Discrimination?

[bcflyer1234]

I have seen over the years that Air Canada will not even consider you unless you have a degree of some sort. I know many qualified pilots, including myself, that have been applying for years and have not even had the chance to interview. I started my aviation career up north at age 18 with no college or universty around for hundreds of miles, and now thousands of hours later I am flying for a 705 operation. While others were in school, I was working, building real world flying expirience and developing my decision making skills. Not only is a degree not legally required for this position, but having one does not all of a sudden make you a better pilot. Is it fair that Air Canada will not even give me or many others that I know a chance because we dont have a degree?

[pika]

No, but you may find life in general to be that way.

[HavaJava]

First of all, I know a number of recent hires with no or very little/irrelevant post-secondary education.

Secondly, discrimination is really only for things that the applicant can't change...

Race
Religion (arguably you could change this, but society has decided it's bad form to force someone to change)
Sex (arguably you could change this, but...well you get the point)
Disability (this is one where some discrimination is allowed if it directly affects your ability to safely accomplish your job).

Education is something you have direct control over whether you attain it or not. You make decisions in life and live by them. You can't decide what sex or race you are though.

p.s. I know lots of people, self included, that completed their degrees by correspondance while they were working in remote regions building experience.

edited for spelling

[WhatThe?]

705 Captain
University Degree
Aviation Diploma
Security Checked
Valid passport
No violations or TC actions

And guess what NO call/interview! WTF!

But, I do know a German Citizen that was recently hired (great guy) but still WTF!

[Sage]

Here's a tip - check your profile. If you goof it up or attach a file in a different format to what is accepted, your profile may not be picked up by the computer. Update as often as you can.

[FL020]

heard of a couple porter fo's, and CMA fo's getting hired. Their practices are thoroughly corrupt....

[bcflyer]

There are lots of pilots at AC without a degree or diploma. There are also lots of pilots with both who aren't at Air Canada. I don't profess to understand their hiring process and some may argue that its not fair, but its not discrimination.

[Inverted2]

I know of a guy a who got on a few years ago with only highschool and 19 seat turboprop time so it does happen.

[vic777]

The people who hire for large corporations have to cover their ass and have reasons for what they do. The culture determines what are acceptable reasons and what are not. People don't like to go "out on a limb" and buck the established trends. I don't know where a degree of sorts fits into AC's requirements.

[WhatThe?]

I think "discrimination" is a really silly label!

However it is clear that they are not hiring based upon the best qualified, but are following a preplanned scheme to hire a certain level of pilot. According to a friend of mine at AC, they have sub-contracted out the hiring to a third-party organization. This group obviously doesn't understand Pilots and experience when calling for interviews.

I would not mind being PFO'd, but I would expect in a 'normal hiring process' to get an interview before an F/O from a 703/704 operation!

I do wish the ones that have been hired lately the best, and hope I get a chance to join the ranks.

[ToolShed]

However it is clear that they are not hiring based upon the best qualified, but are following a preplanned scheme to hire a certain level of pilot. .

The real world is so much harsher than flying. Measuring one by numbers is just an estimate.

For example, remember Spud Webb, 5'6" NBA player..........well...he could dunk. I'm pretty sure that stands out in an interview.

Not all experience comes from flying. Some of the best decisions are not made in the flight deck.

Some day it'll all connect and your phone will ring.

Best of Luck!

[DeHavguy]

Don't worry, you are not alone... I have 10000+ hours with 7000+hrs PIC heavy Turbo prop and a BSc degree and currently in graduate school...
I speak two languages fluently, and have other outstanding achievements under my belt... still waiting for the AC interview...
I can't fault anybody, it seems that AC's logic follows nothing of what I was told at 17 years of age by AC pilots that the degree and heavy PIC time will get me the invitation...
Hang in there, I am sure one day we will all get our turn.
Life is not fair, but you have the power to change certain things... upgrading your education is much more than obtaining a career door opener... you are investing in yourself. While waiting for the call to come in you can always keep improving yourself and your qualifications... not only for your career, but for yourself.
Good luck
DeHavguy

[pika]

It's LARGE turboprop time not HEAVY unless you fly this...

[again]

Anyone know how the prop sync works on that thing?

I agree with what someone said above - make sure to have a look at your application and verify that all of the I's are crossed and T's are dotted (you get the idea). The other thing to keep in mind is that the number of qualified candidates with applications on file exceed the number of people that have been interviewed. It takes time to get through everyone!

Keep your head up, it'll happen.
Enjoy where you're at in the meantime.

[600RVR]

This is kind of Funny. yes no one can pinpoint how AC hires. I meet people from all walks of life with a huge variety of experience who have been hired. Discrimination seriously. Although one chap did sue for this years ago and got hired. Now he's on the list for Fly past 60. Sorry no hijack just pointing it out.

Now for you guys who are frustrated because you haven't been looked at yet, I'm willing to bet you also have a resume in at Westjet. Do you feel that it's discrimination that you haven't got a look in with them? Just asking. Either way keep updating your resume and profile. keep your chin up and good luck. If it don't work out trust me AC is not your only option. Some might be even better off.

Good luck
600RVR

[5dayer]

I heard they want to hire something like 900 pilots.It sounds like they want to get a bunch in they can pay the new lower wage and crappy benefits and who will think they have landed the greatest job in the world.And to do that you need to hire the certain group with not too much experience.Air Canada wil eat its young.Thats just my oppinion.

[again]

I heard they want to hire something like 900 pilots.It sounds like they want to get a bunch in they can pay the new lower wage and crappy benefits and who will think they have landed the greatest job in the world.And to do that you need to hire the certain group with not too much experience.Air Canada wil eat its young.Thats just my oppinion.

[yycflyguy]

FWIW. If mandatory retirement stays at age 60 there will be 1000 retirements in the next 7 years. Expansion with 787 deliveries will create upward movement for all pilots.

[sepia]

mtow is over 400,000lbs on the bear. You'd get that heavy turboprop time there too!