Is working at Air Canada really that great?

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:18 am

I wanted to work at AC since I was about 12 years old but over the past few years I've had second thoughts. I now have visions of sim rides, enormous checklists, those stupid rolley suitcases, lame hats, and watching the autopilot do it's thing for the next 30 years and it makes me cringe. Pay matters to me but I'm not selling out and taking a job I'll hate. Is the pay really all that better than say a bomber pilot at Conair etc. which to me seems like a way more enjoyable career. What's the average month like for an AC guy?

elvis · Post by **elvis** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:33 am

AIR CANADA PILOTS FORM REPORTS -NEW HIRE COURSES WERE NOT FULL DUE TO LOW PAY $38000/YEAR FOR NEXT 5 YEARS THEN B SCALE FORMULA PAY. THE LAST FEW COURSES HAVE HAD SEVERAL PILOT AND F/A'S CHILDREN AND LOW TIMERS.

spoiler · Post by **spoiler** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:48 am

elvis wrote: LOW PAY $38000/YEAR FOR NEXT 5 YEARS THEN B SCALE FORMULA PAY.

Are you serious???

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:42 am

People turning down GS because of the pay? Not having people show up? Somehow I highly doubt it.

sudzy · Post by **sudzy** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:15 am

Believe it buddy. It's no joke.

talkinghead · Post by **talkinghead** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:33 am

Getting all the way to the point of the grnd school AND THEN you figure out you don't like the AMOUNT of pay.......really. wow!

Rudy.
"stupid rolley suitcases", they don't hurt the arms as much.
I'm getting old (so I have been told). I need all the help I can get with my over-night bag.

spoiler · Post by **spoiler** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:34 am

I dunno Bede...think you can support your fam in Toronto for 5 years making that kind of money?
Again, is this 5 years at $38 000 confirmed?
Anyone?

JigglyBus · Post by **JigglyBus** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:42 am

How much is that after tax?

flyinhigh · Post by **flyinhigh** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:03 pm

about 10K

wha happen · Post by **wha happen** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:08 pm

10 grand, now that is sht money. Go be an instructor and make more.

So if nobody wants to work at AC anymore, myself included, where does everybody want to end up.

Post by **avcanada** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:16 pm

elvis wrote:AIR CANADA PILOTS FORM REPORTS -NEW HIRE COURSES WERE NOT FULL DUE TO LOW PAY $38000/YEAR FOR NEXT 5 YEARS THEN B SCALE FORMULA PAY. THE LAST FEW COURSES HAVE HAD SEVERAL PILOT AND F/A'S CHILDREN AND LOW TIMERS.

Do you have a reference of this pay scale?

I find this hard to believe.

scotothedoublet · Post by **scotothedoublet** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:22 pm

$38K for 5 yrs doesn't jive with this link but I know diddly about "B scale formula pay".

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/content/view/96/11/

... · Post by **...** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:38 pm

wha happen wrote:10 grand, now that is sht money. Go be an instructor and make more.

So if nobody wants to work at AC anymore, myself included, where does everybody want to end up. I'll start. Ken Borek.

No! no! NO!!! Don't everyone go and have crazy ideas about seeking alternate career plans. Leave the fun seasonal jobs to the cool people...all you epaulette wearing pilot geeks stay the course and go the airline route.

It's your dream, remember?

Walking through T1 in YYZ with the rolley bags and blue blazers. All the ladies & male passengers gawking at you as you swagger through the boarding lounges winking and giving the thumbs up to everyone you catch staring at you in awe.

Live the dream. Go the airline route.
Do posing a favour...stay the course.

skyhigh · Post by **skyhigh** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:35 pm

Rudy, just choose the path that you will enjoy the most. One is NOT better than the other...just different. Some guys (myself included) love shinny new gadgets, enjoy pushing buttons and think that water is for drinking and not for landing on...especially with 50 year old planes. But some of my collegues love the bush stuff and believe that is where true flying happens and after having done it for a year a while back, i have nothing but the utmost respect for all the bush guys that do it year after year. Either way the choice is yours......just glad we don't have to sit in an office cubicle.

High Flight · Post by **High Flight** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:38 pm

I got a question.Lots of people say that flying for the airlines would be incredibly boring... Please someone tell me then why does everyone want to do it???? I dont get it? Why will people give their left nut to work at perimeter and all those places? there has to be something about the job that makes people want to do it!

Flying Newf · Post by **Flying Newf** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:11 pm

My left nut is staying right where it is thanks!!
Its still just a job, don't do it if you don't enjoy it.

NovaBoy · Post by **NovaBoy** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:42 pm

and they laugh at the Westjet pay..... I'll take $40K plus ESP, and stock options living in Calgary over $38K in T.O. for 5 years, then going on a B scale. At least Westjet ups the pay to 50K after the first year, and you don't have to wear a silly hat, and you don't have to hear about scoping the JAZZ guys, and OAC, and OCP.

There is a reason there are guys not taking their callbacks from layoff. Air Canada is a good company, but it's not for everyone, and it's not the best thing since sliced bread that people make it out to be.

circlingfor69 · Post by **circlingfor69** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:17 pm

Where are you guys getting $38K for 5 years?!! Sure you start at 38 but just like any other airline you get yearly raises!

Pachanga · Post by **Pachanga** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:27 pm

No circling you don't even start at $38, its $43 for the first year. Thats what has been known and on the paysale website for awhile now. People are running off with these rumors on here and none of them are founded.

circlingfor69 · Post by **circlingfor69** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:57 pm

Pachanga

If you're refering to the payscale listed on airlinepilotpay.com, its outdated. The first year pay is 38 and the second year pay is now 43. But I totally agree that these rumors are getting crazy. I bet half of the people trashing the pay are doing everything they possibly can to get interview.

And for those of you who think West Jet pay is so much better, give your head a shake. At least AC has a pension, which is still excellent despite what the rumors are. Plus the fact that a 5th year 320 FO at AC is making what the captains are at West Jet!

YWGVOR · Post by **YWGVOR** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:03 pm

circlingfor69 wrote:Where are you guys getting $38K for 5 years?!! Sure you start at 38 but just like any other airline you get yearly raises!

And a NORMAL schedule...

BTD · Post by **BTD** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:06 pm

I just wanna fly big jets

As long as its big and takes over 5000 ft of runway to get off the ground I'm a happy camper. But i still love the little ones.

Anyone from Air Canada or Westjet actually want to talk about the flying. What its like to bring the bird down in Sh*t weather to minimums with the other guy in the cockpit watching your back like he is your brother?

For get the payscale for a few posts and get back to why everyone is here.

BTD · Post by **BTD** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:08 pm

I'm sorry the original question directed to the pay mostly. But anyone want to talk about what the flying is like? No matter what colours your airplane has on the outside?

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:13 pm

I didn't mean for this to be about pay. It matters sure but I'd rather have a job I enjoy then sell out for one I hate. That's what I was getting at. Anyone here actually fly the line for AC? I'd like an honest opinion.

twinpratts · Post by **twinpratts** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:28 pm

I think you all should remove your applications, and I'll do the same right after...