unemployed pilot EI problems

[seasonaldriver]

Like thousands of other pilots, I collect EI if I can't find some work in the winter. This year the EI system is totally f**ked up and I haven't seen a cheque yet. Anyone else out there have this problem? Any solutions? BTW working at a min wage job is less than benefits and Really messes things up so I look for something better (that should fan some flames).

[Doc]

Like thousands of other pilots, I collect EI if I can't find some work in the winter. This year the EI system is totally f**ked up and I haven't seen a cheque yet. Anyone else out there have this problem? Any solutions? BTW working at a min wage job is less than benefits and Really messes things up so I look for something better (that should fan some flames).

If you worked enough weeks to qualify in your area (some geographic areas you will need more weeks of employment to qualify than others) you should just go to the local UI office, and get on somebody's case. All the answers you need are probably on line?
I used to spend a few winters with the (then called) UIC SKI TEAM!

[seasonaldriver]

Been there done that. Newspapers say system is screwed up and thousands of people are in same boat I'm in. Online is useless. Telephone is worse. Went to EI office and talked to drones there. Waste of time.

[co-joe]

I saw on the news that the feds are closing something like 100 of the 120 EI offices Canada wide. My guess is the staff are all "working to rule" in protest. Bad timing. The only advice I could give would be; go to one of the EI offices in a riding with a Conservative MP because most of them are not getting closed. At least the "drones" might be in a better mood.

[Dash-Ate]

I agree. But enjoy those F-35s eh

[Conquest Driver]

So, guess what all those laid off EI workers go do? Yup, go collect EI. By the time you subract the EI payments from their previous salaries Canada would have been way further ahead to keep them on the job.

[The Mole]

1000s of pilots must be horrible paid. Come tax time, the feds will claw it back. It would be better to exploit the retraining program. Learn a new hobbie...

[seasonaldriver]

The Mole:

I took full advantage of the training programs and have maxed out my lifetime limit. Still not employed in the winter much. Bummer.
I'm not keen on being on EI but it does help pay the bills...if it comes in, which it hasn't for the last nearly 3 months.

[Gino Under]

Meanwhile, Sunwing and Canjet hire foreigners because of business "arrangements".
Try asking HRDC for a B737NG type rating through unemployment financial assistance.
Apparently, if you're typed on the NG, they'll hire Canadians.

Good luck with that.

Gino

[nott00shabby]

I filed for EI a month ago when i called them they told me they haven't even looked at my application, but have been processing others that applied after me. I hate EI

[185_guy]

have maxed out my lifetime limit

WTF over?
EI is your God given right, at least thats what I was told one winter when I tired to get training money (long story). As long as you are paying premiums I can't see how they could restrict your ability to access a program. I smell something stinky on that one....

[seasonaldriver]

I was told by EI about a year ago or so that there was a lifetime limit to how much money you can access for training programs. If I remember correctly it was about $14,000 or so. They did pay for me to get my lapsed MEIFR back(twice) and a sim course (BTW if you do go to a sim course outside of Canada, Make Absolutely Sure that it is approved by the EI people or you will be SOL!) so I got a fair bit 'o' cash out of it. Not enough to get a 737 endorsement, though.

And I'm still waiting for my EI.

[co-joe]

Strange but only in a government agency is it ok to lay off people at SC centres in favour on line service and then not upgrade your on line service to deal with the increased traffic.

Important Notice: My Service Canada Account is currently experiencing higher than normal volumes, which may cause a time-out or expired session. You may need to log in several times to access your My Service Canada Account.

When should I expect my first payment?

If we have all the required information and if you qualify for benefits, your payment will be issued usually within 28 days from the date we receive your application. If you do not qualify, we will notify you of the decision made on your claim.

Yeah and maybe I'm a Chinese Jet Pilot.

[Carrier]

EI or HRSDC funding for training of unemployed professional pilots was looked at in this 2009 thread:

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=60503

Has the situation since changed? If so, what funding is now available for unemployed professional pilots to remain current and/or to obtain a new type rating and how may it be obtained?

EI payments are indeed months behind. EI has "management" from Minister Dishonest Di downwards who are paid generous remuneration packages by the taxpayers to provide proper service. "Proper service" is the same standard of customer service and time frames as are normal in the competitive private sector. eg How long would you expect a bank to take to process a mortgage application? Being on the taxpayers' payroll should not be a sinecure for the indolent, the incompetent and those unwilling to face up to responsibility.

EI management should be given private sector benchmarks to perform to. If they fail then they should be held accountable and punished, including dismissal for cause, for dereliction of duty and incompetence.

[Colonel Sanders]

Being on the taxpayers' payroll should not be a sinecure for the indolent, the incompetent and those unwilling to face up to responsibility.

EI management should be given private sector benchmarks to perform to. If they fail then they should be held accountable and punished, including dismissal for cause, for dereliction of duty and incompetence.

Sigh. You had me at "sinecure". Realistically, though, they don't care because they don't have to.

I read an article in the newspaper last night that said the 450,000 federal civil servants (not including provincial and municipal) cost Canada over $40 billion per year. I'm not sure that the taxpayer always gets good value for that money spent.

[Expat]

have maxed out my lifetime limit

WTF over?
EI is your God given right, at least thats what I was told one winter when I tired to get training money (long story). As long as you are paying premiums I can't see how they could restrict your ability to access a program. I smell something stinky on that one....

I have paid into the system for 42 years, and never collected a kopek from them. And never will...
That ought to give some poor pilot a chance to get benefits...

Good that some lucky fellows paid into the system...

[seasonaldriver]

I was in the EI office seeking help. That was 30 minutes I'll never see again. But the nice lady there did say that if I did have a problem to contact my local MP. She's not my MP but Diane Finley IS the minister responsible for EI and her deputy is Lisa Raitt. Harper is their boss. So who is responsible for this mess. Their are a lot of people out there that are desperate. I'm fortunate that I am not one of them, yet.

[Doc]

Meanwhile, Sunwing and Canjet hire foreigners because of business "arrangements".
Try asking HRDC for a B737NG type rating through unemployment financial assistance.
Apparently, if you're typed on the NG, they'll hire Canadians.

Laugh not. It has been done. Get a letter of intent from Sunwing etc., that you meet their requirements, and that with the rating and current PPC on type, they will hire you. Have them commit the position and salary in the letter. The airline will do this. It costs them nothing. The guys I know were interviewed first, of course. It came down to the rating. Register mail a copy to your MP. Register mail a copy to the minister in charge of EI. Take a copy to your local EI office. I know two pilots who did just that....both got trained and hired!

[Doc]

I was in the EI office seeking help. That was 30 minutes I'll never see again

Sounds like you have at least 30 minutes of your life to spare though. I watched "ICE PILOTS"....that's an HOUR I'll never get back. You could work for Joe, and be a star?

[fish4life]

It actually sounds like a match made in Heaven, get Sunwing and Canjet to team up with various float operators be float pilots in the summer months then when they go to lay off the pilots for the winter have them go fly the 737 doing holiday flying during the winter only to get sent back to the Beaver for the summer. Actually sounds like a pretty sweet full time job.