Canada increasing Immigration numbers.
Guest
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Randy_g,
I feel I need to clarify a few things with regard to your comments. You should know that Canada is first and foremost "my country". I am a Canadian, I am not British and I do not hold a British Passport. I am able to live here in Britain because my wife and children are British. I am by no means trying to say "my country is better than yours" or anything of the sort. All I am saying is that if you are a pilot, by and large, Britain is by far a better place to be, in terms of job availability and quality of work as well as renumeration for that work. We can argue until the cows come home about how far the pound goes vs the dollar as you can see we have been doing, but make no mistake - pilots in Britain are treated with much more respect than those in Canada.
If you choose to do a little research during your short visit here you will find that in fact BA is not the highest paid carrier in the UK at the moment and many of the low cost carriers actually pay more. I believe Ryanair is actually the highest with an average pilot salary of something like £100K including share options. And for your information Easyjet have just advertised to PAY type-rated captains £30K just to join and thereafter £66K basic to start. I have never ever heard of a "golden hello" in Canadian aviation.
You said:
Just be careful putting someone elses country down when you don't have the information. Going only by the media, or a short vacation can really skew ones perceptions.
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Again I repeat, I am Canadian and I am by no means putting someone elses country down, and I most certainly do have the "information" to comment on the subject thank you very much. I might say the same back to you though with your comments re petrol (that took place over a few weeks in September and is now a distant memory) I am not too sure you are up to date with the current information. And I have been to plenty of football matches without receiving a pole in the face or a brick in the head. And besides, I have always agreed that the UK is pretty bad when it comes to the price of motoring. You are correct about the meat here, and indeed many people are vegetarian. Pretty good for the health actually. I do not understand why the UK always has these meat problems but they do and it is pretty annoying. Might I add that Europe (including the UK) has a ban on importation of Canadian beef due to the hormone treatment that it receives. Apparently not everyone thinks that it is such a good thing to do with cattle. So maybe Canada's beef isn't so good!?! I don't know, I am not a scientist. I just fly airplanes.
The reason why there are so many UK pilots in your country looking for jobs is probably because they cannot get jobs here. Just because airlines are getting really desperate to find pilotsdoes not mean they will hire just anyone. They are looking primarily for qualified pilots and failing that they are looking for low timers that they feelhave the ability to learn so it won't cost them too much money. Just because you have a licence does not mean that an airline will want to hire you. No matter how good the market is, there will always always always be some that cannot get jobs for whatever reason.
And finally, I noticed you mentioned the loss of licence situation. Here in the UK it is pretty normal for your company to provide loss of licence insurance (usually 3 to 3.5 times your annual salary) for you as well as PHI to pay 75% of your wages while you are on long term sick. That is what I have; don't you? If I lose my licence I will be a wealthy man (and probably return to Canada).
Maybe you should stay a little longer during your stop here - times are pretty good for pilots.
I feel I need to clarify a few things with regard to your comments. You should know that Canada is first and foremost "my country". I am a Canadian, I am not British and I do not hold a British Passport. I am able to live here in Britain because my wife and children are British. I am by no means trying to say "my country is better than yours" or anything of the sort. All I am saying is that if you are a pilot, by and large, Britain is by far a better place to be, in terms of job availability and quality of work as well as renumeration for that work. We can argue until the cows come home about how far the pound goes vs the dollar as you can see we have been doing, but make no mistake - pilots in Britain are treated with much more respect than those in Canada.
If you choose to do a little research during your short visit here you will find that in fact BA is not the highest paid carrier in the UK at the moment and many of the low cost carriers actually pay more. I believe Ryanair is actually the highest with an average pilot salary of something like £100K including share options. And for your information Easyjet have just advertised to PAY type-rated captains £30K just to join and thereafter £66K basic to start. I have never ever heard of a "golden hello" in Canadian aviation.
You said:
Just be careful putting someone elses country down when you don't have the information. Going only by the media, or a short vacation can really skew ones perceptions.
--
Again I repeat, I am Canadian and I am by no means putting someone elses country down, and I most certainly do have the "information" to comment on the subject thank you very much. I might say the same back to you though with your comments re petrol (that took place over a few weeks in September and is now a distant memory) I am not too sure you are up to date with the current information. And I have been to plenty of football matches without receiving a pole in the face or a brick in the head. And besides, I have always agreed that the UK is pretty bad when it comes to the price of motoring. You are correct about the meat here, and indeed many people are vegetarian. Pretty good for the health actually. I do not understand why the UK always has these meat problems but they do and it is pretty annoying. Might I add that Europe (including the UK) has a ban on importation of Canadian beef due to the hormone treatment that it receives. Apparently not everyone thinks that it is such a good thing to do with cattle. So maybe Canada's beef isn't so good!?! I don't know, I am not a scientist. I just fly airplanes.
The reason why there are so many UK pilots in your country looking for jobs is probably because they cannot get jobs here. Just because airlines are getting really desperate to find pilotsdoes not mean they will hire just anyone. They are looking primarily for qualified pilots and failing that they are looking for low timers that they feelhave the ability to learn so it won't cost them too much money. Just because you have a licence does not mean that an airline will want to hire you. No matter how good the market is, there will always always always be some that cannot get jobs for whatever reason.
And finally, I noticed you mentioned the loss of licence situation. Here in the UK it is pretty normal for your company to provide loss of licence insurance (usually 3 to 3.5 times your annual salary) for you as well as PHI to pay 75% of your wages while you are on long term sick. That is what I have; don't you? If I lose my licence I will be a wealthy man (and probably return to Canada).
Maybe you should stay a little longer during your stop here - times are pretty good for pilots.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Well said LAZLO.
I am also Canadian but had the option some years ago to relocate, did it for reasons explained, - would not change for the world or go anywhere in the world EXCEPT Canada.
When last in YYZ on holiday (to visir my daughter), I went to a mall in Scar'boro and thought I was in CHINA - no english spoken, no signs in English and everyone looking at you as if you are not welcome. At least when I night stop in China, they are friendly and pleasant. I strongly feel that the Canadian immigration policy of multi-cultureism(?) has gone amiss - instead of intergration there is separation into one's own community.
What will happen to us canuk's in the future in any walk of life?
I am also Canadian but had the option some years ago to relocate, did it for reasons explained, - would not change for the world or go anywhere in the world EXCEPT Canada.
When last in YYZ on holiday (to visir my daughter), I went to a mall in Scar'boro and thought I was in CHINA - no english spoken, no signs in English and everyone looking at you as if you are not welcome. At least when I night stop in China, they are friendly and pleasant. I strongly feel that the Canadian immigration policy of multi-cultureism(?) has gone amiss - instead of intergration there is separation into one's own community.
What will happen to us canuk's in the future in any walk of life?
Guest
Posts: n/a
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">When last in YYZ on holiday (to visir my daughter), I went to a mall in Scar'boro and thought I was in CHINA - no english spoken, no signs in English and everyone looking at you as if you are not welcome</font>
Gearup-
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">could it be, that they need people</font>
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[email protected]
edited for appalling typing
[This message has been edited by Code Blue (edited 26 February 2001).]
Guest
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Lazlo that was a terrible pun. "We can argue until the cows come home..." 
I appreciate you setting things straight, as you can see, it's very easy to make mistakes when you have very limited sources to get info from. BTW it's not quite so rosy for those flying helicopters in England. That's what I fly, and I have no ambition to fly fixed wing. I get too much satisfaction from what I do, and enjoy a diversity that I have seen only in Canada. Job satisfaction, that is the most important thing to me, where my employment is concerned. I find it in Canada, and you find it in England. It's good to see that some employers take care of their employees as well as yours does.
Cheers
Randy_G
If you can't stand the heat ...
Then turn up the airconditioning !!
I appreciate you setting things straight, as you can see, it's very easy to make mistakes when you have very limited sources to get info from. BTW it's not quite so rosy for those flying helicopters in England. That's what I fly, and I have no ambition to fly fixed wing. I get too much satisfaction from what I do, and enjoy a diversity that I have seen only in Canada. Job satisfaction, that is the most important thing to me, where my employment is concerned. I find it in Canada, and you find it in England. It's good to see that some employers take care of their employees as well as yours does. Cheers
Randy_G
If you can't stand the heat ...
Then turn up the airconditioning !!
Guest
Posts: n/a
I guess I'll get back to the original topic. Our country was built on immigration. Even our "first citizens" immigrated to Canada (according to the history that I know). All current citizens have either immigrated, or had ancestors who did. There have been great contributions to our country by these immigrants. Quite a few Chinese worked, and died to build our railroad. Ukrainians, Poles, Czechs, have opened up the prairies. Many blacks came to Canada to escape their slavemasters, and have contributed to our country. We are all aware of what the original French and English settlers did. Scandinavian and Icelandic people settled Manitoba. Italians, Greeks, Jewish have all contributed much to our society.
There have been criminals, layabouts, welfare bludgers, etc that have entered our country. They've been allowed in for the whole of our history. How many who shipped out with Wolfe, or Maissoneuff (pardon the spelling) had impecable records ?? How many who came from Europe before, during, or after the wars were criminals, but we never knew because the records were destroyed, or they were lost ??
Food for thought ?? Canada has been multi-cultural right from the beginning.
Cheers
Randy_G
If you can't stand the heat ...
Then turn up the airconditioning !!
There have been criminals, layabouts, welfare bludgers, etc that have entered our country. They've been allowed in for the whole of our history. How many who shipped out with Wolfe, or Maissoneuff (pardon the spelling) had impecable records ?? How many who came from Europe before, during, or after the wars were criminals, but we never knew because the records were destroyed, or they were lost ??
Food for thought ?? Canada has been multi-cultural right from the beginning.
Cheers
Randy_G
If you can't stand the heat ...
Then turn up the airconditioning !!
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: On the pale Blue Dot
Now that more are allowed into Canada.
What are the job prospects like.
Could I get a nice flying job ?
Age 31 & single
6500hrs TT
6200hrs Multi
2800hrs B737
1500Hrs B737 PIC
4000hrs PIC
Current B737 Captain, willing to take a step back to move many forward.
I believe it's a great place to live with very little violent crime. That would be a great change from the RSA.
What are the job prospects like.
Could I get a nice flying job ?
Age 31 & single
6500hrs TT
6200hrs Multi
2800hrs B737
1500Hrs B737 PIC
4000hrs PIC
Current B737 Captain, willing to take a step back to move many forward.
I believe it's a great place to live with very little violent crime. That would be a great change from the RSA.
Guest
Posts: n/a
With your experience you shouldn't have a problem finding work. West Jet is a good company that flies 737's. You could also try First Air they fly 737's as well, but they also fly into Canada's Arctic. Or you can try Air Canada our flag carrier.
Hope I've helped.
Randy_g
[This message has been edited by Randy_g (edited 27 February 2001).]
Hope I've helped.
Randy_g
[This message has been edited by Randy_g (edited 27 February 2001).]
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: On the pale Blue Dot
Thanks Gentleman
I think I'm off to the Canadian Embassy next week(First day Off)
P.S.
Ace, is it possible you might find out from your South African friend what it involves converting my SA ATPL (It's a real one) to a Canadian ATPL with my type of background and experience.
[This message has been edited by Antman (edited 27 February 2001).]
I think I'm off to the Canadian Embassy next week(First day Off)
P.S.
Ace, is it possible you might find out from your South African friend what it involves converting my SA ATPL (It's a real one) to a Canadian ATPL with my type of background and experience.
[This message has been edited by Antman (edited 27 February 2001).]
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Canada
It's actually pretty easy. All you have to do is write a couple of exams and take an instrument flight test (they don't seem to recognize IFR flying overseas). It's all pretty straight forward. I will tell my buddy about this post - maybe he could offer more info.
Guest
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Antman, I've just finnished redoing my licence from SA to Canadian. Exams are fairly straightforward but do require a fair bit of work. Budget around $3000 all in with books exam fees etc to get it done and around two months in total (the longest wait is having your log book verified).
On the work front once you're over 5000 hours your pretty much set anything less than that be prepared to take BIG steps backwards.
On the salary front, not fantastic by eny means but none the less well worth the move.
On the work front once you're over 5000 hours your pretty much set anything less than that be prepared to take BIG steps backwards.
On the salary front, not fantastic by eny means but none the less well worth the move.
Guest
Posts: n/a
One more thing plan on around 18 months to 2 years to get here with all the paper work etc. most of the hangups are on the SA side, home affairs etc. Supprised?
Use a Lawyer. It'll cost you $2000-3000 but well worth it, it will save you months of paperwork been thrown back in your face.
Use a Lawyer. It'll cost you $2000-3000 but well worth it, it will save you months of paperwork been thrown back in your face.
Guest
Posts: n/a
guys, the grass must be greener over there, please, just lie to me if necessary, ok! I bet your country doesn't fall apart when a massive 1 inch of snow falls, or your cattle are being slaughtered 'coz some dozy twonk decided to import foot and mouth and spread it everywhere, and i bet any money that you haven't got a well known book store selling half-hour 'dream' flights for £89 (cnd 189 at this mornings ex.) in a 172r. rant over, ifeel sssooooo much better
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Guest
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Cyclic, I wish I were one of those Canadians going Stateside. I tried, got my FAA ATPL, etc..., but the INS says pilots aren't on the "preferred occupation" list. There's been a lot of gossip about that changing, but my US lawyer says he hasn't heard a thing about that (he's a judge as well).
I guess I'm stuck with Tim Hortons coffee for now!
I guess I'm stuck with Tim Hortons coffee for now!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Gearup There are still a lot of low-time guys just waiting in the wings (pardon the pun ) for a chance to fly. There are jobs for pilots with jet experience. But a shortage would be a long way off. We have a decent network of feeder tier 2 & 3 carriers that the major airlines can choose from. The tier 2's & 3's get their pilots from charter, instructors, float/bush operations, even right out of flight school (some tier 3's).
Canada is also lagging behind other countries in rates of pay. It all boils down to supply and demand here. There is a large supply of pilots, with a lower demand for them. The job market is incredibly competitive over here, but it is a great country to fly in. If Europe has a shortage, maybe they'll open their borders and allow some of our excess to migrate over there and then help both countries. A guy can dream can't he ??
Cheers
Randy_G
If you can't stand the heat ...
Then turn up the airconditioning !!
) for a chance to fly. There are jobs for pilots with jet experience. But a shortage would be a long way off. We have a decent network of feeder tier 2 & 3 carriers that the major airlines can choose from. The tier 2's & 3's get their pilots from charter, instructors, float/bush operations, even right out of flight school (some tier 3's). Canada is also lagging behind other countries in rates of pay. It all boils down to supply and demand here. There is a large supply of pilots, with a lower demand for them. The job market is incredibly competitive over here, but it is a great country to fly in. If Europe has a shortage, maybe they'll open their borders and allow some of our excess to migrate over there and then help both countries.
A guy can dream can't he ?? Cheers
Randy_G
If you can't stand the heat ...
Then turn up the airconditioning !!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Some good stuff I,ve read with this topic so far but I must come out and ask a strait forward question. You Canadians out there who have lived in the UK (and worked), Would you give up a leading charter airline position for a job oportunity with Air Canada? I have lived in the UK for quite a while now and long for my home land!
Keep in mind that money is not everything! Quality of life is!
Cheers
Keep in mind that money is not everything! Quality of life is!
Cheers