Encore hiring 2026

[CaptDukeNukem]

Personally, I’m just trying to build some heavy prop time. The industry is very different than it was a year ago, and even more so compared to two years ago. I feel somewhat stagnated in my current role logging MPIC-piston, and Encore would be a stepping stone to get me to the best opportunity available at whatever time that may be. Be it the flow to mainline or another operator.

Yea that’s fair. I’m not saying encore isn’t good. I think it would be a good place to rack up some Q400 time and build up that resume. Build up them hours on a heavy turboprop and see what happens in the industry. Thanks for all the answers folks!

[scdriver]

Apparently WJ and Encore just froze all upgrades and flow. Stopped DEC captain hiring. Base moves stopped.

WJ did but I highly doubt encore stopped upgrading. They don’t even have the captains to staff the current flying

[leafs95]

Curious…. Are people still applying here thinking they will get a west jet spot eventually? Or are people using this place as a get your heavy turboprop hours and go?

Late to the party but the plan has always been to upgrade at some point and stay on for a couple years as encore CA before flowing to what I'd hoped would be mainline WJ. While current flow is in shambles, who knows what the future holds. Like it's been said here a couple times - things change so often in this industry. That being said, if flow self-destructs in a few years then at least I can go elsewhere knowing I got some decent 705 command time out of it.

[philaviate]

Apparently WJ and Encore just froze all upgrades and flow. Stopped DEC captain hiring. Base moves stopped.

WJ did but I highly doubt encore stopped upgrading. They don’t even have the captains to staff the current flying

I've seen the emails.
They stopped everything as I described. The already planned flows and upgrades for Feb and March are cancelled for both Encore and mainline.

[scdriver]

Apparently WJ and Encore just froze all upgrades and flow. Stopped DEC captain hiring. Base moves stopped.

WJ did but I highly doubt encore stopped upgrading. They don’t even have the captains to staff the current flying

I've seen the emails.
They stopped everything as I described. The already planned flows and upgrades for Feb and March are cancelled for both Encore and mainline.

What’s the rationale behind cancelling encore upgrades?

[cdnavater]

WJ did but I highly doubt encore stopped upgrading. They don’t even have the captains to staff the current flying

I've seen the emails.
They stopped everything as I described. The already planned flows and upgrades for Feb and March are cancelled for both Encore and mainline.

What’s the rationale behind cancelling encore upgrades?

I would wonder if there is still a flow down provision from WJ to Encore, you cancel upgrades if you think there is a reason those upgrades will be a waste of money.

[philaviate]

WJ did but I highly doubt encore stopped upgrading. They don’t even have the captains to staff the current flying

I've seen the emails.
They stopped everything as I described. The already planned flows and upgrades for Feb and March are cancelled for both Encore and mainline.

What’s the rationale behind cancelling encore upgrades?

Because encore has more captains than FO already. And the ones that were due to flow are not going to, so their spots are no longer available for upgrades.

[careerpilot?]

I just got a hirevue invite. This will be my first job interview in 25 years!

I have searched and found several previous posts on what kind of questions to expect, but I am curious about one thing: It says I have the opportunity to rehearse my answers as many times as I want. Can anyone who's done the hirevue recently elaborate on what this means? Does it mean after I get the question, I can try a few different answers before submitting the one I think sounded best? Or is it more of a tech rehearsal, make sure the video and audio work, but the actual questions need to be answered on receipt the first time?

I don't want to get too far down the road of rehearsing only to find that I got farther than I wanted to and have to commit before I feel I'm ready. I may be overthinking it but it's a bit intimidating for someone in my shoes who hasn't done an interview in so long. I want to go into it feeling confident and make a good impression.

Thanks!

[bdflyer]

I just got a hirevue invite. This will be my first job interview in 25 years!

I have searched and found several previous posts on what kind of questions to expect, but I am curious about one thing: It says I have the opportunity to rehearse my answers as many times as I want. Can anyone who's done the hirevue recently elaborate on what this means? Does it mean after I get the question, I can try a few different answers before submitting the one I think sounded best? Or is it more of a tech rehearsal, make sure the video and audio work, but the actual questions need to be answered on receipt the first time?

I don't want to get too far down the road of rehearsing only to find that I got farther than I wanted to and have to commit before I feel I'm ready. I may be overthinking it but it's a bit intimidating for someone in my shoes who hasn't done an interview in so long. I want to go into it feeling confident and make a good impression.

Thanks!

Hey, I wouldn’t stress it too much. Make sure to be yourself. It will give you some practice questions to do if you choose that option. The practice questions are also pilot/interview focused so make sure to do them because they really act as a warm up. The actual questions are to be answered within 2-3 mins depending on the question. You click start and then a timer will go 3, 2 , 1 and you start responding. Watch some YouTube videos on how hirevue interviews work and how to be successful. I found them to be very useful. Hope this helps

[careerpilot?]

I just got a hirevue invite. This will be my first job interview in 25 years!

I have searched and found several previous posts on what kind of questions to expect, but I am curious about one thing: It says I have the opportunity to rehearse my answers as many times as I want. Can anyone who's done the hirevue recently elaborate on what this means? Does it mean after I get the question, I can try a few different answers before submitting the one I think sounded best? Or is it more of a tech rehearsal, make sure the video and audio work, but the actual questions need to be answered on receipt the first time?

I don't want to get too far down the road of rehearsing only to find that I got farther than I wanted to and have to commit before I feel I'm ready. I may be overthinking it but it's a bit intimidating for someone in my shoes who hasn't done an interview in so long. I want to go into it feeling confident and make a good impression.

Thanks!

Hey, I wouldn’t stress it too much. Make sure to be yourself. It will give you some practice questions to do if you choose that option. The practice questions are also pilot/interview focused so make sure to do them because they really act as a warm up. The actual questions are to be answered within 2-3 mins depending on the question. You click start and then a timer will go 3, 2 , 1 and you start responding. Watch some YouTube videos on how hirevue interviews work and how to be successful. I found them to be very useful. Hope this helps

Cheers, thanks!

[philaviate]

I just got a hirevue invite. This will be my first job interview in 25 years!

I have searched and found several previous posts on what kind of questions to expect, but I am curious about one thing: It says I have the opportunity to rehearse my answers as many times as I want. Can anyone who's done the hirevue recently elaborate on what this means? Does it mean after I get the question, I can try a few different answers before submitting the one I think sounded best? Or is it more of a tech rehearsal, make sure the video and audio work, but the actual questions need to be answered on receipt the first time?

I don't want to get too far down the road of rehearsing only to find that I got farther than I wanted to and have to commit before I feel I'm ready. I may be overthinking it but it's a bit intimidating for someone in my shoes who hasn't done an interview in so long. I want to go into it feeling confident and make a good impression.

Thanks!

Hey, I wouldn’t stress it too much. Make sure to be yourself. It will give you some practice questions to do if you choose that option. The practice questions are also pilot/interview focused so make sure to do them because they really act as a warm up. The actual questions are to be answered within 2-3 mins depending on the question. You click start and then a timer will go 3, 2 , 1 and you start responding. Watch some YouTube videos on how hirevue interviews work and how to be successful. I found them to be very useful. Hope this helps

Cheers, thanks!

I've heard the practice questions are recorded and reviewed too, so don't fool about or say something you'd regret on them as they will see it.

[careerpilot?]

Hey, I wouldn’t stress it too much. Make sure to be yourself. It will give you some practice questions to do if you choose that option. The practice questions are also pilot/interview focused so make sure to do them because they really act as a warm up. The actual questions are to be answered within 2-3 mins depending on the question. You click start and then a timer will go 3, 2 , 1 and you start responding. Watch some YouTube videos on how hirevue interviews work and how to be successful. I found them to be very useful. Hope this helps

Cheers, thanks!

I've heard the practice questions are recorded and reviewed too, so don't fool about or say something you'd regret on them as they will see it.

Interesting.... they clearly say they don't do that! I suppose one should always act as though they're being watched.

[CaptDukeNukem]

Nah, they ain’t doing that. They need bodies. They review what you click accept to. Paranoia is everywhere these days.

My advice: come up with situations or experiences in your flying career that are memorable. Good and bad.

Explain the situation, how you reacted or dealt with it, and what you learnt from that experience.

They want an honest individual who can identify threats and find the best outcome.

Research the STAR method for interview questions.

They will often ask :

Tell us a time where you had a conflict with a coworker and how did you deal with it?

Tell us a time you decided to violate SOPs.

Tell us a time where you were put in a situation that made you uncomfortable and how did you deal with it?

There’s a million threads / online info about behavioral interview questions.

But again; start thinking about memorable experiences in your flying career and don’t be shy to explain them from your point of view

[careerpilot?]

Nah, they ain’t doing that. They need bodies. They review what you click accept to. Paranoia is everywhere these days.

My advice: come up with situations or experiences in your flying career that are memorable. Good and bad.

Explain the situation, how you reacted or dealt with it, and what you learnt from that experience.

They want an honest individual who can identify threats and find the best outcome.

Research the STAR method for interview questions.

They will often ask :

Tell us a time where you had a conflict with a coworker and how did you deal with it?

Tell us a time you decided to violate SOPs.

Tell us a time where you were put in a situation that made you uncomfortable and how did you deal with it?

There’s a million threads / online info about behavioral interview questions.

But again; start thinking about memorable experiences in your flying career and don’t be shy to explain them from your point of view

Pretty consistent with everything I’ve seen - thanks! I’ve probably over researched at this point. The anxiety just comes from having not done any kind of job interview in 25yrs. I’m sure I’ll look back on it wondering why I was so stressed. Better than looking back wishing I’d prepared better…

[CaptDukeNukem]

Nah, they ain’t doing that. They need bodies. They review what you click accept to. Paranoia is everywhere these days.

My advice: come up with situations or experiences in your flying career that are memorable. Good and bad.

Explain the situation, how you reacted or dealt with it, and what you learnt from that experience.

They want an honest individual who can identify threats and find the best outcome.

Research the STAR method for interview questions.

They will often ask :

Tell us a time where you had a conflict with a coworker and how did you deal with it?

Tell us a time you decided to violate SOPs.

Tell us a time where you were put in a situation that made you uncomfortable and how did you deal with it?

There’s a million threads / online info about behavioral interview questions.

But again; start thinking about memorable experiences in your flying career and don’t be shy to explain them from your point of view

Pretty consistent with everything I’ve seen - thanks! I’ve probably over researched at this point. The anxiety just comes from having not done any kind of job interview in 25yrs. I’m sure I’ll look back on it wondering why I was so stressed. Better than looking back wishing I’d prepared better…

I totally understand you. Don’t overthink it. It’s a CONVERSATION with your potential future employer. No need to panic. Also, interviews work both ways. Ask relevant questions that you have. Such as : can you tell me more about the scheduling process or how does the upgrade process work. Interviewers will see this as an engagement and real interest from your side. Avoid questions that would have a negative connotation.

Edit: I guess the hirevue won’t allow you to ask questions! Lol. But take the step. You’ll be fine

[CaptDukeNukem]

Also. Put on a shirt and tie at least. Lol.

Pants are discretionary on online interviews.

[philaviate]

Nah, they ain’t doing that. They need bodies. They review what you click accept to. Paranoia is everywhere these days.

My advice: come up with situations or experiences in your flying career that are memorable. Good and bad.

Explain the situation, how you reacted or dealt with it, and what you learnt from that experience.

They want an honest individual who can identify threats and find the best outcome.

Research the STAR method for interview questions.

They will often ask :

Tell us a time where you had a conflict with a coworker and how did you deal with it?

Tell us a time you decided to violate SOPs.

Tell us a time where you were put in a situation that made you uncomfortable and how did you deal with it?

There’s a million threads / online info about behavioral interview questions.

But again; start thinking about memorable experiences in your flying career and don’t be shy to explain them from your point of view

Pretty consistent with everything I’ve seen - thanks! I’ve probably over researched at this point. The anxiety just comes from having not done any kind of job interview in 25yrs. I’m sure I’ll look back on it wondering why I was so stressed. Better than looking back wishing I’d prepared better…

The reality is encore want you asap because they're wondering why you're not applying to a mainline.

If I was you I'd be flying a king air for a few months and getting some fixed wing ifr flying and applying direct to something above encore.

[CaptDukeNukem]

Nah, they ain’t doing that. They need bodies. They review what you click accept to. Paranoia is everywhere these days.

My advice: come up with situations or experiences in your flying career that are memorable. Good and bad.

Explain the situation, how you reacted or dealt with it, and what you learnt from that experience.

They want an honest individual who can identify threats and find the best outcome.

Research the STAR method for interview questions.

They will often ask :

Tell us a time where you had a conflict with a coworker and how did you deal with it?

Tell us a time you decided to violate SOPs.

Tell us a time where you were put in a situation that made you uncomfortable and how did you deal with it?

There’s a million threads / online info about behavioral interview questions.

But again; start thinking about memorable experiences in your flying career and don’t be shy to explain them from your point of view

Pretty consistent with everything I’ve seen - thanks! I’ve probably over researched at this point. The anxiety just comes from having not done any kind of job interview in 25yrs. I’m sure I’ll look back on it wondering why I was so stressed. Better than looking back wishing I’d prepared better…

The reality is encore want you asap because they're wondering why you're not applying to a mainline.

If I was you I'd be flying a king air for a few months and getting some fixed wing ifr flying and applying direct to something above encore.

There’s nothing wrong with going to encore for a few months or years. Or staying there if it works for you. You’re saying get some fixed wing IFR then go elsewhere… isn’t that what encore is? Fixed wing IFR?

Or did I miss something extra ordinary about the king air that makes you an amazing jet pilot?

[philaviate]

Pretty consistent with everything I’ve seen - thanks! I’ve probably over researched at this point. The anxiety just comes from having not done any kind of job interview in 25yrs. I’m sure I’ll look back on it wondering why I was so stressed. Better than looking back wishing I’d prepared better…

The reality is encore want you asap because they're wondering why you're not applying to a mainline.

If I was you I'd be flying a king air for a few months and getting some fixed wing ifr flying and applying direct to something above encore.

There’s nothing wrong with going to encore for a few months or years. Or staying there if it works for you. You’re saying get some fixed wing IFR then go elsewhere… isn’t that what encore is? Fixed wing IFR?

Or did I miss something extra ordinary about the king air that makes you an amazing jet pilot?

You missed the part where presumably if someone wants encore they live near YYC, so for mainline likely want WJ. And flow from encore is somewhere between delayed for now and never.
So for a 25+ year ex military guy with 3000+ total time, he might not have time to wait for the flow to materialise, whereas a stint in anything else fixed wing would likely get him qualified for mainline before he's planning the Christmas vacation this year.

[careerpilot?]

The reality is encore want you asap because they're wondering why you're not applying to a mainline.

If I was you I'd be flying a king air for a few months and getting some fixed wing ifr flying and applying direct to something above encore.

There’s nothing wrong with going to encore for a few months or years. Or staying there if it works for you. You’re saying get some fixed wing IFR then go elsewhere… isn’t that what encore is? Fixed wing IFR?

Or did I miss something extra ordinary about the king air that makes you an amazing jet pilot?

You missed the part where presumably if someone wants encore they live near YYC, so for mainline likely want WJ. And flow from encore is somewhere between delayed for now and never.
So for a 25+ year ex military guy with 3000+ total time, he might not have time to wait for the flow to materialize, whereas a stint in anything else fixed wing would likely get him qualified for mainline before he's planning the Christmas vacation this year.

I've considered it, believe me! But it looks like mainline isn't hiring right now, and it doesn't look like they will for 2026. Who knows after that. I'd rather get my foot in the door and get 705 time then get stuck at a 703 waiting for mainline to start hiring again, and when they do, work through the backlog of better qualified folks before getting to me.

Truth is I'm not afraid of getting "stuck" at Encore - I'd be happy to work there for awhile. Start as FO, work up to CA, and with an RCAF standards background, working up to a training captain is something I'd be interested in. I'm too old to stress about chasing big iron; even if I did the 703 route for a couple years before going mainline, I probably wouldn't make even 737 captain with the upgrade timelines. I have a decent pension to fall back on, I'm in no rush. Stability, lifestyle and seniority number are more important to me than big iron. And before you say Encore isn't a good place for lifestyle, it'll still be an upgrade from where I am now

[aviator101]

anyone here in the pool waiting for GS?

[CaptDukeNukem]

Not me. But just gonna say that king air or even Pilatus time will get you jet jobs across the country. Encore is great. Make smart moves based on life.

[Randompilot07]

I just got a hirevue invite. This will be my first job interview in 25 years!

I have searched and found several previous posts on what kind of questions to expect, but I am curious about one thing: It says I have the opportunity to rehearse my answers as many times as I want. Can anyone who's done the hirevue recently elaborate on what this means? Does it mean after I get the question, I can try a few different answers before submitting the one I think sounded best? Or is it more of a tech rehearsal, make sure the video and audio work, but the actual questions need to be answered on receipt the first time?

I don't want to get too far down the road of rehearsing only to find that I got farther than I wanted to and have to commit before I feel I'm ready. I may be overthinking it but it's a bit intimidating for someone in my shoes who hasn't done an interview in so long. I want to go into it feeling confident and make a good impression.

Thanks!

Hi there, I was wondering if you did your hirevue already? And how did it go? I’ve mine coming up soon. Did you get any technical questions?

[careerpilot?]

I just got a hirevue invite. This will be my first job interview in 25 years!

I have searched and found several previous posts on what kind of questions to expect, but I am curious about one thing: It says I have the opportunity to rehearse my answers as many times as I want. Can anyone who's done the hirevue recently elaborate on what this means? Does it mean after I get the question, I can try a few different answers before submitting the one I think sounded best? Or is it more of a tech rehearsal, make sure the video and audio work, but the actual questions need to be answered on receipt the first time?

I don't want to get too far down the road of rehearsing only to find that I got farther than I wanted to and have to commit before I feel I'm ready. I may be overthinking it but it's a bit intimidating for someone in my shoes who hasn't done an interview in so long. I want to go into it feeling confident and make a good impression.

Thanks!

Hi there, I was wondering if you did your hirevue already? And how did it go? I’ve mine coming up soon. Did you get any technical questions?

Yes, and it apparently went well enough to progress to the interview stage!

Nothing technical, kind of get to know you stuff, a bit of your background, a "what would you do" scenario, etc.

I got a lot of good info off a few other threads in this forum sub-topic.

[CaptDukeNukem]

I just got a hirevue invite. This will be my first job interview in 25 years!

I have searched and found several previous posts on what kind of questions to expect, but I am curious about one thing: It says I have the opportunity to rehearse my answers as many times as I want. Can anyone who's done the hirevue recently elaborate on what this means? Does it mean after I get the question, I can try a few different answers before submitting the one I think sounded best? Or is it more of a tech rehearsal, make sure the video and audio work, but the actual questions need to be answered on receipt the first time?

I don't want to get too far down the road of rehearsing only to find that I got farther than I wanted to and have to commit before I feel I'm ready. I may be overthinking it but it's a bit intimidating for someone in my shoes who hasn't done an interview in so long. I want to go into it feeling confident and make a good impression.

Thanks!

Hi there, I was wondering if you did your hirevue already? And how did it go? I’ve mine coming up soon. Did you get any technical questions?

Yes, and it apparently went well enough to progress to the interview stage!

Nothing technical, kind of get to know you stuff, a bit of your background, a "what would you do" scenario, etc.

I got a lot of good info off a few other threads in this forum sub-topic.

Good luck! Ask chatGPT to explain to you the Star method of interview questions. It’s very structured and HR people get horny when you follow an acronym. It’ll help you tell stories to people that control your destiny