The Air Canada OTS thread

[FL030]

Good work Dan! The more that refuse the more likely they will improve compensation.

[JoeyBarton]

I was 3 months from updating my resume and references doing their thing.
They hire in waves from different companies and regimes however, I was told I was in the "to call" pile about 2 months prior to getting the email.

Have you heard back?

I actually declined. After weighing all the pros and cons, spreadsheets, and a few sleepless nights I realized I'm actually much better off where I am in terms of schedule, pay, seniority and equipment. I'd be doing a 20 year reset for no reason.

It was interesting to dissect the career-long, industry-wide mentality I had that regarding AC at the apex. If I was under 30 and trying to get off an RJ, then it would a different story, but for me, with barely 20 left years to go, already on a widebody with a great schedule, the step backwards in all facets just doesn't make any sense. I was actually a bit disheartened once I had everything laid out in black and white, as I always looked forward to AC but it's just too long of a game. Believe me, hitting send on that email was a weird one, but it's nice to feel settled and no longer chasing anything. Definitely the first time for that! Now I just hope that the gamble on job security doesn't bite me... This is aviation after all.

Very good reasoning. May I ask if it was a 20 year seniority reset from another good canadian 705?

[DanWEC]

Very good reasoning. May I ask if it was a 20 year seniority reset from another good canadian 705?

Yes, I should clarify however, I haven't been here for 20 years, but that's approx how long it could take before the schedule and seniority at AC would crossover with the trajectory here. Even if it's 15 years, it still doesn't make sense for me. Essentially, I'd have be a 50% Widebody captain at AC in 5-7 years for it to be comparable, and that's obviously untenable. I'd bet that 90% of new hires at AC for the last 10 years are younger than I am, so my goalposts would perpetually be moving away.
Yes, I'm gambling a bit with the slightly reduced pension and the viability of the company, but we'll see. One thing is certain however, I already went through the terrible initial payscales here and I'm not going to voluntarily do it again for what isn't much more than a lateral move at best.
Feel free to PM if you want to know any more. Cheers!

[joefo]

Anyone hear of a January PIT course? / anyone been called for one in the new year?

Called for Jan 2

[Gregg]

Anyone hear of a January PIT course? / anyone been called for one in the new year?

Called for Jan 2

OTS or jazz?

[Transition9er2]

Anyone hear of a January PIT course? / anyone been called for one in the new year?

Called for Jan 2

Congrats!!

When did you interview?

[CPT.HarshColdReality]

Anyone hear of a January PIT course? / anyone been called for one in the new year?

Called for Jan 2

Kind enough to share your previous professional experience/company?

[Curiousflyer]

Very good reasoning. May I ask if it was a 20 year seniority reset from another good canadian 705?

Yes, I should clarify however, I haven't been here for 20 years, but that's approx how long it could take before the schedule and seniority at AC would crossover with the trajectory here. Even if it's 15 years, it still doesn't make sense for me. Essentially, I'd have be a 50% Widebody captain at AC in 5-7 years for it to be comparable, and that's obviously untenable. I'd bet that 90% of new hires at AC for the last 10 years are younger than I am, so my goalposts would perpetually be moving away.
Yes, I'm gambling a bit with the slightly reduced pension and the viability of the company, but we'll see. One thing is certain however, I already went through the terrible initial payscales here and I'm not going to voluntarily do it again for what isn't much more than a lateral move at best.
Feel free to PM if you want to know any more. Cheers!

ACPA has a seniority projection estimator up and running now. It’s showing retirements around 125 a year. With 4800 pilots on the last equipment bid and the most junior WB captain position at 1500, pilots should be estimating 30 years before WB captain at the most junior position. Now that’s a very conservative number, but still that’s the math right now. Personally, I have no doubt you made the right call.

[rudder]

ACPA has a seniority projection estimator up and running now. It’s showing retirements around 125 a year. With 4800 pilots on the last equipment bid and the most junior WB captain position at 1500, pilots should be estimating 30 years before WB captain at the most junior position. Now that’s a very conservative number, but still that’s the math right now. Personally, I have no doubt you made the right call.

Actually, you can fly WB CA for NB CA pay at about 6-7 years seniority (767F).

[RVR6000]

ACPA has a seniority projection estimator up and running now. It’s showing retirements around 125 a year. With 4800 pilots on the last equipment bid and the most junior WB captain position at 1500, pilots should be estimating 30 years before WB captain at the most junior position. Now that’s a very conservative number, but still that’s the math right now. Personally, I have no doubt you made the right call.

Actually, you can fly WB CA for NB CA pay at about 6-7 years seniority (767F).

At that point you’re better off going to Cargojet and making more money. Because the flying is relatively the same.

[rudder]

ACPA has a seniority projection estimator up and running now. It’s showing retirements around 125 a year. With 4800 pilots on the last equipment bid and the most junior WB captain position at 1500, pilots should be estimating 30 years before WB captain at the most junior position. Now that’s a very conservative number, but still that’s the math right now. Personally, I have no doubt you made the right call.

Actually, you can fly WB CA for NB CA pay at about 6-7 years seniority (767F).

At that point you’re better off going to Cargojet and making more money. Because the flying is relatively the same.

Not to drift too far from the thread topic but…… with Flair offering $150k to start as 737 CA (still not enough),CargoJet and Morningstar will both have to look at improving the starting 757/767 pay rate to remain competitive. As far as I know, only CargoJet are hiring DEC.

[DanWEC]

ACPA has a seniority projection estimator up and running now. It’s showing retirements around 125 a year. With 4800 pilots on the last equipment bid and the most junior WB captain position at 1500, pilots should be estimating 30 years before WB captain at the most junior position. Now that’s a very conservative number, but still that’s the math right now. Personally, I have no doubt you made the right call.

Thanks for the info, appreciate it.

[Curiousflyer]

ACPA has a seniority projection estimator up and running now. It’s showing retirements around 125 a year. With 4800 pilots on the last equipment bid and the most junior WB captain position at 1500, pilots should be estimating 30 years before WB captain at the most junior position. Now that’s a very conservative number, but still that’s the math right now. Personally, I have no doubt you made the right call.

Actually, you can fly WB CA for NB CA pay at about 6-7 years seniority (767F).

You can today, but 767F went down to seniority 3000. So someone new coming in today that could be 10 years away when looking at retirements. Good point though, it’s an option to fly big metal for those that are interested in that.

[rudder]

ACPA has a seniority projection estimator up and running now. It’s showing retirements around 125 a year. With 4800 pilots on the last equipment bid and the most junior WB captain position at 1500, pilots should be estimating 30 years before WB captain at the most junior position. Now that’s a very conservative number, but still that’s the math right now. Personally, I have no doubt you made the right call.

Actually, you can fly WB CA for NB CA pay at about 6-7 years seniority (767F).

You can today, but 767F went down to seniority 3000. So someone new coming in today that could be 10 years away when looking at retirements. Good point though, it’s an option to fly big metal for those that are interested in that.

Yes. But flying a WB for NB pay is nothing to brag about.

[Curiousflyer]

Actually, you can fly WB CA for NB CA pay at about 6-7 years seniority (767F).

You can today, but 767F went down to seniority 3000. So someone new coming in today that could be 10 years away when looking at retirements. Good point though, it’s an option to fly big metal for those that are interested in that.

Yes. But flying a WB for NB pay is nothing to brag about.

I completely agree, but not everyone shares our viewpoint. I’m just trying to provide as unbiased information as I can so readers can make the best decisions they can for their future careers. People considering AC for the freighter option should closer consider CargoJet. If you’re interested in Cargo Ops I think it’s the better option, especially for those aged 30+. For those looking to Captain a widebody as soon as possible could look at Transat as well, but I’m unsure how things are looking over there right now with projected upgrades.

[Hangry]

Actually, you can fly WB CA for NB CA pay at about 6-7 years seniority (767F).

You can today, but 767F went down to seniority 3000. So someone new coming in today that could be 10 years away when looking at retirements. Good point though, it’s an option to fly big metal for those that are interested in that.

Yes. But flying a WB for NB pay is nothing to brag about.

What NB CA in Canada makes 260 - 270k a year? Should be higher but….

[joefo]

Anyone hear of a January PIT course? / anyone been called for one in the new year?

Called for Jan 2

OTS or jazz?

OTS

[y61900]

When did you interview?

[canadian_aviator_4]

Getting answers from Joefo sounds as easy as pulling teeth.

[JHR]

He is busy calculating how he will pay the mortgage for the next four years