Best Company For New CPL in YYC

[FogboundBird]

If I was a young inexperienced chap trying to get a start in aviation in yyc which company would you guys say is the best?

[Colonel Sanders]

(TK wrote a nasty post about getting a job at McDonald's)

Sorry, McDonald's is now only hiring
foreign workers, especially in urban
areas with high unemployment.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mcdonald- ... -1.2619431

In Winnipeg today, Kenney warned that employers who abuse the Temporary Foreign Worker Program could face fraud charges and possible jail time.

Three McDonald's franchises in Victoria and a pizza restaurant in Weyburn, Sask., are at the centre of program abuse allegations involving Canadian employees alleging foreign workers were given priority work status or more hours.

[trey kule]

It is kind of a toss up between MacDonald's and A&W. Both, I believe have locations in the terminal so you will be working at the big show, making more money than 50% of the pilots walking through there
, and the food is better than stolen commissary. No, on giving it more thought, I would go with MacDonald's. I believe you can even get a degree in hamburgerology from their University.


Seriously, if you are not a troll, you need to do some personal research. If you think you are just going to walk into a job on Calgary at any of the bigger reputable outfits as a pilot, you need a reality check.

[trey kule]

The foreign worker issue only enhances the aviation experience.


Gets our aviation enthusiasts used to low wages, living off the food at work, and cleaning toilets.
All valuable lessons, I am told, for the newly minted CPL to learn

[PositiveRate27]

This is an opportunity to help a young guy/gal, who asked an honest question, and the responses are pretty dissapointing. The complaints on this forum about the state of the industry and how its the new guys fault continue ad nauseum. Here is your opportunity to impart some wisdom on an impressionable young pilot who is honestly seeking advice.

I cannot answer the original question because I'm not from that region. All I can impart is that you will encounter people in every corner of the industry who are determined to be miserable. Try your best not to be one of them.

PR

[Quinny]

Alberta Skydivers. Build pic on a 182, 205, 206. They pay a decent salary and feed you. Great people to work for. Do not confuse with some other operations who don't pay etc. This is a solid outfit.

[Duffman]

How do you guys know he isn't looking for an entry level ramp or dispatch type job? In that case this is a perfectly legit question.

[trey kule]

You are so right, PR. This was an honest question and not a troll.
So I will answer seriously and honestly.

To the OP.

Get off your butt and stop going to an internet forum for your information. Search the yellow pages or business directories and find out what companies are there. Check out TCs search page for operators. Take a day and drop around to ask what they do and how to get hired...you dont have to bother the CP. The person at the front counter will usually give you details. Ask them for a tour. Again , not with the CP, but preferably, if you have a choice, with a pilot who has worked there for a year or so.

Then decide what you want to do. If you want to instruct, check out the flight schools. If not, omit them.

You are going to hear good and bad about every company. This forum is the equivalent of a hangar talk session. Make your own decisions.and get the info directly from the horse's mouth what your chances of being hired on are.

Am I being to harsh and negative? Welcome to the world of aviation. The real world. Not the help me accomplish my dreams world.
There are just as many on here who do not want anyone to describe the reality and put a buzz kill on their dreams...
There is about 1 job (flying). For every dozen or so new CPLs. Making it requires determination, hard work, and, yes, luck.

Duffman. i dont. But if someone states that they are a new CPL , I hope the industry has not so brainwashed the newly minted that they are not even looking for a flying job

[Illya Kuryakin]

If you're looking at yourself, as an inexperienced guy, a 200 hour wonder, or anything of the sort, you're going to get the job you deserve.
You are a COMMERCIAL PILOT......says so right there on your LICENCE! Act like one!
Your mommy and daddy paid thirty grand, or more, for it!
We like to call ourselves PROFESSIONAL!
Name ONE other, so called PROFESSIONAL that will kiss ass, wash floors, clean toilets, crawl over anybody else who is in the same boat, stab their peers in the back....to get an ENTRY LEVEL job, that pays peanuts?
You can't. Because there are none!
What's WRONG with you people?
Illya

[Duffman]

Holy crap, you guys need to get out more. The guy (or girl) asks an innocent question looking for opinions on what Calgary operators are good and you turn this into a rant about the state of the industry? I don't like how things are going either but it isn't this guy's fault, he asked a simple legitimate question.

[iflyforpie]

The one that actually pays you to fly.

Seriously... if that is your only option... you just won the CPL lottery in Canada.

[trey kule]

Oh I think he must have won the CPL lottery. Here is his post from March 25th:

I finished my CPL Multi/IFR/float in January this year. I went on a tear in the resume department, I then waited and worked my oil job. 2 weeks later I was offered a job over the phone. 3 weeks after this I was phoned for an interview at the company I've wanted since high school. I kid you not the next day after my 2nd interview i was offered a 3rd job. Now I don't know if I had a dynamite cover letter/ resume or if I've got the worlds largest golden horse shoe submerged in my rectum. Now it sounds to me like you are on your own financially which shows you are driven to break into the industry, Keep working hard and try to stay positive and good things will happen man. The time to get hired is NOW! Its probably hard to take this advice from a fresh CPL that had Ma and Pa pay for well over half his license (Shout out to the Parents) but positivity and persistence is the only thing that will keep you motivated and in the hunt! Good luck champ.


FBB

Anybody but me see a bit of a disconnect with that post and his post today? A month ago, he was offered three jobs. Today he is asking about good jobs in Calgary.

I hope the OP will share with all the nay-nay sayers how such a change could transpire.

[FogboundBird]

Thanks to everyone who had something positive/ helpful to say. For the record yes I do have a job and it involves me on the ramp for 6-12 months (release the hounds) , I was simply curious about what people's opinions were on yyc companies in case by shear luck I was to get another offer. As for Illya Kuryakin you seem to preach a lot about being professional , I can tell you there is nothing more "Impressive" or professional than being a keyboard warrior.

[Illya Kuryakin]

Thanks to everyone who had something positive/ helpful to say. For the record yes I do have a job and it involves me on the ramp for 6-12 months (release the hounds) , I was simply curious about what people's opinions were on yyc companies in case by shear luck I was to get another offer. As for Illya Kuryakin you seem to preach a lot about being professional , I can tell you there is nothing more "Impressive" or professional than being a keyboard warrior.

Did you get the 6-12 months in WRITING? Before you spout off at me from you command position on a RAMP, abandon your know everything about everybody attitude! Bet mom and dad are proud of your accomplishments thus far? Your chances of getting hired by somebody who's ramp you don't work on? ZERO
Illya

Let me just add. I've known more that one or two pilots that took a 6-12 month ramp job, and still be there two or even three years later. This is not the industry it was when I started. A lot of companies will screw you for as long as you let them. You will NOT "learn the industry" from the ramp. Your flying skills WILL diminish very quickly at the 200 hour experience level. You (not just you ) are being used.
IK

[Duffman]

If you want to have an ANGRY rant about the state of our PROFESSION then why don't you create another thread INSTEAD of hijacking this poor guys. I'm not saying I disagree with you BUT there is a time and a place, this ISN'T it.

Isn't it annoying when people capitalize random words in a sentence?

[trey kule]

Help me to understand this. A month ago you got three job offered.....for the ramp.
Accepted one....and then less than a month later are looking.

I can not speak for every company, but our company would take a very close look at why.
Last thing we would want is you to join us for a dream job, get trained and a PPC, and then a month later go looking.

I think this is good advice. Put in at least six months where you are and then start sending out resumes.
Pilot training is expensive for companies, and beside the costs, turnover is a nightmare in small companies.
If after a month you are looking again it does not look good to a prospective employer.

[FogboundBird]

I am totally happy at my job and have no intentions of leaving, I'm just entertaining the idea of what people think is a good company in yyc for a newbie.

[Airmanship Police]

What does it matter what we think a good company is for a newbe. What I think would be a good place for a newbe may be different for someone else.

You took a job on the ramp so you must have thought it was a good place for a newbe if you accepted it. Sounds like you are a ship jumper in the making that will take just any job that's available.

Bet flight school didn't tell ya it was gonna suck for a while uh?

[Tail-Chaser]

Jeez, skin a guy for asking for information for decisions to be made in the future.

I've heard newbies can get on with North Caribou. The progression might be slow but I've read success stories on AvCanada. Once you get some time, Integra might take 500hr guys.

[FogboundBird]

Maybe aviation isn't for me, whats a bus license costing these days?

[MIQ]

Wouldn't do it if I was you. I've heard the bus industry is kind of weak these days. The bus licence won't get you anywhere. Gotta work for MegaBus in Napanee, Ontario, for anywhere between 6 months and 3 years loading baggage and cleaning the toilet before you get to ride along on one of the better routes. Apparently your future life will be much more pleasant if you are looking for a career in the fast food industry. You get $12 / hour and free refills on any drink purchase (participating restaurants only). Being a bus driver is for dreamers only.

[trey kule]

The sad part MIQ is that the sarcasm does not work as it is to close to the truth.

To the OP, I am pretty confident no good company in Calgary is going to make you an unsolicited offer of employment. You have to apply, which brings into question that which has been posed.

The point that what some find good may not be the same for you is a good point. Some people want to be home every weekend. Others would just as soon lounge around in Scottsdale....

Be patient. You made your bed. Wait six months and then look around. If your present company even gets a sniff you are sending out resumes you will be rampbound forever. And companieshave a bad habit of making that call when you apply to them.

[Colonel Sanders]

Others would just as soon lounge around in Scottsdale

Hey! Don't be knockin' the Barrett-Jackson!

[+RA]

Hi fogboundBird,

There's a number of companies in YYC that hire CPL/MIFR/IATRA pilots, working ramp/dispatch/CSA positions toward pilot positions; North Cariboo, Sunwest, CMA, Borek, to name a few. The one thing they all seem to have in common is long wait times, some up to three years.

The major issue for low-time pilots working in YYC is a lot of the flying is done for oil companies; therefore, Contrails plays a major role in deciding what type of flying a low-time pilot can do, generally resulting in not much flying being done per year once one does make a pilot position.

John

[FogboundBird]

Very much appreciated feedback +RA, thank you