Why everyone runs to AC?

[PittBoss]

Not able to wrap my head around looking for an answer. I've seen people getting pull towards AC like super magnets. I would agree if you with some random airlines but WESTJET mainline to AC. JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND.

[‘Bob’]

Hoping to hit pay dirt once the 'as good as Delta' contract comes.

[cdnavater]

Not able to wrap my head around looking for an answer. I've seen people getting pull towards AC like super magnets. I would agree if you with some random airlines but WESTJET mainline to AC. JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND.

My guess, young enough and they see the upgrade as very far in the future, in addition they have lost faith in the plan.

[frog]

If I were young enough, I would certainly give it a try.

[Mrs. Andry]

Not able to wrap my head around looking for an answer. I've seen people getting pull towards AC like super magnets. I would agree if you with some random airlines but WESTJET mainline to AC. JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND.

My guess, young enough and they see the upgrade as very far in the future, in addition they have lost faith in the plan.

This, plus it gives their podcast/side hustle much more street cred.

[goingnowherefast]

Hoping to hit pay dirt once the 'as good as Delta' contract comes.

I know a couple people at AC who are holding out for the new contract. If the pay still sucks, they're leaving. Some even considing going back to the north!

So the magnet seems to be reversible.

[flying4dollars]

Not able to wrap my head around looking for an answer. I've seen people getting pull towards AC like super magnets. I would agree if you with some random airlines but WESTJET mainline to AC. JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND.

Grabbing the best seniority number you can while hedging your bets that the group gets a world class contract? Really not hard to see why. I'm starting my command next month. I've been here a year and a half. What's the current wait at WJ? 10+ years? And that's without the SW list merger taking effect (however it will look). Factor in ESOP, pension, profit share and overall benefits and it becomes a pretty attractive package compared to the other options. Of course, there's always subjectivity to this and obviously the people who made the decision to leave other companies, including WJ, to come here clearly saw a benefit.

Now if we don't get a world class contract, things get real interesting. But given the mentality shift with the surgical removal of the cancer ACPA, it's a worthy gamble to have made to come here, IMHO.

[smooth]

I decided to pursue a career as a pilot with Air Canada for several reasons. Firstly, the airline offers unparalleled job security and lifestyle flexibility, which are crucial considerations for any pilot. Moreover, the pension benefits provided by Air Canada are substantial; projections indicate that upon retirement at 65, diligent advancement within the company could yield an annual pension of approximately $180,000. For those commencing their careers in their 20s, the potential for a retirement income nearing a quarter of a million dollars annually, until death. And this is not including the RRSP and other investments.

Family health plan and basic life insurance are fully covered by the company, I only paid $70 a month for optional life insurance.

Air Canada's salary structure offers significant earning potential over time. While initial compensation may be modest during the first four years, subsequent years can see a remarkable increase, with narrow-body captains potentially earning upwards of $200,000 annually and wide-body captains surpassing the $300,000 mark.

Beyond financial considerations, the opportunity to fly a diverse range of aircraft to destinations worldwide is a compelling aspect of a career with Air Canada. The airline has 7 fleets, including the A220, A320, A330, B737, B767F, B777, and B787, providing pilots with the chance to experience various aircraft models. Additionally, Air Canada's extensive network of routes ensures that pilots have the opportunity to explore a multitude of destinations, catering to their passion for aviation and adventure.

[Hangry]

AC is definitely the long game play. For every reason. That isn’t attractive to many. Understandable.

Can’t wrap your head around why that would be attractive to many? Not understandable.

[ant_321]

I decided to pursue a career as a pilot with Air Canada for several reasons. Firstly, the airline offers unparalleled job security and lifestyle flexibility, which are crucial considerations for any pilot. Moreover, the pension benefits provided by Air Canada are substantial; projections indicate that upon retirement at 65, diligent advancement within the company could yield an annual pension of approximately $180,000. For those commencing their careers in their 20s, the potential for a retirement income nearing a quarter of a million dollars annually, until death. And this is not including the RRSP and other investments.

Family health plan and basic life insurance are fully covered by the company, I only paid $70 a month for optional life insurance.

Air Canada's salary structure offers significant earning potential over time. While initial compensation may be modest during the first four years, subsequent years can see a remarkable increase, with narrow-body captains potentially earning upwards of $200,000 annually and wide-body captains surpassing the $300,000 mark.

Beyond financial considerations, the opportunity to fly a diverse range of aircraft to destinations worldwide is a compelling aspect of a career with Air Canada. The airline has 7 fleets, including the A220, A320, A330, B737, B767F, B777, and B787, providing pilots with the chance to experience various aircraft models. Additionally, Air Canada's extensive network of routes ensures that pilots have the opportunity to explore a multitude of destinations, catering to their passion for aviation and adventure.

I’m assuming you’re an AC recruiter. I’ve never met a pilot who talks like this.

[Canadaflyer46]

Air Canada's salary structure offers significant earning potential over time. While initial compensation may be modest during the first four years, subsequent years can see a remarkable increase, with narrow-body captains potentially earning upwards of $200,000 annually and wide-body captains surpassing the $300,000 mark.

Understatement of the century there. It's an absolute disgrace for a flagship carrier, not "modest".
True story, checking in to a layover hotel down south I got chatting to a US crew also waiting and this topic came up. They literally would not believe the flat pay numbers when I told them. I had to have an AC friend send me a screenshot of the payscales because they thought it was a wind-up. They were absolutely disgusted. Couldn't understand why any profesional pilot would go work there.

[braaap Braap]

I decided to pursue a career as a pilot with Air Canada for several reasons. Firstly, the airline offers unparalleled job security and lifestyle flexibility, which are crucial considerations for any pilot. Moreover, the pension benefits provided by Air Canada are substantial; projections indicate that upon retirement at 65, diligent advancement within the company could yield an annual pension of approximately $180,000. For those commencing their careers in their 20s, the potential for a retirement income nearing a quarter of a million dollars annually, until death. And this is not including the RRSP and other investments.

Family health plan and basic life insurance are fully covered by the company, I only paid $70 a month for optional life insurance.

Air Canada's salary structure offers significant earning potential over time. While initial compensation may be modest during the first four years, subsequent years can see a remarkable increase, with narrow-body captains potentially earning upwards of $200,000 annually and wide-body captains surpassing the $300,000 mark.

Beyond financial considerations, the opportunity to fly a diverse range of aircraft to destinations worldwide is a compelling aspect of a career with Air Canada. The airline has 7 fleets, including the A220, A320, A330, B737, B767F, B777, and B787, providing pilots with the chance to experience various aircraft models. Additionally, Air Canada's extensive network of routes ensures that pilots have the opportunity to explore a multitude of destinations, catering to their passion for aviation and adventure.

I’m assuming you’re an AC recruiter. I’ve never met a pilot who talks like this.

Seriously. wtf is this? "compensation may be modest" "...7 fleets, including the A220, A320, A330, B737, B767F, B777, and B787". This whole bottom half reads like a timeshare sales brochure.

[DanWEC]

AC will net you the most amount of money of a CDN airline if you start young and you can get to WB capt 20+ years down the road by the time you're 50. If you're over 40 when you start you'll either be a NB capt or WB FO by retirement if you want to hold a decent schedule.

During that time you'll have less time off than any of the other major carriers, where you'll still make 300k.

AC does has a wide range of flying styles though.

Money or lifestyle, and to each their own.

[Old fella]

"the opportunity to fly a diverse range of aircraft to destinations worldwide is a compelling aspect of a career with Air Canada. The airline has 7 fleets, including the A220, A320, A330, B737, B767F, B777, and B787, providing pilots with the chance to experience various aircraft models."

That is factual, is it not. Now if I wore a much younger man's clothes that's where I would be headed. If I was lucky enough to get hired because AC was desperate just may be the theme as it pertains to me, but whatever. I would take my lumps and give it the best college try.

[rookiepilot]

I decided to pursue a career as a pilot with Air Canada for several reasons. Firstly, the airline offers unparalleled job security and lifestyle flexibility, which are crucial considerations for any pilot. Moreover, the pension benefits provided by Air Canada are substantial; projections indicate that upon retirement at 65, diligent advancement within the company could yield an annual pension of approximately $180,000. For those commencing their careers in their 20s, the potential for a retirement income nearing a quarter of a million dollars annually, until death. And this is not including the RRSP and other investments.

Family health plan and basic life insurance are fully covered by the company, I only paid $70 a month for optional life insurance.

Air Canada's salary structure offers significant earning potential over time. While initial compensation may be modest during the first four years, subsequent years can see a remarkable increase, with narrow-body captains potentially earning upwards of $200,000 annually and wide-body captains surpassing the $300,000 mark.

Beyond financial considerations, the opportunity to fly a diverse range of aircraft to destinations worldwide is a compelling aspect of a career with Air Canada. The airline has 7 fleets, including the A220, A320, A330, B737, B767F, B777, and B787, providing pilots with the chance to experience various aircraft models. Additionally, Air Canada's extensive network of routes ensures that pilots have the opportunity to explore a multitude of destinations, catering to their passion for aviation and adventure.

You write very well.

[goingnowherefast]

"smooth"'s post isn't wrong in the context of the turd that is Canadian aviation. AC is generally considered to be the shiniest of the turds.

On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a pool of 1s, 2s and 3s, but AC is a 4. Still bad, but among the best of the worst.

[smooth]

The first 4 years flat pay is dog shit, that's why negotiations for a new contract are underway. And to be honest, even we don't get a "World Class Contract" the majority are staying, and new pilots will continue to join. The unmatched job security and pension benefits at AC are significant factors. Post the initial four years, no other Canadian airlines can compete with AC's pay scale. Additionally, comparing AC to US carriers is pointless, because if you've have a green card or US citizenship, you will be there already.

Personally, I don't want to fly the same plane to North American destinations forever. During my first year at AC, I had the best layovers worldwide. Euro, Asia and South America etc., an experience unparalleled by any other Canadian airline. While alternatives like Air Transat or Westjet exist, the financial instability of Air Transat prompts many of its pilots to join AC. As for Westjet, their fleet is limited to the 737/787, and progression to captaincy, particularly on the 737, involves a considerable waiting period, not to mention the 787. And we have WJ pilots in every other ground school. You can argue otherwise, but most people come for AC but not another way around.

For me, I can't wrap my head around why people would fly a regional machine and layover in T bay for rest of their life. I just can't but that just me

[flyinhigh]

The first 4 years flat pay is dog shit, that's why negotiations for a new contract are underway. And to be honest, even we don't get a "World Class Contract" the majority are staying, and new pilots will continue to join. The unmatched job security and pension benefits at AC are significant factors. Post the initial four years, no other Canadian airlines can compete with AC's pay scale. Additionally, comparing AC to US carriers is pointless, because if you've have a green card or US citizenship, you will be there already.

Personally, I don't want to fly the same plane to North American destinations forever. During my first year at AC, I had the best layovers worldwide. Euro, Asia and South America etc., an experience unparalleled by any other Canadian airline. While alternatives like Air Transat or Westjet exist, the financial instability of Air Transat prompts many of its pilots to join AC. As for Westjet, their fleet is limited to the 737/787, and progression to captaincy, particularly on the 737, involves a considerable waiting period, not to mention the 787. And we have WJ pilots in every other ground school. You can argue otherwise, but most people come for AC but not another way around.

For me, I can't wrap my head around why people would fly a regional machine and layover in T bay for rest of their life. I just can't but that just me

As a tbay commuter, I’d take that all day long. Haha

[rooster]

Not able to wrap my head around looking for an answer. I've seen people getting pull towards AC like super magnets. I would agree if you with some random airlines but WESTJET mainline to AC. JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND.

You really needed to create a thread on avcanada to figure out why? Cuz i just can't understand that!!

[rooster]

The first 4 years flat pay is dog shit, that's why negotiations for a new contract are underway. And to be honest, even we don't get a "World Class Contract" the majority are staying, and new pilots will continue to join. The unmatched job security and pension benefits at AC are significant factors. Post the initial four years, no other Canadian airlines can compete with AC's pay scale. Additionally, comparing AC to US carriers is pointless, because if you've have a green card or US citizenship, you will be there already.

Personally, I don't want to fly the same plane to North American destinations forever. During my first year at AC, I had the best layovers worldwide. Euro, Asia and South America etc., an experience unparalleled by any other Canadian airline. While alternatives like Air Transat or Westjet exist, the financial instability of Air Transat prompts many of its pilots to join AC. As for Westjet, their fleet is limited to the 737/787, and progression to captaincy, particularly on the 737, involves a considerable waiting period, not to mention the 787. And we have WJ pilots in every other ground school. You can argue otherwise, but most people come for AC but not another way around.

For me, I can't wrap my head around why people would fly a regional machine and layover in T bay for rest of their life. I just can't but that just me

As a tbay commuter, I’d take that all day long. Haha

Well, why don't you? There's gotta be some decent places to hang your hat outta there no?

[rooster]

I decided to pursue a career as a pilot with Air Canada for several reasons. Firstly, the airline offers unparalleled job security and lifestyle flexibility, which are crucial considerations for any pilot. Moreover, the pension benefits provided by Air Canada are substantial; projections indicate that upon retirement at 65, diligent advancement within the company could yield an annual pension of approximately $180,000. For those commencing their careers in their 20s, the potential for a retirement income nearing a quarter of a million dollars annually, until death. And this is not including the RRSP and other investments.

Family health plan and basic life insurance are fully covered by the company, I only paid $70 a month for optional life insurance.

Air Canada's salary structure offers significant earning potential over time. While initial compensation may be modest during the first four years, subsequent years can see a remarkable increase, with narrow-body captains potentially earning upwards of $200,000 annually and wide-body captains surpassing the $300,000 mark.

Beyond financial considerations, the opportunity to fly a diverse range of aircraft to destinations worldwide is a compelling aspect of a career with Air Canada. The airline has 7 fleets, including the A220, A320, A330, B737, B767F, B777, and B787, providing pilots with the chance to experience various aircraft models. Additionally, Air Canada's extensive network of routes ensures that pilots have the opportunity to explore a multitude of destinations, catering to their passion for aviation and adventure.

MODEST?!?! Good god are you one of the pilots who voted yes to that dog shit MOA from 2022?? How do you call flat pay modest??? HOW??

[LR200]

If I were young enough, I would certainly give it a try.

Define young enough, any age before 30?

[Upgradeable]

Edited

[frog]

Not more than 40.

[Landingstrip]

It may not be the best decision for everyone, but how can you not see any allure to AC? variety of flying, pension, long term pay and stability just to name a few reasons.