Air Canada recalls

[jumpy737]

How many of the laid off AC pilots are on long term contracts? I know of at least a dozen that have committed up to 5 years and some that won't be going back at all. I would say that most that want to be back will be back on the first bid and hiring off the street will commence in late 2005. This is finally good news for all in aviation in Canada. There is going to be a huge amount of movement in the next five years.

- Air Canada will be hiring more than 500 pilots (conservative est. not including retirements) .
- WestJet will be hiring 160+/year
- Jazz will need about 200 new pilots
- JetsGo will continue to hire, although supply and demand dictates they may have to absorb the training costs.

This will all trickle down to the smallest operator so for those that have been discouraged over the past several years hang on to your hats.....it's going to be a hell of a ride.

[Saltaire]

Might take a couple of years for that to happen but as long as oil doesn't rocket up to 60/ barrel, I agree.

I know of many on contracts and most would try and delay if not have a tough decision to make.

I hope the good times can return.

[GearDoor]

Is it possible that they may do interviews prior to fall 2005 and re-establish a pool, then begin 550 courses later when they actually need people? You would think, like was mentioned earlier, the training dept. will be stretched to the max.

Another forum mentioned a rumor that Air Canada is going to lease 6 747-400's from UA. I find that hard to believe, since they just retired their -400 combi's.

[74tweaker]

This also from another rumor site:

The AC pilot's union "rumour buster" website has nixed the UA 747's coming to AC. There are so many rumour's going around right now. 6-UA's 747. 4-UA's 777, 4 unnamed 767-300's and 2 A340-300 are just some of the combinations I've heard. I've given up on believing any of them, they'll make an annoucment when they have a deal.

I highly doubt they would get more 747's as well. I thought they were going to an all (mostly) airbus fleet. (eventually)

[jumpy737]

As far as interviews go, there are about 180 pilots on furlough, and in addition to that there were about 80 pilots "in the pool" to some degree or another. Some have gone through the entire interview process and others had done a portion of it. The question is whether or not this "pool" still exists and if people are still interested. Some were interviewed because they were at Jazz and have since left for other companies so their slot in the pool may or may not be valid anymore. However, I would say that interviews will be in late 2005 for 550 courses in 2006.

[Dockjock]

As for some of the laid off pilots I know many are working on 5yr contracts in Asia, on a LOA from AC. It is my understanding that they have full seniority protection with an LOA and once their respective asian contracts are up are planning to return to Canada and resume their career with AC. Anyone know how many are in that situation?

[bobrun]

Anyone knows what will happen to the succesfull applicants who went through Jazz's interview and sim ride in 2001 (to be placed in a "pool"), but were never called for a ground school . Will they automatically be called for a new interview/job?

[Ozgrade3]

If the news paper reports are to be believed, its seems that the new Sydney-Vancouver direct service will be a hit with snow skiiers from Australia. The local Sydney paper reports that forward bookings are up by as much as 200% over last Canadian winter.

The choice of equipment is intersting, an A340-300. Didnt think it would have the legs for that run without significant payload restrictions. Will a A340-500/600 be substituted at a later date??

Its great to see the airlines in Canada starting to get back on their feet. Hope all the guys and galls get that phone call soon.

Ozgrade3

[Left Coaster]

Anybody remember C3 and how well they did on this route, (A330 via HNL, then Brisbane, Sydney, Aukland and Rarotonga?) Lots will say that this is another opportunity for AC to jump back into the area "vacated" when the govt put LARGE hurdles in the way of C3's recovery plan. (If C3 was allowed to continue sans RYL, AC would be in a bigger amount of financial hurt than they already were) So the Canadian govt insisted on a fiscal promise from C3's board to return to profitability within six months! Not with RYL still on the books! (*nothing personal to any ex RYL people) Any how, good luck to AC, they might need it on this route, it costs plenty to get to the South Pacific (gas wise) I hope the yields are there. It worked very well for C3...

[MarkD]

As I noted on the Air Bourbon thread, there's an A340-200 doing nowt (presumably)... YVR-SYD 342 non-stop both ways and the 343 doing BNE non-stop anyone?

I might need YYZ-MEL sometime to visit far flung in-laws but I doubt I'll get a non-stop

[FFP]

What do Air Canada look for when they do recruit, eg hours, secondary ed etc ?

Looked at WestJet and they seem to be good employers (not looking to start a bitching thread ) but want 4000 hrs and references from inside.

Anyway, don't want to hijack the thread. Good luck all those in Air Canada and let's hope the next 5 years see an upturn (so I can leave the UK and come and live in Canada )

[GearDoor]

On the pilot careers section of the Air Canada website, they mention a list of study materials, and the writing of a technical exam as part of the interview process. Has anyone been through this "newer" interview? I suspect that the exam is similar to the one they give at the first interview at Cathay Pacific.