Air Transat laying off pilots

[Gilles Hudicourt]

Air Transat pilots have begun receiving lay off letters as of today, effective Nov 1st. Exact numbers are not known yet. Rumors vary from 35 to 60.

[BBQ Chips]

Very sorry to hear it. Hopefully it will only be temporary until Transat gets the 37's going. Layoffs arn't good for any of us.

[whipline]

Layoffs suck, but much better then the company going TU. Question though. I had sim in Yul early summer. There was a new hire FA class for Transat there as well. They all said they were being hired for the 737's. Were they incorrect?

[TopperHarley]

Layoffs suck, but much better then the company going TU. Question though. I had sim in Yul early summer. There was a new hire FA class for Transat there as well. They all said they were being hired for the 737's. Were they incorrect?

FAs haven't been hired here in over a year. They were likely recalled FAs on their recurrent training. The FAs here begin the 737 training this month, as far as the pilots are concerned, we are awaiting the bid. It's been said full recalls by spring with possible hiring, but we'll have to wait & see.

[mbav8r]

Serious question, why are FAs beginning their training now, when it can be done in a week?
Is it possible AT is laying off the pilots, hoping they(some) will be hired by CJ and then recalled in the spring with a fresh type rating already?

[TopperHarley]

Serious question, why are FAs beginning their training now, when it can be done in a week?
Is it possible AT is laying off the pilots, hoping they(some) will be hired by CJ and then recalled in the spring with a fresh type rating already?

I doubt it since even if the pilots had a type we'd still have to go through the training. I believe there are about 5 laid off TS pilots currently at CJ.

I don't know why the FAs are doing their training so early, maybe because there's a lot more FAs than pilots and the logistics of giving all of them 737 training requires them to do it earlier. Then again airlines generally do things which don't always seem to make sense to us, we're just lacking the big picture

[Gilles Hudicourt]

Pilots are gettings a sim renual right before their layoff and F/A are getting their 737 training between the end of the summer season and the beginning of the winter season when there is theleast flying to bbe done.

[termerair]

Pilots are gettings a sim renual right before their layoff

At least that's an improvement compare to last year when they cancelled renewals at the last minute leaving guys without any chance of finding a contract anywherelse...

T.

[Scuba_Steve]

My impression is they believe they layoff will be short and they'll need the guys back for the busy winter season, hence train them now so they don't have to deal with it in the middle of busy season.

I hope its short and the last time for everyone affected...

[cpt.sam]

I understand this could be a touchy topic, and I ask with pure interest, not to rub any pilot in the wrong way.
How will the layoffs be chosen;
- hire date, or will foreign pilots be dropped first?
Also, I think it is AWESOME that crews are getting typed up again before getting dropped!

[Gilles Hudicourt]

I understand this could be a touchy topic, and I ask with pure interest, not to rub any pilot in the wrong way.
How will the layoffs be chosen;
- hire date, or will foreign pilots be dropped first?
Also, I think it is AWESOME that crews are getting typed up again before getting dropped!

By reverse seniority and TS has no foreign pilots.

[cpt.sam]

I am sorry Gilles, I wrongfully assumed TS had TFWs, due to your position in the debate.

[Gilles Hudicourt]

I want to insure it stays that way.

[cpt.sam]

As should every Canadian pilot.
And every other Canadian citizen, aviation blooded or not!

[Takeoff OK]

Layoffs are cancelled. Recalls for those already on the street are to begin this week for January training dates.

[Odysseus]

So three weeks ago they had sent out a bunch of layoff notices and now all of a sudden they need everyone to come back and are hiring again... no thanks.

[Scuba_Steve]

No hiring as of yet...just recalls... I imagine there will be some hiring in the spring. And I'm sure they'll have plenty of applicants despite the recent lay offs..

Cheers

[Odysseus]

I'm sure they wont be running out of applicants when they start hiring again; however they may find the guys and gals that were laid off last year will not be willing to come back. It kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth when you get hired, leave a good job to go work for them, only to be let go six months later. I for one wont be going back, even if it means resigning. Not that the company cares, they will just hire more off the street. A word of caution for anyone wanting to apply: do so only if you can afford to be laid off in the near future.

[termerair]

A word of caution for anyone wanting to apply: do so only if you can afford to be laid off in the near future.

Those are wise words... Great company if you're not chasing stability and routine. It suits some but also makes others miserable. You've been warned!

T.

[scopiton]

and if you get to receive a 737 TR for free on your licence in addition to your 330/310 TR, you just multiplied by 2 your chances to find a good contract abroad when it hits the fan again (if it does).

[TwinSpinner]

I guess all the offshore pilots are eating away at our jobs. Part time! Part time! that s the way airlines are saving money!