Meaw you make some very valid points. I can not argue as I spent the first 25 years of my life living in Canada.
People that look at AC must look very long term (30 years) to see the returns that a pilot with CX or a Euro major will. If you want to dispute this I say this. CX has guys in the left seat in less than 10 years. In Europe Virgin would be an example of a 747/340 operator with captains with 6 years in the company. My guess is the most junior A340 skipper at AC has 20-25 years.
The point I am trying to make is this. Make more $$$ when you are young you have your debts gone quick, mortgage gone at a young age and the overall benefits of cash in your pocket when you are in your youth. Example: I bought a house a couple years back that will be paid off within 10 years or so and worth close to a million in todays CAD. I will probably trade up to a bigger one and so on. My pension is set for 55 and no later and will be in the same range as TODAYS retiring AC captain.
This brings up another point. The T's and C's at AC from 20 years ago are far different to what they are now. The new pay scale?? Pensions will be next on the block. The funny thing is nobody is talking about it.
Add to this crappy Canadian pension rules, high tax and a workforce that hates one another and in my mind you have a job that by Canadian standards is excellent, but by world standards is good, but far from the top.
Listen, I've got friends at AC, CX, EK and numerous carriers here in Europe. They all have their pluses but as many have found out, AC is not an easy gig to get. There are many that will never even get an interview.
Again this is an arguement that could go on forever but at least in my experience and others I know, a move overseas was a major boost to their aviation career. In my case I will come home to retire and look forward to it. In the mean time full speed ahead.
Last edited by CanAV8R; 2nd September 2005 at 23:09.