Originally Posted by
+TSRA
I agree that ab initio pilot training in Canada requires an overhaul. Our system was seemingly designed for what I would call ritualistic progression. That is the traditional PPL, CPL, Instructor, Bush, and Airlines route. It made sense that a Class 4 would be supervised because there was enough movement through the system that you could all but guarantee the supervision time would be short-lived. That has been disrupted for a myriad of reasons, not least of which is that not enough people want to be pilots. The last stat I remember seeing was that 250 CPLs had been issued in one year, the vast majority of those moving back to Asia. Those are not great numbers considering that, combined, WestJet and Air Canada need somewhere between 500 to 1000 pilots next year. You also now have pilots bypassing the Instructor and Bush component of the industry and coming straight to the airlines. We are seeing the effect where new hire pilots at the airlines don't have the knowledge or skill that our training industry would have developed through that traditional route. Ergo, if this is to continue, we as an industry need to push for TC to update the ab initio training profile. Having also completed by training in two countries, I'm biased to say that I found the New Zealand system far superior to the Canadian one, and the NZ system is loosely based of the European way of doing things. If I was head of TC, that's what I would do - copy the kiwi way of doing licenses and call it a day. Granted, the C-Cat still requires supervision, but I found it less cumbersome.
Also, in another post you talk about poor pilot pay when starting out, and I agree, it's abysmal. In the next few posts, you compare pilots to doctors, lawyers, and paramedics. I'm going to play The Devil's Advocate here: Pilots receive a high wage at the airlines and other parts of the industry not because of our education and experience, but because of the responsibility of carrying so many people. Sure, education and experience plays a part, I'd not compare my flying education to that of a doctor or lawyer. A quick google search shows paramedics require 60 weeks of instruction, or roughly speaking, 2,100 hours of instruction. An MBA requires somewhere around 1,500 hours of study and instruction. The CPL can be taken at 200 hours, meaning that at 600 hours flying time, you have, at best, 780-800 hours of ground training and flight experience, the majority of that not being formal education in a classroom setting. Our education is simply not in the same ballpark. We have a fancy drivers license, that's it. I don't say that to demean our profession, and I cop a lot of flack when I say this, but comparing your starting pay to that of someone who spent double the amount of time receiving an education is flawed. Yes, I believe pilots should be paid a fair wage, but let's at least be honest about our place in the amount of education received for pay earned.
However, all this talk does not help your current predicament. You need a job and you need a job in the current climate, not a future one we may aspire to. Is it hard? Yes. Is it impossible? No. To give an answer to this:
No, you do not have to get divorced. I successfully came through the industry married with a young child. I made the move to Yellowknife and down to Calgary, all with wife and kid in tow because it was either move them around, or not have a career. Was it a struggle? Yes. Do I wish I could have sat at home and have the airline job come to me like some of the junior pilots do now? Yes. But that's not how the industry works in the long-term. And you are not the only pilot to face this issue. I came up through the ranks with many pilots who had a wife and kids. It's not unique. Each of us had to accept the sacrifice. That's not me saying "I did it, so must you", but rather, that's what the industry requires, so either accept it or don't. Yes, it's a lot to ask. And yes, not all marriages make it. It is a huge risk, and it is certainly made worse when you are more established in life than a 20 year old. But, this is part and parcel of the industry you've chosen to enter. It's not fair, it spits out its young, and it's cruel beyond any measure. Yet, I wouldn't have changed a thing in my career.
I strongly suggest you put the energy you have back into finding a job. Find ways of making yourself more attractive as a Class 4. Get a multi-job and build that time so you could become a quick transfer to Group 1 instrument training. Get a float rating if you don't already have it. Get your aerobatic ticket. I am going to be very frank here, the worst thing you can do is continue to sulk about the injustices you believe have been done to you. You are simply going to have to accept that you have to find a way to make this work, or you have to go do something else.
Everyone in this industry has had moments like you are facing now. Some early in their career, some later. Those still flying found a path, even if it was a rough and winding road. Those that are not flying gave up and blamed the industry.
It's your choice which path you will go down. So get at it, or don't.