The Career of an AME

[Bug_Stomper_01]

75 per/hr. Full benefits.Pristine accommodations.Per diem.All travel paid.Pension.

That’s for starters. Don’t like it go pound sand.

That’s not even remotely unreasonable. These ghouls will never budge until there’s a drought in personnel. There’s already a severe lack of experienced guys, lots of greenhorns thrown in the mix to compensate however. That’s pilot/owner mentality, “just hire more new guys”.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

Ok, all of you that say the current pay is crap (even though millwrights and bus drivers don't actually make way more), why not enlighten me/us as to what an appropriate annual salary would be?

Your data on what wages are in other trades is definitely not correct. Regardless, AME’s have way more liability than a heavy duty and make half or less than half as much with Mostly no fixed schedule, working nights, working remotely and with every one of the dirty dozen on us at any given time.
Nothing short of 100k and double time for over 40 hours a week with a fixed schedule is sufficient in Canada. That should be a base salary with one endorsement.
Heavy duty’s make 150-300 in Canada easily and have full benefits and a schedule. Why the hell are ames working for $35/hr in 2022? It’s because that’s what scum sucking operators offer, it’s what they offered in the 90s too. Oh ya and real loser abusive employers reapply for hours of averaging slimily every year to really stick it to us. So $42/hr at the top of the pay scale huh? I know I speak for myself and many others my level when I kindly say take that job and shove it.

[5x5]

Your data on what wages are in other trades is definitely not correct.

It's not MY data, it's from the companies/sites whose job it is to provide reliably and accurately sourced employment information. If you know for a fact that "heavy duties" make $150-$300k then how about you providing an impartial source for that data? Otherwise you're just another disgruntled person ranting on the internet.

Also, as a kindness to your fellow AMEs (assuming you are one) why don't you do something useful and provide some guidance for the jobs you must obviously have and/or know of that pay way more? It would be much more beneficial than trying to denigrate me and sowing discontent with no helpful suggestions.

[YYCAME]

In the past the government has made it clear that airline travel is considered an essential service and without the threat of strike action the large unions and employee groups don't have any negotiating power. It always go to arbitration and typically they will award inflation increases but that's about it. The pay at the large companies like AC and WJ in turn drives the pay scales for the rest of the industry. This is unlikely to change even with a labor shortage as the government is more willing to issue foreign worker visas when the companies complain then force them to increase wages and attract more students to the trade. It's not terrible but it's not likely to ever go up significantly.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

Your data on what wages are in other trades is definitely not correct.

It's not MY data, it's from the companies/sites whose job it is to provide reliably and accurately sourced employment information. If you know for a fact that "heavy duties" make $150-$300k then how about you providing an impartial source for that data? Otherwise you're just another disgruntled person ranting on the internet.

Also, as a kindness to your fellow AMEs (assuming you are one) why don't you do something useful and provide some guidance for the jobs you must obviously have and/or know of that pay way more? It would be much more beneficial than trying to denigrate me and sowing discontent with no helpful suggestions.

First of all, are you an AME? If so please regale us to that end, and if not, your opinion is irrelevant.

I’ve been an M1/M2 helicopter AME for decades and I’m also a red seal heavy duty, I even fly a little, as well as educated in another discipline. I know the wages first hand and although maybe you’re too ignorant / incapable of doing your own research, here’s one ad right on the top of the list that STARTS at 200K.

HD Mechanic - Field Service - 14/14 - $67.61 - 73.08/hr + Bonuses

https://ca.indeed.com/viewjob?from=apps ... 9201ec35bc

Here’s one that’s projecting 175-300 TO START

Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic

https://ca.indeed.com/viewjob?from=apps ... 668e09050e

Those are just the first two on top of a stack of job ads that carry on down that wage and more. Not only that but the benefits and double time these companies offer, as well as education and training incentives (AND NEVER A TRAINING BOND) decimate an pittance offered to AME’s in Canada. Some companies even provide you with tools! I was gifted a toolbox at one company I worked for years ago, to buy would probably be close to 60 grand with what’s in it.

As for your ignorance on what I’ve posted you may want to read my past posts, and the guidance I already have shared on trade equivalency application for the red seal world. It is shockingly an unknown to AME’s as a community, and there should be guidance at the college level about this.

I am here to help absolutely, and already have helped colleagues over the years make the switch, (most of which let their AME licenses go completely once living a better life).

I’m sick to death of the abuse AME’s get in Canada for such a pathetic pay scale. Every operator that pays anything under $75hr should look at the skill and years of protracted training required to make an efficient, knowledgeable, and safe AME (not to mention the hundreds of thousands in type training) before offering up these insulting jobs.
The low pay and their grossly indulgent prerequisites in some of these job ads is enough to make anyone that’s been around long enough as an AME in Canada infuriated.
I’m not disgruntled, I AM PISSED! I took action and fixed my situation, but looking at the AME job ads popping up (over and over and over again like clockwork) with wages not only from 25 years ago BUT LESS gets by blood boiling.
I have my niche in aviation but it’s mostly states side now. Canada is a joke, and it’s going to get much worse before (if) it ever gets better.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

In the past the government has made it clear that airline travel is considered an essential service and without the threat of strike action the large unions and employee groups don't have any negotiating power. It always go to arbitration and typically they will award inflation increases but that's about it. The pay at the large companies like AC and WJ in turn drives the pay scales for the rest of the industry. This is unlikely to change even with a labor shortage as the government is more willing to issue foreign worker visas when the companies complain then force them to increase wages and attract more students to the trade. It's not terrible but it's not likely to ever go up significantly.

It’s actually retracted since the early 90s not only considering inflation cost of living and interest. BUT THE DOLLAR VALUE ON ITS FACE 1989-2022!!! And as for TFWs, operators have been feasting on these as pilots for years just recently (the last five years) the AME field has started to have pressure from these, and their lower wages. Our employment laws are there but being breached left right and Center with no one to enforce them.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

Your data on what wages are in other trades is definitely not correct.

It's not MY data, it's from the companies/sites whose job it is to provide reliably and accurately sourced employment information. If you know for a fact that "heavy duties" make $150-$300k then how about you providing an impartial source for that data? Otherwise you're just another disgruntled person ranting on the internet.

Also, as a kindness to your fellow AMEs (assuming you are one) why don't you do something useful and provide some guidance for the jobs you must obviously have and/or know of that pay way more? It would be much more beneficial than trying to denigrate me and sowing discontent with no helpful suggestions.

Check this out… and these jobs are becoming more and more common. 3rd or 4th year apprentice and up starting at $153,000 / year.

Heavy Duty Mechanic or 3rd/4th year HET Apprentice


https://ca.indeed.com/viewjob?from=apps ... 4726316e88

I can keep going, I’m actually pretty impressed how much wages have gone up in the HD market.

And with proper implementation through AIT an AME can be granted 6000hrs of experience of the 8000 total for heavy duty (fourth year apprentice).

If I even tried looking hard at all I bet I could find an AME with no heavy duty experience a 200k job

[Crossthreaded]

$42/hr is almost 30% higher than the Canadian average hourly rate - Canadian average hourly earnings 2020

$42/hr x 2000 hr/yr is roughly $84K a year. Is everyone supposed to make over $100k a year? Or maybe $150K? And how would Canada/the world work if they did?

What's your point? 2 years of college, 2 years of apprenticeship. Every endorsement I have has been 5 weeks away from home. OJT at work on a regular basis. Tools, wear and tear on me (knee and hip replacement so far) missing birthday's, anniversaries, family get togethers, working holidays that everyone gets off. All part of the fun. We've made it work.

Mill wrights, hydro, gas, construction, bus drivers, all make way more than us, and have a boat load less responsibility, and less education. I wouldn't trade it for any of the other jobs above, but you are completely missing the point about wages.

I hate the pay! I have a friend that drives a fuel truck making more than $42/hr day cab and home every night!!!

[Crossthreaded]

Ok, all of you that say the current pay is crap (even though millwrights and bus drivers don't actually make way more), why not enlighten me/us as to what an appropriate annual salary would be?

You aren’t an AME, definitely either some private owner with interest in keeping maintenance down or someone in management. 42 an hour? Salary cap? lmfao

[dstechnical]

Become an instrument tech. Contractor at hydro and Bruce nuclear $100/hr. No more education than an ame

[Bug_Stomper_01]

Become an instrument tech. Contractor at hydro and Bruce nuclear $100/hr. No more education than an ame

That’s a whole other conversation and definitely for ames to consider but yes. Very good pay benefits and schedule.

[Meatservo]

There's another thread here where pilots are discussing the wages and working conditions in America compared to here in Canada. The news seems to be that pay is almost double for the same experience level and endorsements, etc. in America.

What is it like for AMEs? Is it the same scenario?

[donnybrook]

viewtopic.php?t=61113

Take a look at the salaries offered in this 13 y/o thread.

[Pacqing]

I just heard on a Heavy Duty guy making $10,000 every 10 days on a 2 week rotation.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

I just heard on a Heavy Duty guy making $10,000 every 10 days on a 2 week rotation.

That’s pretty average in some places, and low in others. Have to know where and what this guy was doing…

[Bug_Stomper_01]

There's another thread here where pilots are discussing the wages and working conditions in America compared to here in Canada. The news seems to be that pay is almost double for the same experience level and endorsements, etc. in America.

What is it like for AMEs? Is it the same scenario?

That’s correct. In some instances three times four times as much for AME’s states side. We do very well with the customers we have and experience we offer in my company. There’s a severe lack of experienced a&p’s especially in the helicopter market south of the border.
Companies were offering as much as 1000-1200/day in Canada to attract medium ame talent this season and were turned down (I know that first hand). There’s way more money to be made for 1/3 the work and BS.
Aircraft are almost entirely in a hangar for maintenance unlike in Canada in some god awful place starting in Lac or ending in some body of water (lake, falls, river, etc) feeding flys.

[Meatservo]

Yeah... starts with "fort" or "Lac", or ends with "lake" or "portage". I hear ya.

[-42]

42 an hour to sign a release. Yeah no thanks. What is it 2010? That level of personal responsibility for that age is not only insulting its plain ridiculous. Don’t forget to add on call, nights, weekends in bum$$$$ nowhere. That’s a TFW wage that will get his sponsorship pulled if he farts without asking. Laughable.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

42 an hour to sign a release. Yeah no thanks. What is it 2010? That level of personal responsibility for that age is not only insulting its plain ridiculous. Don’t forget to add on call, nights, weekends in bum$$$$ nowhere. That’s a TFW wage that will get his sponsorship pulled if he farts without asking. Laughable.

A&P’s in any state make 40-50/hr USD on average 9-5, home every night with a full benefits package. Canada sucks

[Bug_Stomper_01]

viewtopic.php?t=61113

Take a look at the salaries offered in this 13 y/o thread.

I read that years ago when it was active. People still seem to be digging it up every few months, perhaps I’ll necropost it and bring it up a few notches for people to see. The wages are the same as 2022 or higher in some instances. These operators will never change. Canada has too many facets for employers to abuse.

[CaptainKirk2]

'i was in the industry for a few years. very good stability.

[Pat Richard]

'i was in the industry for a few years. very good stability.

A few years in between layoffs??

Honestly though, because almost nobody with experience wants to currently do this trade in Canada there is a sort of stability. Thats the only reason and those that are left are expected to do mandatory O/T and wear several different hats.

Quality is generally lacking now, but its going to be a huge problem going fwd.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

'i was in the industry for a few years. very good stability.

A few years in between layoffs??

Honestly though, because almost nobody with experience wants to currently do this trade in Canada there is a sort of stability. Thats the only reason and those that are left are expected to do mandatory O/T and wear several different hats.

Quality is generally lacking now, but its going to be a huge problem going fwd.

It’s ridiculous. I just heard a colleague of mine from many moons ago is working for an operator in northern Canada on a helicopter I maintained years ago.
He’s pushing 70 and still wrenching on a medium loading and unloading buckets and doing night maintenance with major components coming due too boot. He should be retired but likely can’t afford to like many others that worked for crap in Canada that they took over and over and over again with a big smile during their careers.
There’s a number of pilots pushing or over 80 still going as well (currently flying in 2022). What the hell Is wrong with this country / industry?

[motox415]

Maybe they love the industry so much they don't want to retire?? But being serious the lack of quality in the industry is definitely dropping like a rock. 5 more years and I am out of here!

[Bug_Stomper_01]

Maybe they love the industry so much they don't want to retire?? But being serious the lack of quality in the industry is definitely dropping like a rock. 5 more years and I am out of here!

Quality waved goodbye in this industry over 10 years ago. And if I’m 70 crawling around on a transmission deck of a medium I’m already dead inside lol. The quality (lack thereof) is indicative of the lack of trade interest. Apprentices are being pushed through to license at a scary pace at some places. All these operators want is a signature, it’s becoming a safety concern.