Pipeline Inspection

[RipCurl]

Do the utility companies do this, or do they contract out other companies? How can I find out who to contact for this type of work?

 

[filejw]

When I did it 30 yrs ago it was both.Some of the work was contracted out and the company's had fleet's of 182's also.Lots of fun good luck.JAW

 

[rumpletumbler]

Colonial Pipeline used to have an office out of PDK near Southern Company. They had a 182 and wanted you to be an A&P as well. Ex-military didn't hurt as they all were.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

If you are wanting to move up in life than you are much better off getting a CFI ticket than flying pipeline.

If you want to go nowhere go fly pipeline. I can put you in touch with several guys who are wasting away with thousands of hours of 500' AGL C210 time.

 

[rumpletumbler]

If you want to go nowhere go fly pipeline. I can put you in touch with several guys who are wasting away with thousands of hours of 500' AGL C210 time.

haha....like wax figures they remain seated in their aircraft awaiting the next crackle of the radio to dispatch them to their alternate reality.

 

[Moonfly201]

Pipeline patrol ... not so bad

One of my buddies has been flying pipeline in a Skywagon (C-208?) for over 15 years with a large natural gas pipeline company. Makes around $46,000 a year plus medical, vacation, shared 409K plan and gets a retirement when he's done.

He's always hanging around the airport waiting for either the weather to improve, or the shop to give him back his plane. Probably only puts in about 10 to 15 full days a month flying pipeline at 500', and the rest of the time is his. Since most of the company ground workers don't work weekends, either does he. He logs a visual inspection (to meet federal law) along every inch of the pipeline, I think once a week, looking for new construction sites that could damage the pipe. Weather and aircraft availability determine his schedule. His 3 or 4 week vacation (and aircraft annual) is scheduled a year in advance, as another company pilot and aircraft fills in for him while he's gone.

He stays in touch with headquarters via phone and email, and rarely sees anyone associated with the flight department. Not a bad gig.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

There are several guys flying down here for Duke Energy out of Houston. They like their job and get paid well, 60K+.

But, if you are aspiring for corporate or airline, go get a CFI certiticate and gain some experience. Most pipeline guys haven't flow IFR or IMC in years and years. Pipeline qualifies you for pipeline.

I guess you just have to pick your noose.

 

[FN FAL]

There are several guys flying down here for Duke Energy out of Houston. They like their job and get paid well, 60K+.

But, if you are aspiring for corporate or airline, go get a CFI certiticate and gain some experience. Most pipeline guys haven't flow IFR or IMC in years and years. Pipeline qualifies you for pipeline.

I guess you just have to pick your noose.

Hey get off your high horse you condescending 2000 hour yadda yadda, where do you get off telling guys that if they fly pipeline they'll wind up losers flying pipeline the rest of their lives?

I started my career flying single engine cessnas at a drop zone...flew jumpers for years and logged 1,500 hours doing so. Now I'm successful commercial pilot flying single engine cessnas for a....oooops, never mind.

 

[AA717driver]

Hey! How come DAS gets to keep HIS racy avatar? TC