Hiring forecast

[Hysteria]

Forgive me if this was recently discussed

In the next, let's say two years, will WJ mainline hiring slow down due to recent swoop and sunwing absorption? Or are they forecasting expanding numbers in general?

[dontcallmeshirley]

Forgive me if this was recently discussed

In the next, let's say two years, will WJ mainline hiring slow down due to recent swoop and sunwing absorption? Or are they forecasting expanding numbers in general?

They are understaffed and training is limited. Hiring will likely continue into the next several years unless a major change to the industry disrupts this trajectory.

[Hysteria]

Forgive me if this was recently discussed

In the next, let's say two years, will WJ mainline hiring slow down due to recent swoop and sunwing absorption? Or are they forecasting expanding numbers in general?

They are understaffed and training is limited. Hiring will likely continue into the next several years unless a major change to the industry disrupts this trajectory.

Thanks, that's encouraging for young bloods like myself.

[Malfunction]

I was told in my interview they want to hire 400 pilots in 2023. Even more in 2024

[Zanzibar]

I was told in my interview they want to hire 400 pilots in 2023. Even more in 2024

Are there more aircraft arriving in 2024?

[apetogetherstrong]

I was told in my interview they want to hire 400 pilots in 2023. Even more in 2024

HOw are they going to even hire that many if they don't pay? No one is going to go to westjet if they don't pay! Reopen the contract to have starting money at 100k to start!

[JBI]

Are there more aircraft arriving in 2024?

Yes. Exact numbers are not certain. Likely 6-8 and it may include Max10s (I’m skeptical).

[mbjsman]

Any hiring plan scheduled in 24?
Their recruitment doesnt show any openings now.

[dontcallmeshirley]

Any hiring plan scheduled in 24?
Their recruitment doesnt show any openings now.

The Sunwing merger seems to have saturated the entire jet fleet at WestJet. Not sure if anyone has any details on when hiring will resume.

[MaxAuto]

Younger pilots at WestJet and Sunwing will still go to AC if they get get the chance. Three out of the last five FOs I flew with here a Sunwing have ground school date and one has an interview coming up. Hiring will continue at WestJet.

[mijbil]

HR can make their best guesses as to attrition. What they may not have considered is how many people at WS/WG/AC/TS etc will pull the pin prior to 65. Not everyone wants to fly until they die. If pay ramps up, some may stay for pension bump (mostly AC old style DB pension) or stick it out a little longer to pay for some new toy but several who I know at WG and WS are done as soon as the numbers (mortgage done etc) line up. Of course everyone will have their own set of 'golden handcuffs' criteria. The mythical pilot shortage is real. Alexis or maybe it was Diederik admitted as such on the last Teams meeting when they finally said that a lot of the Encore fleet is parked. If you really want an airline slot it will be there. In the meantime, have some fun flying right now. Airline flying is boring for the most part. Cheers.

[fish4life]

Have they mentioned any issues with aircraft deliveries delaying hiring plans? A lot of US carriers have either stopped or slowed hiring as a result so I’d imagine WJ is even more exposed being only 737

[Airbrake]

Have they mentioned any issues with aircraft deliveries delaying hiring plans? A lot of US carriers have either stopped or slowed hiring as a result so I’d imagine WJ is even more exposed being only 737

We had planned for (I believe) 8 deliveries this year. AVH said we will see none, they are trying to find others (I suspect he is talking about the Lynx tails) and that the competition is very high for any.
They have not told us if there is an impact at this point. But I don’t think one has to be in the inner circle to know it has to have an impact at some point. The company has offered zero and reduced blocks for May, that to me says yes it is impacting hiring.

[Happyflyer78]

No Encore crew shortage, if there was, experienced King Air Captains would be getting offer letters.

HR can make their best guesses as to attrition. What they may not have considered is how many people at WS/WG/AC/TS etc will pull the pin prior to 65. Not everyone wants to fly until they die. If pay ramps up, some may stay for pension bump (mostly AC old style DB pension) or stick it out a little longer to pay for some new toy but several who I know at WG and WS are done as soon as the numbers (mortgage done etc) line up. Of course everyone will have their own set of 'golden handcuffs' criteria. The mythical pilot shortage is real. Alexis or maybe it was Diederik admitted as such on the last Teams meeting when they finally said that a lot of the Encore fleet is parked. If you really want an airline slot it will be there. In the meantime, have some fun flying right now. Airline flying is boring for the most part. Cheers.

[Hysteria]

No Encore crew shortage, if there was, experienced King Air Captains would be getting offer letters.

HR can make their best guesses as to attrition. What they may not have considered is how many people at WS/WG/AC/TS etc will pull the pin prior to 65. Not everyone wants to fly until they die. If pay ramps up, some may stay for pension bump (mostly AC old style DB pension) or stick it out a little longer to pay for some new toy but several who I know at WG and WS are done as soon as the numbers (mortgage done etc) line up. Of course everyone will have their own set of 'golden handcuffs' criteria. The mythical pilot shortage is real. Alexis or maybe it was Diederik admitted as such on the last Teams meeting when they finally said that a lot of the Encore fleet is parked. If you really want an airline slot it will be there. In the meantime, have some fun flying right now. Airline flying is boring for the most part. Cheers.

Troll account

[throwawaycorporate]

Have they mentioned any issues with aircraft deliveries delaying hiring plans? A lot of US carriers have either stopped or slowed hiring as a result so I’d imagine WJ is even more exposed being only 737

We had planned for (I believe) 8 deliveries this year. AVH said we will see none, they are trying to find others (I suspect he is talking about the Lynx tails) and that the competition is very high for any.
They have not told us if there is an impact at this point. But I don’t think one has to be in the inner circle to know it has to have an impact at some point. The company has offered zero and reduced blocks for May, that to me says yes it is impacting hiring.

One of the most attractive parts of the Westjet new contract is the zero/reduced block being available. You say that company is offering it for May? Are they not offered every month.

Is it possible to do something like July/August at zero block (and zero pay) and then June / September reduced block combined with vacation to essentially have 4 full months off?

[Airbrake]

Have they mentioned any issues with aircraft deliveries delaying hiring plans? A lot of US carriers have either stopped or slowed hiring as a result so I’d imagine WJ is even more exposed being only 737

We had planned for (I believe) 8 deliveries this year. AVH said we will see none, they are trying to find others (I suspect he is talking about the Lynx tails) and that the competition is very high for any.
They have not told us if there is an impact at this point. But I don’t think one has to be in the inner circle to know it has to have an impact at some point. The company has offered zero and reduced blocks for May, that to me says yes it is impacting hiring.

One of the most attractive parts of the Westjet new contract is the zero/reduced block being available. You say that company is offering it for May? Are they not offered every month.

Is it possible to do something like July/August at zero block (and zero pay) and then June / September reduced block combined with vacation to essentially have 4 full months off?

Zero blocks are only on the company desire and reduced blocks are offered through normal bids but these are extras to those.
So it isn’t something that is always available.

[Canadaflyer46]

Reduced block (aka part time) spots are outside the monthly bids and created by the company for 787 captains who hit 65 and wish to continue working. The company will create a reduced block captain position for them at a base of their choosing. These positions haven’t been available to bid on for anyone else for a long time from what I have seen.

[CXALE]

Reduced block (aka part time) spots are outside the monthly bids and created by the company for 787 captains who hit 65 and wish to continue working. The company will create a reduced block captain position for them at a base of their choosing. These positions haven’t been available to bid on for anyone else for a long time from what I have seen.

Are you a WJ pilot? If that’s the case I honestly suggest you read the contract and find what are the Temporary reduced block and Temporary Zero block positions.

[throwawaycorporate]

Zero blocks are only on the company desire and reduced blocks are offered through normal bids but these are extras to those.
So it isn’t something that is always available.

Thanks for the insight. One of the most attractive parts and benefits of WS over AC is the ability to take lots of time off (understanding that it would reduce pay). I'd really appreciate if you could help expand my knowledge on this as I currently see WS as my #1 destination for this reason.

• Have the zero blocks been offered every month?
  If not how often?
  Are they popular/senior? How likely is it to get year 1?
  Is there a reasonably certain way to get 2-4 months off a year every year?

[ads-b]

How often does WJ do base bids?

[Airbrake]

Zero blocks are only on the company desire and reduced blocks are offered through normal bids but these are extras to those.
So it isn’t something that is always available.

Thanks for the insight. One of the most attractive parts and benefits of WS over AC is the ability to take lots of time off (understanding that it would reduce pay). I'd really appreciate if you could help expand my knowledge on this as I currently see WS as my #1 destination for this reason.

• Have the zero blocks been offered every month?
  If not how often?
  Are they popular/senior? How likely is it to get year 1?
  Is there a reasonably certain way to get 2-4 months off a year every year?

Zero blocks have never before been offered or used - have offered LOA’s but this is a different program.
May the first time for zero block.
Not sure as the results are not released until the May schedule is.
Not sure what the popularity is since it hasn’t been used before. As for who gets a zero block, based on seniority.
Can only ever do 2 months in a row IF the company desires it. Not based on a pilots wishes to do it.
The company is also not obligated to action any of the zero blocks even if they state their intention to use them.
Also if you are using a zero time block you cannot pick up any OT or shift trades.

[throwawaycorporate]

Zero blocks are only on the company desire and reduced blocks are offered through normal bids but these are extras to those.
So it isn’t something that is always available.

Thanks for the insight. One of the most attractive parts and benefits of WS over AC is the ability to take lots of time off (understanding that it would reduce pay). I'd really appreciate if you could help expand my knowledge on this as I currently see WS as my #1 destination for this reason.

• Have the zero blocks been offered every month?
  If not how often?
  Are they popular/senior? How likely is it to get year 1?
  Is there a reasonably certain way to get 2-4 months off a year every year?

Zero blocks have never before been offered or used - have offered LOA’s but this is a different program.
May the first time for zero block.
Not sure as the results are not released until the May schedule is.
Not sure what the popularity is since it hasn’t been used before. As for who gets a zero block, based on seniority.
Can only ever do 2 months in a row IF the company desires it. Not based on a pilots wishes to do it.
The company is also not obligated to action any of the zero blocks even if they state their intention to use them.
Also if you are using a zero time block you cannot pick up any OT or shift trades.

Got it. How about the reduced block and vacation? Overall what I'm trying to gauge is how easily I could snowbird for 2-4 months a year.

Any of the bases for the nicer weather YYZ,YVR,YYC and then for 2-4 months go to the southern states or Mexico over winter.

The ability to leave Canada during the colder weather is worth a lot to me vs chasing metal.

[Airbrake]

Thanks for the insight. One of the most attractive parts and benefits of WS over AC is the ability to take lots of time off (understanding that it would reduce pay). I'd really appreciate if you could help expand my knowledge on this as I currently see WS as my #1 destination for this reason.

• Have the zero blocks been offered every month?
  If not how often?
  Are they popular/senior? How likely is it to get year 1?
  Is there a reasonably certain way to get 2-4 months off a year every year?

Zero blocks have never before been offered or used - have offered LOA’s but this is a different program.
May the first time for zero block.
Not sure as the results are not released until the May schedule is.
Not sure what the popularity is since it hasn’t been used before. As for who gets a zero block, based on seniority.
Can only ever do 2 months in a row IF the company desires it. Not based on a pilots wishes to do it.
The company is also not obligated to action any of the zero blocks even if they state their intention to use them.
Also if you are using a zero time block you cannot pick up any OT or shift trades.

Got it. How about the reduced block and vacation? Overall what I'm trying to gauge is how easily I could snowbird for 2-4 months a year.

Any of the bases for the nicer weather YYZ,YVR,YYC and then for 2-4 months go to the southern states or Mexico over winter.

The ability to leave Canada during the colder weather is worth a lot to me vs chasing metal.

I have no experience with that and cannot comment about how easily or difficult it could be.

[throwawaycorporate]

Zero blocks have never before been offered or used - have offered LOA’s but this is a different program.
May the first time for zero block.
Not sure as the results are not released until the May schedule is.
Not sure what the popularity is since it hasn’t been used before. As for who gets a zero block, based on seniority.
Can only ever do 2 months in a row IF the company desires it. Not based on a pilots wishes to do it.
The company is also not obligated to action any of the zero blocks even if they state their intention to use them.
Also if you are using a zero time block you cannot pick up any OT or shift trades.

Got it. How about the reduced block and vacation? Overall what I'm trying to gauge is how easily I could snowbird for 2-4 months a year.

Any of the bases for the nicer weather YYZ,YVR,YYC and then for 2-4 months go to the southern states or Mexico over winter.

The ability to leave Canada during the colder weather is worth a lot to me vs chasing metal.

I have no experience with that and cannot comment about how easily or difficult it could be.

Really appreciate everything