CargoJet interview??

[Cargo Dog]

Has anyone had an interview with CargoJet for the position of Second Officer lately? I'm trying to prepare and I'm not sure what I should be studying?

[co-joe]

Get comfortable with personal bankruptcy laws, and familiarize yourself with the locations of food banks in the area.

[Rudy]

Yeah, ask them what's the deal with the salaries. Oh, and ask them what happened with that tree. You're going to do great.

[jetav8r]

jeez, the guy asked a simple question. Why do we need to get sarcastic when someone is looking for information. Get your head out of your asses and be more professional.

To answer the question..

be yourself, don't bs. Read the GEN Cap, standard questions, why do you want to work at Cargojet, Do you mind being in the backseat for 2-4 years, what do you know about CJ (look at the website), What do you think about multi-crew, do you have a problem working nights and sleeping days. I don't know what the pay might be. There are certain aspects of cargo flying you may not like, night, upgrades to F/O, pay etc.

Jet

[CaptainHaddock]

'Get comfortable with personal bankruptcy laws, and familiarize yourself with the locations of food banks in the area. '



What the H@ll is wrong with the pay? $37,000.00 base with around $7-10,000.00 per diems a year,plus bonus/incentive during peak.This is for an entry position-doubtful you will even be there for 1-2 years (lately only 8-12 months).People sure have short memories around here,there's a guy with 250 hours starting in the back right now.My first job was $1600 a month living in a leanto 40nm from the nearest res. you could be left seat on a 1900 for CMA making the same. Sorry to rant but it just seemed an absurd comment.There are other reasons for why or why not Cargojet-but it's the same entry pay as the majority of the companies operating equivalent equipment (industry wide it is low,so bitch about the whole industry pay then)
You will work a lot of nights and have irregular sleep patterns for sure.Anyways maybe one of the newer hires can comment on the present hiring process.Sometimes it gets ridiculous how a simple positive inquiry gets mud slung at it so fast.

Cheers

[Uncle Leo]

My first question is 1) DO I have to wear those absurd pants with the stripe on them? 2) Do I have to pull a rolley bag? It demeans us both.

[clubzed]

Well, I've heard nothing but good about Cargojet and that's sure as hell where I'm aiming for once I've done my multi-ifr ride. Just look at the fleet they have! - it's all solid, progressive experience if you ask me. Also, just look at the replies on this site from George Sugar - helpful and he even takes the time to thank folks for applying - it all speaks volumes to me!!

And no, I'm not associated or affiliated with them - YET!!

Ian

[sky's the limit]

Regardless of salaries, bonuses, stock options and the like - PER DIEMS ARE NOT WAGES..... Why do you people continue to look at them as such? Ok, I'll answer that for you: because wages are so low you have to.

Can you pocket some per diem? Of course, but that's NOT pay. Either take the job based on its merits, salary, benefits, lifestyle, or don't, but factoring food money into the equation is doing nothing to help wages go up industry wide...

Good grief.


stl

[Flaps 1 Billion]

My interview was very casual and relaxed, just questions about me. All personal, nothing technical, George didn't even look through my books.

The money is 37 to start, with peak and overtime in the fall you'll easily hit the 40 mark if not more. Per diems, and no I don't count it as pay, are 2.50$ domestic, 3.50$ state side, pretty good. Pension, 12 days off a month, could be more for night cargo, all benefits for you and wife and kids. Upgrades have been fast, mine is 8 months, pretty good spot to be. YVR, YMX, and YHM bases are being offered.

All in all not a bad spot to be, I'm not lining up for food stamps.

Don't let the comments from the normal bashers deter you.

Oh ya, no you don't wear the pinstripes, you do get the rolley bag. Hmmm, if I'm going on a long trip, say 5-6 days, would I rather lug around my duffel bag or pull my "lamo" rolley bag?????? Grow up, it's just a job.

[thx1138]

$7 to $10,000 a year in per diems???? Are you ever home???

[flyer08]

Upgrades have been fast, mine is 8 months, pretty good spot to be.

Flaps 1 Billion, is that for 727 F/O?

[CaptainHaddock]

'Regardless of salaries, bonuses, stock options and the like - PER DIEMS ARE NOT WAGES..... Why do you people continue to look at them as such? Ok, I'll answer that for you: because wages are so low you have to.'

If I was including them as a wage I would have stated it as around $45,000.00 a year.I just posted what you could expect to recieve in a year.And yes, to recieve that you are away from home a lot.
Good post Flaps 1 Billion

Cheers

[sky's the limit]

If I was including them as a wage I would have stated it as around $45,000.00 a year.I just posted what you could expect to recieve in a year.And yes, to recieve that you are away from home a lot.
Good post Flaps 1 Billion

Cheers

You said: "What the H@ll is wrong with the pay? $37,000.00 base with around $7-10,000.00 per diems a year,plus bonus/incentive during peak."


Sorry if I misinterpreted what you meant, as you can see, with a statement like that it's easy to do. However, there are a plague of posters here who reiterate time and again that Per Diems are to be counted as some form of salary extension - they do not. That type of thinking is one part of why we continue to be paid so poorly industry wide. Apparently $50K/yr is good money, or even $100K/yr for a jet Capt - it's not. You look around at what people make in MANY other industries, and it just doesn't stack up.

Our industry will never put aside its collective ego to form some kind of Association for pay equity and standards of work, so you can only fight it at the grassroots, ie the CMA's, bush and instructing outfits, and other entry level type positions.


stl

[F,D and H]

Sometimes employers have per diems set up so that you will be able to make quite a bit of cash off of them. I'm gone for periods at a time and pocket (after food and expenses) an average $1000 (cash) a month without being scrimpy. I know what you are trying to say Sky but it is hard for me to not include it.

Sorry for the hyjack cargo-dog good luck with the interview!!!!

[sky's the limit]

F,D, and H,


I am away for 30 days at a time, collecting per diems as well. I understand how much can be pocketed on them as much as the next guy.

They are a non-taxable meal allowance. Most people in the aviation industry don't collect a standard Gov't level per diem either, so I just can't understand the mentality that includes them - call me crazy...

Sorry for the Hijack, someone PM a Mod to have this thread split....

stl

[NorthSky]

Sky's the Limit -- I'm with you big time on this one.

It was a common chuckle between folks at my old company to hear guys/gals justify their salaries with the extra food money.

The line goes something like "....I know its kinda low, BUT WITH PER DIEMS!! it works out to...blah blah blah"

That's not part of your salary -- its the money you're supposed to eat with!

[Flaps 1 Billion]

Yes, s/o to f/o upgrades have been between 8-12 months, however things are changing a bit with the new bases coming into play and the turbo props coming on line.


Per deims can be quite high as we do weekend layovers. But, like I said, it's not pocket money, it's lunch money. In terms of the salary itself, well, I don't know what you guys think is normal for an s/o, not at F/E, on a 27, or an f/o or capt. Take it as you will and decide for yourself from there.

[CAPTAIN FOO]

Sky's the Limit is dead-nuts-on with his/her observations and will likley be trampled by a Kool-Aid Tsunami of critics. It's funny how if people are told they are blessed with great riches 8 million times he/she will believe it. Fill yer boots.

But it's also common knowledge that wages in Canada are an insult, and sadly, the addiction of being seen in or near a big airplane has rubbed out the fact that many guys eat cans of tuna and dried fruit in their room on weekends and count per diem as cash to offset their actual wage.

[sky's the limit]

[and will likley be trampled by a Kool-Aid Tsunami of critics.

Lmfao.

You and I are going to get along juuuuust fine.....


stl

[Uncle Leo]

Food... Electricity... One in two canadian pilots can't afford both. Where do YOUR per diems go?

The argument of outstanding per diems supplementing wage is like saying "Yes, I am a slave, but I gets a good feedin' at the end of my day, yasirrreee boss, I's just happy to be workin' on this her plantation".

[F,D and H]

Sky,

What I was getting at was that some companies have it structured so that it is not just a food allowance but more of a bonus for the lifestyle that one has to live.

[SQ]

the more you'll consider diems as a mean to improve your wages
the less you'll have chances to see your wages increased at a reasonable level

[F,D and H]

You're not listening. I agree that the average guy, making the average (or less) per diem, shouldn't include their food alowance into their wages. Eating yogurt and Mr noodles or a bagle from Timmies so you can save your $40 a day isn't what I'm talking about. There ARE a FEW out there who do have it PURPOSELY set up with their employer to be able to make GOOD money on the side. I AM NOT DISAGREEING WITH YOU. You are disagreeing with me.

[co-joe]

'...there's a guy with 250 hours starting in the back right now....

So I guess they dropped the 500 multi PIC requirement for the back seat from last year eh?

I know 2 people who went there, one with wife and kids, one without. Both had to quit or go bankrupt. Just my 2c. Have fun, nothing against anyone who can make ends meet on that kind of money, good on you. I'd make the sacrifice for a carrier who pays more in the long run but the long term picture at CJ doesn't justify the short term pain for me (ie equivalent wage to making $18.50 an hour at Wal Mart, but working nights, not logging time, etc...)

Anyway sorry for the smart assed remarks but hey it got a good debate rolling didn't it?

[R1830]

With Cargojet Regional now in the picture, command time can be acquired within the company, allowing individuals to meet requirements for further upgrade without looking elsewhere.

As far as money goes, I find it very difficult to believe that there was such a crunch. Even a starting Second Officer makes what Air Canada pays for the first several years, and upgrades have been rapid lately. I managed to purchase and furnish a house, pay the mortgage, drive and insure my truck, and drink large quantities of rather expensive rum during my time as a second officer. During that time my wife was looking for employment after having left a good job up north to move to Ontario. Never once did I feel I was not paid an appropriate amount.

Regards,
Warren