Hiring/Matrix Questions

[CanBraz]

I guess these questions would be mostly for Dave P. or anyone at WJ, but if anybody else would care to comment or help out, it would be greatly appreciated.

Just as an introduction, this is my first post ever on AVCANADA. I have been reading and keeping up with the forum as much as possible over the last few years but just now decided to participate a bit more. So if I write too much or do anything out of the normal, feel free to comment.

In order to clarify a few questions I have regarding WestJet hiring here goes a few things to know about my career so far

TT: 2900 hrs
Jet/Glass (FO): 2100 hrs (1200 hrs A320 series / 900 hrs Falcon 900 & Learjet 40)
Multi/PIC: 540 hrs (piston)
ATPL
Aviation College Diploma from BCIT
Four Languages (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese)
Lots of Level D Sim and Airline Training

When I graduated and got my CPL in Vancouver, there weren't many options for flying jobs at the time, so I made my way out to Brazil (Dual Citizen) where I have been for the last few years. I'm currently flying for TAM Airlines on the A320 series and before that lots of corporate international flying. I think and hope that I’m getting closer to the point where I can be a potential candidate for WestJet and be able to finally come home.

Questions:

Is there any problem that 100% of my commercial/airline hours have been flown outside of Canada?

I know that WestJet loves PIC time which is something I know I lack, which I also won't be getting for a long time now. Can the Airbus and jet time compensate for the PIC time in the Matrix system?

Since all of my aviation so far has been down here in Brazil, as you can imagine I don't have any internal reference that has flown with me before. How badly will that affect me in the Matrix?

Since I'm all the way down here in Brazil and don't have much access to Calgary or anyone for that matter, what do you suggest would help me more towards the possibility of a future opportunity at WestJet?

I'd love to be a part of the WestJet team. If possible, I'd like to do the transfer Airline to Airline at the appropriate time. Any comments help or feedback from anybody would be much appreciated!

I'm sorry I wrote so much, but this is one of the only ways for me to network and get information from all the way down here!

Thanks,

[Dark Helmet]

I do not work at WJ but here is what I would do if I were you.

Go to their website and APPLY (if you have not already). Keep updating your profile. Worse case is that they will never call you. You may want to pay them a visit, they accepted visitors in the past but I am not sure if they still do. I will have to leave it to the good folks at WJ to answer that and your other questions as I am not sure.

Boa Sorte

DH

[Tiny Voices]

As far as I know, the thousand hour PIC requirement is a hard number required for upgrade, and with 1100 qualified applicants on file, I don't think your lack of PIC is something that will be overlooked. As for walking in for a meet and greet and tour of the facilities, while there was a time that it was acceptable to do so, the demand as you may imagine became overwhelming, so it is now requested that you have an internal recommend walk you in. It's a helluva long trip coming to Calgary from Brazil just to be turned away at the door because nobody is available or has the time to show you around.

Sorry if this sounds like a downer, but reality sometimes is. If I'm wrong or misinformed, I'm sure DaveP will be along sometime soon to correct and add to the information I provided. Be patient though. If he isn't learning the ins and outs of his new position at the moment, he may be sunning himself on a float somewhere working on his farmer tan.

[Dhc6to8]

…

[Ryan Coke2]

Couple of comments;
-Yes it is possible to get hired without internal recommends, so don't let that hold you back from applying. Obviously the internal helps, but I know Dave has mentioned that we do hire some without.
-As for the PIC--my understanding is that the 1000 multi PIC is not a hard requirement, but a desired matrix attribute (I don't think someone with nothing but F-16 time would be immediately ruled out). As for overall PIC, Canbraz may have more than the multi PIC mentioned.

As always, I defer to Dave if I am mistaken.

[CanBraz]

Thanks for all the info so far guys. It's nice to be able to get some info from all the way down here.

According to what I last saw at WJ and on a few websites, the minimum multi-PIC time required is 500 hrs, so in that case I would be slightly above the minimum for that section of the requirements. Everything else is well in access of the minimums.

I can't understand why the matrix would consider FO time on a A320 to be less valuable then PIC on a turboprop, but that's what I need to find out from Dave. It would be discouraging to know that for me to get a shot at WJ, I'd have to leave my current position on the Airbus to go back to being Capt. on a turboprop in order to get more PIC time. In my opinion, I think it's more advantageous to hire a guy with heavy aircarft/airline experience than somebody with lots of PIC time on something small and no 705 experience, but that's just me, I want to know what recruitment really takes into consideration.

Thanks again for the thoughts and let's wait and see what Dave has to say.

Cheers,

[loopa]

Thanks for all the info so far guys. It's nice to be able to get some info from all the way down here.

According to what I last saw at WJ and on a few websites, the minimum multi-PIC time required is 500 hrs, so in that case I would be slightly above the minimum for that section of the requirements. Everything else is well in access of the minimums.

I can't understand why the matrix would consider FO time on a A320 to be less valuable then PIC on a turboprop, but that's what I need to find out from Dave. It would be discouraging to know that for me to get a shot at WJ, I'd have to leave my current position on the Airbus to go back to being Capt. on a turboprop in order to get more PIC time. In my opinion, I think it's more advantageous to hire a guy with heavy aircarft/airline experience than somebody with lots of PIC time on something small and no 705 experience, but that's just me, I want to know what recruitment really takes into consideration.

Thanks again for the thoughts and let's wait and see what Dave has to say.

Cheers,

I've got quite a few friends who fly the line at WestJet, Dave being another great comrade, the notion that WestJet carries seems to be that no body is better / superior than/to somebody else; which in turn has promoted a very cool and happy working atmosphere. And I really think that the answer you give them if asked about why they should hire you tells them quite a lot about your character.

While I think F/O jet time is valuable, being PIC on a turbo prop confirms your decision making skills in a 2 crew environment. When WestJet, or any other company for that matter hires, I think they're looking to hire a captain who has been in a fast paced environment, not a first officer. I believe the same goes with TAM. So maybe that's a point that gets recognized? When you walk in there and answer all of their personality based TMAT questions, I really think they are valuing your answer based on how you, as a captain and leader would deal with a situation.

That's my reasoning for why somebody with plenty of Q400 or B1900 PIC time might get the job before an a320 dude on the right seat. Remember, with the mentality that no body is better than somebody else, I truly believe that WestJet is promoting an atmosphere where "anybody" can fly their aircraft; it's the attitude and personality of that individual that sets them apart from another applicant.

Plus, I think having EFIS (PFD, ND, ECAM, MCDU on the A320) is a time that is valued, though having somebody on the NG (PFD, ND, EWD, FMC) is a time that is more valued given that it's a straight cross over into the type training. Do you have experience with RNP over at TAM?

Like mentioned earlier, apply, as you have nothing to lose. I wish you the best, as it really seems to be a fantastic working environment.

I'm sure Dave will be along to answer your questions in more detail! It's all part of his helpful character and resemblance of the company culture.

-loopa

[Rotten Apple #1]

Perhaps, (and this is mindless conjecture only) bringing along some TAM FAs for a hangar visit (also looking for a relocate, of course) might improve the odds of you getting an interview. Along with your friends.

Just sayin.