The road to ending up on a wide body...

[helterskelter94]

Newbie to the forum here after a fellow redditor suggested my questions may gain more answers here. My original post on reddit was as below:

"I got back into aviation a little 'later' in life. I use that term loosely as I am 29 with my first job doing pipeline patrol. (multi IFR cpl). My ultimate goal is flying widebodies, and I'd like to have my next few years somewhat organized in terms of what path I want to follow to get there. I realize aviation is one of those industries where everything can change at the drop of a hat, but I'm trying to stay proactive/positive....also because I look at my student loan repayments against my first flying job income and realize I can't do this forever haha.

I seem to be getting mixed responses in the community here (I fly in Alberta). Some say stay with your current company, get your hours, move onto a twin within the company if possible for a seniority standpoint, get tons of hours PIC on a twin, like, 1500-2000TT, and then by-pass Jazz/Encore and go straight to the mainline. Is this a thing? Others say: Get your 500/750 and then switch to Encore/Jazz move up that way.

THEN, to make things more confusing a third opinion comes in and says "screw all that, get your FAA, get 1500hrs with as much multi PIC in there, and apply to jobs in the states"....because we all know how good Canadian Airline pilots get paid lol.

OR! If you have another way that worked wonders for you, do share! I'm not super interested in flying corporate, although if you got some sweet deal out of it that you believe is 150% better than flying airlines here in Canada, I guess I'm all ears!"

From that original post I gained the knowledge that the pipeline of jazz-AC and encore-WJ really isn't that great anymore, and many suggested starting out with Encore to eventually move over to AC as my long term goal is obviously the 787. Another pilot then chimed in and brought of Air Transat. I foolishly forgot they existed, which now opens a whole extra world of options.

[flyingcanuck]

Fastest way to 787 at AC is porter or encore. Don't go to Jazz. Direct from 703 is possible, I know a few who were king Air / 1900 captains but have flown bigger A/C like the ATR or DC3.

You're overthinking this. Get hours, apply everywhere and take the first one that takes you. Good luck!

[fish4life]

First question is why do you want to get on a wide body?

Is it because you think they pay the best ?
- narrow body at one place will pay better than widebody at another which changes the answer

Is it because you want to see every continent?
- AC is the only option

Where do you want to live ?
- this will determine what company to work for since AT doesn’t have anything out west as an example


Unless you have a right to work in the US already then that’s not an option until you have a bunch of jet command time anyway and even then it’s no guarantee so don’t worry about that.

[North Shore]

In your haste to get to a wide body, don’t forget to enjoy the road to get there! Back in the pre 9-11 days, I managed to get jumpseat on a 737going to Winnipeg. When the crew heard I was going to Pickle Lake for my first job, the stories started fast and furious..

[daedalusx]

If all you care about is the type rating go to Cargojet

[‘Bob’]

I think it was a road in Fort Simpson. Or Fort Smith. One of two. Pretty hazy night a long time ago.

Use protection and always plan your escape route before committing.

[Eric Janson]

No guarantees in this Business imho.

Make the choices that are right for you - don't worry about what others are doing.

[JHR]

I think it was a road in Fort Simpson. Or Fort Smith. One of two. Pretty hazy night a long time ago.

Use protection and always plan your escape route before committing.

[Hysteria]

Newbie to the forum here after a fellow redditor suggested my questions may gain more answers here. My original post on reddit was as below:

"I got back into aviation a little 'later' in life. I use that term loosely as I am 29 with my first job doing pipeline patrol. (multi IFR cpl). My ultimate goal is flying widebodies, and I'd like to have my next few years somewhat organized in terms of what path I want to follow to get there. I realize aviation is one of those industries where everything can change at the drop of a hat, but I'm trying to stay proactive/positive....also because I look at my student loan repayments against my first flying job income and realize I can't do this forever haha.

I seem to be getting mixed responses in the community here (I fly in Alberta). Some say stay with your current company, get your hours, move onto a twin within the company if possible for a seniority standpoint, get tons of hours PIC on a twin, like, 1500-2000TT, and then by-pass Jazz/Encore and go straight to the mainline. Is this a thing? Others say: Get your 500/750 and then switch to Encore/Jazz move up that way.

THEN, to make things more confusing a third opinion comes in and says "screw all that, get your FAA, get 1500hrs with as much multi PIC in there, and apply to jobs in the states"....because we all know how good Canadian Airline pilots get paid lol.

OR! If you have another way that worked wonders for you, do share! I'm not super interested in flying corporate, although if you got some sweet deal out of it that you believe is 150% better than flying airlines here in Canada, I guess I'm all ears!"

From that original post I gained the knowledge that the pipeline of jazz-AC and encore-WJ really isn't that great anymore, and many suggested starting out with Encore to eventually move over to AC as my long term goal is obviously the 787. Another pilot then chimed in and brought of Air Transat. I foolishly forgot they existed, which now opens a whole extra world of options.

The flows are broken. So basically, Jazz = westjet
Encore = Air Canada
You can go to Porter after you get however many hours they’re hiring at, or 704s etc.

[co-joe]

No idea why you'd want WB as an end goal in this country, but if it's an itch you have to scratch, then your choices are AC, CargoJet, Air Transat, WestJet, or leave Canada. Personally I think you should think company, not aeroplane, but you'll learn that lesson soon enough.

[Canadaflyer46]

No idea why you'd want WB as an end goal in this country, but if it's an itch you have to scratch, then your choices are AC, CargoJet, Air Transat, WestJet, or leave Canada. Personally I think you should think company, not aeroplane, but you'll learn that lesson soon enough.

I’d scratch WestJet from the list. It currently takes 9 years seniority to get a widebody FO spot, and bottom of the reserve list at that.

[Me262]

No idea why you'd want WB as an end goal in this country, but if it's an itch you have to scratch, then your choices are AC, CargoJet, Air Transat, WestJet, or leave Canada. Personally I think you should think company, not aeroplane, but you'll learn that lesson soon enough.

I’d scratch WestJet from the list. It currently takes 9 years seniority to get a widebody FO spot, and bottom of the reserve list at that.

WJ has socialized bidding so bottom of the list wouldn't be so terrible

[karmutzen]

How important is PIC time? Have an ATPL with minimum 1500 hrs. Just toil away with PICUS, or drop back onto 1900 for a couple years?

[daedalusx]

No idea why you'd want WB as an end goal in this country, but if it's an itch you have to scratch, then your choices are AC, CargoJet, Air Transat, WestJet, or leave Canada. Personally I think you should think company, not aeroplane, but you'll learn that lesson soon enough.

I’d scratch WestJet from the list. It currently takes 9 years seniority to get a widebody FO spot, and bottom of the reserve list at that.

WJ has socialized bidding so bottom of the list wouldn't be so terrible

It absolutely is when you’re doing full reserve block.