ATC in Canada
 

Hi,
Im looking for some basic info on NAV CANADA and the working conditions there. Opinions on the employer are appreciated but please don't say "don't bother" without some sort of justification, just after some small facts at this stage.

I know what controllers are like :ok:


1) What is the roster like for a radar controller in ENR?
2) How often is there overtime, what is the pay rate and is it compulsory?
3) How much recreation leave is given?
4) What are the conditions of sick leave?
5) What are the salary packages, typical wage?

Thanks in advance

Try here:

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewf...ac99241ceaf93c

Tried that one Track costal a few weeks ago...............still waiting..............:hmm:

Barry

In answer to your queries...info based on YYZ ACC...other centres may differ

1 Rosters vary...a typical is 6on3off, 6on3off, 5on5off
or 6/4, 6/4/ 5/3
Night shifts are rostered every 56 days or so...and most controllers will do a full cycle ie 5 or 6 on the trot

2 Overtime, Not compulsory, plenty of it, Paid at Double time. Some do loads, some do small amounts, some none at all. Your choice

3 Leave 26 days including public holidays (so about 15 before). Someone correct me if I am wrong on that one.

4 Sick leave? 10 days uncertified a year. Doctors notes can be asked for if the company wants. A certified day won't be counted against your quota

5 Salary...up to $120 000 Canadian per annum. That does not include overtime which will really boost that number. Controllers are paid an Operational facility premium depending on where they work...the busier the centre..the higher the OFP. Bit of politics going on with this one at present.


As one last point though...if you are looking to come and work for NAV Canada.....although "Don't bother" is a bit abrupt....the problem at present is the experienced controller program has been put on hold....so if you are looking to come over from Australia (and I presume that is where you are at present?)...I am not sure how you would be able to get an interview from NAV Canada.
One to look into for the future.

MArried answered most of it, I'll chime in as well

1.) My sked is the most common 6on4off 6on4off 5on3off repeat.

2.)There is plenty of overtime to be had, some centres it is scheduled overtime but the company is working on staffing to correct that, for us we are borderline on having scheduled overtime at my location. The pay for overtime is double-time, and overtime is always and 8-hour shift at least up to 12 when staffing can't be found.

3.) Leave when new works out to be about 107 hours, plus 96 hours of "Lieu" time, which is essentially the same as vacation. You can also "Comp" your overtime to give you 16 hours of paid leave to be used at a later date.

4.)Just a little clarification on sick time, 10 uncertified days, and if you use a certified day it does not take away from your 10 days, but does eat your total sick time. Sick time is awarded on a monthly basis, 10.5 hours/month if I'm not mistaken. Doctors forms can be asked for, almost never happens unless in extreme circumstances, for obvious reasons.

5.)I'm a relatively new controller, IFR of course, and with my overtime I will make well over $100,000 this year.


The experienced controller program should be re-opening in the next couple of months.

Unless you have a "regular" sick pattern or call in sick the day after the Superbowl or something like that.

Is that rumour or fact? Interested because all avenues of inquiry for people seem to have dried up.

$100,000 = around £50K UK, easily achievable in the UK as an ATCO, especially in NATS or as an experienced non NATS ATCO away from the high cost of living areas of the UK.
As nice as Canada may be, I am told that the overall cost (not just the headline figures) of living is only marginally less and the overall quality of life is only marginally better .
I'm not sure that I'd give up everything here unless the salary was guaranteed to be siginificantly more and employment guaranteed for a significant period of time.

Niknak's figures are pretty reasonable and in the cities I'd tend to agree but a little way out of town you get a hell of a lot more for your money. Each situation is different, it didn't work for me but it did for MaC, suggest it's best to go check it out first.

Money or no money
 

If you leave your place only for the money...
As it's been said many time before, money conversion does not show the real money you have left in your hand at the end of the month. 100,000 CDN a year is really the bottom you can expect to make. I use to work in a grade 3 tower and made more than that. I'd say the average IFR controller make more around 150,000 per annum. Having said so, you have to consider the cost of living. The average price of a 3 bdrms house within 45 mn from the ACC (Montreal) is around 300,000 CDN, considerably more in Toronto or Vancouver, I'd say less in Moncton or Gander (but who's interrested in that place anyways :E). Gas is up to 1.45 CDN those days. And on top of that, after taxes, union, pension plan, and all social cost you'll have around 55 % of your gross salary left in your pocket which is around 82,000 clean a year...:mad:

Is that a personal shot?


I'd be willing to bet a hefty part of my pensions us Gander/moncton guys have a LOT more expendable cash than any Toronto/Montreal/Vancouver/Winnipeg/Edmonton controller at the same pay grade.

While many other positions in Canada interest me, for cost of living and bang for the buck I love my job. A $200,000 home in Moncton is the equivilent of a $800,000 home in Vancouver, and we have all the overtime one can possibly want to work.

Though I am from this part of the country, so I'm used to growing up here... if you were from Toronto I can see why you wouldn't want to move to a city where you have 40% more spending money, and only takes 5-10 minutes to get to work during rush-hour, and you can leave your doors unlocked at night.

YQM is a fantastic part of the world. If I could get a HZ Terminal slot I'd be there before you stopped typing.

Driving 45 mins to work? Get a life*!

*Notwithstanding your acreage/lifestyle property, but little 'box' to radar screen? 45 mins?

no no no
 

I was really just kidding, and had no idea of where you're from!
I've been 4 times in hollydays in Shediac and PEI and I, my wife and the kids LOVE the place. (my wife's familly are from NB). Actualy Moncton is the only place I would move to for work purposes. When I was working as a pilot I use to go there once ore twice a month and really appreciated the place, the people and the lobsters!! And I know it's possible to have a nice house in YQM plus a nice chalet bye the beach for less than a condo in YYZ...(please people from YYZ don't get offensed...I think I'm gonna shut up...:ouch:)

Apology accepted ;)

Great work envrionment here too!

Cheers