Working For IMP or @ IMP Halifax

FreaKy_DeaKy · Post by **FreaKy_DeaKy** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:26 am

Got an interview next week @ IMP.

Currently I'm an apprentice that needs a job come graduating this June 2007.

My Pros: $16 / hr start
Mon-Fri 7am-4pm
My Cons: Slim to none on logbook entrys

Anyone know of working for IMP? how it is?

Human Factor · Post by **Human Factor** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:20 pm

Good question.

scootermp · Post by **scootermp** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:41 pm

i take it you are graduating from a two year program? If you don't get log book entries, you won't get your licence, unfortunatly, and you will be making 16 bucks an hour for a long time. Sorry to burst your bubble, but i would strongly recommend going somewhere you can fill the log book up. I know it's a bit of a bitch, especially if ur from or like the area. I think you will regret it in the long run if you don't , it could put you behind a long time. Ok, hope this info helped you, when i got my licence, the transport guy was really tough on the logbook, my suggestion, i don't know what kind of log book you have, mine didn't have any tasks in it, so i had to transcribe the tasks from another source, so they would see it how they like it. Ok, good luck man.

Troubleshot · Post by **Troubleshot** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 6:15 pm

You can get tasks there signed off in your log book but just remember it's the hours/time on civilian registered aircraft you'll need....working on military machines will not get you experience/hours toward your AME licence but you may get your tasks as stated in CAR's so if you change a rudder on a P3-Aurora you may put it your log book and get it signed by a PRM or equivalent. This is a great way to build specialty experience such as your "S" rating by getting all your tasks for that catergory and then switching to a Civilian operation and getting your time you'll need...then you will come out of it all with either a M1, S rating or M2, S rating. Good luck

566.03 Issuance and Endorsement of an AME Licence

(iii) Maintenance of military aircraft, or parts intended for installation on military aircraft, may be counted toward the total and specialty experience requirements, but not toward the civil aviation experience requirement. Maintenance of ultra-light, advanced ultra-light, amateur built, or owner maintained aircraft, does not qualify for any experience credit.

ourkid2000 · Post by **ourkid2000** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:04 pm

Well thats all not entirely true........

Working at IMP will give you 1.5 years of credit towards your licence. They won't accept any more than that and to get your licence you will have to have accumulated an additional 6 months in the civilian world.

If you manage to get that 6 months, work at IMP for 1.5 years, and manage to get your tasks you'll be fine.

I know at least 3-4 people who have gotten their licence this way. I work at IMP and i'm a year away from mine at this point.

Troubleshot · Post by **Troubleshot** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:02 pm

ourkid2000 wrote:Well thats all not entirely true........

Working at IMP will give you 1.5 years of credit towards your licence. They won't accept any more than that and to get your licence you will have to have accumulated an additional 6 months in the civilian world.

If you manage to get that 6 months, work at IMP for 1.5 years, and manage to get your tasks you'll be fine.

I know at least 3-4 people who have gotten their licence this way. I work at IMP and i'm a year away from mine at this point.

OH OK so it's changed abit then...cool. It doesn't surprise me though , Transport is getting more and more lenient with the military stuff.

Thanks for the info.

still_bluenoser · Post by **still_bluenoser** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:28 am

Pay does increase quite quickly, 16 to start with no experience. the starting wage is experience based. so if ya have 2 years experince they will start ya at 19.
Got a friend with 2 years E experience, but needs M work for transport to give him his M liscence. So Hees gona go to IMP, so get the specialty experience.

Good spot to work really, decent pay, off at 4, no weekends.

But there is a reason people call it the IMP trap.

Human Factor · Post by **Human Factor** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:46 am

still_bluenoser wrote: But there is a reason people call it the IMP trap.

Too good or the only game in town in YHZ?

still_bluenoser · Post by **still_bluenoser** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:03 pm

Guys who go there don't get their license (that may change), and after being there for a while and making over 24$/hr, going somewhere else to get it takes quite a pay cut.
Don't go there if ya don't like to stay in one place for a long time.

Your right though, not alot in halifax unless ya like night shift, or are lucky to get a job at the only strictly avionics shop it the east.

Human Factor · Post by **Human Factor** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:28 pm

What about guys who go there already in possession of a license? How's the pay and chance for promotion/advancement?

still_bluenoser · Post by **still_bluenoser** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:02 pm

I've only worked a 2 week work term there out of school, but I think that there is alot of benefit to having the liscense when you apply.
unfortunately, you have alot of people working under you, I dont know how comfortable I would be to sign off work for 50 people, no real way to see everything that has been done

ourkid2000 · Post by **ourkid2000** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:57 pm

Its not the kind of place where you have to sign aircraft out like in the civilian world. You don't have a licenced AME responsible for the aircraft once it leaves.

As far as I can tell, having a licence at IMP serves no purpose except that you have more experience and, thus, more pay.

itismedd · Post by **itismedd** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:42 am

IMP is currently trying to establish an A.M.O for their NOA Program (storm chasers). Last time I heard that wasnt going so well, but if it does start up you should be able to get your log book entries by working on those Aircraft because they will be civilian registered and you will be working under an A.M.O.
The problem I think they are having is the money issue with the union. The AME signing the maintenance releases will be making roughly the same as a guy working on another Aircraft with no responsbilities ( doesn't make sense ).
However, if you go to IMP and you want to still get your lisense, maybe if you try to get on with Canjet ( or even try CanJet first). Canjet has a good maintenance crew and is a good way to get your logbook filled out in a hurry. Wherever you go try to fill your logbook out as you do your tasks, its easier to remember and easier than asking for 3 pages of signatures.
All I can tell you is that I worked for IMP for a couple of months and it was absolutely PAINFUL! But that is just my opinion. You can also try other companies in Halifax while your at IMP.
Best of Luck to you.

FreaKy_DeaKy · Post by **FreaKy_DeaKy** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:05 am

yeah..... all of what I thought is true. Thanks for you inputs.

Just wanted to hear it from someone else, other than IMP.

I'm hoping to use them as a last resort.
Jazz is my ticket, if i can get on there.
cheers guys thanks

Magnanimous · Post by **Magnanimous** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:45 am

It's true, IMP is trying to implement an AMO program. However, nothing changes as a result. The AMO they speak of has been refferred to as "a Military AMO" by management there. Also, when asked if this will mean that techs can get their liscence, the reply was a resounding "no". As mentioned previously, there is a chance to get your liscence in the Norwegian program, however, from what I've seen, getting on that program is somewhat of a crap shoot. The pay is certainly good for an apprentice in the maratimes, but you will top out after about 2 1/2 years at around $22/Hr. This will still likely make it tough to leave to go work in Montreal for $14 or Calgary for $20. This is why guys end up there for years wishing they had gotten out before they had a family to take care of and could afford the modest pay cut from the 16 they started at. However, you can get away with essentially doing no work at IMP, so long as you are clocked to a job so they can bill the military, nobody bats an eyeball at you keeping your head down and making through your shift. Hope this was helpful, and good luck with IMPAS 137 if you take the job.

Human Factor · Post by **Human Factor** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 3:22 pm

No one really answered my question regarding the starting wage for a licensed Engineer at IMP. If apprentices top out at $22, I'm guessing a licensed guy would start somewhere above that but I'd be interested to know approximately where.

ourkid2000 · Post by **ourkid2000** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:00 pm

I'm not sure they have a premium wage for having a licence, however, your salary is based on experience in the industry. Because that takes at least a couple years, you should be right at the top.

I would guess that if you have a licence you should be at the top of the scale.

Kandoo · Post by **Kandoo** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:31 pm

I will answer your question. Having your licence at IMP Aerospace will not get you more than the top rate, around $22 an hour. The union will not allow it. Two AME’s went there in the fall after being laid off from Canjet and were gone as soon as better jobs came along.

jsmetalbashers · Post by **jsmetalbashers** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:54 pm

Are you telling us that $22/ hr is the top rate in a heavy maintenance facility with a union. Wow, congratulations to the union on getting the guys to pay dues every month for that. What a joke.

Human Factor · Post by **Human Factor** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:28 am

Kandoo wrote:I will answer your question. Having your licence at IMP Aerospace will not get you more than the top rate, around $22 an hour. The union will not allow it. Two AME’s went there in the fall after being laid off from Canjet and were gone as soon as better jobs came along.

I'm guessing you meant that the Collecive Agreement won't allow it. Usually Unions fight for the workers, not against them.

ourkid2000 · Post by **ourkid2000** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 11:35 am

Well looking at Jazz's collective agreement I see that if you were hired there with your licence now (non-certifying) you would be making $17.96 per hour to start.

Starting at IMP at $22 per hour suddenly dosn't seem so bad. Its not as if you're signing out aircraft every day. These are military aircraft which don't move for 5-6 months at a time. It takes 2 years at Jazz to make this and even then you won't be making more ($21.52).

I agree that 22 per hour is still low overall, however, you can't pick on IMP alone for this. Even as a certifying AME at Jazz it will take you 2 years to reach IMP's pay.

Kandoo · Post by **Kandoo** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 12:32 pm

Sorry, yes I meant the collective agreement. Just looking at what you get to start is shortsighted, but if money is a big issue right now it's understandable. What is the difference five or ten years down the road? How about medical, flight, pension benefits? I know a few people at IMP Aerospace. Most people would rather be somewhere else. I would, if possible, take the lower wage up front and look at where I would like to be years from now. Just my two cents.

ourkid2000 · Post by **ourkid2000** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 5:20 pm

Well, I suppose I agree with you somewhat..........however....

If I was to get on at Jazz with my E licence, and after 7 years of working there I will be making $4/hr more than a top scale IMP employee. However at IMP you have no responsibility for the aircraft, which is something I kinda like because in my mind $23/hr is not enough money to pay me to have the responsibility of signing out that aircraft with passengers.

Secondly, IMP works all day shifts 7:30am - 4:00pm monday to friday all weekends off. At Jazz you would most certainly be on a 4 on 4 off nightshift schedule. I don't mind the 4/4 nights as i've worked it in maintenance, but, the nights isn't the hottest shift to be working all the time.

Flight benefits are overrated really. When I was with Air Canada, flyin on those passes was absolutely maddening 90% of the time. At first they were good but nowadays they're a major pain. Canjet's passes were beautiful in comparison.

Also, when I worked at Air Canada the prospect of the layoff was hung over our heads every day that I was there......I was laid off 3 times in 2 years and i'm sure it's still the same there these days. At Canjet, we were all aware of how easily KR could pull the carpet out from under us and it was a horrible feeling to know that it could happen at any time......we all know how that turned out. At IMP they are desperate for people and they don't have enough people to keep up with the work they have lined up. Thats a refreshing feeling for me, something I haven't been used to in this industry in a long time.

As for the pension stuff, medical stuff......well IMP certainly cannot match up here. Its one place where they don't compete well. The health benefits aren't bad but they have no dental. They do have a group RRSP plan however that isn't too bad.

I'm very torn between IMP and the civillian world. Civillian just dosn't seem to offer any kind of security.

onthelook · Post by **onthelook** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:10 am

when did anyone really work at imp... you get paid just to show up and fill a spot as imp bill out for you being on the clock.. and there is nothing in the collective agreement for liecensed guys.. as a licensed engineer covers about 3 of their job titles. Seems the licensed guys are doing inspector jobs but ar the guys i know are still only gettin paid mech wages. and i have to wonder if they guys really looked at industry standards when they agreed on the it. they have no real touch with the real world nor do most of the lifers there.. any excuse for a work refusal or stoppage.. i'm sure some guys just got to work every day just to try and shut the place down.. and don't froget the buzzer... arrrrr got to work arrrr go to break..

conehead · Post by **conehead** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:00 pm

Ourkid; don't be short-sighted. Get as many qualifications as you can, one of them might help you put bread on the table some day. Do you have your "E" licence now? Can you get it at IMP? I know you can get it at Jazz, along with a couple of Endorsements. An AME with CRJ or Dash-8 can earn over $100,000 a year in some parts of the world, if you're willing to travel. You may not be willing to, I don't know. Maybe you now have a wife and child, and want to stay in Halifax area forever. Not such a bad thing. Then stay at IMP.

You seem quite concerned about the responsibility of signing the logbook. Don't let it scare ya. I've been doing it for years. Yup, it was scarey at first, but you get used to it, because you're a responsible guy!

Once again, if you don't like it at Jazz, you can always go back to IMP. I know guys who have done just that!

Working For IMP or @ IMP Halifax

Working For IMP or @ IMP Halifax

Working for IMP @IMP Halifax