To the original poster: It depends. If I am still single, debt free, and AC has hashed out a TA that is remotely acceptable and is NOT in CCAA, then yes I would. And I'm in a good position where I could stick around the rest of my life if I wanted to. As for reserve, my plan is to live in my base which makes reserve a whole lot better. I love not working.
If I have a family, probably not. I can't see myself making ends meet at 37K a year unless I live on my own.
loopa wrote:
What part of your job describes it to be the best flying gig as an international airline pilot, especially since you would be comparing Air Canada to the likes of Lufthansa, Klm, Cathay, SAS when speaking about international airline flying?
Not everyone has the right to work in those wonderful countries. And Cathay? I know I would rather get slooshed around by AC then get slooshed around in China. Lol.
I believe that it is irrelevant where you choose to fly. The important thing is to be happy, secure and productive at which ever airline you choose to work for. The money and the status are not the important issues in life. Happiness, job interest, job satisfaction, life style, work environment and location and the people that you work with and for, are the truly important considerations that will really affect your life and career in the long run.
Having said that, some of these posts and news clippings really did make me laugh.
Remember .....
THE FLOGGINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES!
Please do not mention the $5 million bonus that Calin Rosenescu awarded himself. He wants a lot more. After all, Mr. Milton got a hell of a lot more and Calin certainly feels he deserves it too. And ....... his replacement is starting to worry that there may not be anything left in the cooky jar when it becomes his turn to "gut the company". This is all .... oh so embarrasing for Air Canada. So the less said ... the better.
The employees at AC are frustrated, terribly discouraged and very concerned about their future. A mass sick book off ???? Are you kidding me? If the pilots went to their own Doctor and explained their plight, they would probably be placed on a stress leave ...... longer than their "book off" which only lasted one day. This is completely legal and no Doctor or AME is going to mess with it, because of the liability issues. You also have a wonderful system called SMS, that was installed by Transport Canada and embraced by all of the companies. Learn to use the system, it is much more effective than a wildcat walk out. Remember it is all about LIABILITY now people .... SAFETY is secondary. When Calin figures out that this madness is costing a lot of money and reducing his chances of getting his next "BONUS", I suspect that things will change.
I don't believe in bashing a company that is seriously down, but when the reason it is seriously down falls squarely on the shoulders of the Management, the Board of Directors and, to a lessor extent, the Unions ...... I have to say something!
Don't forget about the $5000 travel subsidy air Canada donated to the government of Israel a few weeks back. Meanwhile back in Canada air Canada will gouge you for anything they can, an extra pound of luggage, carry ons an inch too big, 1500 to bring a dog from Calgary to Winnipeg... You might not know it looking at the ceo and board of directors but there's a maple leaf on the tail, not a star of David. As such they should start serving Canadians better, not Israeli VIP travellers.
azimuthaviation wrote:Don't forget about the $5000 travel subsidy air Canada donated to the government of Israel a few weeks back. Meanwhile back in Canada air Canada will gouge you for anything they can, an extra pound of luggage, carry ons an inch too big, 1500 to bring a dog from Calgary to Winnipeg... You might not know it looking at the ceo and board of directors but there's a maple leaf on the tail, not a star of David. As such they should start serving Canadians better, not Israeli VIP travellers.
Oh, please. From the May 7 coverage of this issue on the CBC:
"Israel's national airline has apologized to President Shimon Peres after attempting to charge him nearly $5,000 to bring an oxygen tank on an official trip to Canada. Israeli media reported last week that Peres opted to fly with Air Canada because El Al, for the first time, wanted to charge the 88-year-old president for the oxygen tank. According to protocol, an oxygen tank and other medical equipment is mandatory whenever an Israeli president or prime minister flies abroad. El Al spokeswoman Anat Friedman said Sunday that the airline sent Peres an apology. But it arrived too late — Peres had already booked his trip with Air Canada."
So it wasn't a "subsidy" at all, it was a decision to not levy a charge, as a courtesy, to a foreign head of state for something his own flag carrier subsequently admitted they themselves shouldn't have been charged for. Get a life.
Yeah you go to air Canada and see what fees they'll waive you as a "courtesy". I'd love to hear how that goes. They do hand out apologies quite freely, I will grant you that.
azimuthaviation wrote:Yeah you go to air Canada and see what fees they'll waive you as a "courtesy". I'd love to hear how that goes. They do hand out apologies quite freely, I will grant you that.
What happened to you - did you get charged for a set of earbuds or something and still haven't gotten over it? AC management is quite within its rights to waive charges for anyone it wants to. I'm not quite at that point in my life yet where I feel I warrant the same consideration as a head of state. Obviously you do. How's that working for you?
Ok if you want to take what I say that way, fine. But most people working in this industry have some common sense (I hope) so you can ask yourself how many of the worlds struggling airlines, or any airline for that matter would step in in such a manner. Maybe you and I will have a different answer.
azimuthaviation wrote:Ok if you want to take what I say that way, fine. But most people working in this industry have some common sense (I hope) so you can ask yourself how many of the worlds struggling airlines, or any airline for that matter would step in in such a manner. Maybe you and I will have a different answer.
Well, obviously El Al felt that way, or they wouldn't have reversed a first-time implementation of their policy and offered to waive the charge.
But, to your point, I'm not sure how else to take comments like "You might not know it looking at the ceo and board of directors but there's a maple leaf on the tail, not a star of David" from your initial post, above. Your implication is pretty clear - and not for the first time on this forum. Trust me when I say that I am not at all unhappy that you and I have different answers. And perspectives, apparently.
Ok well you have more confidence in a/c's leadership than I do. And since their share value has plummeted to 85 cents from fifteen dollars and the results of surveys like this as well as the comments and view of ac by Canadians, your perspective differs from the norm. Now if you'll exc use me I'm going to cash five shares of my air Canada stock and buy a loaf of bread.
Personally I like the way el al does business, pawn off the costly flights to some eager unsophisticated airline that can be snookered into carrying the freight. And an apology afterwards is free. I wonder how their shares are doing...
hnl, I'm glad that you've been able to enjoy your career at AC, but the Thread/Poll is directed towards those looking at joining Air Canada today. Sadly the career prospects of those joining today will fall short of those who have been on the property for decades. You're right there may not be many other viable options in Canada for those interested in flying widebody aircraft, but that doesn't mean there aren't lots of options overseas for Canadian pilots. For those entering the airline industry today the Gulf carriers provide the best career advancement opportunities. For those who want to stay in Canada WestJet provides the most stability.
The working conditions and pay at Air Canada have been eroded away continuously for each generation of pilots joining Air Canada, I have no doubt those on the list today will enjoy better career earning/benefits than those who join under the terms of the new contract.
co-joe wrote:A more appropriate question would be; Of those of you who have dreamed of flying for Air Canada since you learned to walk, would you still leave your current employer for a career at AC given the current turmoil?
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I always wanted Canadian Airlines when I was a tyke
Hey You All.....I`ve just retired from AC after a most rewarding career of just 16 years...I`ve worked at a lot of places all with issues but all of them good.
Air Canada with all its issues has left me in a very comfortable position for the rest of my remaining days....I`ve love flying the equipment, the money was good, the layovers were fine for the most part,Drank some good beer, ate some bad chicken wings andtried to bang a few flight attendants and have never looked back....
It`s a great gig my friends ...if you get the chance be smart and take it...you can always leave if you don`t like it and go back to your old job or one just like it....
