PAY AND WORKING CONDITIONS BETWEEN AIR CANADA AND CANADIAN 1990s

[RoAF-Mig21]

For those of you that were flying in the late mid to late 90s, how was the pay and working conditions between Air Canada and Canadian Airlines? What was the culture at each airline like? Were they like AC now? Was Canadian more like AC or more like WJ?

2001 was a bad year (understatement) for Canadian aviation. From the demise of Canadian Airlines to 9/11, things were not good, especially for someone like myself that was just starting their pilot training. I remember my flight instructor telling me “Get yourself an education then come back to flying, if things get better”.

At the time, I was clueless. I had no idea what it meant to be a pilot, what type of salary and lifestyle one would expect. I just knew that I loved airplanes, I loved flying and that I wanted to be one.

Almost a quarter of a century later, I’m in the industry and I still can’t pretend I understand its mechanics. Every year something surprises me. Every year I find myself thinking “Huh, I never would have guessed that”.

Any insights from guys and gals that have been around?

[EPR]

It was the end of the halcyon days, although no one realized that until after 9/11 happened. The merger created hostilities in the cockpit (now known as the Flightdeck), security became insane and sexy jets that took balls (metaphorically speaking) to fly, were on their way out! It was a time when many new Airlines tried to grab a hold of a piece of the market, but ultimately collapsed! (Roots Air, Greyhound Air, Canada 2000, Zip, Royal, Jets Go, Sky Service, Nation Air)...just to mention a few with many forgotten! As for the original question..I have no idea!

[291/2chev]

Jan 2001 was my hire date at AC after 12 years in the industry I had finally made it to the “airlines” after 3 great years of turbulence I was laid off along with approximately 171 others. I came back to work at AC in Jan 2006 after 2 year’s overseas, in total I spent14 years flying with AC then in 2014 I was diagnosed with a PD and my days flying ended for ever. I have no idea what the pay was AC vs CAL don’t really care all I remember are all the great people I worked with and the good times I had on the job! I would have given up almost anything to get that back, now as I get close to 60 well 58 I consider all the days and years I got to have with my family and I feel blessed. Don’t get me wrong pay and contracts have there place but , don’t lose site of the important stuff family, friends etc. No one lays on their death bed wishing they had spent more time at work!

[RoAF-Mig21]

Jan 2001 was my hire date at AC after 12 years in the industry I had finally made it to the “airlines” after 3 great years of turbulence I was laid off along with approximately 171 others. I came back to work at AC in Jan 2006 after 2 year’s overseas, in total I spent14 years flying with AC then in 2014 I was diagnosed with a PD and my days flying ended for ever. I have no idea what the pay was AC vs CAL don’t really care all I remember are all the great people I worked with and the good times I had on the job! I would have given up almost anything to get that back, now as I get close to 60 well 58 I consider all the days and years I got to have with my family and I feel blessed. Don’t get me wrong pay and contracts have there place but , don’t lose site of the important stuff family, friends etc. No one lays on their death bed wishing they had spent more time at work!

Well said sir. My father told me the same thing, as he tries to fight stage 3 cancer... "Work is work. Time with family is what matters". I was just curious of the environment compared what I have today.