Air Canada Interviews

[Fanblade]

Very well put.

good luck all.

[crooked timber]

another reason to reapply is the fact that the "pool" system means that your success is, to a certain extent, a function of your timing. you could be a perfectly viable candidate but if you're interviewing at the same time as 20 other people who speak one more language than you do, have one more degree than you do, and also happen to be female/visible minorities/disabled/status card holders (and, consequently, have higher scores than you) then the deck is stacked against you until those people are out of the pool. i'm not saying it's the right way to do things but that's how it is. what you end up with is a system that works like a hotel shuttle that picks people up from the airport. sometimes the shuttle comes around and it's already full so you're not going to get on. sometimes you just have to wait until the next time it comes around before you get lucky and there is a spot available for you.

[mcrepitz]

/

[Sage]

another reason to reapply is the fact that the "pool" system means that your success is, to a certain extent, a function of your timing. you could be a perfectly viable candidate but if you're interviewing at the same time as 20 other people who speak one more language than you do, have one more degree than you do, and also happen to be female/visible minorities/disabled/status card holders (and, consequently, have higher scores than you) then the deck is stacked against you until those people are out of the pool. i'm not saying it's the right way to do things but that's how it is. what you end up with is a system that works like a hotel shuttle that picks people up from the airport. sometimes the shuttle comes around and it's already full so you're not going to get on. sometimes you just have to wait until the next time it comes around before you get lucky and there is a spot available for you.

Correct for the most part except being "interview(ed) at the same time as 20 other people who speak one more language than you do, have one more degree than you do, and also happen to be female/visible minorities/disabled/status card holders". These qualities will help you get an interview but once you are in the interview process, your scores in the interview, cog test, psych test, and medical will determine your placement in the pool.

Times are exciting kids! Keep updating and treat the interview like it is your only shot. Don't waste it. Hiring continues indefinitely...

[Sea2Sky]

another reason to reapply is the fact that the "pool" system means that your success is, to a certain extent, a function of your timing. you could be a perfectly viable candidate but if you're interviewing at the same time as 20 other people who speak one more language than you do, have one more degree than you do, and also happen to be female/visible minorities/disabled/status card holders (and, consequently, have higher scores than you) then the deck is stacked against you until those people are out of the pool. i'm not saying it's the right way to do things but that's how it is. what you end up with is a system that works like a hotel shuttle that picks people up from the airport. sometimes the shuttle comes around and it's already full so you're not going to get on. sometimes you just have to wait until the next time it comes around before you get lucky and there is a spot available for you.

Sorry, but this is not true. The pool system means that once interviewed, you are scored against other interviewees. The pool is not comprised of the groups you'd like to blame for not getting on, it's composed of successful candidates. Sage is correct. If you find yourself out of the pool, it's based on your interview and test results, not how many disabled people were interviewd. Sheesh!

[RVR6000]

What kind of time/experience are getting calls for interviews this round.

[BTD]

Applied Aug 1

Email about interview Aug 11

Interview Aug 18

Call for medical Aug 23

Medical Aug 25

Now I wait.

4500 total 2900 multi turbine> 12.5 320 multi turbine pic >12.5
1300 pic 3400 turbine

Hope that helps.

[FL020]

interview late june medical middle of july.... 4500+ hrs b737 time and over 2500 mpic no call or letter yet.....seems quite odd.

[HuD 91gt]

Interview Late July
Medical Mid August

Nothing since. This pool people speak of, is this after the medical, or after the interview?

[Fanblade]

interview late june medical middle of july.... 4500+ hrs b737 time and over 2500 mpic no call or letter yet.....seems quite odd.

Actually not odd.

From watching it means one of three things. See my post on the previous page for more.

1. you scored near the top of the pool and will eventually get a call.

2. you will lollygag in the middle of the pool as new entrants prevent your advancement to the top. Usually results in a letter a few months from now that you are in the pool and nothing more for information.

3. Eventual reapply in 6 months letter. New entrants pushed you out the bottom of the pool.

Number 3 happens a lot to people on their first attempt.

[Prospect]

I think that an alarmingly high percentage of people show up at their first interview without the slightest clue of what is about to transpire. This isn't like any other interview they've ever done before. They're not going to joke with the new CP about how they watched their buddy puke off a bridge, or talk about fishing stories. They're not going to be asked what the maximum take off weight was for the Navajo, or how many spars the 1900 has. They show up without a clue of how a behavioural interview works, or how to construct an answer that will score optimum points. One friend who got turned down who answered "what do you consider your biggest weakness?" with, "I hate losing at golf". Anyone even slightly conversant with behavioural interviews will tell you that despite being a funny answer, will score a 1 if they're lucky. In such a tight field, scoring a 1 where a fellow interviewee scores a 4 or 5 can be the difference between a letter and a phone call.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. Lack of preparation is a colossal mistake. A lot of interviews at smaller airlines etc. are done by CP that simply don't practice behavoural interviewing styles and just try to get a "read" for the candidate. It doesn't work like that at big companies anywhere and I'm not just talking about airlines. Every single word is scrutinized and evaluated to see if you're a good fit and you have to be prepared just like going for a ride. That doesn't mean you have to give scripted responses. You can be yourself and use stories to give examples of success and failure but you at ALL times have to be professional and leave the hero stories for later. There are countless books and websites that explain this well. Just do your research. If you're not prepared they'll see through it.

[scarhicks]

Got the call today for the Sept 26 course!! So excited. Interviewed July 11; Medical July 19th...complications with my eyesight, needed more info. All info submitted on July 25th..called today.

Goodluck everyone.

[babybus]

Latest bid is out, openings for new-hires:

YUL: EMJ FO
YYZ: EMJ FO- B767 RP- B777 RP- A320 FO
YVR: EMJ FO- B767 RP- A330 RP

[grisou]

do you know how many of each? I guess there will be 20 candidates sept19.

[fish4life]

wow some lucky guy will get A320FO off the hop, things are looking up.

[BTD]

Its too bad its still flat pay for the 320 f.o. position. Then you end up on the bot of the list until someone hired after you takes a 320 f/o position.

But its overall good news. Congrats to those called.

BTD

[Jimmy_Hoffa]

At the moment no one will be directly on to the 320. As per the CA new hires can only be sloted into the Pay group positions. They would need another LOU from the union like they did last time. Not saying it won't happen at all, just not any time soon.

[FLYaJET]

Anyone else get the call for sept course? Good luck to all.

[Joint-venture]

I know of a small handful who got the call this week for Sep 26. All had university/aviation college, 3500+, mpic, 705. Two interviewed in late spring, one in July. There will be 20 a month, except December, until at least May. Seems like YVR and YUL will be available for some new hires right off the start. Good luck to all those waiting.

[ogopogo]

What does 705 mean?

[fish4life]

CARS 705 type operational experience eg planes with more than 19 seats

[all4u]

I've read a lot of the literature on here about Air Canada interviews and I realise this question may have been answered already but I'm hoping someone is willing to answer it once again.

What should interviewees bring to the interview in regards to documents? Obviously a certified logbook and resume and cover letter but what about letters of recommend from current/previous employers? Anything else? How many/what types of references should I include on my reference list?

Thanks for your help

[Red Baron]

Just curious. What kind of flight time and education do most people have getting interviews? Has anyone who clicked "other" on the aviation college question gotten an interview?!

[Mclovin]

Just curious. What kind of flight time and education do most people have getting interviews? Has anyone who clicked "other" on the aviation college question gotten an interview?!

Was wondering the same thing. I am a Con College grad and was surprised to not see it on the list, considering there are lots of grads working at AC.

[Snagmaster E]

Yep. I did.