Westjet mainline bases for OTS hires

[Al Borlin]

As someone considering the move to WJ mainline, I was wondering if some insiders could provide me with some rough estimations of timelines within the WJ one list senority system.

It is my understanding that most if not all 737FO postings will be in YYZ for the next while. Based on the current mainline and Encore group, what is the expected time to be able to hold a YYC or YVR base if one were to come from off the street tomorrow. Are we talking months, years, decades or a galactic year?

Thanks.

[Rem]

As you can imagine most OTS new hires will be going to YYZ. All forecast expansion for the foreseeable future will occur in YYZ. First Officer openings in the Western bases depend on how many western FO's accept an upgrade in YYZ. Future growth is obviously unpredictable and past results don't necessarily predict the future. If you're from out west and accept a YYZ FO position hoping to get YYC or YVR some day, be prepared to commute for a long time and hope it happens quicker than you expect. Trying to predict base openings is about as reliable as predicting the stock market.

That being said:
In the last bid had the most junior YVR FO award (effective June) was hired January 2014. Every FO on the property who wanted YYC was awarded it. Prior to that the guys wanting YYC had been commuting for close to a year. Out of the next 40 upgrades it looks like 18 will come from YYC 5 from YVR and the balance YYZ. Currently there are 20 FO's bidding YVR. Keep in mind that there are many Encore pilots who want YYC/YVR and will be senior to OTS new hires. So long story short, my guess would be a year before YYC would come available (hope for less but prepare for more), and several years for YVR.

Hope this helps

[Al Borlin]

Thanks for the info. Not too surprising. I'm not sure a YYZ commute is viable.

[CAL]

seems that might have changed in yyz
for 30 days at least

[CZBBYYZPilot]

Anybody know if there'll be OTS hires soon on the jet?

[PoeticFlyer]

The Jet is open to OTS as of 04APR17 for 30 days!!

[DaveP]

The WJ posting is open right now.
Cheers

[landshark]

Hi Dave, will you be contacting candidates for interviews while the posting is still open, or once it has closed down?
Cheers

[DaveP]

Hello,
We will likely start contacting next week.

Cheers

[landshark]

Thanks Dave.

[blueoval56]

Hello Dave,

Just so I am clear, Is it feasible/ possible to commute from YYC to YYZ for the Mainline 737 FO positions? Is it a common occurrence?
Or are crews who apply for that position expected to move to YYZ?

Thanks,

[DropTanks]

Hello Dave,

Just so I am clear, Is it feasible/ possible to commute from YYC to YYZ for the Mainline 737 FO positions? Is it a common occurrence?
Or are crews who apply for that position expected to move to YYZ?

Thanks,

Just gonna jump in here to answer ya. Yes, many many pilots commute YYC-YYZ. In fact people commute from all over. Nobody is expected to move if they don't want to.
Hope that helps.

[blueoval56]

Hello Dave,

Just so I am clear, Is it feasible/ possible to commute from YYC to YYZ for the Mainline 737 FO positions? Is it a common occurrence?
Or are crews who apply for that position expected to move to YYZ?

Thanks,

Just gonna jump in here to answer ya. Yes, many many pilots commute YYC-YYZ. In fact people commute from all over. Nobody is expected to move if they don't want to.
Hope that helps.

Thank you very much! I appreciate the quick answer.

[landshark]

Has anybody been called for the Mainline posting yet?