king air to air canada

[sky Rookie]

Hey guys,
Just looking for some input. I have heard of a couple guys going straight to air canada (and similar level airlines) from a 703 king air operation. Is this something that is likely to continue?

My question is as a king air captain should I take the first step up opportunity (ie jazz, porter, calm, and many more) or just keep racking up the mtpic and waiting for the mainline call (mainline being the ultimate goal)

any thoughts on which is a better and/or quicker route?

[Switchfoot]

Hey guys,
Just looking for some input. I have heard of a couple guys going straight to air canada (and similar level airlines) from a 703 king air operation. Is this something that is likely to continue? any thoughts on which is a better and/or quicker route?

While the traditional route to the airlines is to pay your dues by gaining experience and building hours, it does happen. I personally know of a few people who went straight from a 703 operation flying PIC on a king air to the airlines in the past year. Two went to WS and the other to AC. No time spent at Jazz, Porter, or any intermediate step. It does happen and I don't think there is some magic formula. Some good PIC experience and decent references combined with a little luck can get you there.

My advice; chase lifestyle not metal. If its meant to be it will happen. Good luck!

Switchfooot.

[North Shore]

Well, I'm not, by any stretch, an airline guy, but I'd fire out the resumes, and take the next step up, as long as it fits with your lifestyle goals, as switchfoot mentioned. You could toil on in obscurity on your Kingair waiting for AC to call, and they might not. If so, are you going to be happy flying night approaches into Fort McNowhere Lake for the rest of your career? Take the advancement, and the experience, IMHO.

[ahramin]

I would go for whatever job gives you the best lifestyle. Worked for me anyway.

The airlines want the best candidates, not the best resume.

[flying4dollars]

I don't know that I'd call the Jazz's, Porter's and corporate gigs 'stepping stones' to the Air Canada's or West Jet's by any means. Jazz, Porter, Canadian North etc are airlines just like AC and WJ. The difference is equipment and pay. And as people already diligently mentioned, chase lifestyle, not metal. Also remember lifestyle is in the eye of the beholder. A career at Porter isn't for everyone, but it may be for some. Same can be said for Air Canada et al.

Good luck!

[teacher]

I know a several guys at a few 703 and 704 gigs holding out for WJ, AC and other over seas companies and you know what, they're still waiting. My advice is cast a wide net and see what you catch. Of course, cast it in the direction you want to go but if you're too picky you might end up not going anywhere.

[whipline]

If you have good total time and good multi turbine pic, I would go for air Georgian or CMA. I think most if not all pilots at those companies have had interviews with AC or will when they start hiring again.

[Inverted2]

If you are thinking of going to Jazz, and you are bent on AC, I would reconsider it. Very few Jazz pilots have been getting on with AC in the last few years. Georgian seems to be the ticket to AC over the last few years (or having a dad that works there )

[Dhc6to8]

in 1995 I witnessed a young (23 years old) chap who worked a half season on the docks for Harbour Air, then Borek put him on the Twin Otter on floats and he spent 3 months up in the QCIs... upon return to Vancouver his father (YVR AC A320 check Captain) came by telling all the other grunts that his son (the young chap) was starting at AC.... his father also specificaly told us that it was family first, then off the street. According to the AC sen list he is now a Captain on the ERJ. It does happen, so stay determined and give it a try, miracles do happen!
Fly safe
6to8

[JohnnyHotRocks]

Go corporate and enjoy the rest of your career....

[co-joe]

If you really love the Beech flying go get some jet time for your resume and you can always come back to the 703 world if you want. I've met a few people over the years who have got to the big jets and realised they were chasing a fantasy. That guy a few posts ago may know 2 people on King Airs who got on at WJ but most of their new hires have jet and/or large aircraft time as for big red their formula is anybody's guess and seems to change with the wind.

It will feel weird to make the move to CMA or Georgian for way less money and practically the same flying but the 705 companies seem to love hiring from them. I think in the big picture this helps keep wages low in the industry as a whole. Maybe that's why the airlines hire from the lowest paying companies after all...

[KAG]

I know a bunch of guys that got on straight from king airs in the north.

[J31]

Many pilots get into a right seat job only to find they are short night, IFR, PIC, etc. to hold the ATPL So before you move on to the right seat of something like a B1900 or Dash 8 make sure you get the PIC, night, IFR time and secure the ATPL.

[co-joe]

Sure KAG once upon a time many Beech drivers got on with only Beech time, but you didn't. You had to go to Jazz first. Case in point.

[TopperHarley]

Sure KAG once upon a time many Beech drivers got on with only Beech time, but you didn't. You had to go to Jazz first. Case in point.

He went to WJ. WJ is more competitive in terms of hours/experience compared to AC. Plus WJ likes Jazz guys more than AC does

[iflyforpie]

And a couple of my instructors went straight from Metros to WJ.

[justwork]

Virtually everyone I know that has been hired at Air Canada or Westjet were 703 pilots, either King air or 1900's.

[High and Behind]

in 1995 I witnessed a young (23 years old) chap who worked a half season on the docks for Harbour Air, then Borek put him on the Twin Otter on floats and he spent 3 months up in the QCIs... upon return to Vancouver his father (YVR AC A320 check Captain) came by telling all the other grunts that his son (the young chap) was starting at AC.... his father also specificaly told us that it was family first, then off the street. According to the AC sen list he is now a Captain on the ERJ. It does happen, so stay determined and give it a try, miracles do happen!
Fly safe
6to8

6to8

Hey, I was on that dock in 1995 to... I remember that.

And I'm still not at the airlines.

H&B

[Panama Jack]

Nepotism does have its benefits. We have a similar beni here at my employer and have seen a few guys with a few hundred hours get hired onto the right seat of an A320 because they have a parent who has been at the Company for at least 15 years.

No, I am not interested in adopting any of you.

[JTrain]

in 1995 I witnessed a young (23 years old) chap who worked a half season on the docks for Harbour Air, then Borek put him on the Twin Otter on floats and he spent 3 months up in the QCIs... upon return to Vancouver his father (YVR AC A320 check Captain) came by telling all the other grunts that his son (the young chap) was starting at AC.... his father also specificaly told us that it was family first, then off the street. According to the AC sen list he is now a Captain on the ERJ. It does happen, so stay determined and give it a try, miracles do happen!
Fly safe
6to8

This kind of story is frustrating for all the hard-working guys out there actively pursuing an Air Canada career. That kid/now Emb Captain, has no appreciation of what he has. Not sure if he'll ever have the capacity to appreciate how fortunate he was. But it is the nerve of the Dad check airman coming to tell a bunch of guys busting their tails on the docks that AC takes family first, then off the street, is the real cherry on this story. Fortunately, as best I understand it, the AC interview process has been cleaned up quite a bit, so that legacy candidates no longer have such a built-in advantage.

For most AC newhires, getting a course date is the culmination of 6-10 years of commercial flying, several jobs, thousands of hours of experience, being based countless places, blood, sweat, and tears. Keep the faith!

JTrain

[KAG]

Sure KAG once upon a time many Beech drivers got on with only Beech time, but you didn't. You had to go to Jazz first. Case in point.

Still kind of a bitter guy I see.
Your right I didn't, I took the very first job offer that came along Jazz. as you may or may not recall very few from Borek had ever went to Mainline directly so the thought back then was take what was offered, that changed.
Turned out it worked out for me as I met my wife at Jazz and am now enjoying life at Westjet.

[La Pura Vida]

If you are thinking of going to Jazz, and you are bent on AC, I would reconsider it. Very few Jazz pilots have been getting on with AC in the last few years. Georgian seems to be the ticket to AC over the last few years (or having a dad that works there )

This is just not true. True, they no longer guarantee an interview to Jazz pilots (2 separate companies). And, sure, there did seem to be a lull there for awhile. But to all you kids out there, Jazz is a win/win. If you have aspirations for any other airlines it will provide you with excellent 705 experience. If you decide to stay, you can make a long career at Jazz.
But AC is indeed interviewing and hiring Jazz guys...

[KAG]

Unless something has changed the PFO rate for Jazz guys was in the 90% or higher, I heard the entire Yyc base got PFO'd. Sure some did get hired but most did not.
Hopefully that has changed it would be nice to see those two pilots groups show a bit more comrodery towards eachother.

[Mclovin]

Unless something has changed the PFO rate for Jazz guys was in the 90% or higher, I heard the entire Yyc base got PFO'd. Sure some did get hired but most did not.
Hopefully that has changed it would be nice to see those two pilots groups show a bit more comrodery towards eachother.

Not true at all....

[KAG]

Which part? I worked for jazz, my two roommates were jazz pilots one was a skipper. I know a few jazz guys that did move over but the majority of them were from the first few classes of 05/06. Now I was YYZ based so I can't speak for all bases, but the turn down rate was very high, disproportionate I'd say. But that's neither here nor there, and I truely hope things have changed. Given that AC is now entering a retirement wave and there will be lots of movement, I imagine more people will be given the chance at their dream job.