Air Transat vs Westjet

[Romain]

Careerwise, what would be your choice right now for a new starter? I am 43 and recently moved to Toronto.
Here's my thinking on each:

_WJ:
pros
-possibility to move to YYC in the next few years as GTA is just unaffordable
-better income and pension (for now)
-socialized bidding very interesting to me as I'll be bottom 50% for all my career
cons
-won't see left seat before 10-15 years
-B737 for all the career!?

_Transat:
pros
-better quality of life and long haul flights
-Airbus
cons
-stuck in YYZ because neither me nor my wife speak french
-future of the company a bit uncertain?


Please feel free to share your opinion. Thanks!

[nohojob]

The 737 is not an embarrassing plane to fly for a career.
Wj has 787.

Also French isn't impossible to learn.

[hsilgnepilot]

All good points. Just need to choose what’s best for you and what you value most. Right now, starting pay at WJ is higher but I would expect that won’t last for too long.

Average block at Transat on the 321 are working 14-15 days a month. Also some nice scheduling perks when you’re junior such as being guaranteed to have a long weekend off every month and holding a flying block until your first recurrent.

Although I’ve only been at Transat for a few months I must say I’m definitely enjoying it. Was also considering WestJet but the biggest deciding factors were upgrade time, QOL & variety of flying, all of which you mentioned.

[TFTMB heavy]

All good points. Just need to choose what’s best for you and what you value most. Right now, starting pay at WJ is higher but I would expect that won’t last for too long.

Average block at Transat on the 321 are working 14-15 days a month. Also some nice scheduling perks when you’re junior such as being guaranteed to have a long weekend off every month and holding a flying block until your first recurrent.

Although I’ve only been at Transat for a few months I must say I’m definitely enjoying it. Was also considering WestJet but the biggest deciding factors were upgrade time, QOL & variety of flying, all of which you mentioned.

The long weekend thing is for reserve blocks. Reserve only every other month. The no reserve until your first recurrent will like be dropped soon, to two months bro reserve after being released.

[a380super]

Anyone willing to share Air Transat pay scale for both captains and first officers.
Upgrade time for an experience Captain joining today. ?
Thanks

[twa22]

Anyone willing to share Air Transat pay scale for both captains and first officers.
Upgrade time for an experience Captain joining today. ?
Thanks

https://pilotcareercenter.com/Air-Carri ... ir-Transat

Click on the pink salary tab, it's right there

[TFTMB heavy]

Anyone willing to share Air Transat pay scale for both captains and first officers.
Upgrade time for an experience Captain joining today. ?
Thanks

Upgrades are by seniority when the minimums are met (5000 is the lowest I’m told). That being said they’re predicting a serious lack of experienced FOs to upgrade in roughly 18 months.

[a380super]

Ok .
Thank you.
I definitely prefer Airbus and AT routes ..but not worthy to take that pay cut at my age.( Capt -> F/O)

[TFTMB heavy]

Ok .
Thank you.
I definitely prefer Airbus and AT routes ..but not worthy to take that pay cut at my age.( Capt -> F/O)

I hear you. I know there are some talks about different ideas on the union side to attract and fairly compensate more experienced pilots while they wait for the upgrade. Only time will tell if the company finds one of these ideas a good solution to their problem…