West Jet Interview process

[the_Far_Side]

Hi

I am looking for any information on the interview process. From what I understand there is now a phone interview, which is hopefully followed up by a panel interview. Along with the panel interview there is a tech exam and a medical. I am looking for any info on the exam and both interviews. Is the medical, exam and panel interview all on the same day?.

[Togalk]

Bring lots of Kool-aid. Sell all your belongings. And apply to Welfare. That should cover you for the first few years. "We all had to suffer so you guys should too".

[brucelee]

All candidates will be given 10 minutes at a Kareoke machine to prove their singing skills. Then you get another ten minutes to tell jokes in front of the panel of management pilots. It is suggested that you smile throughout the interview. Oh ya, there might be some IFR exam as well. Don't forget, keep smiling.:) :)
Sorry. Hopefully some Westjetters can help you out. The other forum has some info.

[Neophyte]

If Westjet employees are owners, does that mean that the owners interview owners to be potential owners???

[McDoo the Irish Navigator]

Neophyte;
The short answer to your question is YES.We will be hiring 10 pilots every three weeks for the foreseeable future, and it is important that whomever we hire shares our vision of the future. Our hiring committes would be remiss in their duties if they didn't ask themselves if a particular candidate would make a good owner.
the_far_side;
As far as I know, the process starts with a phone interview to ascertain one's continued interest in Westjet. I'm not sure if a candidate can be weeded out at this point or not. This is followed by a panel interview. The interview is conducted in a behavioural based format. That means the interviewers will ask you questions on your past behaviour, for example "Tell us about a time that you were called upon to make a difficult decision in the Captain's absense?' Stuff like that.
And yes... someone might ask you to tell them a joke, I told them I didn't remember jokes very well, but I could spin a pretty good yarn in the pub if necessary.
There is also a medical , a brief technical exam, and an English test. If you are medically fit, have been flying IFR and English is your first language, you should have no problem.
Finally, I feel the need to reply to Togalk, who has not been paying attention, while WJ has been raising the bar for everyone worldwide. I'll cut and paste my fellow Westjetter's comments from another forum, only because he has covered all the important points so eloquently..
RYAN COKE has this to say.....
I'll post some info, because I believe everyone thinking about their career options has the right to know what the details are. I just don't want to get into some silly flame war.
Hopefully most people are aware of the 4 main parts of WJ compensation;
1)base pay
2)employee share plan (ESP)-20% of salary matched-voluntary. Basically an optional 20% raise.
3)Profit share--bonus money
4)Options. This is where it gets complicated.
Some changes--base pay is based on 80 hr guarantee, blocking window is 80-85, anything over 80 paid at straight time. O/T above 85 or into min. guaranteed days off.
-Training days are now paid. You have the option of including training as part of your block, or training outside your block and getting paid extra (4.5/day at straight time).
-Guaranteed days off increase to 15 next year. So max you can be blocked in a month is 15/16 days depending on month.
-initial training is now paid at year 1 rate from day one. No lower training pay for new hires.
What this means:
Year 1 & 2 FO. Base pay unchanged. This is due to the fact that our starting base pay (not including other compensation) is already higher than than the average of our competitors, in particular AC and Jazz. So 40k year 1, 50k year 2. With full ESP participation, y1=48k, y2=60k. Add in 2 hrs/month=24 (blocked over 80)+45 hrs (train outside block) is 70 hours extra pay, so add 3k to yr 1 and 3.5k to yr 2. Very easily, yr 1 50+k, yr2 63k, not including any OT, profit share, or options.
For first 2 years, you get 5k expected value (Black & Scholes, or BS)of options, this is where it gets confusing. Basically, though this is the predicted value, they may be worth more, or less than that number depending on what the stick price does, and when you exercise them. The details of this could be a long post of its own, so I'll leave it at this for now.
yr 3 FO--this is like AC's version of formula pay, I suppose. Now you can take the BS option value ($29k for FO's y3 and up) and take up to 75% of that and add it to your base pay. y3 base then is 79k. That higher base pay then affects your ESP eligibility, your share of profit share, and hourly rate for extra time, OT, and training outside block. So 79k, + 16k (ESP), + 5.5k (70 hours extra time-see above) = 100.5k, before profit share, OT, or options. You still get 7k BS value of options.
yr1 Capt.w/75% cash option--base 105k, esp 21k, 70 hrs extra time 7.5k=133.5 k, not including OT, PS or option value. Captain options value is 10k in this scenario, or 40k if you select 100% options.
yr10 capt w/75% option--base 153.5, esp 30k, extra time 11k= 194.5k.
With anything after yr 2 FO, you have the option of keeping 100% options with the lower base pay, if you choose. Obviously much more risk, but if you think the stock is going to do substantially better than the BS value, then it might be worth it.
Feel free to ask questions.


What all this means to me is is that a third year Captain, who selects 25% options, participates fully in the ESP program, and elects to train at staight time on his days off, flying 80 hours per month, will earn $144,900. Flying over 80hrs, profit share and options will raise the income accordingly.

[b612]

McDoo - I think "BS" in the pay formula stands for something else... Let's not forget WJ started this race to the bottom. WJ lowered the bar for 10 years and you somehow think you're raising it??? You finally got a raise to be where AC is after their 20% pay cut, and training pay and all those extras either still are present at AC or were traded in the debasing of working condidtions to meet the sad reality of "worst contract sets the standard". Base pay is all that really matters, the "BS" factor comes in guessing what pay really is. Any WJ pilot will admit over the last few years options and profit shares have counted for squat, and those good at math will tell you that the share purchase program is overrated. Break-even is about it these days. Good thing for Clive his pilots rarely do the math. Part of the reason Teal culture is disliked by many is the vagueness and deception of the payscale post. A lot of assumptions are made about stock holding it's level or rising in value and you include working extra hours in your calculations and all kinds of crap. Why not include all the nickles you find in the seats when you cross the belts or the $2.50 from taking your empties back? Raise the bar for the world? C'mon, give me a break, your head can't be that far up your arse! What you should tell the guy interviewing is what the future really looks like - forever in the right seat and falling stock values. Oh yeah, and the perdiems suck.

[duster1]

Great post McDoo
I thought I might add that we don't schedule by seniority, (haven't missed a family birthday or anniversary in 6 years), don't pull reserve (when you are at work you are flying not sitting in a room somewhere, and you don't have to live in TO whether you like it or not. Plus the work environment is excellent - great bunch of people to fly with, no OAC/OCP B.S., and relations with management are actually cordial and respectful. As far as the Koolaid goes, I don't drink it, I commute from YEG (average about 6 overnites at home per month) and when I'm done work I go home, forget about the job, and comcentrate on family and friends. Its a tough life.
Good luck on your interview :ok:

By the way b612, my Guaranteed annual salary as a four year captain with no profit share, options, or OT is 152K - easy math boyo

[RegLemelin]

b612-it appears that you were unable to understand the compensation summary by the errors in your post. It was anything but vague and deceptive. Although it is certainly not the simplest pay system, I would suggest that anyone who is unable to understand it would not be wanted to fly for WestJet.

Your accusation against the ESP was particularly questionable. Although you did not back up your charges with any actual fact, I would challenge your assertion that 'those good at math will tell you that the share purchase program is overrated'. It is fundamentally simple (though the tax man can make anything more complicated)--for every dollar you put in, the company puts in another dollar, up to 20% of your income. You can do anything you want with it after 1 year. If the stock averages out to the same, then you make a 100% return. If it goes up, you make proportionately more, and if it goes down, you make less. To clarify, if the stock drops 25%, then you only make 50% extra on the money you put in. If the stock drops 50%, then you make zero extra, or come out with the same as you put in. So before you choose to participate (it is optional), weigh the odds of the stock staying the same or going up, vs going down by 50% or more. If you think AC is going to eat our lunch with embraers (double WJ's casm, btw), then don't participate.

Good luck at AC. Sorry about your paycuts.

[System of a Down]

Break-even is about it these days.

Is it?

Our ESP shares are purchased once a month based on the average closing share price of each day that month. For the past year (according to our trailing 52-week high/low) I've been purchasing shares as high as $16.68 and as low as $9.35. I'm guessing that the average share purchase for this month will be somewhere in the vacinity of $10.60'ish and for me to "break-even" the share price would have to be $5.30 this time next year.

Maybe you're just poor at managing your money, but for the smart investors within the company most people diversify once their shares have vested for a year. I know I do.

[b612]

Guys, guys guys. Take first year. Anybody that makes $40000 and makes themselves live off a $703 paycheck, puts the difference in an RRSP and saves the tax refund will have the same as a WJ dude and the ESP plan these days. Don't forget you pay income tax on the company's portion (and I'll admit I'm not sure about capital gains tax). So you've made my point - you guys don't do the math. Good for you guys for getting the raise, however you figure it out. I think the payscale is about as honest as a timeshare salespitch in Florida - it makes a lot of assumptions on stock value and always makes the best case scenario. I object to the arrogance of raising the bar for the world type of statement. You finally got to where you should have been 10 years ago. Bravo. Let's just not forget it's WJ that set such a low standard in the first place.

[Slapshot]

How much is the starting salary at Air Canada? What are you doing about it?

I seem to remember something about people living in glass houses...:suspect:

[royalterrace]

b612
Quote "Any WJ pilot will admit over the last few years options and profit shares have counted for squat, and those good at math will tell you that the share purchase program is overrated."
Why do you guys insist that we have it so bad at WestJet? Trying to make yourself feel better?
I just happen to be getting my stuff together for my accountant re:taxes. Says here on my t4 in the employment income box 218946.52
That number does not include any share appreciation on WestJet shares that may or may not occur in the future. Welcome to reality. I'd have to say you really don't know what you are talking about.
Averaged 14-15 days off per month and recieved every day off I requested last year.
Yup. Westjet is a crappy place to work...

[the_Far_Side]

Okay now that we have all of the Pay scales and everyones opinion on them.

I am still looking for information on the technical exam. As their is a wealth of info that they could ask and I have limited time, I was hoping someone might be able to enlighten me on what they are looking for on the exam and narrow the scope of my studying. Thanks

[CaptW5]

This answer taken off another forum (AvCanada) from someone in the know:

"Open book out of the AIM and 1 hand written answer on a topic of your choice...several to choose from...they change all the time."

[b612]

Nice t4. Clearly you are not a new guy (100 or less?) and without knowing exactly what you t4 does show I'll follow up with some numbers for thought. I do know that t4's don't reflect actual stock value, only value at purchase (not sale). A t4 showing your income would include $88000 in ESP stock. But since you cannot sell for one year assuming you have this much money in the bank is silly. You for one have ridden this elevator up in the past, no doubt. Stock value averaged about $15 in 2004 88 grand in stock would have fallen to less than $64000 today. You paid 40% tax (just under $10000) on the 24 grand in stock value you never actually saw. Add the depreciation to the extra tax and you get a profit of about 10 grand over what your salary was before all this ESP fuss. Taxtips.ca shows your refund would have been just over $17000 if you'd put your 20% straight into an rrsp, and you'd have a much more balanced and stable portfolio. Now I'm sure your accountant has ways of fending off the taxman and I know most people are happy there, but that is the basic math. The ESP is a wash. The numbers are even easier at $40000/year. In the earlier days the stocks rose and people did OK/very well at this game but today is a different story. A newhire faces the very real probability that they'll never see an upgrade and there are zero reasons for the stock to rise.

[RegLemelin]

Some accurate points, but some big inaccuracies, too.

Big one the comment about putting the money into an RRSP which would cause it to be a wash. Except that you can still put the esp into an rrsp and still get the benefit. Also you didn't factor in the capital loss you would have which would balance out the tax paid on the depreciated stock. Of course you also tried to pick basically the worst year as an example.

I'd punch some numbers for fun, but I don't have time right now. Suffice it to say that though we shouldn't be bragging about raising the bar, you shouldn't (ever) be trying to claim we have lowered it. At the end of the day we are being rewarded for working for and building a very good company, while you guys were punished for being part of a bankrupt company (I'm not trying to insuate that was yur fault).

[b612]

Reg - I didn't mention capital loss because I didn't mention capital gains either. And yes, the stock purchase can be put into an rrsp right away but that is merely delaying the taxman and carries with it a whole can of worms if the value goes down so I left it out. As for Big Red don't assume I'm with them, I just would rather aim for the old AC payscale that the old WJ one. Pilot's wages were absolutely not the reason for AC's financial trouble, don't forget. I'm a lot happier with the new WJ base for sure, but lets not pretend that 2 years to skipper or 2 year millionaires from the EXP/profit sharing/options exist anymore either.

[jdp911]

Also, lets not forget this little puppy : "A newhire faces the very real probability that they'll never see an upgrade and there are zero reasons for the stock to rise."

Very real probability?? How about 12 new deliveries this year, and a minimum of 12 more over the next 2 years with a more realistic number of double that. Let's not forget the very real probability of a code share with some big name partner (s) to up market share possibilities. Yes it is inevitable upgrades may slow from the 18 months - 3 year mark, but that is expected. It certainly doesn't mean "never". How long is it to the left seat of an airbus narrowbody for a new hire? Guaranteed much longer than even 5 years.

I usually sit back and watch the mindless drivel of AC and other types (and let me be clear I have no bone of contention against AC or others) slag WJ and state such predictable garbage as "the honeymoon's over" "how's the profit share now" "how's your pension" "yea, but how's the cool aid". The indisputable fact is 10 years ago a group of people decided to try something different, load up on the risk, and have a boatload of fun. They have been WELL compensated for it. WestJet has not "lowered the bar". Why is it small minds like you can't see past simple remuneration numbers and evaluate the entire package? Yes the past 2 years have been tight with little profit share and stock returns, but it's a cyclical industry! That means WHEN things turn around, which they now appear to be doing, we catch the upswing, and all of a sudden that ESP, and options, are very lucrative.

At the end of the day, I have a great job working av. 14 days a month with input on where I go, get the days off I want, and enjoy both the equipment and people I work with. I have trust, and respect for management. I have control over my retirement. Life is pretty good for me. Am I frustrated by the stock? You bet. But I signed on knowing the risk. AND the potential for reward. Why is it everyone BUT the WJA pilots are concerned about our pay.

b612, you obviously are one of the many who are displeased with and resent WJA. Why? Really, why? Because we have been lowering the bar for 10 years? Come on man, really. Be a little more creative. Just try to think outside the box, if that's possible. I think it's a combination of fear, insecurity, and ignorance. What a shame.

JP

[royalterrace]

b612

I hope you don't do your own taxes. There are numerous errors and assumptions in your post. I don't have the time or inclination to correct them for you. WestJet pilots have become very familiar with dealing with Canadian tax law and large amounts of money.

Back to my original response. What was that you said about worthless options? Would you like to retract that statement?

[brucelee]

ooohhh my. And I thought the cowboys were nice guys.

[exbengal]

b612 wrote........ "BS" in the pay formula stands for something else... Let's not forget WJ started this race to the bottom. WJ lowered the bar for 10 years and you somehow think you're raising it???
Wow another insight by another acpa moron,
You can't be serious,
1.who was flying rj's for dash wages 10 years ago
2. who has given up wages and working conditions for the last ten years on the airbus/boeing just to keep the rj's from the regionals.
You clowns would give up even more now just to screw the OCP's if you knew you could get away with it.
Take a serious look at yourself idiot.
Congrats to the WJ's on the new contract

[RegLemelin]

Reg - I didn't mention capital loss because I didn't mention capital gains either. And yes, the stock purchase can be put into an rrsp right away but that is merely delaying the taxman and carries with it a whole can of worms if the value goes down so I left it out.

Capital losses are relevant because you were talking about tax implications of the stock going down, not about it going up.

You were the one who talked about the benefit of putting the money in an RSP and getting the tax break. I didn't suggest it, I was just debating the tax implications in a scenario you suggested.

Either you really don't understand what you are talking about, or you are intentionally making the debate illogical. Either way this has probably run its course.

[WRC]

Yes, we sure are bottom feeders. If I lowered the bar at $236,500 in 2005 its just a disgrace I'll have to live with.:) BTW, I'm over 100:ok:

[Freddietheman]

Could any of you Westjetters tell us if there is a training bond at Westjet when you start and if so, for how long/much?

Thanks

[SAW]

No training bond. 1 year probation period

[brucelee]

Yes, we sure are bottom feeders. If I lowered the bar at $236,500 in 2005 its just a disgrace I'll have to live with.:) BTW, I'm over 100:ok:


You guys enjoying the progress of a growing company just as AC and Canadian did in their growing years. At some point WJ will no longer be able to help you out by matching your investments. It's only my opinion, but I think most of your income is based on investments that management has helped you with. At the rate WJ is growing, management will find it very difficult to do this 3-4 years from now. Your model works well in short terms, but we'll be talking about a very different situation by the time you retire. The trouble may not even come from the pilot group but from somewhere else in the company. Anyway, enjoy the fruits of your labour for now and take my advise, put as much dough aside for the future as you can. At some point it will be very difficult to rely only on salary which is what Clive will ask you to do.

[System of a Down]

You guys enjoying the progress of a growing company just as AC and Canadian did in their growing years. At some point WJ will no longer be able to help you out by matching your investments. It's only my opinion, but I think most of your income is based on investments that management has helped you with. At the rate WJ is growing, management will find it very difficult to do this 3-4 years from now. Your model works well in short terms, but we'll be talking about a very different situation by the time you retire. The trouble may not even come from the pilot group but from somewhere else in the company. Anyway, enjoy the fruits of your labour for now and take my advise, put as much dough aside for the future as you can. At some point it will be very difficult to rely only on salary which is what Clive will ask you to do.

How long is it going to take people like you to realize Westjet isn't Air Canada. Westjet isn't Canadian. Westjet isn't Cathay, United, KLM, Air France, Ryanair, or Easyjet. There is a reason why Westjet is a successful company: the employees have a vested interest in the performance of the company. I don't think that the leadership at Westjet want or need to change that anytime soon. I'm curious to know why you think the WJ matched portion of our compensation package will not be there in a few years?

[20driver]

System Down
Why should you give a rats a** what anyone thinks. You've got a job you want with a company you like. End of story. If you are right, enjoy Whistler, if not say hello to Mac and Cheese. Its not where you start it is where you finish and if it floats your boat go for it.
The bit that amuses me is I remember how the SWA pilots down here took all sorts of stick from the ALPO crowd about degrading the profession, drinking the kool aid etc etc. Funny haven't heard a lot of that lately, must be the hearing.
Funny story. I ran across an ex Navy flyer one day who "parked" his 182 in a farm field near our place. Waiting for the mist to clear we had time to chat. Seems his son had got out and done the rounds at United, AA etc but could "only" come up with a job at Southwest. Took the job and about 2 years later united called with an offer of a spot. He was having so much fun at Southwest he decided he could live without the big bucks and lousy atmosphere at United and stayed where he was. 4 years later that looked pretty good.

If you like it - enjoy it.
As Henry Ford said - Never Complain, Never Explain
20driver

[brucelee]

system.
I'm only implying that so long as there are profits, the system will work. If the profits disappear, it would seem that there is little or no extra wealth to share amongst the employee group. I'm not saying WJ will start losing money but at the rate of growth it's going through, there could be smaller profits, the idea being that larger airlines (low cost or not) have more expenses and lets not forget the ever increasing price of oil. Your salaries are now quite good even without the profit sharing so that the group will still be happy. But the days of hundreds of thousands of $$ a year may not last much longer.
Anyway, take 20driver's advise, he seems to know what he's talking about.

[uncle buzz]

The only guys that complain about Westjet are the guys who were probally turned down, H/R ( human rats) departments see through these negative people and don't hire them. So it don't pay well at first but what job does. It seems that at the magical year 3 you get the big raise as A/C does. The employees all seem happy and there not in the news fighting with themselves about labour issues. I'm not an employee but it's worth a lot to go to work in a postive enviroment. As it was said earlier, if you like it-enjoy it!
Buzz

[jumpy737]

Your salaries are now quite good even without the profit sharing so that the group will still be happy. But the days of hundreds of thousands of $$ a year may not last much longer.

The most any pilot at WestJet has ever made on profit sharing has been around $15,000 clear in one year. Bruce, your speculation may have been misguided and you might have meant monies made from options...anyway semantic. However, I wouldn't rule out the options just yet. This year with the low stock price captains will get about 11,500 shares in options. These will expire in 2010. There are some significant events that are occuring in 2009 that you might be aware of. It will be the year when the straight jackets come off and all will be negotiated with Milton. BTW, you can also choose to strike that year if things don't go well. In addition, several billion dollars in leases come up for modified renewal then. What I'm getting at is that it's a perfect storm just hidden below the surface that will have an effect on the share price and with such a low strike price this year it won't take much to be back into the six figures....:D :oh: :O

[brucelee]

I know what you're saying but I think in the end Milton will get his way with everything from labour to leases. Battles will occur but in the end management always wins and I guess business continues.
How do the options work at WJ?

[brucelee]

Not bad. Thanks.