Jobs for Expat Pilots in Canada
Join Date: May 2014
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Canada curious?
Fuelsurvey,
I actually am a cadet enrolled in a MPL program for a GCAA airline. However I'm just reading up on what it looks like everywhere else.
How is the pilot job scene in Canada? Would 1500 on A320 be sufficient for a decent paying job?
And since GCAA = EASA almost, what would it be like changing to TC?
Thank you.
I actually am a cadet enrolled in a MPL program for a GCAA airline. However I'm just reading up on what it looks like everywhere else.
How is the pilot job scene in Canada? Would 1500 on A320 be sufficient for a decent paying job?
And since GCAA = EASA almost, what would it be like changing to TC?
Thank you.
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Hans
You aren't going to find a direct entry spot with AC/Westjet/Transat... In fact even at Sunwing (737) who import foreign pilots including captains, won't hire a Canadian into a direct entry spot...
But AC express feeders - Air Georgian (CRJ) and SkyRegional (ERJ/Q400) have recently hired direct left seat I believe. But both were ramping up their RJ programs so maybe that won't be a usual thing... Not sure...
You could try Cargojet (727/757/767) think they have in the past... Or maybe Flair Air (737)
If your gig Europe is good and you're set on left seat only, I don't think I'd be rushing to any of those operators though... Canada has lots of pilots, experienced pilots, who start on the bottom rung to get the spot with the best operators... The road is increasingly being directed through the affiliated regionals too before a mainline job can be had... (Encore/Jazz)
All that said, I would think you would be very competitive for a spot with everyone else trying to get on the bottom of AC/WS/TS... Sunwing has been under alot of pressure to hire locals too and has been advertising for type rated pilots... If you are a citizen or PR, I'd suppose FO job is all but guaranteed...
Good luck.
You aren't going to find a direct entry spot with AC/Westjet/Transat... In fact even at Sunwing (737) who import foreign pilots including captains, won't hire a Canadian into a direct entry spot...
But AC express feeders - Air Georgian (CRJ) and SkyRegional (ERJ/Q400) have recently hired direct left seat I believe. But both were ramping up their RJ programs so maybe that won't be a usual thing... Not sure...
You could try Cargojet (727/757/767) think they have in the past... Or maybe Flair Air (737)
If your gig Europe is good and you're set on left seat only, I don't think I'd be rushing to any of those operators though... Canada has lots of pilots, experienced pilots, who start on the bottom rung to get the spot with the best operators... The road is increasingly being directed through the affiliated regionals too before a mainline job can be had... (Encore/Jazz)
All that said, I would think you would be very competitive for a spot with everyone else trying to get on the bottom of AC/WS/TS... Sunwing has been under alot of pressure to hire locals too and has been advertising for type rated pilots... If you are a citizen or PR, I'd suppose FO job is all but guaranteed...
Good luck.
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Also for those looking to come to Canada to fly every pilot i've ever talked to loves it, good schedules and pay is decent once you get experience. The first couple of regional jobs are really tough to get into and extremely long hours but that's what it takes, not sure how the big's are with hiring foreign pilots but like altiplano said, should have np getting a FO job at least given experience. If you guys want more info, AVCANADA forums have tons of info as well.
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Hagop - i can tell you be very careful, especially with the marketing of flight schools anywhere in the world.
You have to separate the "business" side of flight training from the "career" part. What i mean is that every flight school around the world can give you licensing within a year (if you do it full time), you will pay a ton more though, honestly they just want your business. I once considered going to the EU to do my training then made the decision not to because of the very issue you pointed out. Citizenship.
There are many jobs in Canada with regards to regional, its a very saturated and small market, no comparison to the US which many ppl mistake. It is one of those markets where, you have to wait your turn in line, you will end up somewhere might take a couple years though.
HOWEVER, it would be very risky for you to come to Canada, do your licensing, and hope to god that an airline will sponsor you after your training, or until you get 1500. Even with 1500 you cant get into Westjet/Air Canada/Porter because as i said it is very saturated. I'm not saying an immigrant cant get a job as a pilot in Canada, but HR departments may differ.
The ABSOLUTE minimum you need is at least a passport (not going to specify which one) that can allow you to freely fly interchangeably between Canada and the US. IF you did come here, you'd be putting a lot of trust into one flight school, and trust me even if you were to become a FI with the same school what happens if everything doesn't go to plan? whose going to hire you under visa? not many people....its a big risk, think about your time and money. The government is pretty ok with extending visas but you have to prove you have a reason to, flight training is only temporary the job after might be too!
You have to separate the "business" side of flight training from the "career" part. What i mean is that every flight school around the world can give you licensing within a year (if you do it full time), you will pay a ton more though, honestly they just want your business. I once considered going to the EU to do my training then made the decision not to because of the very issue you pointed out. Citizenship.
There are many jobs in Canada with regards to regional, its a very saturated and small market, no comparison to the US which many ppl mistake. It is one of those markets where, you have to wait your turn in line, you will end up somewhere might take a couple years though.
HOWEVER, it would be very risky for you to come to Canada, do your licensing, and hope to god that an airline will sponsor you after your training, or until you get 1500. Even with 1500 you cant get into Westjet/Air Canada/Porter because as i said it is very saturated. I'm not saying an immigrant cant get a job as a pilot in Canada, but HR departments may differ.
The ABSOLUTE minimum you need is at least a passport (not going to specify which one) that can allow you to freely fly interchangeably between Canada and the US. IF you did come here, you'd be putting a lot of trust into one flight school, and trust me even if you were to become a FI with the same school what happens if everything doesn't go to plan? whose going to hire you under visa? not many people....its a big risk, think about your time and money. The government is pretty ok with extending visas but you have to prove you have a reason to, flight training is only temporary the job after might be too!
