pilots, see who is hiring. Don't forget to
go to Isla Grande airport, over by Old San
Juan. Don't be surprised if you run into
other pilots doing the same thing. Lots of
guys come over looking for work, few stay.
Expect to have to overcome this
perception.
5) Your best bet, if you want to live in the
islands and work as a pilot will be to work
for Eagle. You will have dependable pay,
jumpseat benefits, and the ability to
transfer out once you get over the whole
beach bum deal, which will eventually
happen[obviously, this has chenged, but there are still some commuters hiring down there, like Cape Air).
6) If I still haven't talked you out of it, go to
the RAA website (
http://raa.org) and look in the member
directory. You'll find a directory of 135 and
121 cargo companies, some of which will
be in PR, with contact and fleet info.
Good Luck