Air Canada Interviews

[GottaFly]

I did ask about Air Canada... More specifically what their plan for interviews was.... The banter is pretty interesting though. I've realized over the last few weeks that it doesn't matter who the person is, how good of a friend they are, or how much integrity they have as a person, if they are a pilot for air canada, and you ask them about the job or union issues, they instantly become a different person (with exception to 2 very close Air Canada friends... Sidestick Stirrer, that includes you to). They become bitter, resentful and feel as though they're getting screwed over by someone somewhere in the ranks. Here is my conclusion. I've decided not to talk to an Air Canada pilot about Air Canada any more. Instead we'll talk about the weather or the Canucks..... I suppose those talks could go downhill just as fast as the union conversations!

[hnl]

if they are a pilot for air canada, and you ask them about the job or union issues, they instantly become a different person (with exception to 2 very close Air Canada friends... Sidestick Stirrer, that includes you to). They become bitter, resentful and feel as though they're getting screwed over by someone somewhere in the ranks.

This is a bunch of crap as well as the original comment regarding why anyone " would even apply to fly at AC"...It has been a wonderful career at a wonderful airline. When I was 15 and decided I wanted to be an airline pilot I wanted to fly big airplanes around the world. And I have done just that. The past 2 months I've flown to Australia,China,Japan,South America and Europe something I could not have done at other airlines in this country. Unparalled compensation and pension benefits support my choice. I just don't hear the bitter comments that you mention. You can apply to AC with confidence as have pilots from ALL other Canadian airlines(yes even Westjet)...and that says something in itself...

[snag]

Talk to pilots outside of the forums to get less extremist opinions.

For those of you just looking for insight on hiring, the positive news is that there are new hire initial groundschools on the list again in June. If the plans for the low cost carrier go through, expect 460 more pilot positions on top of the replacement of 10-15 pilots per month at mainline.

And now back to the bickering...

[GottaFly]

For those of you just looking for insight on hiring, the positive news is that there are new hire initial groundschools on the list again in June. If the plans for the low cost carrier go through, expect 460 more pilot positions on top of the replacement of 10-15 pilots per month at mainline.

This is great news for us in the middle ranks of the industry!

As per my previous rant... I'm going to retract the statement that I made about the majority of ACA pilot's i've talked to being bitter. I'm going to change my opinion to a few ingrates. There's a handful at every job i suppose. The reason for my rant was because i recently sat down over lunch with a table full of complaining pilots. Mostly about the low cost carrier.

Thanks for your reply Snag and HNL!

[Rockie]

Unparalled compensation and pension benefits support my choice. I just don't hear the bitter comments that you mention. You can apply to AC with confidence as have pilots from ALL other Canadian airlines(yes even Westjet)...and that says something in itself.

"Unparalled compensation"?????

Air Canada pilots are in the thick of a winner take all, retreating fight against the company and our union to preserve what we can of those wonderful things you talk about. If we lose all that will be gone and Air Canada will be much lower on the list of desirable places to work. If I were looking to get hired at Air Canada or any company for that matter I would want to know everything I could about the place. Blowing sunshine up people's ass when a hurricane is bearing down on us is not being honest.

[hnl]

"Unparalled compensation"?????

Air Canada pilots are in the thick of a winner take all, retreating fight against the company and our union to preserve what we can of those wonderful things you talk about. If we lose all that will be gone and Air Canada will be much lower on the list of desirable places to work. If I were looking to get hired at Air Canada or any company for that matter I would want to know everything I could about the place. Blowing sunshine up people's ass when a hurricane is bearing down on us is not being honest.[/quote]

"Us. Them.Retreating fight against the company"......
Yes indeed things may change but I deal in facts and figures not emotion. The facts are our competitions costs are 37% less than ours. We lost big time they made record profits. We have been here 75 years I want it to be here a long time more. Change may have to be made . I understand your emotional response but I also remember airlines that refused to change when the world changed around them ;ie Pan am TWA...tough to take I know...If done properly we don't have to be much lower on the list to be a desirable place to work...

[Rockie]

Well now I'm confused. In one breath you espouse unparalled compensation and pension benefits, telling those coming here not to worry. Then in the next you say our competitors costs are 37% lower and that things are going to change.

Should people thinking about Air Canada have confidence or not?

[BE02]

Talk to pilots outside of the forums to get less extremist opinions.

For those of you just looking for insight on hiring, the positive news is that there are new hire initial groundschools on the list again in June.

Source? Can anyone else back this up? I heard no hiring until a new contract is reached.

[Al707]

I vote for a pay cut and productivity increases for HNL!!! Cuz I work way too hard for my 60k!

Greedy fucks want new hires to fix old problems.....

[hnl]

Well now I'm confused. In one breath you espouse unparalled compensation and pension benefits, telling those coming here not to worry. Then in the next you say our competitors costs are 37% lower and that things are going to change.

Should people thinking about Air Canada have confidence or not?

Facts and figures. Status Quo is not working in our present environment. Status quo = stagnation/retraction. Necessary change done right could benefit all. I'm glad AC and ACPA are trying to find solutions. Confidence in AC will be determined with the outcome. Facts and figures.....

[~Hollywood~]

Been a little quiet on the interview and groundschool front. Does anyone know how many have been called for this June g/s and what the hiring forecast looks for the rest of the summer/year?

I guess this means that there are still calls going out right now for interviews?

[Rockie]

Well now I'm confused. In one breath you espouse unparalled compensation and pension benefits, telling those coming here not to worry. Then in the next you say our competitors costs are 37% lower and that things are going to change.

Should people thinking about Air Canada have confidence or not?

Facts and figures. Status Quo is not working in our present environment. Status quo = stagnation/retraction. Necessary change done right could benefit all. I'm glad AC and ACPA are trying to find solutions. Confidence in AC will be determined with the outcome. Facts and figures.....

Since you like facts and figures so much, how successful have Air Canada's other theatrical adventures into low cost been? ACE was set up after CCAA to "unlock" the hidden value of Air Canada which actually was very successful to the tune of $4 Billion dollars. Where is that money now and the people who unlocked it?

This airline has been a cash cow for a lot of people including our current CEO, but somehow that has never translated into success for the airline or its employees. What trust do you expect to exist that further sacrifices by the employees will result in gains down the road?

Sorry, Been there...done that...got mugged by my own company for the t-shirt I got.

[TheSuit]

Where is that money now and the people who unlocked it?

The company was going bankrupt, and AC creditors wanted the money back that AC hadn't managed to lose. The smart ones left because AC had demonstrated (and continues to demonstrate) it can't make money. A lot of people seem to somehow think shareholders and creditors can be "stealing" their own money, and that they should be obligated to put more money up to bankroll pilots.

If AC continues to lose money and market share, it's lights out. No assets left to leverage or sell, so it's liquidation. It already costs a fortune for AC to borrow, and no politician is going to bail-out a deeply unpopular airline.

[Rockie]

It already costs a fortune for AC to borrow, and no politician is going to bail-out a deeply unpopular airline.

You're discounting politics which is really what Air Canada is all about, and normal business rules do not apply to this company.

You're also omitting the fact that nobody who recieved the billions stripped out of Air Canada, not one person or entity, was the slightest bit interested in reinvestment to ensure a healthy company that could reap even more long term benefits. No one, and that includes past and current CEO's.

Only a fool would give up even more believing that situation has changed.

I am no longer interested in lining a select few pockets with my money and watching it walk away with no change to the real problem. If the company fails, it fails. Wouldn't be the first time I was unemployed because of incompetent management. When I see senior management actually taking responsibility and making sacrifices of their own in the interest of the company I might see a ray of hope. But it hasn't happened yet...

[TheSuit]

Sorry everyone. Total threadjack.

You're also omitting the fact that nobody who recieved the billions stripped out of Air Canada, not one person or entity, was the slightest bit interested in reinvestment to ensure a healthy company that could reap even more long term benefits. No one, and that includes past and current CEO's.

No, actually I included that in my post and explained why. Carry this into the LCC if you wish.

[Rockie]

Sure, what you didn't explain was why this time would be any different. And you can't.

Not even if you were Calin Rovinescu himself.

Especially if you were Calin Rovinescu.

[Rockie]

Carry this into the LCC if you wish.

Great idea.

Mods, could you please move the last two posts to a more relevant thread?

Thank you.

[yycflyguy]

There will be an equipment bid at the end of this month so hiring needs should become clearer after the ratification or failure of the current proposed T/A.

Hiring should have been done months ago but the company was waiting to see if they could get more new hires on the degraded pay scale and onto a D/C pension. Patience. There should be a significant hiring spree soon.

[Mig29]

From what I hear on the line, guys are already working overtime so it's no surprise to me if and when the TA is signed the training department will be going full steam!

It's going to be an interesting summer!

[scopiton]

[again]

That's good news!
Which aircraft/bases?

[snag]

That's good news!
Which aircraft/bases?

Yup, busy. Most RP's on the 767 have 6 overseas pairings in June (Yes, that's more work than the proposed LCC).

The Equipment bid shows the ability to hire 56 new pilots. I would expect the usual, only YYZ positions, on the EMJ and RP.

[Sea2Sky]

I heard the next class (June) will have at least 10.

[crooked timber]

That's good news!
Which aircraft/bases?

The Equipment bid shows the ability to hire 56 new pilots. I would expect the usual, only YYZ positions, on the EMJ and RP.

i was told that it looks like the next hires can expect EMJ(YYZ). good luck all!

[EatSleepFly]

I was just notified for an interview. Interviewing next week. 4000hrs total, PIC Metro

Seems like short notice for an interview no? Is there a reason? Is the pool low, no one good enough for them?

How does someone beat the system exactly?