AC Starting Salary

[cj555]

Its hard to say, depends on many factors such as level of responsibility, promotions etc. I would say after 10 years at my present company (working as an accountant) I could expect between $90K and $120K.

To make that at AC you would need:

1. 7-10 year of experience to get hired.
2. Another 7-10 years to move into a seniority position that pays.

Total from today - 14-20 years.... that's assuming:
1. that AC survives
2. You progress through your "experience" years
3. There is no stagnation at AC

Keep your job and learn to fly on the side for pleasure.

That would seem like the logical thing to do, and definitely the smartest thing as far as money goes. However, I really don't like my job so I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I am wondering if I would be happier pursuing something I have always wanted to do, or if I should just stick it out in my current career in hopes that it will get better (with time, or with a different company etc). Its a tough call.

[nottellin]

What a mess this profession is,


collectively we really are pathetic.

[fundi]

quote - "I am wondering if I would be happier pursuing something I have always wanted to do, or if I should just stick it out in my current career in hopes that it will get better"

That is sad.

Life is short! Something you have always wanted to do...is certainly worth pursing. No, it won't be easy! No, you may not make as much money! It may not be easier...but you will ALWAYS know what it was and IS like. Go FIND what makes you passionate about life and living and give it all you got. Having a dream and passion is not something you can make up or buy!

Live LIFE!

[CAL]

We all know how pathetic it is....but when you see in in numbers laid out in front of you its even worse.....given what you have to go through to even get the interview its beyond comprehension......stop taking these jobs make the f---kers pay more....

[cj555]

quote - "I am wondering if I would be happier pursuing something I have always wanted to do, or if I should just stick it out in my current career in hopes that it will get better"

That is sad.

Life is short! Something you have always wanted to do...is certainly worth pursing. No, it won't be easy! No, you may not make as much money! It may not be easier...but you will ALWAYS know what it was and IS like. Go FIND what makes you passionate about life and living and give it all you got. Having a dream and passion is not something you can make up or buy!

Live LIFE!

What you say is true. Life is short. Find something that makes you happy, and do more of it. I have realized this, and I am on the verge of pursuing aviation. I am just worried that it won't be what I expected...so I am making sure I know what I'm getting into before I do it. I guess I just have to quiet down the "voice of reason" and follow my heart... easier said then done!

[172pilot]

I am just worried that it won't be what I expected...so I am making sure I know what I'm getting into before I do it. I guess I just have to quiet down the "voice of reason" and follow my heart... easier said then done!

You are young enough, with a specific education, that if flying is not what you think, you can go back to accounting. Yes, you might be 40, but so what. At least you can say you tried a pilot career and it didn't work out. You could still do accounting for twenty more years. Probably a better route than being a 40 year old accountant, wanting to break into aviation.

[cj555]

I am just worried that it won't be what I expected...so I am making sure I know what I'm getting into before I do it. I guess I just have to quiet down the "voice of reason" and follow my heart... easier said then done!

You are young enough, with a specific education, that if flying is not what you think, you can go back to accounting. Yes, you might be 40, but so what. At least you can say you tried a pilot career and it didn't work out. You could still do accounting for twenty more years. Probably a better route than being a 40 year old accountant, wanting to break into aviation.

Very true. I appreciate all the words of encouragement!

[victorious secrets]

I know this is a long shot, but does anyone know if AC will compensate new hires for moving expenses?

Cheers

[yycflyguy]

I know this is a long shot, but does anyone know if AC will compensate new hires for moving expenses?

Cheers

Compensate? No.

Subsidize? Yes.

Once you are hired there is moving expenses available in the event of base closure or if you are bumped off a base and are forced to relocate.

[victorious secrets]

Thanks for the response YYCFlyGuy. I've been looking at the cost of moving from YYC to YYZ and it's not cheap! Anywhere from 3000 to 5000! I was hoping that AC would help with the cost of moving for new hires, but looks like no such luck.

[The Fish]

VS,
Don't forget moving for employment is a tax deductible expense, you won't get it all back but it's better than nothing.

[bcflyer]

Thanks for the response YYCFlyGuy. I've been looking at the cost of moving from YYC to YYZ and it's not cheap! Anywhere from 3000 to 5000! I was hoping that AC would help with the cost of moving for new hires, but looks like no such luck.

I don't know of any major airline that helps with the cost of moving for new hires. Its not just an Air Canada issue.

[justwork]

Here's some advice don't come here , really it is a shit show and has been for a long time.
Go to westjet you will make more money and get a lot better treatment.
Seriously you don't want to work here.

[jjj]

shameful...in fact a total disgrace. And is this cap in effect until you reach the 320 series? Are the new hires part of the pay group till they get off the rp, or right seat of the embraer?

Right now you can have one B777 RP hired in 2002 making about $120,000 per year and another B777 RP pilot hired in 2005 making only $85,000 for doing the exact same job!

That is $35,000 difference!

There is no doubt the salary bands need to be sorted out and a gaping hole is certainly in the first few years of pay these days. However, the example above seems absurd in more than one way:

An RP making 120K is unreasonable vs. the duties required for EMB pay and to think that 85K is not enough for what is required of an RP is just as unreasonable.

My 2 cents.

JJJ

[KAG]

Thanks for the response YYCFlyGuy. I've been looking at the cost of moving from YYC to YYZ and it's not cheap! Anywhere from 3000 to 5000! I was hoping that AC would help with the cost of moving for new hires, but looks like no such luck.

If your not moving a lot of big furniture, you can always use the AC cargo discount (80% off) and fill those shipping containers. I moved from YYC-YYZ and it cost me under $300 but I either sold or gave away most of my furniture.

CJ555
If flying is what you really want then do it. You could "pay your dues" for a small company by doing their books. Offer your accounting skills (paid of course) with the understanding you really want to fly the line. The sooner the better. Depending on where you live you could probibly get an accounting job for a 703/704/705 company now while you work at getting your licenses. Once you have your licenses hopefully you could jump right into a plane. Good luck

[TheStig]

shameful...in fact a total disgrace. And is this cap in effect until you reach the 320 series? Are the new hires part of the pay group till they get off the rp, or right seat of the embraer?

Right now you can have one B777 RP hired in 2002 making about $120,000 per year and another B777 RP pilot hired in 2005 making only $85,000 for doing the exact same job!

That is $35,000 difference!

There is no doubt the salary bands need to be sorted out and a gaping hole is certainly in the first few years of pay these days. However, the example above seems absurd in more than one way:

An RP making 120K is unreasonable vs. the duties required for EMB pay and to think that 85K is not enough for what is required of an RP is just as unreasonable.

My 2 cents.

JJJ

An RP making $$85,000- 120,000 a year is not unreasonable when you consider:
-US carriers use fully paid FO's to augment all flights (over 8 Hours)
-Asian carriers utilize 4 pilots on all flights to North America. I believe the SO positions at JAL, ANA, Cathay, etc pay similar rates to the pre-2005 RP rates at AC.
-EK uses FO's and Capt's to augment its' flights.

However, what I find a total disgrace is that a flat pay RP ($39,000-$42,000/Year) at Air Canada will most likely be paid less than any of the Flight Attendants onboard any of the flights they operate.

Welcome to the NHL of aviation, oh wait, NHL players are allowed to strike...

[shagger]

Thanks for the response YYCFlyGuy. I've been looking at the cost of moving from YYC to YYZ and it's not cheap! Anywhere from 3000 to 5000! I was hoping that AC would help with the cost of moving for new hires, but looks like no such luck.

Just a thought. If you know a pilot with AC that you are good buddies with pack all your stuff in boxes that you can and ship it AC cargo. It is a fraction of the cost and then you may not have to haul so much accross the country. Just an idea.