Air Canada interview !!!!

yycflyguy · Post by **yycflyguy** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:08 am

I just registered on the site but the most recent gouge was posted April 29th from Jazz. I assume that the site moderators have to approve a posting before it is viewable?

Jaques Strappe · Post by **Jaques Strappe** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:50 am

yycflyguy wrote:I just registered on the site but the most recent gouge was posted April 29th from Jazz. I assume that the site moderators have to approve a posting before it is viewable?

Checkout the second one. It is better. Orlando was saying that he is still waiting for his to be posted but he submitted it several hours ago. They probably look it over before posting. His post should be a good one though as he had a lot of good information.

orlando-pilot · Post by **orlando-pilot** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:06 pm

Hey Guys,
Just got notification that my feedback was posted. The webmaster had to approve it before it was psoted...he wrote back to me stating that. For some reason, he did not post all of the preliminary details (i.e flight time). Hopefully, it will help you all. aviationinterviews.com is a great site for all airlines. I used it when I interviewed at my current employer and there were literally hundreds of feedback forms. Air Canada's section is weak now because most of you didn't know about this site. We can change that though! By the way, my form is the one posted on top. The 2nd form is Jazz from April, I believe. The third one is from a few years ago. If everyone who has interviews participates, we can really help each other out.
Thanks!

prop2jet · Post by **prop2jet** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:11 pm

I was of the impression that an External HR firm was being used to screen applicants before interviews with AC. Was this screening done on the phone or in person or not at all?

What happened to the sim evaluation? Are they putting everyone through medicals and such before the sim eval now?

orlando-pilot · Post by **orlando-pilot** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:37 pm

They did not mention anything about a sim eval. I don't believe that it will be part of the new process due to availability and the lack of necessity for doing it, especially for guys with jet/airline/glass experience. Remember, the company is trying to save $ and that is just a waste of resources. I think the HR screening is done from the online application. They also didn't mention anything about a second interview.

prop2jet · Post by **prop2jet** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 4:00 pm

Well, it is kind of ironic then isn't it? Here we have AC Jazz that is interviewing candidates, most of whom have lots of time, jet time and experience as PIC... having to go through the interview process, sim evaluation and medical...

Meanwhile, AC claims there are not enough experienced pilots on the market that meet their selection criteria, so they will just interview and hire them because they do not have time to run them through the sim selection process...

You would think it would be the same all around or the complete opposite.

orlando-pilot · Post by **orlando-pilot** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 4:11 pm

When did AC that they did not have enough experienced pilots out there?

twin turbines · Post by **twin turbines** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:17 pm

I read the gouge on airline interviews site. I noticed a couple of people stated that their resumes were 'walked' in. I'm wondering if the hiring is being conducted by an independent third party, how does one get a resume walked in?

Gurundu the Rat · Post by **Gurundu the Rat** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:52 am

No sim eval? That's a shame. One having jet time does not prove his competance. I thought a sim eval was a good way to weed out those who had impressive academic backgrounds and were excellent interviewees, yet were just not meant to fly.

Jaques Strappe · Post by **Jaques Strappe** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 7:09 am

I don't think there is a sim eval right now due to a lack of simulators. When we had some DC9 & 727 sims around it was no problem. Right now though the sims are running non stop.

Prop2jet

Where are you getting your info from? I haven't seen such a claim.

gelbisch · Post by **gelbisch** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 7:56 am

Gurundu the Rat wrote:One having jet time does not prove his competance.

That's the statement of the day!!

prop2jet · Post by **prop2jet** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:48 am

JS:
You are correct, AC has not made any claims that they cannot find enough candidates to fit their mold - however they did drop the requirment to hold an ATPL and now they say a minimum of 1000 hours is required in order to be considered. Everyone can interpret this however they choose.

orlando-pilot · Post by **orlando-pilot** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 2:02 pm

Maybe the time requirement was lowered to 1000 fixed wing to accomodate some of our military pilots who flew a lot in helicopters or just have low fixed wing time....just an idea. And if that is the case, then good for the company...our military guys deserve that!

twinpratts · Post by **twinpratts** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 2:29 pm

I'm speculating that a lot of the low timers have a Dad in the training department, who are not necessarily the best qualified

.

LostinRotation · Post by **LostinRotation** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 3:19 pm

twinpratts wrote:I'm speculating that a lot of the low timers have a Dad in the training department, who are not necessarily the best qualified .

Not sure...maybe...but, thats a big step to take for a few pilot's kids.

I'm more of the though they are looking to mold " Company " style employees that might be with them for 20 years plus.

-=0=LIR=0=-

Jaques Strappe · Post by **Jaques Strappe** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:27 pm

twinpratts wrote:I'm speculating that a lot of the low timers have a Dad in the training department, who are not necessarily the best qualified .

That is not happening at all. Just ask Gelbisch

Dockjock · Post by **Dockjock** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:57 pm

I know it is "not happening", but of the 7 people I have heard of who have interviews, 5 are AC family, and the other 2 are bilingual. Seems to me right now that they the only way to dodge the family connection is to be bilingual.
Not sure how the family connection is being made though as I know my one buddy's Dad didn't do anything for him. Perhaps a last name match/screening process is being done online? Hey at the very least its another conspiracy theory to throw on the pile....

RB-211 · Post by **RB-211** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 6:11 pm

Then you my friend live on the moon.

JS you have some good posts and insight but AC's hiring policy (remebering fully they were finacially ruined a year ago) is as laughable as their recent past.

The whole thing has a smell that just lingers. Say what you want. There are THOUSANDS of pilots in Canada that would love a crack at the gig and will have to wait or never get the chance because Air Canada (for the most part) is the biggest bunch of wankers in aviation.

Am I bitter? Nah.... I left years ago and cringe from a distance!

Jaques Strappe · Post by **Jaques Strappe** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 7:54 pm

RB211

Ya gotta love the opinions of people who are instant experts about companies they know nothing about.

Bitter? Why run off to England? Nobody would hire you here?

Before you lecture me on how wonderful aviation is in the U.K and how rich thier pilots are, I was born and raised there. Friends and family working at both Virgin and BA. I know the score.

I hope you are not giving the Canadians a bad name over there telling the Brits how to wank.

centerstored · Post by **centerstored** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 8:29 pm

I think that there are so many applications to look at, that getting a call is mostly luck at this point. They have to put someone in the classes. I also think the old point system is out the window, cause as I indicated a few posts earlier, I know a handful of pilots with degrees, language, MTPIC, and over 5 grand in hours in the bank. Let's put it this way, none have even got a sniff yet, but a few 2-3000 hour pilots without education or language have been called. Makes you wonder what they are looking for....or if they actually have time to look!?

gelbisch · Post by **gelbisch** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 10:11 pm

*Never mind.

punk · Post by **punk** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 10:33 pm

orlando-pilot wrote:Maybe the time requirement was lowered to 1000 fixed wing to accomodate some of our military pilots who flew a lot in helicopters or just have low fixed wing time....just an idea. And if that is the case, then good for the company...our military guys deserve that!

this statement is closer to the truth than all the other theories. My advise...just get your resume in, study and be patient...i'm just thrilled the industry is actually moving again!

cedar tree · Post by **cedar tree** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 1:26 am

So there has been hints of an agency in place for pilot recruitment at AC? Does anyone know anything about this? If so, who are they, and do they understand the the scope of aviation experience beyond total flight time?

How many of you were emailed from AC to update your application online?

RB-211 · Post by **RB-211** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:17 am

JS. Personal insults are childish my friend and you stepped across the line. My place of employment (BA) and your attack on me have nothing to do with the issue of who Air Canada is interviewing or why.

What does concern me and I am pretty sure many will agree can be summed up in the fact that AC has moved the bar to fit their needs and in doing so are shafting those that have waited so long. This does not include people that were in the pool. Dock Jock said it best that 5 out of 7 (thats over 70% for those who prefer percentages) are AC family at his carrier who have been called for a chat. This is more than likely the case at other carriers. I will make it clear I as I am sure everyone else does have absolutely no problem with anyone getting the call. We all want to see people in the industry move up and on. I can say this with my hand on my heart.

The anger is directly aimed at those at the top who are tailoring their needs to benefit them. Jee wizz this sounds familiar.........I have enough friends (boys and girls) at Jazz that would kill for a crack at the mainline but are stuck in a line waiting while they are bypassed by people off the street. Things like it is short notice, JAZZ can't spare the pilots etc is all a smoke screen. They (JAZZ folk) will get in eventually but 100's of numbers behind. This has a major impact on their futures. I don't care what anyone says but this is wrong. Pure and simple. Somehow though I do not think the AC/JAZZ issue is going to go away. Not to mention the the whole seniority issue. These hiring practices can't help and anyone with half a brain can see this.

Ok rant over.

On the note of cognitive tests there are plenty of books available on the net. I bought a couple a few years ago and they helped me without a doubt. Amazon is a good place to start. Money worth spending and as I understand it, they are a major stumbling block for people at our selection process. What weight AC is putting on these is an unknown I would guess but they are a pass fail with us.

Good luck everyone.

JS. Sounds like you have a Red Phone in your bedroom that says Uncle Milton on it. I got one that says Uncle Eddington. Its blue! If we ever pass each other in the night at 30W we can compare notes.........

prop2jet · Post by **prop2jet** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 8:05 am

RB211 / JS you both have valid points and arguments... banter aside.
I personally think and have said it before that the reason one person gets called over another (less time and younger vs. more time) has more to do with an HR computer based sorting system rather than anyone actually looking at the resumes.

We can argue that this is because of the overwhelming amount of applications recieved etc... however it was done this way before. You need only look at the "Filter" questions you have to answer in order to complete your application. Whoever sits on the other end of the system and sorts through the applications is builiding various lists from which candidates are being called. Whether it is aviation or any other industry, once you end up with computerized application systems designed by HR you have joined a lottery of sorts.

I would have to agree with JS, I do not think the system favours AC Family members unless they fall within the demographic they happen to be sorting for.

Air Canada interview !!!!

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