Air Canada vs WestJet

[josejimenes33]

Considering current conditions, what would be your choice right now for a new starter? Career vs Family perspective? Insight views with positive mindset will be much appreciated. Thanks !

[QKZXKV]

Considering current conditions, what would be your choice right now for a new starter? Career vs Family perspective? Insight views with positive mindset will be much appreciated. Thanks !

Where you live is a big deciding factor. If you have to commute to one and not the other pick the one without commuting (commuting is horrible). If you have to commute for both, pick which one has the better chances of getting you to your base.

AC has more movement, if you want to advance quickly, go there. If you don't care about that and want to make money a little quicker off the start (not factoring in potential AC contract results coming up) go to WJ.

What kind of flying do you want (if you don't care about commuting)? Pick AC for widebody and international, pick WJ if you don't really care/mind not doing those routes for a few yrs.

I can't stress it enough, don't commute if you can avoid it!

[vanislepilot]

Imagine you are at a buffet and you have all these dishes laid out.

It might be worth trying the AC dish and seeing if this new pasta sauce (contract) is worth the hype. That way, you are in with your number and won't have to wait behind a long line of people wanting some of that special sauce.

If you don't like the sauce, then try another dish. (Change jobs) it's really not a big deal and do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

Also, I agree with the QKZ, do whatever you can to avoid commuting. Reserve is not even bad when you are in base.

Cheers,

VIP

[dontcallmeshirley]

If you're chasing metal and long term money, Air Canada is your best bet.

If you are chasing schedule and a family life, WestJet is your best bet.

[josejimenes33]

If you're chasing metal and long term money, Air Canada is your best bet.

If you are chasing schedule and a family life, WestJet is your best bet.

In one hand I can have a shiny career perspective with short/medium/long hauls, a faster track to the left seat (new joiner on my 30s willing to be captain before my 40s...) and more money at the end. Great, but with little to no control on the schedule with seniority bidding. AC initial schedule with the seniority bidding is what makes me nervous. I already missed too much birthdays
In the other hand I already had a wonderful but demanding career familywise and am tempted by dropping the pen and enjoy being based in a nice environment (YYC), enjoy the kids, the wife and life with a more controlable schedule. But with a 8 to 10 years upgrade timeline. That is the thing (and a bit the money difference) that makes me doubt...

If you see something else to add to the scale be my guest.

[Exactive22]

If you're chasing metal and long term money, Air Canada is your best bet.

If you are chasing schedule and a family life, WestJet is your best bet.

And because I'm transitioning from military, 36, father of 2, this choice is pretty hard.
In one hand I can have a shiny career perspective with short/medium/long hauls, a faster track to the left seat (new joiner at 36 willing to be captain before my 40s...) and more money at the end. Great, but with little to no control on the schedule with seniority bidding. AC initial schedule with the seniority bidding is what makes me nervous. I already missed too much birthdays
In the other hand I already had a wonderful but demanding career familywise and am tempted by dropping the pen and enjoy being based in a nice environment (YYC), enjoy the kids, the wife and life with a more controlable schedule. But with a 8 to 10 years upgrade timeline. That is the thing (and a bit the money difference) that makes me doubt...

If you see something else to add to the scale be my guest.

In my opinion AC gives you the choice for either an ok schedule after a year or two (don't upgrade immediately and choose a narrowbody) or money by upgrading fast/ going WB. I was at WJ and yes, WJ schedule is awesome. But less fun flights seen long term, worse career progression. And the new WJ contract isn't very impressive. In the end a lot will depend on the new contract at AC (Vacation? More equally distributed pairings? etc). Right now there is hope for AC, WJ you know what you get. In about a year it might be easier to decide but your AC seniority will be in a worse position.
I wish you all the best and hopefully you will gamble correctly/make the right choice!

[Canadaflyer46]

If you're chasing metal and long term money, Air Canada is your best bet.

If you are chasing schedule and a family life, WestJet is your best bet.

This sums it up very nicely.

Many guys I know (YYC) at WJ are working 8-12 days a month, home every night. Yes, you're not going to see the left seat for 12-15 years if at all, but if lifestyle/living in an affordable city is important to you then don't overlook being stuck in the right seat at WJ.
AC if you get in at the end of this hiring wave I don't think you'll be seeing the left seat for several years anyway.

[Isabella256]

Hi Guys,revanced
Both Air Canada and WestJet are reputable Canadian airlines, each with its own strengths. Air Canada offers an extensive global network and premium services, making it a top choice for international travelers. On the other hand, WestJet is known for its affordability and friendly customer service, making it a great option for domestic and regional flights. Your choice should depend on your travel priorities, whether it's convenience, luxury, or budget-friendliness.

[Fanblade]

If you're chasing metal and long term money, Air Canada is your best bet.

If you are chasing schedule and a family life, WestJet is your best bet.

And because I'm transitioning from military, 36, father of 2, this choice is pretty hard.
In one hand I can have a shiny career perspective with short/medium/long hauls, a faster track to the left seat (new joiner at 36 willing to be captain before my 40s...) and more money at the end. Great, but with little to no control on the schedule with seniority bidding. AC initial schedule with the seniority bidding is what makes me nervous. I already missed too much birthdays
In the other hand I already had a wonderful but demanding career familywise and am tempted by dropping the pen and enjoy being based in a nice environment (YYC), enjoy the kids, the wife and life with a more controlable schedule. But with a 8 to 10 years upgrade timeline. That is the thing (and a bit the money difference) that makes me doubt...

If you see something else to add to the scale be my guest.

Couple of points to make so you clearly understand the AC upgrade speed and why it could change.

1) The reason upgrades are so fast at AC is because junior narrow body captain isn’t very appealing. It’s not like AC is constantly doubling in size. People like yourself join AC. Go left seat. Burnout after a few years. Make it off flat pay and move to a Widebody FO position for relief.

2) You will stay a junior narrow body captain for a long time. Those same pilots that burned out and went Widebody FO, start coming back to the narrow body captain spot as their seniority is gained. The result is that if you take narrow body captain early and stick it out. It’s a long slog near the bottom.

3) If the Junior narrow body desirability is ever addressed. (We are in negotiations). Up grade times will/might/ could increase.

4) If the junior narrow body desirability is addressed, it means the ALPA AC pilots finally drove home a quality contract.

5) If the ALPA AC pilots finally drive home a quality contract then flat salary will also have been addressed. You may not care if you go left seat or not. If the need to upgrade because new pilots can’t afford flat pay is removed, and family time is important, you might prefer junior Widebody FO or senior narrow body FO. At 36 you have lots of time to upgrade. Kids are only young for a time

I realize you did highlight current and I just threw a lot of unknowns into the equation that are anything but current. You can take it or leave it as you wish.

Best of luck

[cheeky cough]

You are coming from the military so you will understand this.
The defining quality of a leader is to seek and accept responsibility , as a Captain.
Stuck in the right seat for 10 years would be awful, no matter what “ lifestyle” you choose.
AC is the way to go. Air Canada is hiring 1000 more pilots and at there are at least 1500 retirements in the next 10 years.
No brainer.

[fish4life]

You are coming from the military so you will understand this.
The defining quality of a leader is to seek and accept responsibility , as a Captain.
Stuck in the right seat for 10 years would be awful, no matter what “ lifestyle” you choose.
AC is the way to go. Air Canada is hiring 1000 more pilots and at there are at least 1500 retirements in the next 10 years.
No brainer.

To sacrifice your “leadership” at home just to take a quick upgrade to tell your mom your a captain now is nothing to be proud of.
If the quick upgrade makes sense for your home life go for it but seeking a leadership role that sacrifices family life is just plain dumb.

[cheeky cough]

My reply was not for you.
You do you.

[josejimenes33]

Thank you for your quality replies. That helps a lot having clear and diverse opinions about it. Believe me.

[josejimenes33]

If you're chasing metal and long term money, Air Canada is your best bet.

If you are chasing schedule and a family life, WestJet is your best bet.

And because I'm transitioning from military, 36, father of 2, this choice is pretty hard.
In one hand I can have a shiny career perspective with short/medium/long hauls, a faster track to the left seat (new joiner at 36 willing to be captain before my 40s...) and more money at the end. Great, but with little to no control on the schedule with seniority bidding. AC initial schedule with the seniority bidding is what makes me nervous. I already missed too much birthdays
In the other hand I already had a wonderful but demanding career familywise and am tempted by dropping the pen and enjoy being based in a nice environment (YYC), enjoy the kids, the wife and life with a more controlable schedule. But with a 8 to 10 years upgrade timeline. That is the thing (and a bit the money difference) that makes me doubt...

If you see something else to add to the scale be my guest.

Couple of points to make so you clearly understand the AC upgrade speed and why it could change.

1) The reason upgrades are so fast at AC is because junior narrow body captain isn’t very appealing. It’s not like AC is constantly doubling in size. People like yourself join AC. Go left seat. Burnout after a few years. Make it off flat pay and move to a Widebody FO position for relief.

2) You will stay a junior narrow body captain for a long time. Those same pilots that burned out and went Widebody FO, start coming back to the narrow body captain spot as their seniority is gained. The result is that if you take narrow body captain early and stick it out. It’s a long slog near the bottom.

3) If the Junior narrow body desirability is ever addressed. (We are in negotiations). Up grade times will/might/ could increase.

4) If the junior narrow body desirability is addressed, it means the ALPA AC pilots finally drove home a quality contract.

5) If the ALPA AC pilots finally drive home a quality contract then flat salary will also have been addressed. You may not care if you go left seat or not. If the need to upgrade because new pilots can’t afford flat pay is removed, and family time is important, you might prefer junior Widebody FO or senior narrow body FO. At 36 you have lots of time to upgrade. Kids are only young for a time

I realize you did highlight current and I just threw a lot of unknowns into the equation that are anything but current. You can take it or leave it as you wish.

Best of luck

I'll take it thanks a lot.

[2Shoes]

I'll throw my 2 cents in, having come to AC in my 50s after a 27 year RCAF career.

The first thing I noticed is that your days off at an airline are completely different from your days off in the military. I had days off in the service but there was always the nagging projects to be done, briefings to be prepared, CO meetings to prepare for.... you know the drill. My brain was never away from work and my time with my family never really seemed engaged.

Airlines are different. Once the parking brake is set you are done. I mean DONE til your next pairing. It could be a day, or three or a week without thinking about work. Your time suddenly comes back and you realize what you missed all those years.

All this to say that joining a particular airline for lifestyle may not apply to 'us', because even with a seemingly poor schedule you will find that your days off are sooooo much better than they were before.

Of course I didn't know this until I left the service and jointed AC, so my decision was based on the fact that AC offered more choices in fleets and upgrade times. I didn't see myself flying a cramped 737 for years on end with another airline. Yes, AC plays hardball sometimes as any corporation does but thats all just a game. I'm still happy with my choice.

Not telling you what to do, just giving you my perspective. Best of Luck.