Working at American Whitewater Expeditions — Reviews by Employees

AWE recently (summer 2008) hired new management. The new managers, though experienced guides, are poor managers.
One of my co-workers has been training for over 2 months, has run over 15 commercial trips and still has not been checked off. Most trainees experience something similar. Early on in the season, AWE hires people left and right and as the season starts in earnest tells new guides that there isn't work for them.
Guides are commonly fired or strongly pressured to quit for issues as petty as style of swim shorts or participation in political discussions.
AWE is one of the largest companies on the American and as such is respected by many of the other companies. Success at AWE will usually ensure success elsewhere. AWE runs trips on the south, middle, and north forks of the American River. Success at the South Fork can mean progress to the middle and north, however, discriminatory preference for these positions goes to New Zealanders (kiwis) who are hired despite AWEs knowledge of their lack of work visas.
AWE has knowledgeable raft guides, many of whom lack even basic communication skills. Simple corrective feedback will often involve yelling and cussing if directed at new guides.
If you plan to work with AWE, make sure to be sure about what they have told you, document it, and if possible get them to tell you in writing. Ask questions and get straight answers. If they won't provide them, steer clear. There are 30 other companies on the South Fork to work for.