Getting a job in Canada

[Mercenary Pilot]

Hi

There seems to be a bit of a pilot shortage in Canada at the moment with lots of bush flying jobs available.

Im a Brit with a CPL/IR (fATPL) and am interested in working there.

However I was wondering if:

1/ Is there really a shortage?

2/ Do Canadian firms employ British pilots?

3/ Is it hard to get a work permit?

and

4/ Do I have to do very much to convert my licence? (If so, is it expensive?)



Thanks in advance.

[Glorified Donkey]

There is no pilot shortage thats for sure! Flight schools are pumping out more pilots than are jobs. Many of them are working on the docks or ramps. Thats because we fly in a large country, where most of it is remote, just rocks, trees and water, the insurance requirements are high and thats why it seems there is a pilot shortage, but we have more pilots than we can employ at the moment and just like in the UK, Nationals will get first crack at the job. There is no conversion in canada, its more like credits. You may have to write some tests and do some flight tests, its pretty much like converting a Canadian licence to JAR.

[Mercenary Pilot]

As much as I would like to fly seaplanes, there are no opportunities to build float hours in the UK. :(

Im happy to fly pretty much anything I get offered. Im still fairly low houred but I do have good multi engine/ IFR experience (plus a 737 rating).

Thanks for your help. From what im told, Canada sounds like a great place to fly.


Best regards

(If you have any more advice, it would be appreciated)

[prang one]

I am a UK citizen working in canada came over a few years ago with a JAA Frozen ATPL.

Is there a shortage of pilots over here? YES "BUT" only if you have prior experiance and some time on type for that company.

Getting a work permit. The fact that there is a shortage of pilots means that if you get a job offer from a canadian company you can us that to get a restricted work visa (only work for that company) and apply for the fast track immigration process. Once a landed immigrant you can work were you wish.
Pilots are up there with Doctors and nurses in terms of priority for canadian immmigration policy.

converting your license very easy will take a couple of weeks and at the least will require an IFR flight test and ATPL exams. Once again depends on your current license and total time.

Canada is a country of immigrants. The only true canadians are first nations. So in point you SHOULD not find being English a problem in terms of applying for jobs.

The standard of living is great here and a great country to become a part of. The pay .well put it this way you will never be going home BUT you will probably never want to.However you can always go else were on contract flying being that you will have a Canadian and JAA licence.

good luck

[Glorified Donkey]

Tons of float operators in Canada, not sure what their requirements are. Everyone claims they require 100-500hrs float. As for the 737 type rating, wont do you much good here since most of the FOs hired on 737s have 2000-3000hrs with lots of turboprop time and PIC time. The industry here is such that if you dont want to instruct in the city, you head north to the boonies. Its not as bad as it seems, infact I know some float guys that fly 8 months a year and make almost twice what a westjet FO makes. Good luck in your search, and as prang one pointed out, this is a land of immigrants, although I was born here so I dont know how I am an immigrant and you're free to find your own opportunity, just dont steal mine :ok: LOL.

Good luck!

[altiplano]

The only true canadians are first nations.

Bite me. I am not FN and I am a "true" Canadian.

As for opportunities here... As another poster said, your 737 rating is useless. It is likely to do you more bad than good unless you have the hours to back it up.

As a low time pilot you could consider a ramp/dock job, instucting, or if you really get lucky a Cessna up north. As for the immigration aspect, I'd be surprised if it was that easy. I can't go work in the UK so why can you come work here?

[Glorified Donkey]

I did forget to note, dont expect to be welcomed here with open arms. The brits hate it when we go there for work, and it works like that here too. Noneless, follow your dreams and dont step on anyones foot here and you should be fine.

Cheers!

[prang one]

As you can see there are some individuals out there that don't appreciate the decline population in canada THUS the active immigration policy of canada to import young/ educated/ skilled people.Its all about how many people are going to be paying taxes when all the people born in the 50s and 60s retire. Its not an easy process but nothing in life worth doing is.

Ask any canadian were they are from probably say canada ask there grandfather or grandmother?

I have never encountered any hostility to the fact I am English as you will find most successfull people be it pilots or bus drivers are educated and open minded.

The type rating as stated is probably not going to get you a job. You will have to do that BUT it does show you are a reduced training risk on high perfomance aircraft by getting said rating. Training costs are a big factor for companies BUT BUYING TYPE RATINGS IS NOT THE ANSWER.

[Glorified Donkey]

In the UK and parts of Europe, pilots buy type ratings in hope of getting on a jet fast. This is NOT how it works in Canada and if I were you I wouldnt tell anyone that you have a type rating on a 737 if self funded, it could loose you alot of respect.

Its difficult to say what you could qualify for, if you're under 1000 hrs and under 100 float, you will either end up on a dock, ramp or instruct. If you're really lucky you might end up right seat on a Navajo but those jobs are rare and the guys that get on them usually stay there for a long time to build up their time.

Cheers!

[Mercenary Pilot]

I tend to agree with everyone’s comments about my 737 rating and have been toying with the idea of removing it from my CV. My personal opinion of my TR is that I possibly shouldn’t have done it because it has shut the doors for me at Ryanair, Easyjet and probably all the Turboprop operators too (as they will think im just looking to move on to jets at my first chance).

On the other hand, I now know that I have the ability and skill necessary to handle a commercial jet which has given me the belief that there’s nothing in my career that I can’t achieve if I put my mind to it (flying a 737 a week before my 26th birthday was a great personal achievement for me).

From what I gather from your posts (and all the PM's) my best bet would be to stay here in the UK and continue with my air-taxi job. Thanks for all your help and advice, at least I could "theoretically" work in Canada if the opportunity arises. If it doesn’t...well I can always go there on a flying holiday I guess:ok: .

Thanks again guys

MP

[Rieke]

14.000 jet hrs,TRI/TRE on A320,330, german pilot, any chance for a job in canada?

[CanAV8R]

As a Canadian who moved to the UK I can sympathise with you. Its a big unknown moving across the world!
The comments made about Brits flying in Canada getting given a hard time is BS. Those who do are just people with no social skills or an appreciation of what the word globalisation means. If you are legally entitled to work in Canada and have the licence converted, game on. Tell them to get on their bike as they would say over here.

There is no pilot shortage in Canada, nor will there ever be one. Licences are handed out to anyone and the simple affordability of the training means the flying schools churn out many more pilots than the industry needs. The closest thing to a pilot shortage in the Western world is in the UK. Dash 8 operator hanging around flight schools talking to students. Need I say more?

My advice is get a job in the UK. Build up some hours and get a job at BA/VS. Then commute from Canada. You will be paid better and have much better job security.

I am miles ahead of my old mates back home and get back to Canada 3-5 times a year. May even move back one day and commute.

My two cents.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

I am a Canadian who has worked all my life as a pilot.

I chose to leave Canada in 1996 to work as an expat in many countries.

I have no regrets other than spending far to many hours in jets commuting and being away from home for extended periods of time.

One interesting thing I learned is Canada is only different with regard to morally corrupt bureaucrats from places such as Africa, is that the Africans have an excuse to be corrupt.

The best way to find out what other countries are like is to just go there and find work.

Someone mentioned having a criminal record being a detrement in coming to Canada, that is something new to me as I have seen no evidence of this opinion.

Chuck E.

[mark twain]

I am also looking at moving to Canada, mainly for quality of life.

I have around 1,400 hours and currently work as a Dash 8 First Officer.

Can anybody point me in the right direction for getting a Canadian license - do any schools specialise in conversion from JAR licenses?

I want to do the conversion towards the end of this year.

Many thanks

[C130Dreamer]

MT,
PM me, I may have some info for you.
Dreamer :8

[Married a Canadian]

If applying for a work permit from the UK it is EASY if you have the job offer first.

Do not apply for immigration through the UK though as it takes AGES and is an absolute pain in the proverbial rear end. The London office handles applications from all over Europe and is snowed under. Best to wait till you get to Canada and apply internally for landed residency. I have been told that is a lot quicker. I have been in the system over two years having applied through London and I am a valid controller over here and have a Canadian wife.....still being processed!!

And I have learned that pilots and the like are warmly welcomed here....no hostility whatsover. If you have come over with previous experience I have found that the Canadian respect that. Jobs like flying and in my case air traffic control gain a little bit more respect than if you wanted to open a chip shop!

[Uncle Chop Chop]

Gday guys,

this seems to be a free for all so.......anybody know of J32 jobs in Canada? I'm in NZ driving them at the moment and would be keen to work abroad for a while, experience different culture, etc. Many thanks.

[slowstream]

Uncle Chop Chop,

Check with Peace Air & Quik Air, thery're usually needing people but they are also not highly regarded employers. I would first check with Skyservice in CYYZ they're probably the best.

Good Luck

[secret_pilot]

UCC

You could also try Bar XH in SW Alberta. They operate J31 at the moment and may be looking for some drivers in the near future. They own a flight school too, so they can take care of your licence conversion - a 'one stop shop' you might say!

SP :}

[Uncle Chop Chop]

Thanks guys. Something to think about.

[Wilma]

I was born in Canada and I still have the passport, but thats about it. I've been living and flying all my life in Europe. I've got 3000h TT with 2000h B737NG. Do I have to hand in my JAR ATPL when I convert it to a Canadian one?
And are there chances to start on a B737 with my experience?

Infos and tipps appreciated :ok:

[Panama Jack]

Hi Wilma,

I am not sure what Westjet's qualifications are right now, but I would say that your qualifications should be of interest to them. They are a low-cost carrier in Canada operating a fleet of Boeing 737NG's, however, your qualifications would almost certainly be of interest to Air Canada also, despite the fact that they do not operate Boeing 737's at present.

No Canadian company will be prepared to talk to you unless you have a Canadian ATP. Your JAA or any other licence is a permanent qualification-- no foreign authority can "take it away" from you. Many pilots hold licences in various countries, such as Canada, the US, possibly JAA, and others. The onus is only on you to keep your JAA licence valid, if you desired to do so.

If you do get your Canadian ATP, there is an easy administrative procedure to add your foreign Boeing 737 type rating if you have flown the 737 within the last year. Total cost-- about 5 minutes of your time and $30 Canadian dollars.

[GreatCircle]

As far as filing immigration papers for Canada in the UK is concerned...forget it. Total waste of time. You'd probably get the Dear John letter. I've heard that many times.

Get the job offer, have a reputable lawyer who knows the system and where to file to sort out the paperwork you'll need when you arrive - and as long as you're in the system, the restricted work permit is issued there and then. As soon as you're here, get into the process for an IMM 1000 - Permanent Residency - and remember the rules of residency too...if you're a driver and you fly out the country, these days don't count...Whole topic in itself.

Echoing everyone - there is a shortage, and not a shortage of drivers in the Great White North. In my outfit, more applicants than empty seats- always. WS might be an interesting one as their expansion is going through the roof, and as for Jazz, understand these guys even posted their advert on workopolis....www.workopolis.com (http://www.workopolis.com) (practically unheard of in the past).

Another thing to consider - many expats, despite their lifestyle, always look through dewy eyes at home - and wouldn't surprize me if resumes are flowing in by the dozen from that quarter.

In terms of cash and rewards, it's not as much as you would think in total, but the cost of living outside the main metro areas is very very low compared to Europe. Actually, living near a downtown as I do, it is still very affordable.

AC pay, without allowances, left hand seat - top of scale c. $175,000 Cdn I believe. Someone out there able to correct me on that ?

[GreatCircle]

Friend of a friend syndrome. It's everywhere.

Same at ACJ - know of one young cub with far less experience than some prop jocks knocking down the doors who got taken on...thanks to dad, his four stripes and buddies...It's almost as bad as the casting couch. Seems to me the job ads are written in such a way to allow this to happen...and prevents any litagious thoughts...

If you know someone in WS, TS, AC, Z4, Porter....yadayadayada.... irrespective of what the formal app process is, and they walk in your resume and put in a bland word or two, the chances of getting hired just multiplied many times over. The fact your resume as at the top of the pile, helps too.

It's hard thing to admit, but it's rife.

[ACP]

Eurocan, please try to get right information before posting.

You need 250 hrs to pass the IATRA exam, which is VERY easy (unlike the JAA one). I studied 3 days before sitting the IATRA whereas it took me a year to complete the JAR ATPL.

The 750 hrs requirement is only for sitting the Canadian ATPL exam which is also far away easier than the JAR one.

I started as F/O on the A320 in SE Asia with a Canadian CPL, IATRA and 300 hrs TT... (and A320 type rating of course)