WJ700 wrote: It sucks, I've been there too. However, WestJet has a package available, specific for Harmony pilots... just like they had for interested Canjet pilots. You can live in YVR, gain a lot of seniority in the next few years; and make more $ in the end.

That's interesting to hear because the comment to one of our pilots from the WJ pilot hiring rep that was at HQ the other day was "...we have 1600 pilot applications on file which means you are number 1601." No specific package for HQ pilots just a trip out to YVR to give a slap in the face. I guess that is Westjetitude, is it?

On the other hand, AC and ACPA have both said they recognize the experience/skill level of the Harmony pilots and will process their applications in priority. So, if any HQ pilots are looking for AC/WJ, AC is looking to help.

if anyone has the info on hiring, it's probably wj700. Maybe it is true...

Hopefully WJ and CJ can open some doors. What about Sunwing?

RB211 wrote:

WJ700 wrote: It sucks, I've been there too. However, WestJet has a package available, specific for Harmony pilots... just like they had for interested Canjet pilots. You can live in YVR, gain a lot of seniority in the next few years; and make more $ in the end.

That's interesting to hear because the comment to one of our pilots from the WJ pilot hiring rep that was at HQ the other day was "...we have 1600 pilot applications on file which means you are number 1601." No specific package for HQ pilots just a trip out to YVR to give a slap in the face. I guess that is Westjetitude, is it?

On the other hand, AC and ACPA have both said they recognize the experience/skill level of the Harmony pilots and will process their applications in priority. So, if any HQ pilots are looking for AC/WJ, AC is looking to help.

WJ is having a hiring fair as we speak for all employees of Harmony. The HR dept went out yesterday. The pilot hiring guy here sent a package over to them as well. How's that for westjettitude. Did the other guys set up a hiring fair yet? you seem to be well informed. Not. I just spoke with DP in hiring and nobody spoke to him from Harmony....he should know if anyone. I think your misinformed RB, give him a call yourself and find out the facts.Open door here.

The WestJet Job fair for Harmony employees was in Vancouver at Harmony Flight Operations office last Wednesday (4. April) and Thursday (5. April). There will be another 3 hour session on Thursday (12. April).

3 Westjet recruiters from the Westjet People department were there. The recruiters seemed to be very keen to speak to the Flight Attendands.

I attended the job fair and I can confirm there is no special package for Harmony pilots. Interested pilots got a 3 page hand-out (I guess the same Canjet pilots got, as there was still a Canjet reference in the hand-out) describing how to apply at workopolis, the selection process including how the matrix score is calculated and the interview process. Given, that a higher flight experience gives you a better matrix score, one can assume that this might give you a faster interview.

Gina C. from Westjet's people department who is involved in the pilot hiring process informed us that all ground schools until the end of June are filled and 1600 potential pilot applicants are on file. She also said, even though it is unfortunate that we are unemployed, preference can't be given as this wouldn't be fair to all the other applicants who are applying for a while and eventhough they might have less experience. There are several Harmony pilots who are seriously interested in working for Westjet, including me, so it was depressing to hear that it could take a long time before invited for an interview.

DP was not at the job fair, however he is referenced on the hand-out with a generic email address and phone number. Some of us have tried to contact him without success.

These are the facts. Please keep this topic objective, as some Harmony pilots want to work for WestJet and it surely doesn't help when people start bashing each other on this topic.

It is also true that the Air Canada Captain in charge of pilot hiring informed Harmony's DFO that pilots interested in working for AC will be fast tracked and processed for an interview within 3 weeks and provided his personal fax# for sending the resume.

TonySoprano - Sunwing Airlines hired already and invited a bunch of our pilots for interviews in the coming weeks.

A lot of us are in our late 30's and 40's with families, mortgages and are not financially in a position to be unemployed for a prolonged period of time.

Flightlevels wrote: WJ is having a hiring fair as we speak for all employees of Harmony. The HR dept went out yesterday. The pilot hiring guy here sent a package over to them as well. How's that for westjettitude. Did the other guys set up a hiring fair yet? you seem to be well informed. Not. I just spoke with DP in hiring and nobody spoke to him from Harmony....he should know if anyone. I think your misinformed RB, give him a call yourself and find out the facts.Open door here.

I am more informed than you appear to be. I was there and you were not. I know what the Harmony pilots were told and it wasn't an open door. It was definitively a message that there is no preference given to Harmony pilots. So the question is, why bother coming to YVR?

I don't have a problem with WJ not wanting to accelerate the process. I just don't think it was necessary to raise hopes by having a so called 'job fair'.

AC has offered to fast track the process for any interested Harmony pilots and Parc is in YVR on Wednesday. I'll take those real offers over your 'Westjetitude' any day.

So because they are telling you that you will be treated equally with other applicants, that causes you to have a resentful attitude? (If I read you right).

Do you feel you are owed special treatement?

I totally feel for what everyone at Harmony must be going through, but you attitude seems out of line. Enjoy the opportunity with Parc, I'm sure it will be better than having to deal with our 'Wesjetitude'---for all of us.

Hopefully I'll get to work with some of the other Harmony folks that may end up here, without the resentment.

But still, I wish you the best in this trying time.

Hmm I can only speak about my experiences with AC but fast tracking highly qualified candidates is nothing new and it's a pretty cheap way to buy knowledge.. The length of time that equally qualified candidates have his/her application only indicates a real desire to work for that company. But that’s all it indicates, it may or may not tip the balance.

Bon Chance to the Harmony boys and girls, there are well paying jobs out there for folks with the right qualifications but unfortunately most are off-shore..

p.s. There was/is an accountant in YYC that specializes in the inns and out's of pilot’s working off-shore with Parc. In the last low cyclic period a few AC pilots took leave of absences to work for ANA and were highly satisfied with his work and knowledge. Sorry I can’t recall his name.

Well, we're even bickering at a time when we should be helping. With so much hiring going on in Canada, I think the Harmony people stand a good chance but it seems they are probably better off overseas. Good luck guys, hope to see you at AC.

Ryan Coke2 wrote:So because they are telling you that you will be treated equally with other applicants, that causes you to have a resentful attitude? (If I read you right).

Do you feel you are owed special treatement?

I totally feel for what everyone at Harmony must be going through, but you attitude seems out of line. Enjoy the opportunity with Parc, I'm sure it will be better than having to deal with our 'Wesjetitude'---for all of us.

Hopefully I'll get to work with some of the other Harmony folks that may end up here, without the resentment.

But still, I wish you the best in this trying time.

You don't read me right. I don't expect anything and I am not resentful.

I certainly don't feel Harmony pilots are owed special treatment but WJ set that expectation. Especially on day one of the fair when some pilots were told that their applications would be given priority. Then on day 2, when Gina arrives, pilots are essentially told, your experience/background will not make any difference to your application, you are at the bottom of the list. The false hope was quite disappointing to those that are interested in WJ.

Let me ask you, do you think all 1600 applications on file at WJ are equal? Does WJ interview/hire strictly based on the date of ones application or do they consider qualification/experience?

Having said all that, maybe there has been some mis-communication/mis-understanding and WJ does see value in the Harmony pilots'.

I can say without a doubt, if you do get to work with any of these pilots you will indeed find them to be of the highest standard both personally and professionally. I hope to have the pleasure of crossing paths with any/all of them in the future.

Hey Harmony guys, I've been laid off a couple times and really feel for you. AC is very open about the hiring process, points for this and that which we all know is how you get the interview.
My thoughts on WJ's standpoint is perhaps they don't want to damage the existing resume pool by openly stating they're giving preferrence to any candidates, but the fact that they had a job fair for you should be the writing on the wall. WJ hires on type of experience as well, so I myself wouldn't be surprised if most of the new hires did come from Harmony, they just don't want to openly state that.
Realistically, If I were the one doing the hiring, I'd give preferrence to those with your experience and I don't hold any ill will towards any Harmony guys/gals who get fast tracked. It's the nature of the game.

Fair enough.

As far as the applications being treated equally, of course they are not all equal. They are weighted based on experience etc, but not based on working for a specific company. So a Harmony pilot should go to the top of the interview pile if their experience/quallifactions are the best, not solely because they worked for Harmony.

Anyway, I certainly apologize on behalf of all of us if there was a miscommunication, and a false hope was represented (Not that I have anything to do with pilot hiring).

Again, good luck. I can appreciate the stress this trying time place on all those affected.

You would think that anyone who is checked out on type and current would be given preference. That's the part I don't understand. It's almost like they are being put through some needless pain. I know how frustrating that can be having gone through it myself. Any airline that operates 737s in Canada should be rolling out the red carpet for these guys. WJ doesn't want to openly state that? What's the problem?

Ryan Coke2 wrote:Fair enough.

As far as the applications being treated equally, of course they are not all equal. They are weighted based on experience etc, but not based on working for a specific company. So a Harmony pilot should go to the top of the interview pile if their experience/quallifactions are the best, not solely because they worked for Harmony.

Anyway, I certainly apologize on behalf of all of us if there was a miscommunication, and a false hope was represented (Not that I have anything to do with pilot hiring).

Again, good luck. I can appreciate the stress this trying time place on all those affected.

Thanks.

I guess when I speak of the Harmony pilots getting due consideration it was for their experience not becasue they have been, particularily, Harmony pilots. In my own mind I combined the 2 as one because much of that experience was gained at HQ.

Funny how I never seem to learn that others can't read my mind!

Best of luck RB211, I hope things sort themselves out quickly.

Tony, it sounds like you think that Harmony flew 737's. They didn't-they flew 757's.

Oops. Thanks Rye. I must be confusing them with Sunwing. I thought someone else said they were also. Anyway, pretty good experience in that camp. Shouldn't be waisted.

I have to ask why WJ or anyone would open the door immediately? Todays companies have to ensure they are getting the right individual first. The technicle attributes are a bonus. I certainly don't fault WJ or anyone else taking the time to choose the cream from Harmony. Question for the Harmony guys...who would consider it a backwards step coming to WJ? and why or why not. This is so typical of when a company closes. I have seen it so many times now with jetsgo, canjet, c3 etc. the time in getting a job can't pass fast enough. The reality is it will take time and patience. I do understand livelyhoods are affected. I personally think it is great that WJ sent Gina out. She gave you the facts and an information package, what did you expect to hear? just curious. BTW pilothiring@westjet.com is a direct link to DP, not a generic email and all emails will be answered by him with that link.

RB211 wrote:

Flightlevels wrote: WJ is having a hiring fair as we speak for all employees of Harmony. The HR dept went out yesterday. The pilot hiring guy here sent a package over to them as well. How's that for westjettitude. Did the other guys set up a hiring fair yet? you seem to be well informed. Not. I just spoke with DP in hiring and nobody spoke to him from Harmony....he should know if anyone. I think your misinformed RB, give him a call yourself and find out the facts.Open door here.

I am more informed than you appear to be. I was there and you were not. I know what the Harmony pilots were told and it wasn't an open door. It was definitively a message that there is no preference given to Harmony pilots. So the question is, why bother coming to YVR?

I don't have a problem with WJ not wanting to accelerate the process. I just don't think it was necessary to raise hopes by having a so called 'job fair'.

AC has offered to fast track the process for any interested Harmony pilots and Parc is in YVR on Wednesday. I'll take those real offers over your 'Westjetitude' any day.

Fair enough, enjoy those offers. The open door I was referring to is to come in or openly talk with DP one on one,(only in one or two days a week) not an open door to a job. WJ came to YVR with information. Pilots specifically got the handout. That is more than the average joe. If WJ raised the expectation of a pilot job on day one of the fair then whoever said that was misinformed. Gina is the ONLY HR person that deals with pilot hiring under Dave and Scott. Those are the ONLY people aside from the other PST members anyone should listen to for accurate information.

Flightlevels wrote:I have to ask why WJ or anyone would open the door immediately? Todays companies have to ensure they are getting the right individual first. The technicle attributes are a bonus. I certainly don't fault WJ or anyone else taking the time to choose the cream from Harmony. Question for the Harmony guys...who would consider it a backwards step coming to WJ? and why or why not. ...

I certainly wouldn't expect WJ or anyone to just open the door to anyone from Harmony. The experience/qualifications give the employer the first indication of 'fit' and the desire to interview. Then it is a chance for employer and applicant to find out if the opportunity is mutually acceptable.

I think whether going to WJ or AC is seen as a backwards step would depend on the position held at HQ. It depends on what defines backwards: rank/position, pay, realtive seniority etc. It's a bit of a snakes and ladders game: climb the ladder then land on a snake and slide backwards. The next roll of the dice could find you further along. Who knows?

That is the nature of this crazy business though. Whether or not it is a step back isn't so much the issue as how an one deals with it.

Bottom line, in my opinion. The Harmony Pilots will end up at the top of WestJet's selection list no matter what. It's computerized, it has to happen. I don't know what AC happens to do, but I can only assume a Harmony pilot would float to the top of their selction list. So its up to the Harmony pilot to decide what they want, and sell them self to either carrier
. Either way, good luck to them, it's a great time to be shopping for a job in the Candian market ,however, in Canada, it's just never a great market to have a job in.

Amen WJ!

Although unfortunate, a lot of us would jump at the opportunity of an "open door" at WJ.