WestJet Group Hiring Freeze

[GoinVertical]

So effective immediately the WJ Group of companies has a hiring freeze and freeze of all internal movement (I assume this means upgrades and the like).

Also talks about furloughs and layoffs.

The blame is apparently on reduced bookings due to coronavirus, but I can't help but wonder if there's maybe more to it... especially given how low pilot staffing levels are, at least at Encore. They're already cancelling flights due to lack of staffing.

OneX planning some major organizational structure changes in the near future? Or are things going to be this bad at AC/Express too?

[derateNO]

When you get bought by a company known for slashing and cutting companies to bits, it's a no brainier that they are getting ahead of the curve.

Anyone who didn't see this coming is naive.

[GRK2]

It gets worse, word out there is that SWOOP just cancelled the latest planned training course and is sending the last tail number delivered back to the lease company (or wherever it was coming from)

[notwhoyouthinkIam]

Three separate thoughts:

Furloughs have not been discussed and layoffs have only been mentioned as a last resort.

Any classes that are currently underway or are scheduled to start in the next week are continuing.

Onex cannot slash pilot jobs as that will reduce their ability to make money. They will begin with management jobs.

[chromeuser]

If a furlough does happen in the most worst case scenario and pilots are not flying during that time and staying current, what happens then?

Example: Furloughed for a year ... and no flying. That to me is lost piloting proficiency.

[notwhoyouthinkIam]

If a furlough does happen in the most worst case scenario and pilots are not flying during that time and staying current, what happens then?

Example: Furloughed for a year ... and no flying. That to me is lost piloting proficiency.

Employment Insurance. Basically a small percentage of your normal salary for sitting on your ass and looking for a comparable job.

If we contract the virus during the course of our work, we have STD to help us.

[derateNO]

It gets worse, word out there is that SWOOP just cancelled the latest planned training course and is sending the last tail number delivered back to the lease company (or wherever it was coming from)

That's good news not bad news.

[chromeuser]

If a furlough does happen in the most worst case scenario and pilots are not flying during that time and staying current, what happens then?

Example: Furloughed for a year ... and no flying. That to me is lost piloting proficiency.

Employment Insurance. Basically a small percentage of your normal salary for sitting on your ass and looking for a comparable job.

If we contract the virus during the course of our work, we have STD to help us.

With recalls and what not, if one has not been flying for an extended period of time does the company provide additional training to get the PPC done?

[co-joe]

I thought the sticking point of the One List was the backwards flow in the event of this exact scenario? Shouldn't WS pilots be guaranteed spots at Encore in order of seniority now?

[SOBIESKI]

You will make the same money being on EI vs working at encore.

[notwhoyouthinkIam]

With recalls and what not, if one has not been flying for an extended period of time does the company provide additional training to get the PPC done?

Yes, the company is responsible for bringing the pilot back up to standards before re-entering the line.

You will make the same money being on EI vs working at encore.

I'm hoping that seniority and the pay difference will allow me some breathing room. Thank you for that point.

[EPR]

You will make the same money being on EI vs working at encore.

LMAO

[ayseven]

Companies like Onex are in the money business: sometimes getting rid of everything is just a way to reduce taxes. I wouldn't look at it like a real business where you sell things, get paid, etc. These types are a different breed, and make money by moving columns around.

[DaveP]

Hi
This has nothing to do with Onex. It’s all about the virus and what effects it’s having across the world and how that effects air travel. We would be doing the same if Onex wasn’t the new owner in order to take care of the business.
Cheers

[chromeuser]

I've been at Encore less than 6 months.

I am expecting a notice soon and planning for it.

[ayseven]

I actually think you are correct in this case, but as I have said before, I know next to nothing about how big airlines are run. I do know a bit about business in general. People are just looking to blame when their lives are upended.

[sullecpt]

I've been at Encore less than 6 months.

I am expecting a notice soon and planning for it.

Thats a big statement. Whats the talk around the water cooler like right now?

Keep your head up!

[CaptainHaddock]

It gets worse, word out there is that SWOOP just cancelled the latest planned training course and is sending the last tail number delivered back to the lease company (or wherever it was coming from)

The Swoop tails are owned by WestJet as far as I know, so WestJet would be the lessor. WestJet may be returning leased planes and want their tails back-the Swoop planes are 10 of the newest 737-800’s WestJet owns.

[Tony Soprano]

[chromeuser]

I've been at Encore less than 6 months.

I am expecting a notice soon and planning for it.

Thats a big statement. Whats the talk around the water cooler like right now?

Keep your head up!

No talk, based on reality.

Markets are free falling and everything else we are all hearing and reading, including the news from Ed Sims about freezes and cuts.

Tourism is taking a massive hit. It's only a matter of time before layoffs happen.

I hope I am wrong but it'll happen.

Plan accordingly if your seniority number is relatively fresh, to all pilots in all carriers.

[Namttej]

I've been at Encore less than 6 months.

I am expecting a notice soon and planning for it.

[cloak]

There is no point really in sensationalizing the facts, yet for various reasons some wittingly or unwittingly do it! It is a self fulfilling prophecy that makes our worst fears become reality. In comparison with past outbreaks and pandemics this is not that bad; fear makes it way worse. This is an opportunity to educate ourselves and research some of those events, like H1N1, SARS, MERS, AIDS, and gain perspective.

Unfortunately the media has made the situation worse by focusing on the negative that creates more fear and people's behavior changes as a result. Where internet can be such a great medium to spread real news and instructions on containing the situation so people can go about their lives more safely, it creates an atmosphere of absolute fear that spreads like wildfire. Simple fact is that we have to stop doing that, one and all. So that we go about our normal lives and others do the same and life will go on normally. It's not the virus but our own fear that defeats us!

In this case, I think it is prudent to perhaps put future hiring on hold, but it would be unwise to furlough as that creates more fear and the impression of doom and gloom. That will discourage people from normal life including travelling and makes the situation worse. Pragmatically, it also creates negative impression with skilled workers who will be less likely to come back if they find other opportunities.

[ayseven]

Again, you are right. I will hammer this home as much as I can. Do not let this get you down. Move forward as best you can.

[47north]

Looks like more than a hiring freeze. CUPE expecting 50% layoffs

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/busines ... -covid-19/

[Splash]

I just read the CBC News article about the flight attendants expecting massive lay-offs. That's not all, read the part about the YVR - LAX flight today.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ ... -1.5497037