Encore hiring Foreign Workers??

[Bede]

https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article ... e-cockpit/

[cgartly]

I'm not racist in any way but am tired of foreign pilots getting jobs in 703 particularly when there are Canadian pilots trying - I suspect it is because the foreign pilots will or have to put up with crappier work environment. There seem to be some operators that think they are doing you a favor by hiring you and treat you like crap. Anyways I digress.

Are you sure that these "foreign pilots" are getting 703 jobs or are these permanent residents or citizens that were born somewhere else? The reason I ask is that I know of a kid who has a work visa who has been slogging it out on the ramp for a long time but can't get flying because the work visa only covers ramp work, not flying work.

Yes because they are stuck at their current operator waiting for PR cards so they can leave and work anywhere.

[CaptDukeNukem]

Has anyone ever told you how fu cken annoying you are, never mind that was a stupid question, of course that’s happened.

Aren't you that arrogant Jazz pilot who thinks his $150k Cdn salary is good? Isn't that like a $100k US? What is that...like the starting wage for regional pilot down south??

First of all, how much do you make, still on mommy and daddy’s teat?
Second 150k is far above the majority of Canadians income,
Thirdly, I made 196k with zero OT in 2024 and I get a 4.5% increase this July, hardly a shitty income!

Top scale green circles. Wooooo

Thought I was gone? Nope. Show us a picture of how much you pay to get your rear tooth removed every 6 months.

[CaptDukeNukem]

Imagine being at the pinnacle of your career, the most you will ever make in your life as a pilot and comparing yourself to average Canadian wages.

This literally means you're comparing yourself to Walmart workers, garbage men, bus drivers, librarians, gardeners or whatever other job that takes weeks to get trained up on.

Just embarrassing comment from a Canadian "avater". Or is it an "avatar"? Definitely don't want him negotiating on behalf of this profession. Yikes.

I was simply stating fact, 150k is not an insignificant wage, also the fact I’m above that.
I’m going to leave the other stuff, as you don’t know me but suffice to say I’m proud of my profession and just realize after 35 years, there are always limitations and you have to set your expectations, otherwise you’ll be extremely unhappy no matter the outcome!
Air Canada is replacing 76 seat aircraft with 137 seat aircraft, if you take the top a220 Capt wage divided by seats available, it’s 2.23 per hour, CRJ/E175/ is 2.32 per available seat per hour. Pilot wages at Jazz are already above the seat mile cost of the AC A220, where do you think they will direct the resources, take your time, it’s a tough question!

I made more than you hourly just by browsing avcanada

[cdnavater]

Aren't you that arrogant Jazz pilot who thinks his $150k Cdn salary is good? Isn't that like a $100k US? What is that...like the starting wage for regional pilot down south??

First of all, how much do you make, still on mommy and daddy’s teat?
Second 150k is far above the majority of Canadians income,
Thirdly, I made 196k with zero OT in 2024 and I get a 4.5% increase this July, hardly a shitty income!

Top scale green circles. Wooooo

Thought I was gone? Nope. Show us a picture of how much you pay to get your rear tooth removed every 6 months.

I don’t get the reference, welcome back Duke!
Every Jazz pilot will make the same, your reference to green circle is old, get new material!

[cdnavater]

Imagine being at the pinnacle of your career, the most you will ever make in your life as a pilot and comparing yourself to average Canadian wages.

This literally means you're comparing yourself to Walmart workers, garbage men, bus drivers, librarians, gardeners or whatever other job that takes weeks to get trained up on.

Just embarrassing comment from a Canadian "avater". Or is it an "avatar"? Definitely don't want him negotiating on behalf of this profession. Yikes.

I was simply stating fact, 150k is not an insignificant wage, also the fact I’m above that.
I’m going to leave the other stuff, as you don’t know me but suffice to say I’m proud of my profession and just realize after 35 years, there are always limitations and you have to set your expectations, otherwise you’ll be extremely unhappy no matter the outcome!
Air Canada is replacing 76 seat aircraft with 137 seat aircraft, if you take the top a220 Capt wage divided by seats available, it’s 2.23 per hour, CRJ/E175/ is 2.32 per available seat per hour. Pilot wages at Jazz are already above the seat mile cost of the AC A220, where do you think they will direct the resources, take your time, it’s a tough question!

I made more than you hourly just by browsing avcanada

Congratulations, I’m not sure if I were working for Porter right now I’d be bragging about how much I make, your company is more exposed than any other in Canada.
You’re operating 36 of 44 E2, how’s the 100 fins going these days?

[CaptDukeNukem]

I was simply stating fact, 150k is not an insignificant wage, also the fact I’m above that.
I’m going to leave the other stuff, as you don’t know me but suffice to say I’m proud of my profession and just realize after 35 years, there are always limitations and you have to set your expectations, otherwise you’ll be extremely unhappy no matter the outcome!
Air Canada is replacing 76 seat aircraft with 137 seat aircraft, if you take the top a220 Capt wage divided by seats available, it’s 2.23 per hour, CRJ/E175/ is 2.32 per available seat per hour. Pilot wages at Jazz are already above the seat mile cost of the AC A220, where do you think they will direct the resources, take your time, it’s a tough question!

I made more than you hourly just by browsing avcanada

Congratulations, I’m not sure if I were working for Porter right now I’d be bragging about how much I make, your company is more exposed than any other in Canada.
You’re operating 36 of 44 E2, how’s the 100 fins going these days?

I did miss you! Things going great. New deliveries coming. You know…. P&W issues affecting every airline in the world with those engines. Ask Air Canada how many are parked. But let’s keep this encore TFW related

We can bicker somewhere else

[cdnavater]

I made more than you hourly just by browsing avcanada

Congratulations, I’m not sure if I were working for Porter right now I’d be bragging about how much I make, your company is more exposed than any other in Canada.
You’re operating 36 of 44 E2, how’s the 100 fins going these days?

I did miss you! Things going great. New deliveries coming. You know…. P&W issues affecting every airline in the world with those engines. Ask Air Canada how many are parked. But let’s keep this encore TFW related

We can bicker somewhere else

Couldn’t resist, glad to hear! I hope this whole ordeal is short lived and all of us collectively do better!
Encore should not be using TFWs before making an actual effort to hire, which includes paying what it takes.
I send messages to the politicians on X, it is all I can do to help unfortunately but ALPA is fighting this!

[cdnavater]

Fellow pilots,



For the last several weeks, ALPA Canada, along with the WestJet and WestJet Encore MEC’s have prioritized efforts towards halting WestJet managements bid to hire pilots through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. As pilots, we know this issue goes beyond WestJet Encore, it impacts us all!

We have worked to be open and transparent about the steps we have taken, including writing to the Minister of Jobs and Families, reaching out to the media to raise public awareness, launching a social media campaign, and filing an application for judicial review with the Federal Court. Through IFALPA we also coordinated with pilot unions in India and South Africa (countries WestJet had targeted), to challenge WestJet’s move to hire foreign pilots and we formally called upon all of Canada’s federal political parties to commit to reforming Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program.

Just recently, the WestJet and WestJet Encore MEC Chairs met with their management team to discuss practical solutions to attract and retain skilled professional pilots, that do not involve utilizing the TFW Program. At the conclusion of the meeting WestJet management declared that they believed it was still in their best interests to move forward with their plans to hire pilots through the TFW Program.

Yesterday, ALPA Canada made it clear to WestJet management that we were ready to immediately proceed with an aggressive nationwide paid media campaign that would include billboards outside major airports across the country including Ottawa, Calgary and Toronto, and digital ads that would appear on multiple websites including the Globe & Mail and CBC.

Thanks to our unity, and leadership, late yesterday afternoon we were informed that the WestJet management will no longer pursue the hiring any pilots through the TFW Program.

While the pressure we applied went a long way to changing the direction of WestJet managements’ direction on pilot recruitment, our work and unity must continue.

Upon the conclusion of the Federal election on April 28th and the appointment of the Ministers of Transport and Labour, we will seek a commitment from the government review the TFWP, with the goal of reforming the Labour Market Impact Assessment process, so that its use is limited to the original intent of seasonal agricultural workers, and to recognize and place importance on consultation with any unions that represent impacted employees.


In unity,

Tim Perry—ALPA Canada President

Gilles Boissonneault—ALPA Canada Vice President

Louis-Éric Mongrain—ALPA Canada Vice President, Administration & Finance

[Airbrake]

Too add more to the ALPA release.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/busines ... as-pilots/

WestJet has walked back its bid to put temporary foreign workers in the cockpit.

In an e-mail, spokeswoman Julia Kaiser confirmed that the airline halted its hunt for overseas recruits for regional subsidiary WestJet Encore due to “economic uncertainty.”

The federal government last month approved WestJet’s application for pilot permits under the temporary foreign worker program, according to the company and the country’s main pilot union.

The Air Line Pilots Association opposed the move, which saw granted a request for about 60 permits for pilots from India and South Africa, according to court filings.

The union asked a judge last month to quash the government’s approval, filing an application in Federal Court to declare the decision invalid.

The jobs minister failed to consult with the pilots association or the “appropriate regulatory bodies” before giving WestJet the green light on March 10, the union argued in its submission.

Tim Perry, who heads the union’s Canadian wing, argued that temporary flight crew from abroad would undermine union goals around wages and work conditions.

“Your status in Canada is directly tied to your being a ’good employee' through the eyes of the employer,” he said in an interview, pointing to federal program rules.

“They’re not going to act in standing for elements of our collective agreements that we've already earned or, in the case of collective bargaining, changes to those collective agreements.

“This has nothing to do with the part that these pilots were born elsewhere,” Perry added.

The temporary foreign worker program allows non-permanent residents to work in Canada for periods of up to two years when employers face short-term labour shortages and no qualified Canadians are available.

Employing hundreds of thousands of people, the federal program saw worker volumes surge over the past decade and a half – particularly in low-wage sectors such as agriculture and hospitality – though demand dropped in the second half of last year amid new restrictions.

WestJet’s request was made via a so-called labour market impact assessment, which determines if “no Canadians or permanent residents are available to do the job,” according to the Immigration Department website.

The union took issue with the finding that none were. It also noted that Canadian demand for air travel to the United States has declined amid the backlash to U.S. tariffs and President Donald Trump’s annexation threats, easing labour pressures.

“I think that would land very poorly with the Canadian public, especially at a time when a lot of jobs and careers are at risk because of the political climate or the economic climate,” Perry said of any pursuit of temporary foreign pilots.

Asked why it was considering this new recruitment method and how severe its pilot shortage was, WestJet said last month the application to permit it to hire temporary foreign workers offered one possible way to bolster its ranks.

The process “is one of multiple avenues we are exploring to address operational needs amid an ongoing shortage of WestJet Encore captains,” Kaiser said on March 25.

Employing temporary foreign workers as captains – like WestJet suggested – rather than first officers would allow for potentially bigger savings. Those contracted as captains without a decade or more experience as a first officer beforehand would be paid less.

Moreover, those new temporary foreign captains might not remain in Canada long enough to see the substantial wage hikes that come with more years of service.

A spike in pilots from abroad in the captain’s chair could also reduce the opportunities for promotion among Canadian first officers, the union argued.

Perry said the option of temporary foreign workers could shrink airlines’ incentives to improve pilot retention through bigger contract gains come bargaining time. If more pilots choose to leave the carrier, others from faraway shores could be recruited short-term.

[dustyroads]

As a turbine captain at a 703 operation with never having worked at a 705 operation, why aren’t First Officers being upgraded or upgrading at Encore? Every First Officer at my 703 operator can’t wait to get the hours and upgrade, we also have more captains than first officers due to captains can be crewed together.

[thepoors]

Fellow pilots,



For the last several weeks, ALPA Canada, along with the WestJet and WestJet Encore MEC’s have prioritized efforts towards halting WestJet managements bid to hire pilots through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. As pilots, we know this issue goes beyond WestJet Encore, it impacts us all!

We have worked to be open and transparent about the steps we have taken, including writing to the Minister of Jobs and Families, reaching out to the media to raise public awareness, launching a social media campaign, and filing an application for judicial review with the Federal Court. Through IFALPA we also coordinated with pilot unions in India and South Africa (countries WestJet had targeted), to challenge WestJet’s move to hire foreign pilots and we formally called upon all of Canada’s federal political parties to commit to reforming Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program.

Just recently, the WestJet and WestJet Encore MEC Chairs met with their management team to discuss practical solutions to attract and retain skilled professional pilots, that do not involve utilizing the TFW Program. At the conclusion of the meeting WestJet management declared that they believed it was still in their best interests to move forward with their plans to hire pilots through the TFW Program.

Yesterday, ALPA Canada made it clear to WestJet management that we were ready to immediately proceed with an aggressive nationwide paid media campaign that would include billboards outside major airports across the country including Ottawa, Calgary and Toronto, and digital ads that would appear on multiple websites including the Globe & Mail and CBC.

Thanks to our unity, and leadership, late yesterday afternoon we were informed that the WestJet management will no longer pursue the hiring any pilots through the TFW Program.

While the pressure we applied went a long way to changing the direction of WestJet managements’ direction on pilot recruitment, our work and unity must continue.

Upon the conclusion of the Federal election on April 28th and the appointment of the Ministers of Transport and Labour, we will seek a commitment from the government review the TFWP, with the goal of reforming the Labour Market Impact Assessment process, so that its use is limited to the original intent of seasonal agricultural workers, and to recognize and place importance on consultation with any unions that represent impacted employees.


In unity,

Tim Perry—ALPA Canada President

Gilles Boissonneault—ALPA Canada Vice President

Louis-Éric Mongrain—ALPA Canada Vice President, Administration & Finance

Credit where credit is due. Great job by ALPA on this!

[thepoors]

As a turbine captain at a 703 operation with never having worked at a 705 operation, why aren’t First Officers being upgraded or upgrading at Encore? Every First Officer at my 703 operator can’t wait to get the hours and upgrade, we also have more captains than first officers due to captains can be crewed together.

Because putting 22yr olds with 1500hrs in command of a 705 machine isn't going to have good results (especially with a 500hr wonder in the other seat).

The reality is most FOs there don't have enough experience to upgrade because they keep lowering their hiring minimums. They are also the only people who apply for the job because who can afford to exist on that salary apart from kids still living with their parents... It's all a pay issue. Which is why they were trying to skirt around and hire wage slaves from abroad. It's the game every corporation in this country has been playing since the liberals opened the borders to anyone and their mother (literally). Encore just wanted in on the action.

[dustyroads]

As a turbine captain at a 703 operation with never having worked at a 705 operation, why aren’t First Officers being upgraded or upgrading at Encore? Every First Officer at my 703 operator can’t wait to get the hours and upgrade, we also have more captains than first officers due to captains can be crewed together.

Because putting 22yr olds with 1500hrs in command of a 705 machine isn't going to have good results (especially with a 500hr wonder in the other seat).

The reality is most FOs there don't have enough experience to upgrade because they keep lowering their hiring minimums. They are also the only people who apply for the job because who can afford to exist on that salary apart from kids still living with their parents... It's all a pay issue. Which is why they were trying to skirt around and hire wage slaves from abroad. It's the game every corporation in this country has been playing since the liberals opened the borders to anyone and their mother (literally). Encore just wanted in on the action.

According to the Captain job posting one needs 500 hours 705 experience with 2000 hrs total time. Every new First Officer hired should be eligible within 2 years to upgrade if they were hired with no 705 experience as a 703 turbine Captain would have at least 1500 hours total time as most 703 companies require ATPL for Captains.
There's no job posting for First Officer. Wouldn’t it make sense to hire people who are only missing 500 hours 705 experience to be eligible to upgrade? Saying majority of the FOs there don’t have enough experience to upgrade shouldn’t have been hired before more experienced applicants.
Maybe the end goal is to shut Encore down. I could be interested in joining but there’s no path for me as a 703 turbine captain to join at the moment, get the 500 hours 705 experience and upgrade. It won’t help the shortage today but it will within a couple years and the company should learn by past mistake to hire more experienced.

[BTD]

Those with more experience aren’t applying. It’s not that they are choosing to hire low timers, they can’t hire the others.

2000 hrs gets you on the radar at Air Canada. Until recently I was flying with individuals on the 767 with just over 2000 hrs total.

[dustyroads]

Those with more experience aren’t applying. It’s not that they are choosing to hire low timers, they can’t hire the others.

2000 hrs gets you on the radar at Air Canada. Until recently I was flying with individuals on the 767 with just over 2000 hrs total.

Close to 2 years ago word around the office at the 703 operation I’m at was one of the most experienced turbine captains at the company was unsuccessful for Encore First Officer. So one day I had chance to ask them about it as I actually didn’t believe it. They said it was true gossip and showed me the correspondence with Encore HR reps. Yes experienced people are applying but Encore decides not to hire them. As I mentioned previously the Westjet group may actually want to close the Dash operation down.

[JBI]

As a turbine captain at a 703 operation with never having worked at a 705 operation, why aren’t First Officers being upgraded or upgrading at Encore? Every First Officer at my 703 operator can’t wait to get the hours and upgrade, we also have more captains than first officers due to captains can be crewed together.

Most leave Encore for AC, Flair, Porter etc. before or shortly after they upgrade. Simply put, even though they'd make more money as an Encore Captain, in the long run, they have better long term career opportunities by going elsewhere.

[cdnavater]

As a turbine captain at a 703 operation with never having worked at a 705 operation, why aren’t First Officers being upgraded or upgrading at Encore? Every First Officer at my 703 operator can’t wait to get the hours and upgrade, we also have more captains than first officers due to captains can be crewed together.

Most leave Encore for AC, Flair, Porter etc. before or shortly after they upgrade. Simply put, even though they'd make more money as an Encore Captain, in the long run, they have better long term career opportunities by going elsewhere.

Things about to change, Encore Captain is going to be a longer term position soon enough! There is no way out of this, our biggest trading partner is destroying both of our economies!

[Dronepiper]

Those with more experience aren’t applying. It’s not that they are choosing to hire low timers, they can’t hire the others.

2000 hrs gets you on the radar at Air Canada. Until recently I was flying with individuals on the 767 with just over 2000 hrs total.

Close to 2 years ago word around the office at the 703 operation I’m at was one of the most experienced turbine captains at the company was unsuccessful for Encore First Officer. So one day I had chance to ask them about it as I actually didn’t believe it. They said it was true gossip and showed me the correspondence with Encore HR reps. Yes experienced people are applying but Encore decides not to hire them. As I mentioned previously the Westjet group may actually want to close the Dash operation down.

Experience only accounts for so much. The reason some experienced 703/704/705 pilots fail the interview process at Regionals and Major's in Canada is because they walk into the interview with a cocky attitude thinking they know it all. Yes, you have been flying for a long time, and yes your experience is valuable, but the most important thing is this: "Are you still willing to learn new things?" Or are you going to struggle adapting to a new operation with new SOPs while sitting in the right seat?

The most successful pilots in this industry are those that are humble and eager to learn, regardless of their experience.

This is also very true for DEC's. Yes you of course need a certain level of experience to be successful, but you also need to be ready to learn new things, and be receptive to feedback. If you constantly say "but this isn't how we did it at my old operation" you will not be successful.

The best pilot's are those that recognize there is always more to learn or improve upon, regardless if they have 200 hours, or 20000 hours.

[gqra]

As a turbine captain at a 703 operation with never having worked at a 705 operation, why aren’t First Officers being upgraded or upgrading at Encore? Every First Officer at my 703 operator can’t wait to get the hours and upgrade, we also have more captains than first officers due to captains can be crewed together.

Because putting 22yr olds with 1500hrs in command of a 705 machine isn't going to have good results (especially with a 500hr wonder in the other seat).

The reality is most FOs there don't have enough experience to upgrade because they keep lowering their hiring minimums. They are also the only people who apply for the job because who can afford to exist on that salary apart from kids still living with their parents... It's all a pay issue. Which is why they were trying to skirt around and hire wage slaves from abroad. It's the game every corporation in this country has been playing since the liberals opened the borders to anyone and their mother (literally). Encore just wanted in on the action.

Pilot Inty?

[JBI]

As a turbine captain at a 703 operation with never having worked at a 705 operation, why aren’t First Officers being upgraded or upgrading at Encore? Every First Officer at my 703 operator can’t wait to get the hours and upgrade, we also have more captains than first officers due to captains can be crewed together.

Most leave Encore for AC, Flair, Porter etc. before or shortly after they upgrade. Simply put, even though they'd make more money as an Encore Captain, in the long run, they have better long term career opportunities by going elsewhere.

Things about to change, Encore Captain is going to be a longer term position soon enough! There is no way out of this, our biggest trading partner is destroying both of our economies!

While I hope the damage is minimal, I tend to agree with you. Though in a strange way it’ll actually make Encore a better spot for career growth. Flow at the moment is contingent upon the amount of Captains that Encore has, so with more Captains, there will be more flow opportunities.

While money is always a big factor, career growth is the main issue at the moment with Encore’s retention issue.

[thepoors]

As a turbine captain at a 703 operation with never having worked at a 705 operation, why aren’t First Officers being upgraded or upgrading at Encore? Every First Officer at my 703 operator can’t wait to get the hours and upgrade, we also have more captains than first officers due to captains can be crewed together.

Because putting 22yr olds with 1500hrs in command of a 705 machine isn't going to have good results (especially with a 500hr wonder in the other seat).

The reality is most FOs there don't have enough experience to upgrade because they keep lowering their hiring minimums. They are also the only people who apply for the job because who can afford to exist on that salary apart from kids still living with their parents... It's all a pay issue. Which is why they were trying to skirt around and hire wage slaves from abroad. It's the game every corporation in this country has been playing since the liberals opened the borders to anyone and their mother (literally). Encore just wanted in on the action.

Pilot Inty?

Huh?

[genetic jack hammer]

If you're on Instagram, check for Pilot Inty. Wanna see cringe worthy videos of what an Encore pilot does (from his perspective only) from wake up to sleepy time, look no further...and we thought those Keith D'Mello videos were nauseating.

[GetAGripen]

If you're on Instagram, check for Pilot Inty. Wanna see cringe worthy videos of what an Encore pilot does (from his perspective only) from wake up to sleepy time, look no further...and we thought those Keith D'Mello videos were nauseating.

He's been on the management shit-list for a while; they even amended the social media policy just for him.

[safetyfirst123]

If you're on Instagram, check for Pilot Inty. Wanna see cringe worthy videos of what an Encore pilot does (from his perspective only) from wake up to sleepy time, look no further...and we thought those Keith D'Mello videos were nauseating.

He's been on the management shit-list for a while; they even amended the social media policy just for him.

Who, Inty or D'Melo? Either way, both cringe