How is the life while working for Air Canada?
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How is the life while working for Air Canada?
I know that a lot of pilot are looking to work for Air Canada. This is one of the good place in Canada, regarding work conditions and salary.
But!
I am the kind of person who is thinking about having a family, and I don't want to take some decisions based only on my career, but on my family as well.
So my question is, for you pilot working for Air Canada, how is it to combine the career and your family while working for Air Canada?
How does your schedule really looks like? How do you deal with your family when you are asked to leave for a few days?
Thanks a lot for your answers!
But!
I am the kind of person who is thinking about having a family, and I don't want to take some decisions based only on my career, but on my family as well.
So my question is, for you pilot working for Air Canada, how is it to combine the career and your family while working for Air Canada?
How does your schedule really looks like? How do you deal with your family when you are asked to leave for a few days?
Thanks a lot for your answers!
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NO matter what your seniority: two weeks off a month. Great travel, medical and vacation benefits (the book is three inches thick). Great people to work with, from all walks of life, experience and age. Union, pension, medical department to make sure you're gonna live. Great life insurance and union benefits if you die will go to wifey and kids. International, domestic and transborder flying. Excellent for commuters. Many types of equipment to choose from. Money is like a good wine, gets better with time and life is never boring. Bad politics to keep you gossipping, ugly hats you try not to wear as much as possible, flight attendants that will go "beyond the call of duty", great pubs in Europe. Despite the shitty onboard service we still have the best Arctic Char and Lamb crew meals anywhere in N. America (perhaps anywhere). All this of course improves with seniority (unless you are newhire RP) . Did I mention great pubs? You will have to contemplate strikes, CCAA and government intervention every now and then but it's like getting a needle in the arse, the pain comes and goes quickly. You will learn to live by the old saying, "life is a bed of roses, just watch out for the pricks" (many of which are well kown to this forum). You're right, this is ONE of the good places in Canada. There are others that are very good but cannot match fully the above description. Hope this helps. Cheers and good luck!
Last edited by tonysoprano on Sun Jul 01, 2007 3:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.
I knew pretty much all of this.
My question was more about how is it to combined work and wife/family? Commuting or not.
If you have kids, do you think you are away for too much time?
2 weeks off each month is actually really nice. But this means as well that you're away for 2 weeks (1 week at at time). If you compare this to a job where you come back home after your flights pretty much everytime, how is it? Do you think you're not there for your kids/wife?
Thanks again...
My question was more about how is it to combined work and wife/family? Commuting or not.
If you have kids, do you think you are away for too much time?
2 weeks off each month is actually really nice. But this means as well that you're away for 2 weeks (1 week at at time). If you compare this to a job where you come back home after your flights pretty much everytime, how is it? Do you think you're not there for your kids/wife?
Thanks again...
Of course your wife and kids would love it if you were always around. You also have to make a living to support them, and if you choose to make that living as an airline pilot then they are going to have to understand that you will be away a bit. Pairings range from single day trips to 5 day trips, with the majority being 2-4 days long.
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2 cents from an airline brat: my old man was away a lot when I was growing up, and it didn't leave me all demented and bitter and twisted. (I don't think.) I think kids are tougher than we give 'em credit for... and if it's normal for dad or mom to be gone for a few days at a time, then it's normal for dad or mom to be gone for a few days at a time. That said, my mom was always there for my bro and I, so I guess that makes a big difference, but take it for what it's worth!
- Jaques Strappe
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If I was home every night, I would probably be divorced. No just kidding! It really depends on you and your family. There are no 15 day cycles like at some places. A 5 day cycle would be tops, possibly a 6 day on the overseas.
So if your family can handle having you at home about the same amount of time that you are away, then great. If your wife needs you to be home every night by a certain time, then it would be time for a new wife.
The reality is, you will probably be working about 16 days a month doing 4 day cycles as a junior pilot. When you build some seniority on the airplane you are flying, you could do 8 to 10 single days a month and be home every night. No instant gratification, you need to have some patience, however you will eventually be able to write your own schedule.
So if your family can handle having you at home about the same amount of time that you are away, then great. If your wife needs you to be home every night by a certain time, then it would be time for a new wife.

The reality is, you will probably be working about 16 days a month doing 4 day cycles as a junior pilot. When you build some seniority on the airplane you are flying, you could do 8 to 10 single days a month and be home every night. No instant gratification, you need to have some patience, however you will eventually be able to write your own schedule.
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For me, the airline job has been excellent for my family life;
I'm the only Dad able to take his kids to "Tiny Tots" on Mondays and swimming lessons every Tuesday morning. I was also only one of two Dads able to make it to the Fathers Day party at my daughters JK this year. I was able to front-load June and back-load July to give me almost 3 weeks off to be with my family at the grandparental cottage without using any holidays. My kids spend an average of 2 days/week with the babysitter across the street and the rest of the time they are with me, my wife or both of us. Many of my multi-day pairings have me leaving after they're tucked in at night and home before breakfast 2 days later. My being away a few nights a week is a fact of life that they have grown up with and accept as normal so I think they're gonna be OK with it for the long term.
I'm the only Dad able to take his kids to "Tiny Tots" on Mondays and swimming lessons every Tuesday morning. I was also only one of two Dads able to make it to the Fathers Day party at my daughters JK this year. I was able to front-load June and back-load July to give me almost 3 weeks off to be with my family at the grandparental cottage without using any holidays. My kids spend an average of 2 days/week with the babysitter across the street and the rest of the time they are with me, my wife or both of us. Many of my multi-day pairings have me leaving after they're tucked in at night and home before breakfast 2 days later. My being away a few nights a week is a fact of life that they have grown up with and accept as normal so I think they're gonna be OK with it for the long term.
all was said, but the part i don t agree with is....
FA go beyond the call of duty... that is open to discussion..i would say..may be 30 % might come and say hello to you...if you don t make the 1st step.
Don t mean to trash FAs but that is the majority, and they should be responsible for their behavior.
Anyway you will find out for yourself.
Beside that...yes...great Airline to work for, no doubt about that.
As said above, with a little patience and seniority, it is possible to combine family and work. A good live is possible at AC. with lots of opportunities.
You will make the choice..if family is your priority, then you will have to wait and not go and chase the dollars.
If offered the job i would not think twice...all combine it has to be the best gig in Canada.
FA go beyond the call of duty... that is open to discussion..i would say..may be 30 % might come and say hello to you...if you don t make the 1st step.
Don t mean to trash FAs but that is the majority, and they should be responsible for their behavior.
Anyway you will find out for yourself.
Beside that...yes...great Airline to work for, no doubt about that.
As said above, with a little patience and seniority, it is possible to combine family and work. A good live is possible at AC. with lots of opportunities.
You will make the choice..if family is your priority, then you will have to wait and not go and chase the dollars.
If offered the job i would not think twice...all combine it has to be the best gig in Canada.
AC J class meals are great, but I think Canadian North has ya beat there when it come to Artic char!!!tonysoprano wrote: Despite the shitty onboard service we still have the best Arctic Char and Lamb crew meals anywhere in N. America (perhaps anywhere). !

The feet you step on today might be attached to the ass you're kissing tomorrow.
Chase lifestyle not metal.
Chase lifestyle not metal.
- Dark Helmet
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Man, you don't need to fly for AC or Canadian North to have Arctic Char. (which is pre-cooked and re-heated anyways).KAG wrote:AC J class meals are great, but I think Canadian North has ya beat there when it come to Artic char!!!tonysoprano wrote: Despite the shitty onboard service we still have the best Arctic Char and Lamb crew meals anywhere in N. America (perhaps anywhere). !
You can get fresh Arctic Char (huge ones too!) from the locals up North for $10, or a case of pop if you can manage to sneak one up there during a medevac

Fresh char grilled on the barbecue with your choice of seasoning, plus a beer outside on your backyard on a hot sunny day. That is the way to go

Unfortunetly, you have to be working for a company that flies up north to pull that off. Or connections up there.
Not to stomp on anyones parade. the J class/crew meals are pretty tasty.