Air Canada hiring question

DeHavguy · Post by **DeHavguy** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 12:15 am

Hello to all you AC guys and gals...
I would like to ask if AC ignores people who were contacted in the past and were not able to attend the interviews in the past? I was contacted in 2007 by Cathy Vining and given a date to show up in YYZ... I ended up getting bed ridden for the week that I was supossed to travel and wrote to her explaining the situation. She wrote back saying that was fine, thanked me for explaining things to her and told me to get better and then write to her when I was recovered. I recovered, wrote to her and never heard a thing again.... I have explained this in my cover letter on the online application and to date, I have not heard anything. In the meantime (since my last AC contact in 2007) I have gone back to University and grauduated with a BSc (honors) and now have over 10000 hrs total time, with over 7000 hours of heavy turboprop command hrs. I really would like to have my chance at AC; I got into the aviation business (started training) over 20 years ago with the goal of becoming an AC pilot. Can anybody who is in the know, help explain to me why AC would no longer be interested in inviting me? The only reason I can think of is that when I was offerd the interview I was under 40, now I am over 40....
Thanks
Al

HavaJava · Post by **HavaJava** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 2:00 am

Hi Al,

Sorry to hear about your crappy luck. I think the problem you're having is that Cathy Vining is not in the hiring department anymore (she probably does not work for Air Canada any more and that's why she hasn't responded to your e-mail). Let me see if I can round up a new e-mail contact for you.

Hope things work out!

RFN · Post by **RFN** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 8:56 am

Stu Pidasso · Post by **Stu Pidasso** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:16 am

DeHavguy:

I know this is not the answer you are looking for, but;

All indicators are that AC is targeting young, low time guys this time. They have been busy interviewing Pilots with 2000 Hours TT.

The worse part of this business, the goal posts continue to move.

I suspect you have fallen into the "over qualified" category.

If this is the Airline you still want to join, hang-in there. They will still be careful to cover their behinds on any alleged "age" discrimination.

They've already been to that movie.

seafeye · Post by **seafeye** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:18 pm

Well I have over 7000 hrs and about 2500 a's captain on a crj. No call no pfo letter. Nothing. Never got anything. I guess I'll keep trying. Soon it won't make economic sense to make the jump. Unless pay rates dramatically improve.

ibrahim · Post by **ibrahim** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 10:58 pm

Hey Guys,

I have been trying to get on with Air Canada for the past year, and haven't had any luck. I have my Canadian ATP, Canadian Citizenship. I am currently working in the states flying EMB-170/175. I have 3000hrs. Anybody offer any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Ibrahim

ToolShed · Post by **ToolShed** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 1:10 pm

ibrahim wrote:Hey Guys,

I have been trying to get on with Air Canada for the past year, and haven't had any luck. I have my Canadian ATP, Canadian Citizenship. I am currently working in the states flying EMB-170/175. I have 3000hrs. Anybody offer any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Ibrahim

>12.5 Multi PIC?

Changes in Latitudes · Wed Sep 21, 2011 1:52 pm

In addition to the 12,500 PIC time, did you go to a Canadian Aviation College listed on their application as well?

Mclovin · Post by **Mclovin** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 4:43 pm

I know guys recently hired with no multi command over 12.5.

DeHavguy · Post by **DeHavguy** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 12:14 pm

I never went to a Canadian aviation college, but I do have a BSc. and I am a current MSc. student... almost finished too!
I can't believe how hard it is to find a job these days!
Dehavguy

jebron lames · Post by **jebron lames** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 1:38 pm

Wow, those are some impressive quals. If you haven't already tried, you could delete your account and register a new one. Seems to get the computerized HR system all excited that its found a potential match. Good luck y'all.

altiplano · Post by **altiplano** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 2:31 pm

sepia · Post by **sepia** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:56 am

I've read all the new hire bios and I certainly don't recall anyone going flight instructing to AC. Care to PM me their name and I can double check it for you? Because, they either lied on their interview and didn't have the experience they claim to have, or your info isn't close to being true.

The Raven · Post by **The Raven** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:50 am

altiplano wrote:AC is confusing. 5000+, 705 time, +12500 command, been applying and updating with AC for almost 10 years - Yet I never hear a peep from these guys no call, no interview...

In 06/07 everyone I saw getting hired from around me were high time turboprop captains, now I'm watching guys I work/worked with - all early-mid twenties, 2 years in the industry, one as an instructor, one as a turboprop F/O - hired. I know that there are exceptions to this, but it seems to be the majority...

Your information appears to be flawed. I just checked the new hire bios over the last year. No one is getting hired with "2 years in the industry". Didn't see any instructors either. Most of the new hires are in their thirties. A few have been hired in their late twenties. A couple of ex-military are in their early 40's. Everyone seems to have good experience.

DeHavguy · Post by **DeHavguy** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:01 pm

At the risk of sounding ignorant, I must ask: where are the new hire bios posted at AC? I hope that they are only for a few eyes and not the entire company? Raven, are you in the interview/selection/screening team?
Thanks
Al

The Raven · Post by **The Raven** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:39 pm

DeHavguy wrote:At the risk of sounding ignorant, I must ask: where are the new hire bios posted at AC? I hope that they are only for a few eyes and not the entire company? Raven, are you in the interview/selection/screening team?
Thanks
Al

To your first question, anyone in Flight Ops can access them through the aeronet. As for your second question, not currently.

scopiton · Post by **scopiton** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:25 pm

again · Post by **again** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:51 pm

altiplano wrote:AC is confusing. 5000+, 705 time, +12500 command, been applying and updating with AC for almost 10 years - Yet I never hear a peep from these guys no call, no interview...

In 06/07 everyone I saw getting hired from around me were high time turboprop captains, now I'm watching guys I work/worked with - all early-mid twenties, 2 years in the industry, one as an instructor, one as a turboprop F/O - hired. I know that there are exceptions to this, but it seems to be the majority...

None are hired as instructors, and none are hired with two years in the industry.

I would say the vast majority of the new-hires have been mid to late 20s to early 40s (with most being in their early 30s), 4000-6000 hours (but this is average, there are certainly people with more and people with less), and some sort of post-secondary education. GGN, Jazz, Porter, Perimeter, CMA, Corporate jets, king airs, boeings, 1900s, metros, citations, whatever. However, no one is getting on without a significant amount of sweat-equity and several years in the industry.

Want to get hired? I would focus on some twin-turbine/multi-pic time, and some education after high school. Most importantly, a good attitude. Analyzing the details beyond that is probably a waste of time.

altiplano · Post by **altiplano** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:26 pm

DeHavguy · Post by **DeHavguy** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:14 pm

After all my 'sweat equity' and struggling I hope one day to have a kick at the can too! Even if I don't make it in, atleast I had a chance! Good luck everybody!
Oh, one last question... I heard that AC is using an external HR group to filter the electronic applications? Is there no human/pilot element anymore in reviewing the applications?
Al

exCadet · Post by **exCadet** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 9:56 am

Hi Guys,

I have a question on getting into Air Canada:

Just to give you a bit of background on myself, I'm 25, I have a Degree in History with minors in Math and Physics (dont ask why). Upon graduation I applied and got accepted to the Cadet program of the national carrier of the country of my origin. It was stressful, tough, competitive and rigorous, we started out as 250 applicants and over 6 stages across 3 months they widdled us down to 14. To this day i still cant believe i made the cut.

Training will be done in Spain at a school located in Jerez where many big airlines train their cadets. At the end of it I'll have a JAA ATPL and an A320 type rating.

I always wanted to be an Air Canada pilot, but opted for the cadet route because it certainly sounds more streamlined and with all do respects to the state of Canadian aviation, you can actually bank on having a good, long term, stable career, whereas in Canada after you get your licences there is so much uncertainty before you reach a career airline. Now i know it sounds odd to many of you guys who worked your way up instructing or flying bush, or in the Canadian forces, but this is the way this particular airline and many of the European majors (BA, LH, AF, KL, LX...) have hired pilots for years.

What my question is and the reason for it, is that for me the biggest draw back about this program is the country its located in (the airline in question rhymes with "Fiddle Beast Airlines" aka "FBA" based outof a country that rhymes with Nebanon). Dont get me wrong, I'm proud of my heritage and where i come from and its a nice place to visit, but to live there is tough. I came to canada when i was 4 years old and I'm basically an outsider few times ive gone back to visit, i never realized how canadian i was until i went back or how lucky we are to be canadia. Now know that every place is what you make of it, and i will make the most out of that country when i go, but in the long run i will want to come back to Canada, both for the life and the aging parents and ideally get a job with Air Canada another major.

How do able is that? Lets say hypothetically, I went with "FBA", got 2500-3500 hrs under my belt and worked on converting my JAA ATPL to a transport Canada ATPL (although i think PIC time may be an obstacle :S) then came back here with a type-rating, an ATPL and hours in hand. would that put my foot in the door of Air Canada? will having airline experience and jet experience, be viewed as an advantage or disadvantage? in that many of the other applicants wont have jet/airline experience but will have very diverse flying backgrounds? Are there any Air Canada pilots who came out of similar foreign airline cadet programs?

Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

exCadet

learcapt · Post by **learcapt** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 3:15 pm

Hey everyone.

40+ and 8000 hrs+ and just got an email for an interview.

again · Post by **again** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 4:25 pm

learcapt wrote:Hey everyone.

40+ and 8000 hrs+ and just got an email for an interview.

Are you going for the interview?

learcapt · Post by **learcapt** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:21 pm

I think I will go, but looking at finances, not sure I can afford it.

learcapt · Post by **learcapt** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:18 am

just to clarify...not sure I can afford to make the move to AC....not go to interview