We need help

[Check Pilot]

Regardless of the negative stuff that gets posted on here, we at TC need some good folks to take our place.

There are a whole bunch of us old farts that are about to retire soon and the “Company” needs to replace us with new folks that might still be able to benefit from our experience. I’m not a “head basher” TC guy and certainly don’t encourage that kind of thinking.

However, if you want to be in Enforcement of the Regulations, they are always looking for guys too, but it sure isn’t very rewarding (for me at least) when you win some Tribunal case against some Company or pilot.

We are, however looking for folks that can put up with ornery Operators, cranky pilots and guys that think they can flaunt the law.

That’s what being a regulatory Inspector is kind of all about. You might be suited to do it too. We have really good jobs because what we deal with is the Operators that, for the most part, want to get the flying done and make a buck doing it. And safely too I might add. For the most part, though, the Operators I’ve run across, want and sometimes need my input, which I’m more than happy to provide.

It’s been a rewarding 29 years with the “Company” but it’s my time to let it go on to new guys, so please, --- --- if you have 3K min of time and preferably some check pilot or training Captain time, please consider giving some of your pilot peers a chance at TC so you can give them the same chances I gave them when they were still learning the “business”.

[Cat Driver]

When are you retiring Check Pilot? You should come out here and go sailing with me when spring arrives, we could have a good time remembering the better things about aviation.

I agree the " company " desperately needs good people to regulate the industry and one of the biggest assets said people must have is experience in the industry, the more the better so they understand the difference between a company making an honest mistake and the Raf Zurs of the industry.

When I was involved in turning around companies working for TC there were people in the regional office out here who understood the industry and knew how to regulate, sadly that changed as the new good old boys club became entrenched here and the good ones either left or retreated into their cubicles and bowed to the good old boys way of doing things.

Anyone thinking of going to work for TC should remember that regardless of the management you will always have rule of law as your backup as long as you understand the law and enforce it fairly.

The very worst thing that can happen is to have to resign because you were unable to do your job in a just and fair manner.

Check Pilot is correct TC needs good people to fill the vacancies that are coming open.

[CD]

...never mind...

[tellmemore]

Checkpilot, I have always been curious about the Transport Canada side of things. Tell us more about it, sched, pay, advancement, how rewarding it can be, sell it to us!What are the main selling points of the career? Im sure there are plenty of excellent candidated that would enjoy the challenge of the position and making a difference.

[bilko]

I didn;t know that they still used the old D.O.T. anymore. I thought it was all Transport Canada now.

The maintenance positions are for T/C Aircraft Services Bld T58 and the term DOT is not used there.

Has anyone an explanation.

[Check Pilot]

A job with TC is pretty much what you want to make it. The pay is pretty good, after about 6 years you can make over 100K a year and more if you want to work some overtime.

Most folks that join do so because of the lifestyle and security. You can advance if you want to, but I think most of the guys I know like it just being at the grunt level because moving up means having to handle more of the management stuff and that can be a hassle because of the pressure from both above and below. I think a lot of the guys join because they are just plain burned out. Like any workplace there are mostly good folks and the occasional dickhead, but that's normal for any large organization.

One thing about the job is that you are not being hired as a pilot. That has surprised a few guys since we do get to fly nice aircraft that are very well maintained, but about 4 hours a month is kind of considered the normal amount of time. That suits me just fine although I do hear other guys whining from time to time about lack of currency. Our training is superbly well done, not just the aircraft training but also for all the skill sets you will need on the job. The first year is spent on a lot of training courses and keeps new guys busy. There is also a lot of mentoring that goes on too.

So all in all it can be a very rewarding career, but it is what you want to make it. I certainly never regretted going to work with the Department and have made many good friends both inside and outside the DOT. When I started 29 years ago I was ready to get out of full time flying because I was doing at least 12 to 15 hundred hours a year. (That was before there were rules about how much you could fly. There were no flight and duty time limitations on us then.) Basically I was burned out after about 8,000 hours and really welcomed the change.

So it is a good job, even though there can be some trying times that can be challenging.

I hope we get some new applications soon because a lot of us old boomers are about ready to leave soon for retirement and it would be nice if the new folks get some time with us old buggers so that they can benefit from years of experience.

I hope that helps answer a few questions.

[KAFUFO]

Hmmmmm............six figures, 9-5, moday to friday, no pop n chip hauls, no De Havilland back drill hauls, job security, home every night. sounds good to me (my friends might not talk to me anymore)

what about vacation time?

[just curious]

Never mind the vaction time... could I taser people? I wouldn't be doing as many rides, I'd need some way to decompress!

[Check Pilot]

Vacation time starts at 3 weeks a year for the first 9 years. It then gradually increses at a week at a time until you max out at 6 weeks at year 28. If you want you can carry over up to 5 weeks. A lot of the guys use their overtime instead of vacation so it can build up over time. the overtime gets paid out every April 1st however but at the discretion of the managers sometimes even some of that can be carried over. We get time and a half for most of the overtime, but work on Sundays is at double time. You can take it in pay or compensatory time off. Working one Sunday can get you 2 days off if you want. The only problem with taking the payouts instead of time off is that the income taxes tend to kill an incentive for the payout.

You don't pay taxes for compensatory time off.!!!

[Doc]

We're too late Cat. You're already retired, and I get five weeks vacation a year now, home every night (99%) almost, and work a 3-4 day week. Guess we're stuck in our usual grind?

[trey kule]

Has anyone an explanation

Yes. Transport Canada, I believe is not their real name. When you see legal documents it never refers to TC. I asked the same question once and was told it was because TC was more in keeping with Canadaspeak, but it is not a legal term.

In any event, this is an interesting thread.

[CD]

Pretty much what trey kule said (in fact, I think we had that discussion before, although I can't find it anywhere in the forums). The Department of Transport Act was the legislative tool that created the entity and is the legal title of the organization. However, for the purposes of the Governor in Council, they will tend to structure the various Ministry's at their discretion. The current government combined a number of activities under a single Minister to form the Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Portfolio. The Department (aka Transport Canada) is just one small component of the current Ministry.

[marktheone]

From the people I've spoken with about this topic you really must have a bottomless ability to put up with politically correct crap and stupid people. When I go there I'm going to put in 3 solid months and then hide under my desk until retirement. Theoretically noone should notice.

[Check Pilot]

Bumped up - will there be a flood of applications Monday morning?

[The Wizard of OZ]

Bumped up - will there be a flood of applications Monday morning?

Probably not!

[Check Pilot]

Well ya gotta try

[ScudRunner]

Application Sent, I need a nice Government job, no more layoffs steady Cheque full benefits.

[Conquest Driver]

Well ya gotta try

Two specific question for you.

1. The "Holy Grail" of a job for me involves getting a calender week off at a time, to go sailing. If I were willing to work some overtime and weekends, how feasible might that be?

2. What protections would I have if I were to loose my medical?

Thanks in advance. Now you'll have to deal with the complaints from the personel weenies about the 400 applications their going to have to process

[anonymity]

Check Pilot, What can you tell me/us about the interview process? What kind of questions?
I read you need secret clearance, what more than the RAIC is involved in that? Any insight would be appreciated.

[Prairie Chicken]

Interesting string, Check Pilot. I know of what you speak. It can be a good job, with good benefits & pension, and can be rewarding when you make a difference for some good folks out there that need some guidance.

There is definitely a heavy emphasis within any government department on the politically correct stuff. Being female or a member of an ethinic minority doesn't hurt. Also, in some regions an inspector must be bilingual, and in most you must be bilingual if you have any plans of advancement. Being bilingual gets you points on the interview regardless of your region.

Consecutive weeks off on leave aren't a problem, particularly after the first year. Once you've passed the probationary period (usually a year), there is job protection if you become medically unfit. You must continue to demonstrate your ATPL competency, but in a sim.

I'm not sure if anyone pointed out that an ATPL-A or ATPL-H is the minimum for any pilot inspector. Minimum hours & ratings differ depending on the division that you're applying for. For example, Flight Training Standards requires a Class I instructor rating.

The opportunity to move around between divisions and/or regions provides for some nice variety. Tired of doing check rides? Apply to transfer into another division.

Security checks go well beyond a RAIC. I hear it's taking 6 months or even longer to complete a security check on an individual who has been selected for a position, and you can't get the job until the security clearance is completed.

As far as the interview process is concerned, when you get the call, contact an inspector (or two or three) in the office that you've applied for, make an appointment with him & learn all you can about not only the job, but also the current HR 'buzz' words and what the staffing folks are looking for in an inspector. Preferably talk to someone that has recently gone thru the interview process. Get hold of their policy manuals. Be prepared.

TC needs good people all right, and there are openings.

[Conquest Driver]

Security checks go well beyond a RAIC. I hear it's taking 6 months or even longer to complete a security check on an individual who has been selected for a position, and you can't get the job until the security clearance is completed.

Why would a TC Inspector need a secret clearance?

[Prairie Chicken]

Conquest, you asked about the security level required. Clearance level is dependent upon the position, but most require a Protected B (roughly equivalent to Secret) or higher clearance. Inspectors have access to all manner of protected documents, including virtually all civil aviation records, have National RAICs, frequently handle cash, and are given delegations of authority by the Minister to perform their duties. Depending on their position, the inspectors may work with other agencies such as foreign civil aviation authorities, police authorities, and other government agencies. Such authority is not granted lightly.

[Conquest Driver]

Ok, fair enough. What you're refering to seem to be more of a realiability clearance, than a secret clearance. Maybe just a terminology problem.

BTW guys, the information you're providing is of considerable value; to me, and I suspect lots of other people here.

There are some questions I might be reluctant to ask in an interview. Thank you.

[Check Pilot]

Thanks for your help there Prairie Chicken. I was away for a bit and you just saved me a lot of keyboard time.

[Check Pilot]

Bumped up again.

We got 3 really good applications in today. Best of luck guys too. From what I now know you have a very good chance at getting on board. If I can help ya in person please let me know.

Only 3 though. Come on folks, I know you're out there. We need good folks, so please get on with it. There are plenty of PM's coming at me as well so don't be afraid to ask if there is any questions you don't want to be seen here.

But we're still short of new folks that we need.

Please apply if you meet the qualifications.

One of them is here:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=48628