Employment oppertunities for a Brit?

[Scottie]

Hi,

Just been checking the Canadian Governments immigration site to see that I qualify to emigrate to Canada. I'm visiting the Maritime provinces later this year.

What opportunities are there for someone with 3500hrs total of which 750 are Saab 340 and 2500hrs are on 737-300 and NG's?

I know Air Canada is having problems but how are other carriers fairing?

Thanks,
Scottie

[Lock n' Load]

Hi Scotty,
Can't help with the job search, but I've done a bit of research into Canadian immigration. Permanent residency applications can take up to 2 years to process, and though there are experts who can do the legwork for you it'll cost about £2500 (about $6000 Canadian!) plus the application fee and landing fee.
If you can get a job offer, and clearance from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC - the Canuck version of the job centre/DfE) which the employer has to get for you, a work permit is cheaper and quicker. Just applied for mine yesterday, for ATC, and it cost $150.
Bear in mind the job status from HRSDC requires there to be no qualified Canadian available to do the job, whereas permanent residency has no such requirement. On the other hand, a job offer is worth 15 points (10 for the job, an extra 5 for adaptability) on the permanent residency application.
Good luck, and maybe one day I'll give you a vector or two...
And may I add, for the benefit of all Albertans, GO FLAMES GO!!! After the playoffs, I shall be an Oilers fan :}

[MD11Flyer]

To do some license conversions will cost you a bit. If you have NG experience WestJet is the place to go, don't know but I think they require 4000 TT and a university degree (someone please confirm) SkyService is hiring on the A319/A320 and if you have $30,000 lying around there is JEtsgo, but u have to pay for an MD-80 type rating. Thats it for Canada. Hard to believe there are no jobs in the UK, you are entering a rather troubled land in terms of finding employment. Oh yea and there is CanJet in Halifax flying the 737-200 and 737-500, but they require a ridiculous 5000 hours TT

[wrenchbender]

I don't know anything about the immigration aspect, but since you're going to be in the maritimes, go and see someone at Canjet at YHZ. They are owned by a company by the name of I.M.P. and they operate 737-200's and just took delivery of some -500's. Hope this helps.

[goates]

Westjet's minumum hours are 4000 to apply, but those that get hired usually have far more, at least for now. Some have gotten in with barely over 4000, but that was because they knew someone at Westjet, or were recommended by someone who did.

For 737s your only options here are Westjet and Canjet as Air Canada's Zip carrier will be switching to Airbus.

goates

PS - Ignore Lock n' Load, the only hockey team to cheer for is Calgary.

[Scottie]

Thanks guys for the info, got a job with an Orange carrier in the UK but sick to death of living in a third world country!

Had a look on WestJet site, very interesting, 120 aircraft!

The girlie and I did the points test on Canadian Immigration site and we came out with 76 as opposed to the 67 required :D

Anyway all food for thought, thanks!

[skyhawk1]

While not as glamorus as the 73, Provincial Airlines in St. Johns NFLD flies SAAB 340's. Might be worth a look as a starting point.

[SpinSpinSugar]

Scottie,

Can't help with any of your aviation employment questions, but if you have any specifically to do with the Skilled Worker Permanent Residency applications, myself and my partner submitted ours about two months ago and may be able to help. Lock n'Load is correct with regard to the current waiting time for process, it was approximately 22-24 months as of this March.

Cheers,

SSS

[yyzdub]

Wouldn't bother with the Work Permit Sponsorship Scheme as there are plenty of qualified Pilots in Canada and HR Canada is reluctant on agreeing that there are no suitable Canadians for a flying job even if you are type rated on a particular aircraft where other Canadians are not.

However, on the good side is that you meet and exceed the immigration requirements. Although they say 22-24 months is a rough guide and every situation is different. If you got the funds, I'd say go over to Canada (I think you get 6 months as a visitor or it may be 12) and the time for residency is greatly reduced from 22 months to maybe, if you're lucky to less than a year. I'd shy away from the immigration lawyers as they will only tell you things and do things for you that you could do on your own with a little bit of work - you'll save yourself thousands. A friend of mine did it and she spent 10 000 CDN on a lawyer and he didn't do a hell of a lot.

Anyway, that's my advice. Good Luck to you.

Oh yeah re: CanJet or WestJet... not sure which one but you need a internal reference regardless

YYZDUB

[Lock n' Load]

yyzdub, I think I read that they've tightened things up so that you can only apply from your country of permanent residence, though it's worth Scottie checking it out.

Goates - Sorry, but I'm back to being an Oilers fan! Still, the Flames are the 2nd best team in the NHL until next season...;)

[upinthesky]

As far as I heard you can only apply from within Canada if you have "humatarian" reasons... other than that you have to apply from outside of Canada! Unless you are being sponsored by you new Canadian spouse or a family member!

Good Luck,
-upinthesky-

[Random Electron]

Recently positioned with Canjet from YOW to YHZ.

Was very impressed with the whole operation, right from the check-in onwards.

All their employees I met seemed very highly motivated, and very positive.

Makes for a good experience for the punters!