Help, Please! Should I work at the Grand Canyon South Rim?

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Permalink Reply by Rob on June 9, 2009 at 11:19am

I think it depends on what you're looking for. The transition to seasonal work with a large corporation like Xanterra can be an eye opener for a seasoned fine dining server. In my experience, a lot of the managers are used to working with "less that experienced" servers that need to be micro-managed and trained to do what they expect. It sounds like you would be a little further along than the rest. That could mean you'll rocket to the top quickly, or be mired in a less than expected job making no money. I would be wary of this position if I were you. Not to be a nay-sayer, but the housing will be very basic, the food less than great and you will not have benefits. I personally have adapted to this lifestyle and do well serving at these types of places, but I would go in to it with and open mind with low expectations if I were you. Look for an adventure, not an equal job to what you are currently in, it won't stack up. What will tilt the scale is the people you'll meet and the surroundings you'll be in.
I doubt you will get any more info from them, they are in busy mode, and they have a ton of applicants to fill the few jobs left, you will be expected to just show up and fall in line like the rest of the "sheep" as it were. It could turn out great for you like it did for me, but it will take a bit of a leap of faith on your part and a positive attitude. I know I sound a little tough, but you have to go in with open eyes with these big companies. Good luck.
If you want more specific info on Xanterra, look to the chat. Alot of my friends work there and like it very much. Just don't try to compare it to your current job.

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Permalink Reply by david jones on June 9, 2009 at 11:40am

Rob,

Thanks a ton, that was EXACTLY the kind of info that I was looking for. The food and housing stuff doesn't concern me, but being "just a number" with HR and management does.

I'm pretty good at what I do, it's my profession and career. If I had full time nights at El Tovar, that's one thing, but it sounds like I'd be agreeing to just take my chances, and HOPE that's where they'd have me be working. But you also said no benefits, and for me, that's a huge one.

I'm in the "older and bolder" crowd, and live freely enough that living up there permanently and being with the people sounds real attractive to me. But no, I don't want to get myself into a position where I'm having to job hop seasonally, with no security and benefits.

Since I'm just 4 hours away, I guess I'll have to stick with being a tourist at the Canyon.

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Permalink Reply by Rob on June 9, 2009 at 1:24pm

I am glad to help. but just to clarify, I'm not sure about benefits for full time-year round, it might be something that Xanterra offers.....anyone?....let's hear from some people that are there. The biggest thing would be, like it is with me, will you be able to jump in and do well and be rewarded with your skill by getting nights, or will you be low man on the totem pole no matter what skills you bring. I've seen both. You have to decide if you are willing to stick it out on some mornings to work into nights. It's a tough call, but if you have skills like I think you do, it could work. I am about the same as you, I'm a professional waiter/bartender/ older bolder and am working at a place now that rewards hard work and skill with good shifts. I does happen. Again, good luck to you.

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Permalink Reply by david jones on June 9, 2009 at 2:00pm

Rob,

I just got off the phone with a year round, full time waiter there. (Friend of a friend reference).

All of a sudden, it sounds great again! LOL.

Yes, there are benefits for full time, and it's not so seasonal, given that staffing levels change.

I've got some phone call in to them. Wish me luck!

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Permalink Reply by Rob on June 9, 2009 at 2:06pm

Dude, that's great! I'm glad you got a perspective from someone that is there now. I only tried to give you a little info from experience at other large corporate resorts . It sounds great for you then being the biggest deal for you was benefits. I say GO FOT IT!

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Permalink Reply by reggie on June 9, 2009 at 3:33pm

go for it it doesnt hurt to give it an chance

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Permalink Reply by James Callahan on June 11, 2009 at 2:17pm

I work @ the GC now. I have 5 years of Fine Dining and am a certified Sommelier. They placed me in their equivalent of Denny's. You will not be able to jump into nights at El Tovar. You will get the breakfast shifts (at best) for a few months then you will be able to move up if you perform well. Being that it is year round, there are many clicks that operate and it is somewhat like being the new kid at school. You will have to find and make friends with people that are in the same boat as you. There are plenty of good people here, and you will advance through the ranks fast if you are skilled. It is just a lot of headaches dealing with Xanterra at times and trying to get into a position that better suits you. If you work hard and illustrate your work ethic, it will be a fast and relatively painless transition to a better job in the park.

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Permalink Reply by david jones on June 11, 2009 at 2:27pm

Thank, Pro.

If I come up there, what can you share with me about housing? I know that small, simple, and shared is part of the deal..... but I'd rather live in an environment that is NOT "party central".

Any thoughts? What's the most effective way to get into one's preferred housing choice?

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Permalink Reply by akscootr on June 11, 2009 at 4:35pm

You will not get into El Tovar as an evening server for some time. It is as Seasonal Pro says.... I am a server for Xanterra also and it does not match the income I make when I serve in smaller independent places. I made far more last year in Homer, Alaska.
Soooo...if you decide on going to GC you are going to need a reason other than $$$ to go there (as I have done here). The people you meet will be awesome people vs. hometown 9-5 fine-dining because of their adventurous attitude. Perhaps you would be interested in meeting people from all over the world. Perhaps the hiking and nature may attract you. Maybe the inevitable end-of-season road trip with your new friends. There are many other attractions/reasons to go.
In the last week I have had hikes with Chinese, Russian, Malayan, and Ukrainians in addition to American friends from many different states. There are more planned....
So although the $$$ is important, I am acceptable to a bit less for the awesome people I have had the privilege to meet and work with here at Old Faithful.... If you can handle saving what you make, the seasonal way is easy and an awesome way to live. I have been working through this site since 1999 and I can't go back to the 9-5 because seasonal work rules.... :0)

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Permalink Reply by david jones on June 11, 2009 at 5:52pm

Thanks again to all.

No, Akscooter, as you know, it's not (for many of us) all about the money. And I certainly don't have an ego thing about where I'm working and such. But some responsibilities other than just myself, I had to make sure it was going to be enough, while I'm proving myself.

Seasonal Pro? I'm pretty sure I'll be coming up to join you, and I'd love to say hi before hand. Any way we can get in touch? I'd sure appreciate getting a bit of the lay of the land before I get there.

Maybe let me know when I can meet you on chat?

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Permalink Reply by James Callahan on June 12, 2009 at 10:11am

Hey I have been working sorry! The money is good up here even if you are in a normal dining restaurant. My sales are averaging 1000+ and business has been decent to good. The best route to take is to purchase a trailer or RV and live in the RV park. It is quiet and more remote than the dorms. You will most likely get placed in an all guys dorm with a random roommate. Sometimes you get lucky but i think they just throw you into rooms to fill gaps so you never know who you will get. Could be a dishwasher or could be a retail worker of any age range. The housing guy you want to talk to is Mike Reilly. I wouldn't talk to anyone else but him in regards to housing. They will pee test you when you show up so make sure you are clean.
I work 145pm-11pm everyday usually. Hope I helped

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Permalink Reply by david jones on June 12, 2009 at 10:20am

Seasonal,

I can't begin to tell you how important and helpful this information is. I'm not like some, who are responsible only for themselves, and have the freedom to jump about if need be.

I've got financial responsibilities, and the risk is that if there wasn't enough income, it's not like I can just take a part time job next door.... lol.

So if you can reply to my private note, and we can talk privately, that would be great..

Or if not, tell me what you can on the sales figure days vs. nights? (I can do the back math on the tips).

If I read you correctly, you are doing $1,000 in sales, while working at (what you called) the "Dennys", right? Given that I'm no doubt going to be put on mornings and lunches for whatever time period, do you have any sense of what those numbers are?

I think you know what I'm asking. What should I reasonably expect the WORST case to be (average, over time, of course)?

With ALL thanks, this is of utmost importance.

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