Air Canada vs WestJet

[Hysteria]

This forum has been very eye opening for prospective guys like myself.

The consensus seems to be

AC pros:
pension
diversity of work
job security
WB pay?

WJ pros:
SB - better schedule albeit junior/senior
lifestyle
vacation
Alberta bases

This is just from what I've gathered and I'm sure there are far more details. I could be getting this wrong.

I recently saw on another post that reserve at WJ extended from 2017 at YYC? How long does it actually take to get off reserve at YYC/YEG?

I’m a new hire in at WJ in YEG. I’ve heard that getting off reserve is not long at all here. Time will tell but I’ve been told it can take as little as less than a year.

That’s awesome, nice to hear the update

[dontcallmeshirley]

This forum has been very eye opening for prospective guys like myself.

The consensus seems to be

AC pros:
pension
diversity of work
job security
WB pay?

WJ pros:
SB - better schedule albeit junior/senior
lifestyle
vacation
Alberta bases

This is just from what I've gathered and I'm sure there are far more details. I could be getting this wrong.

I recently saw on another post that reserve at WJ extended from 2017 at YYC? How long does it actually take to get off reserve at YYC/YEG?

WestJet also has quarterly pancake appreciation days... Sometimes they'll even serve hash brown and sausages!

[garfield]

Are you flying less days at WJ than AC?

[Curiousflyer]

Are you flying less days at WJ than AC?

Generally speaking yes, especially considering AC has training outside the block. So every 4 months an AC pilot will work an extra day or two. For example, an AC pilot would do 16 days of flying and 2 days of sim training. WJ would do 14 days of flying and 2 days of sim training. An AC pilot is paid more for the extra sim days, but still technically working more.

[KAG]

Without wadding into the mud I'll throw my personal experience at WJ. Been here 16+ years. Since having kids (12 years ago) I've worked 1 Christmas. The pay until recently left a serious sour taste in your mouth. That's fixed, massive improvement!!!!
For the moment WJ pays top dollar, AC will pass that. (Pattern based bargaining for the win).
AC also has a pension, ours is TBD. Although you're now given 10% of your income to do as you see fit so there's that. Pension incoming. Details to follow.

Our benifets are not as good.

I suspect flat pay will be gone next CA at AC, for comparision our First year FOs net around $5500 with perdium a month.

Scheduling....depends what base you get, time of year etc. Overall I'm a very vocal fan of socialized bidding. I generally get my days off OR destinations. Rarely both. Where else as a new employee can you get the opportunity to have major holidays off? Or trade with other pilots? Don't like your schedule- trade. Can't do that at AC, hope that changes for them. It's wicked.

Reserve - shorter duration and better rules at WJ. Again for now.

Bottom line: AC is the prestigious mapple leaf, the long haul many type airline with lots of potential.
WJ is lifestyle with (for now) industry leading pay in Canada, also with great potential. If you like sun flying there's lots of it.

Both are great choices.

I did hear since our new CA we're losing a lot less WJ mainline pilots to AC, and some CXD thier AC courses and elected to stay.

Good luck to all - it's a great time to hold an ATPL

[KAG]

Are you flying less days at WJ than AC?

That depends. I usually work 11 days if I get my NAS turns, some are down to 9. Others 16 regularly - depends on base and time of year, single days vs multi day pairings. I'd say my average over the last decade is 13 days a month. Training inside the block helps too.

[PittBoss]

What are the equipment options at YYZ and YVR respectively?

[vanislepilot]

What are the equipment options at YYZ and YVR respectively?

YYZ:
Everything
YVR:
No A220(For now), A330, B767F

[Bede]

Are you flying less days at WJ than AC?

I didn't think so, but on reading this thread, apparently yes.

I've only ever worked 16 days when I've bid cushy pairings with long layovers in CUN, BGI, UVF, etc. Otherwise it's pretty consistently 14. If you bid high credit 1 days (I did this as an FO years ago), you can get down to 10 pretty easily. (Pre- duty regs, pilots could work as few as 8 but those 10+ hr days are now gone.) Even the YVR pilots that bid ~6hr 1 days work about 12 day's/month.

[Hysteria]

Are you flying less days at WJ than AC?

That depends. I usually work 11 days if I get my NAS turns, some are down to 9. Others 16 regularly - depends on base and time of year, single days vs multi day pairings. I'd say my average over the last decade is 13 days a month. Training inside the block helps too.

How many days/month are you doing now? 13/month is pretty good.

[Canadaflyer46]

Are you flying less days at WJ than AC?

That depends. I usually work 11 days if I get my NAS turns, some are down to 9. Others 16 regularly - depends on base and time of year, single days vs multi day pairings. I'd say my average over the last decade is 13 days a month. Training inside the block helps too.

How many days/month are you doing now? 13/month is pretty good.

9-12 days a month for people bidding single days. The odd month you won't get what you ask for and can expect a redeye pairing or two. Also depends if you need to bid for days off, as that takes away some weight to your pairings requests.