Encore interview process

[kingtwo]

+2

[Tiny Voices]

I don't think the gap is as wide as you think when you look at it from where most people are coming from. Either or will result in a 40-50 plus percent pay cut. Is that fair, and how reflective is it of the experience you bring? This is the one industry where that experience doesn't translate to better conditions when you change jobs, and that is just B.S. pure and simple.

Porter is in what, year seven? I don't know what their contract was like in the beginning, but as they mature, so should their agreement. Jazz's has, WJ's has, and I'm sure Encores will as well. It can only go up, and hopefully the WJPA steps up their game. The eyes of the pilot group are fixed on them, and I think they're starting to feel the glare.

One last thing...the point of the fourth stripe is not to impress family and friends, nor to look cool an feel like a big shot as you tow your fag trailer through the airport. The point is to get to the top of the pay scale wherever you are, as fast as you can, and stay their for as long as you can. It's pure economics. Earn more sooner, and walk away while you're still young enough to enjoy life. Thats what I plan to do right now. Its a nice summer day, and I have a few weeks to enjoy the cottage before the fall arrives.

I respect your opinion, I really do. I just think the focus is a little narrow. Maybe Encore was the straw that broke your backs, but it is far from the only offender. Maybe if people weren't so anxious to lose the props or sell their souls to wear a fancy pilot costume, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in today. Those who have need to shoulder their share of the blame.

[DH772]

Yea, Porter started out with zero!! Respect!!

Encore is an addition to an already successful airline with everything they would ever need right off the start including established routes that are guaranteed to be full. No comparison!!

[loopa]

One last thing...the point of the fourth stripe is not to impress family and friends, nor to look cool an feel like a big shot as you tow your fag trailer through the airport.

So true... and LOL to your trailer comment

[Oxi]

Browsing PCC, and Encore posted for FO's yet again. Can anyone speak to why they are still looking?

[705dreamer]

Browsing PCC, and Encore posted for FO's yet again. Can anyone speak to why they are still looking?

Because nobody can afford to live in YYC on 32k a year. Anyone with the 1500hrs and an ATPL will be at a 703/704 operator making twice that much.

[BE20 Driver]

Pay is obviously a concern.

The reality is that they are looking because they are taking on a new airplane every month. They didn't hire crews for all 40 airplanes in the first round, just what they would expect to need initially.

I'm not on the inside and I'm staying away from the politics here. Everyone joining or turning it down will have their own reason for doing so.

[honest joe]

It looks like there are quite a few people looking through a straw.

WJ Encore is going to be a great airline. Does anyone remember when WJ started up? Did they have the best schedule and best pay in the first few weeks? Encore is already showing great results and given more than 6 weeks, and 3 planes, conditions will continue to improve.

I hope all the negative people remember these comments 2 years from now.

[DH772]

It looks like there are quite a few people looking through a straw.

WJ Encore is going to be a great airline. Does anyone remember when WJ started up? Did they have the best schedule and best pay in the first few weeks? Encore is already showing great results and given more than 6 weeks, and 3 planes, conditions will continue to improve.

I hope all the negative people remember these comments 2 years from now.

Stop comparing this to WJ when they first started. When they first started they truly were a start up operation and they had a hard go to get where they are today. Encore IS NOT!! There is no excuse to pay employees a pathetic wage.

[North Shore]

Looks like 772 beat me to it, honest joe.

Please tell me, what's the incentive for Encore to pay better or improve working conditions? The generosity of their corporate hearts? They've started out, set out their payscale, and attracted employees with that. Unless people start leaving for more lucrative jobs (and they probably won't, not with the 737 carrot being dangled in front of them,) or they start having difficulty attracting qualified candidates, then it makes no economic sense to ameliorate the WAWCON.

I look forward to being proven wrong....

[betster]

I hear people get pretty creative with the presentation. Anyone have examples?

[Inverted2]

Could host a hotel cooking lesson on how to make ravioli, Mr. Noodles and Quaker oatmeal etc with a hotel room coffee maker since that's all you'll be able to afford to eat working for them if you have a mortgage and utility bills to pay.

[esp803]

The Best for the Group comes when everyone in the group does what's best for himself AND the group.

I know this is a little off topic but I feel as thought this quote from a brilliant mathematician is applicable here. Remember there is more to life then driving a Q400 or a 737 or even a 787.

On the subject of interviews, I have heard of many creative presentations for the interview. Based on my relatively small sample group of friends, the more creative ones seem to have done well for themselves. Although correlation is not causation.

I look forward to being proven wrong....

A big +1 here

Stop comparing this to WJ when they first started. When they first started they truly were a start up operation and they had a hard go to get where they are today. Encore IS NOT!! There is no excuse to pay employees a pathetic wage.

And here.

It's one thing if you are starting from nothing and trying to compete with the big guys... it's another if you've turned a 251 million dollar profit in the previous year.

In the virtually impossible chance that I was at an Encore interview I'd be asking what the future of the wages is going to be. All I care about in a job is money and time off... and to be Frank, WJE is not offering either.

E

[betster]

I know that the money isn't great right now but luckily for me that won't be an issue. I know there is more to life than flying big planes but there comes a point when many will get tired of flying on dirt runways and teaching 250 hour guys how to fly. I'm optimistic about the future of encore. Is there anyone that could give me some examples on presentation themes that have been used in the past. Just want to see how out of the box I should be aiming for.

[lostaviator]

No one has to accept a job that they don't think they can afford. It is a personal decision. From the beginning of our PPL, most have this idea of flying a big fancy 777 making 200k a year. Lets adjust our views here but remembering the average Canadian salary is 32,000.

I interviewed and Somethings I considered in doing so:

- What is the potential earnings down the road?
- Flow? There are already people flowing from Encore to mainline.
- People say.. Hold out for Westjet.. In case you haven't noticed, there is no posting for mainline anymore. And my gut tells me you might not see one again. If there is, your chance of being hired from outside are much smaller now.
- Other airlines…
Air Canada can't even decide if they need people or not. Was spring, now they are saying fall?.
Porter. They have a lot riding of this island/jet vote. I am not sold on them having a future.
Jazz. Do people still apply here? Won't they be gone in a few years when AC finds someone cheaper to take over?
Transat. Layoffs.
Canjet. Who knows. Trying something new next vacation year. Will make or break them.

All my opinions of course. In the end, ask yourself the important question. Where are you going to be in ten years and what company do you want to be a part of? Will that company be around?

As for the people asking about the interview. Be yourself. Go through your logbook and write down events that happened in your career that stand out as different. Worst flight of your career. Best flight of your career. Think about mistakes you have made and how you corrected them and what you learned from them.

[gkdash]

I know of at least 6 who have interviewed at Encore and 0 have accepted a job there. From what I gathered it wasn't all about the low pay, it's the fact that you only get 10 days off a month, and moving to YYC on those wages would be tough, and if you commute forget about being home very much.

Hey guys,

I am a q300 pilot for air new zealand and we only 8 days off for a 28 day roster. Are you saying that 10 isn't enough?

[fish4life]

Yes due to the nature of most jobs "full time" ends up being closer to 12-15 days off