Sunwing hiring update

[Mudather87]

Hello everyone

- how long does it take them to let us know the interview result?

- any idea which date is June class starting?

Thnx!

[fruz]

June 6th is the first course date. They are planning about 5 courses approx it appears.

[SunbeamTiger]

A really good friend of mine has an interview next week! He’s so excited… what sort of questions beyond the usual “what would you do” type should he expect? Technical 737 stuff or not? Any intel appreciated, thanks!!

[ads-b]

I’m guessing you could tell the interviewers anything you want. We need more pilots then we’ll probably find. And Fruz question about asking interviewers where they see themselves in 5 years is valid.

If your looking for a 737 type rating and some experience come on over. If your looking for a career company….try AC.

[co-joe]

A really good friend of mine has an interview next week! He’s so excited… what sort of questions beyond the usual “what would you do” type should he expect? Technical 737 stuff or not? Any intel appreciated, thanks!!

The interview starts with a tell us your story in aviation from day one to today. Practice this at home, write out a timeline in chronological order that matches your log book. For me this was a very two way thing, each of the 3 pilots and HR person, found things that I had done that they could relate to. This is probably the most important part of the Sunwing interview because your behaviour descriptive answers will be about companies you've talked about at the beginning. Make eye contact, be open and personable, talk about your passion for aviation.

Technical questions were only a very small part of it from the senior Captain in the room. CAP GEN type stuff. Be honest if you don't know the answer.

[mmm..bacon]

Well..I guess that Sunwing will have to do without my services. Sent this to Ms.Furtado today:

"Hi, Nancy,

After some thought, and consultation with my spouse, I’m writing to cancel my interview with Sunwing.
Simply put, your starting salary will not enable me to meet my financial obligations to my mortgage and family. Quite literally, I made more flying a Navajo back in 2002.

I wish Sunwing every success in the future.

Kind Regards,"

Now that I've hit send, I wish that I was a little stronger in my letter. Something along the lines of getting paid more to drive a city bus where I live; 20+ years in the industry, and you want me to pay my way to YYZ for an interview for a $55k job? An interview that could just as easily be done over Zoom..

I may not be 100% happy at the job I'm in (which is why I'm looking) but 55/yr with uncertain prospects for an upgrade, and a merger in the outlook...no, thanks.

[GoHomeLeg]

Well..I guess that Sunwing will have to do without my services. Sent this to Ms.Furtado today:

"Hi, Nancy,

After some thought, and consultation with my spouse, I’m writing to cancel my interview with Sunwing.
Simply put, your starting salary will not enable me to meet my financial obligations to my mortgage and family. Quite literally, I made more flying a Navajo back in 2002.

I wish Sunwing every success in the future.

Kind Regards,"

Now that I've hit send, I wish that I was a little stronger in my letter. Something along the lines of getting paid more to drive a city bus where I live; 20+ years in the industry, and you want me to pay my way to YYZ for an interview for a $55k job? An interview that could just as easily be done over Zoom..

I may not be 100% happy at the job I'm in (which is why I'm looking) but 55/yr with uncertain prospects for an upgrade, and a merger in the outlook...no, thanks.

You knew that before you applied. I hope no one waste an internal recommend on you.

[ads-b]

You have my respect mmmm…Bacon. Should be more like you.

[Free Woodpecker]

Well..I guess that Sunwing will have to do without my services. Sent this to Ms.Furtado today:

"Hi, Nancy,

After some thought, and consultation with my spouse, I’m writing to cancel my interview with Sunwing.
Simply put, your starting salary will not enable me to meet my financial obligations to my mortgage and family. Quite literally, I made more flying a Navajo back in 2002.

I wish Sunwing every success in the future.

Kind Regards,"

Now that I've hit send, I wish that I was a little stronger in my letter. Something along the lines of getting paid more to drive a city bus where I live; 20+ years in the industry, and you want me to pay my way to YYZ for an interview for a $55k job? An interview that could just as easily be done over Zoom..

I may not be 100% happy at the job I'm in (which is why I'm looking) but 55/yr with uncertain prospects for an upgrade, and a merger in the outlook...no, thanks.

You knew that before you applied. I hope no one waste an internal recommend on you.

Bacon didn’t send shit.

[JetA Burner]

...If you don't like their T&C, don't apply then

viewtopic.php?p=1153876#p1153876

Pot meet kettle.

[Mudather87]

Did they call anyone for June 6th ground school?

[fruz]

Just to be clear for those who are applying here.

The current state of the company is poor. The level of morale is at an all time low. This is due to Sunwing management and they're continual attempt to contravene our CBA, nickel and dime and/or just plain mismanage. We are losing pilots here on regularity because of this and there doesn't appear to be any end in sight. Add in, our pay is near the industry floor. If this doesn't dissuade you, it should.

I’m not telling people to not apply her. But really ask serious questions with the interview panel should you be afforded the opportunity to meet with them. Some of these interviewers are regular line pilots with Sunwing and are exposed equally as the rest of us are. Hopefully they are honest with you when you ask these questions because it's a serious decision in your life and career.

The morale and working conditions have never been worse in my opinion and many are looking elsewhere. Consider this when you interview or offered a job.

[WellThatAgedWell]

Just to be clear for those who are applying here.
The current state of the company is poor. The level of morale is at an all time low.

Likely a statement you could make about every airline in Canada. The ones who are happy are the ones well on their way to retirement. They are looking back thinking, “damn this industry has changed since I first started, good riddance!”. The generation on their way out are the ones who voted yes on the contract for those on the way in.

Sad how that generation sold out their kids futures. All the A and B scale contracts, flat pay, etc. I think airline pilots would be better off with no unions.

[safetyfirst123]

You're not wrong on every airline being like that, but Sunwing is truly at or near the bottom of compensation. Porter pays better on the Embraer as an example. To make matters worse is that management is fabricating a pilot shortage at Sunwing in order to apply for foreign pilots, especially as captains. A huge number of pilots were just bypassed for upgrade due to generic reasons, all in order to fabricate this need for foreign direct entry captains as temporary foreign workers, rather than increasing pay to a more competitive level. Sadly, they'll probably get away with this!

[digits_]

Well..I guess that Sunwing will have to do without my services. Sent this to Ms.Furtado today:

"Hi, Nancy,

After some thought, and consultation with my spouse, I’m writing to cancel my interview with Sunwing.
Simply put, your starting salary will not enable me to meet my financial obligations to my mortgage and family. Quite literally, I made more flying a Navajo back in 2002.

I wish Sunwing every success in the future.

Kind Regards,"

Now that I've hit send, I wish that I was a little stronger in my letter. Something along the lines of getting paid more to drive a city bus where I live; 20+ years in the industry, and you want me to pay my way to YYZ for an interview for a $55k job? An interview that could just as easily be done over Zoom..

I may not be 100% happy at the job I'm in (which is why I'm looking) but 55/yr with uncertain prospects for an upgrade, and a merger in the outlook...no, thanks.

You knew that before you applied. I hope no one waste an internal recommend on you.

It's easy to find on avcanada, but do they publish it officially in their job ad or website? If not, then you can't fault someone for turning down the job during the application process.

[ads-b]

Just to be clear for those who are applying here.
The current state of the company is poor. The level of morale is at an all time low.

Likely a statement you could make about every airline in Canada. The ones who are happy are the ones well on their way to retirement. They are looking back thinking, “damn this industry has changed since I first started, good riddance!”. The generation on their way out are the ones who voted yes on the contract for those on the way in.

Sad how that generation sold out their kids futures. All the A and B scale contracts, flat pay, etc. I think airline pilots would be better off with no unions.

You have it completely backwards. Last contract the seniors were sold out. We’re already near the bottom of the airline pay scales. No reason to come here.

Fruz is 100% correct in his/her assessment. Ask hard questions. If you bother to show up. Seems we have a large percentage of candidates not attending interviews. Wonder why?

[fruz]

I can’t speak for what other carriers are doing or what their pilot group experiencing. I can tell you that the current state of affairs is beyond toxic here. If other carriers are toxic too well add in Sunwing low salaries.

Think long and hard about coming to this company. This is a real warning to those who are considering. Many of us are looking to leave. When I say many, I mean lots. Many have already bailed!

People may brush this off as someone who is just jaded but I assure you it’s an employee group that’s jaded here. I’m just one guy telling you and warning you of what they may not tell you in the interview. Things are very bad here right now and I’d hedge my bets at another company imo.

Pm me if you like. I’ll gladly give you the scoop. Just beware of what you’re getting into by coming here. Sunwing is a toxic, poorly managed company currently that has an uncertain future.

Just an honest warning.

[DHC-1 Jockey]

I recently left Sunwing. When I got my logbook certified, there was no conversation with the Chief Pilot about why I was leaving or where I was going, no pleasant 5 minute chit chat about my time there, no asking what I’ve been up to since last being in the office over 2 years ago due to the pandemic. Just come in, stamp the book, make sure my hours were correct, and show me the door and make sure to turn in my RAIC on the way out. Definitely not a “warm and fuzzy feeling” for my last interaction with the company.

I know senior captains who have practically been there since day 1 who are actively looking to leave.

When you’ve got 15+ years experience and all the perks seniority affords, it speaks volumes that they’re considering on bailing to start over somewhere else.

[safetyfirst123]

Approximately 10% of Sunwing pilots have chosen to leave in the last 6 months or so, and another 2% were let go due to the vaccine mandates. The company acts like pilots should be happy to be back after nearly two years off during the shutdown, but thankfully there are other opportunities available and many are making such choices. When you also consider that approximately 65% of those that applied for the recent upgrade got bypassed in order for the company to apply for temporary foreign workers, it says a lot about the type of management Sunwing has. Air Canada is ramping up hiring in a significant way, and hopefully it will be an opportunity for many to seek a proper career company. The Sunwing airline division will likely cease to exist with the purchase by Westjet, so it's anybody's guess as to how the employees will be treated in this transaction.

[GoHomeLeg]

Things aren't that bad. Relax. Lots of people still like it here.

There's a reason a majority of sunwing pilots don't go on the union message board. And that because it's a constant b**** fest by the same half a dozen or so guys.

Yes there is room for improvement and management as it's faults and failures, but it's far from being a miserable place to work. Yes there are lots who want to leave for AC, but there are lots who have turned down AC or have no desire to apply.

Boo hoo, management wasn't nice to me when I quit. A grown as* man got his feelings hurt. This is my fourth company and the last three didn't give a shit that I quit. It was the same; turn in your ID on the way out. You already made the decision to quit. You didn't go in the office for them to change your mind by hearing some nice words.

We are going through our post COVID recovery and federal restrictions messed things up earlier this year.

Don't let the negative people influence your decision. Most of them will naturally gravitate towards the negative crowd at the next company they work at.

I will say I do find value in some of these people as they do fight for improvement, but some of it is excessive and over the top.

Sunwing is a great place to work. Every company as its pros and cons. If your trying to go to AC one day, go for it, but don't turn this down because of a handful of negative people on a message board.

Respectfully

[ant_321]

Things aren't that bad. Relax. Lots of people still like it here.

There's a reason a majority of sunwing pilots don't go on the union message board. And that because it's a constant b**** fest by the same half a dozen or so guys.

Yes there is room for improvement and management as it's faults and failures, but it's far from being a miserable place to work. Yes there are lots who want to leave for AC, but there are lots who have turned down AC or have no desire to apply.

Boo hoo, management wasn't nice to me when I quit. A grown as* man got his feelings hurt. This is my fourth company and the last three didn't give a shit that I quit. It was the same; turn in your ID on the way out. You already made the decision to quit. You didn't go in the office for them to change your mind by hearing some nice words.

We are going through our post COVID recovery and federal restrictions messed things up earlier this year.

Don't let the negative people influence your decision. Most of them will naturally gravitate towards the negative crowd at the next company they work at.

I will say I do find value in some of these people as they do fight for improvement, but some of it is excessive and over the top.

Sunwing is a great place to work. Every company as its pros and cons. If your trying to go to AC one day, go for it, but don't turn this down because of a handful of negative people on a message board.

Respectfully

+1. I will agree that the management team right now is a mess. The people bypassed for no apparent reason in the latest upgrade bid have a right to be pissed. Stay out of the politics and it’s a pretty sweet gig. I don’t plan on going anywhere. I just hope things don’t get too messy in the Westjet deal.

[ads-b]

Here’s 1 question for the last 2 posters.

Why chose Sunwing over Westjet, AC, Swoop, Flair, Jazz or Porter?

[futboler14]

Remember when Sunwing (and the rest of the industry) took advantage of CEWS and Air Canada didn't?

Things aren't that bad. Relax. Lots of people still like it here.

I agree with this guy^

[ant_321]

Here’s 1 question for the last 2 posters.

Why chose Sunwing over Westjet, AC, Swoop, Flair, Jazz or Porter?

Westjet - the flying and upgrade times. But it is true that we don’t know how that will change.
AC - go to AC if you have the chance.
Swoop - it’s a dumpster fire there, everyone I know there hates it.
Flair - the flying sucks. I don’t think it will last (I hope I’m wrong for the guys there). No, or almost no, layovers.
Jazz and Porter are regionals. Not even comparable.

[Hangry]

If it’s true that upgradable FO’s were passed over for TFW’s and one chooses to stay you kind of get what you deserve.

Sucks you’d have to start over from the bottom but what’s the point of staying anyways.