I think reading the article that was posted on here regarding the pilot shortage had a general consensus of and I would have to agree . As evidence, I tend to browse the international "airline" ads over at Pilot Career Center (mainly for fun as I don't have much interest in that type of flying). I would say that well over 90% of those jobs require a type rating on the aircraft being hired for (A320, B737, Embraer this or that, etc...). If there was ANY PILOT SHORTAGE companies would be willing to train employees on their aircraft. This got me wondering whether the expat pilots that left Canada for greener pastures all did so with the applicable type rating on the aircraft they were hired for or are there companies that hire alot of Canucks that are actually willing to pony up the cash for training? <-- This might be the longest sentence ever written
I don't think you understand how most foreign airlines operate. The requirement for a type rating is not indicative that there is no pilot shortage. If you look closely at those ads, they are not simply requiring the type rating, they are also looking for experience on type. THAT'S really what they're after, not trying to save a few bucks on training. I mean they're going to be paying for all of your recurrent training anyway! It's just that their pace of expansion does not have the time to wait for someone to get the required years of experience so in essence they buy it. Even if one did go out and pay for an A320 rating or whatever, most of them wouldn't look at you without at least 500-1000 hours on type. A lot more, if the contract is for a captain's position. Um, if there's no shortage, why are there so many ads?
But since you asked, there are expat airlines that do not require the specific type rating of what you will be flying, but they tend to have high experience requirements, and will have a bond most likely. Emirates is a good example, they require fairly high experience requirements on something 55 tons and bigger before they'll train you on the Airbus or Boeing, and you'll have a 3 year, 36,000 USD bond. So to answer your questions, yes there are companies that hire a lot of Canucks, that pay for your training, without requiring you to have the type rating.
If you're talking about entry-level jobs in Canada, those will always be scarce because there are always way more people with money and a pulse who can get a license than there are operators willing to hire low-time people, and of those, there is never a shortage.
And for what it's worth, I was told there are approx 300 Canadian pilots for Emirates.
Also, keep in mind that the pilot shortage in not a 2012 event, but anticipated in light of aircraft orders, expected market growth and the current rate of people learning to fly. The cost of flight training, outside of Canada and the USA is exhorbitant. This is cause for for concern. It explains why airlines like British Airways and Finnair will take people off the street and train them from their private right through to right seat on an A319. A friend of our's son went through the process with BA and didn't make the cut.
I've been an Expat for 20 years. Presently working on my 4th job in my second country.
I did not have a jet Type Rating when I left Canada - just heavy piston experience. I did manage to get a job flying a 737-300 after about 1 year of searching.
I was very lucky to get this - this would never happen today. I only had to sign a bond.
Market conditions are very different today.
I got my present job because I have the Type Rating and experience the Airline was looking for.
My Airline has a cadet program for First Officers - that is only open to local Pilots. Plenty of other Airlines in the region do the same.
I have a renewable contract with a 3 month notice period from either side. I am not on any seniority list but I have still managed to get 2 Type Ratings here - one free and one with a bond. Normally contractors do not get moved between fleets - you only fly what you are rated on until they no longer need you.
and I would have to agree . As evidence, I tend to browse the international "airline" ads over at Pilot Career Center (mainly for fun as I don't have much interest in that type of flying). I would say that well over 90% of those jobs require a type rating on the aircraft being hired for (A320, B737, Embraer this or that, etc...). If there was ANY PILOT SHORTAGE companies would be willing to train employees on their aircraft. This got me wondering whether the expat pilots that left Canada for greener pastures all did so with the applicable type rating on the aircraft they were hired for or are there companies that hire alot of Canucks that are actually willing to pony up the cash for training? <-- This might be the longest sentence ever written 
