What does WestJet want?
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What does WestJet want?
737NG rating. 14 years of flying. 11 in a fighter and as an instructor and 3 for a mayor European airline flying 737NG . Only 2600 hrs total, alas “Not experienced” enough to even be considered…
Anyone from WestJet with a comment??
Anyone from WestJet with a comment??
Join Date: Feb 2003
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I'm in dire straits......I have the qualifications, eagerness, stability, time (6500tt), experience (multi-IFR/ratings) etc. that WestJet requires, but my big problem is that I don't have many internal references. I have flown with only 2 of the pilots who work there. I have met a few others, but to say that I know them and need a referal is not appropriate, since I have not flown with them. I have been out of the Multi-IFR/Charter loop for the past 7 years, and although I have been flying in the offseason(BE-10/BE-20), my experience has either been overseas, or with pilots who are not working at WestJet. I have had my resume on file with them for quite a while, but I haven't got an offer or even a call from them. I'm eager to find out what I could do to improve my chances for them to notice me. I can provide references of pilots who have flown and worked with me over the years, but will this be enough, or do I have to wait until I have more of my buddies get online with them so that I have the internal references....I'm really stuck in a tough spot, but if any of you WestJet'ers can shed some light, and how to improve my situation, I would appreciate any and all suggestions
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I was listening to Clive on QR77 this morning, a father of a pilot in your similar shoes, asked him the same thing basically. Clive's response; be persistant.
WestJet has more than enough resume's on file right now. Your in Alberta? How about stopping by the WestJet office to say hello to the people, tell them you would like to drop off a follow up letter to accompany your resume. They really are super nice there, when my husband walked in with his ACR uniform on and they made him feel right at home.
As for the follow up? Explain why you think you would be a great WJ employee. If you lack pilot references, look to FA's, AME's that may be there that you know? It probably won't help but it certainly can't hurt.
You can be sure that any references you supply from other than WJ pilots WILL be checked on, at quite length I might add, so yes it does make a difference.
When you sent your resume in, you were issued an application code, make sure you use it on your follow up.
Good luck, it really is a great company to work for.
WestJet has more than enough resume's on file right now. Your in Alberta? How about stopping by the WestJet office to say hello to the people, tell them you would like to drop off a follow up letter to accompany your resume. They really are super nice there, when my husband walked in with his ACR uniform on and they made him feel right at home.
As for the follow up? Explain why you think you would be a great WJ employee. If you lack pilot references, look to FA's, AME's that may be there that you know? It probably won't help but it certainly can't hurt.
You can be sure that any references you supply from other than WJ pilots WILL be checked on, at quite length I might add, so yes it does make a difference.
When you sent your resume in, you were issued an application code, make sure you use it on your follow up.
Good luck, it really is a great company to work for.
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This might not be legal or een ethical, but I'll suggest it anyway. There is a drug that alters pilots minds and leaves them open to hypnotic suggestion. Unscrupulous women have been giving it to pilots in Canada for years.
Get the couple of friends you do know together with several other WJ drivers that you need references from. Slip them this drug. There's your references.
This drug is known as beer. Colloquially, in Calgary it is known as Big Rock.
Sorry if I've given offence.
Get the couple of friends you do know together with several other WJ drivers that you need references from. Slip them this drug. There's your references.
This drug is known as beer. Colloquially, in Calgary it is known as Big Rock.
Sorry if I've given offence.
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Thank you Azure. I have heard really good feedback as to the working conditions at WestJet. The friends that I do have there are helping me out as much as possible, and hopefully one day I'll "get the call". I think that persistence may be the key.
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Dear Mr Always Moving,
There is a difference between apples and bananas, if you know what to look for.
It might be a difference between an hour in a C172 and an hour in a B737 or in a fighter....
It might also be a difference whether you have a rating or not...
...depending on how you look at it...
(the European low fare airlines consider it's worth ~50000CDN)
Good Luck TorboAgpilot and thanks for your answer Azura.
There is a difference between apples and bananas, if you know what to look for.
It might be a difference between an hour in a C172 and an hour in a B737 or in a fighter....
It might also be a difference whether you have a rating or not...
...depending on how you look at it...
(the European low fare airlines consider it's worth ~50000CDN)
Good Luck TorboAgpilot and thanks for your answer Azura.
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Hey don't feel bad!..... I sent in a C.V. and never even had the courtesy of a reply. It appears that it doesn't matter how many hours you have, (as I have ample, and am type rated and current as P.I.C on both the 747 and 767). The problem, I believe, is that I was an unknown entity, and had no one that could recommend me. As far as I am concerned, a bit of courtesy on their behalf, would have been appreciated, even if it was thanks, but no thanks! However, this not responding to and returning C.V.'s appears to be a common trait in the market place, nowadays.
On a lighter note, there are a lot of other jobs out there. For one Air Atlanta is hiring non rated pilots on the B767, so give them a try. Word is they need 80 pilots for the summer. I believe they can be contacted on their site www.atlanta.is
p.s. the fleet Captain (or maybe ex now, as he may have been heading for Japan) is a Canadian resident, and seemed to be pretty partial to the Canadians. He also lives in Calgary.
On a lighter note, there are a lot of other jobs out there. For one Air Atlanta is hiring non rated pilots on the B767, so give them a try. Word is they need 80 pilots for the summer. I believe they can be contacted on their site www.atlanta.is
p.s. the fleet Captain (or maybe ex now, as he may have been heading for Japan) is a Canadian resident, and seemed to be pretty partial to the Canadians. He also lives in Calgary.
Last edited by shake rattle n roll; 28th Feb 2003 at 20:09.
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Don't take it too personally that they do not respond. Actually, few Canadian carriers do respond, I think in part because they are flooded by resumes. When they get thousands of resumes updated every month, the cost of responding and mailing even a form letter can be expensive. Remember, WestJet is a low cost airline and always eyeing how to keep costs low.
I am curious, what kind of qualifications does Air Atlanta want?
I am curious, what kind of qualifications does Air Atlanta want?
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Regarding Air Atlanta, I honestly cannot tell you as I haven't worked there for a few years, but am in contact with people that do. In the past they have employed only ATP qualified pilots. However quite a few of them, have bought their own type ratings and had no line experience whatsoever, on arriving at the company. I personally flew with some of them.
Regarding the present situation, Air Atlanta has just applied for a British AOC and have requirements for JAA pilots. This is only a small portion of their work however, as they wet lease out both B747 and B767 aircraft, to various airlines. Some of the work which is on going, is in South America, the Carribean, Malaysia , Australia and Africa. They also are presently flying out of Paris to the Carribean, however I am not sure who for, though.
The only light I can shed at this moment in time, is that they will have 16 B767's, flying over the summer, and require crew for them. I have heard that they are requiring a further 40 crews, not withstanding those pilots who have left, and are about to leave, shortly. As there is a huge demand for B767 pilots at the present time, it appears that they are prepared to type rate people, to cope with their requirements
Regarding the present situation, Air Atlanta has just applied for a British AOC and have requirements for JAA pilots. This is only a small portion of their work however, as they wet lease out both B747 and B767 aircraft, to various airlines. Some of the work which is on going, is in South America, the Carribean, Malaysia , Australia and Africa. They also are presently flying out of Paris to the Carribean, however I am not sure who for, though.
The only light I can shed at this moment in time, is that they will have 16 B767's, flying over the summer, and require crew for them. I have heard that they are requiring a further 40 crews, not withstanding those pilots who have left, and are about to leave, shortly. As there is a huge demand for B767 pilots at the present time, it appears that they are prepared to type rate people, to cope with their requirements
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WestJet Info
O.K....shake rattle and roll....I can tell that you didn't follow the procedure for applying to WestJet because if you had you would have received a response. ALL applications go through the WestJet website www.westjet.com . When you apply you will receive a confirmation or a file number that sponsors can use when they put in a reference.
As far as the other person without the internal references you're wasting your time compaining about the process because so far it's worked. My advise is to develop a rapport with ANYONE at westjet. Call up people that you may have worked in the same city with....anything. Also call up the chief pilot personally. He's a good guy and he will take your call. Even some of the VP's have received calls from pilots looking for work and the culture of the company ensures that they won't hang up on you. Good luck trying that at Air Canada!!
As far as the other person without the internal references you're wasting your time compaining about the process because so far it's worked. My advise is to develop a rapport with ANYONE at westjet. Call up people that you may have worked in the same city with....anything. Also call up the chief pilot personally. He's a good guy and he will take your call. Even some of the VP's have received calls from pilots looking for work and the culture of the company ensures that they won't hang up on you. Good luck trying that at Air Canada!!
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Thank-you for all the advise. I'll take it and hopefully in the future it'll pay off. I also got a list of the pilots, and I found a few more names that are familliar. I think that WestJet's policy of internal references is an excellent way to get an interview, unfortunately I don't have many, but things may change........any WestJet pilots wanna go snowmobiling this weekend
....I'll buy the beer!!
....I'll buy the beer!!
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Well Tonka jet that was very enlightening! All the more reason why they should have had the courtesy to advise me that my procedure for applying for a job was incorrect, seeing as how I delivered it to their offices in person and the application was accepted by their personnel!
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I'll admit that the hiring process can be a little disorganized sometimes. We are hiring at such a pace right now that occasionally some people slip through the cracks. I know that we now have a much more defined hiring process that will hopefully eliminate things like this happening in the future. My advise is to keep applying because in the end it's a terrific place to work with unlimited growth potential.
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Well, regarding the application side of things, I do not think that I will be getting involved with Canadian Aviation any time soon and as far as Westjet is concerned, that was a long time ago.
My impression of this market is not as favourable as yours, and I intend to stay right where I am.
Here I am not required to clean the aft cabin at the end of a flight.
My impression of this market is not as favourable as yours, and I intend to stay right where I am.
Here I am not required to clean the aft cabin at the end of a flight.
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Shake rattle and Roll, I quote:
Here I am not required to clean the aft cabin at the end of a flight.
Um, my husband has been at WJ for over a year, he has never "Had" to help clean up after a flight, however when he traveles on his own time he has. And only out of respect for the FA's and their job. As a family member, I also am the help list. Do I ever want to complain about that? Never! I used to do it when he was ACR, never left my seat without crossing the seat belt and picking up trash on my way out.
No, my husband doesn't clean the aircraft at the end of the day, someone is passing a lot of BS your way.
Here I am not required to clean the aft cabin at the end of a flight.
Um, my husband has been at WJ for over a year, he has never "Had" to help clean up after a flight, however when he traveles on his own time he has. And only out of respect for the FA's and their job. As a family member, I also am the help list. Do I ever want to complain about that? Never! I used to do it when he was ACR, never left my seat without crossing the seat belt and picking up trash on my way out.
No, my husband doesn't clean the aircraft at the end of the day, someone is passing a lot of BS your way.
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Azure:
perhaps you can confirm this,
as a Canadian flying in Europe but keen to get back to the west coast someday, I have decided that WJ is by far the best option, but I have decided to put it off about a year then try. ( saving money first.)
I notice that there is almost 0 discontent amongst the WJ pilots, that in itself is a great indicator, but regards the starting wage of around 40Kcdn, no one seems unhappy with this, which seems to also indicate that the entire package is quite reasonable when stock options and such are added. Is this the case?
Also is Calgary the only option for basing, or is commuting realistic from BC?
Thanks
perhaps you can confirm this,
as a Canadian flying in Europe but keen to get back to the west coast someday, I have decided that WJ is by far the best option, but I have decided to put it off about a year then try. ( saving money first.)
I notice that there is almost 0 discontent amongst the WJ pilots, that in itself is a great indicator, but regards the starting wage of around 40Kcdn, no one seems unhappy with this, which seems to also indicate that the entire package is quite reasonable when stock options and such are added. Is this the case?
Also is Calgary the only option for basing, or is commuting realistic from BC?
Thanks
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WJ
Hi Canadair,
I have been at WestJet almost a year and should be able to answer most of your questions. The starting salary is adequate when you look at everything else involved but most of the options/stocks take a little while until you would notice anything in your pocket. What gets us through the first year is the realization that it's only temporary. I know that in another year or so I should get the upgrade (as long as we keep growing like we have and there is so far nothing to indicate otherwise) and then the compensation should be in the six figures. It's short term pain for long term gain.
As far as commuting goes...the majority of our commuters commute from the Vancouver area. However, Calgary is the only crew base we have ( they say they'd rather buy a hotel than open up another crew base!!).
If there is any way to avoid waiting the year I would try an get onboard as fast as you can since we are hiring at least 100 more pilots in 2003 and 120++ pilots in 2004 at the rate of 8 every three weeks.
I have been at WestJet almost a year and should be able to answer most of your questions. The starting salary is adequate when you look at everything else involved but most of the options/stocks take a little while until you would notice anything in your pocket. What gets us through the first year is the realization that it's only temporary. I know that in another year or so I should get the upgrade (as long as we keep growing like we have and there is so far nothing to indicate otherwise) and then the compensation should be in the six figures. It's short term pain for long term gain.
As far as commuting goes...the majority of our commuters commute from the Vancouver area. However, Calgary is the only crew base we have ( they say they'd rather buy a hotel than open up another crew base!!).
If there is any way to avoid waiting the year I would try an get onboard as fast as you can since we are hiring at least 100 more pilots in 2003 and 120++ pilots in 2004 at the rate of 8 every three weeks.