AC Minimums?

circlingfor69 · Post by **circlingfor69** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 12:10 pm

Does anyone here have any idea what kind of realistic experience levels that mainline will be looking for when they do start hiring? I've heard in the past that a minimum of 500 Multi-turbine PIC over 12,500, but this has never been substantiated to my knowledge. Does anyone have any insight into this? (Meaningful insight!)

Cool Rythms! · Post by **Cool Rythms!** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 3:38 pm

Hard to say circlingfor69. If you look at their website, their minimums are actually the bare minimums, but we both know, that you won't get hired with bare minimums. They will always favour guys who have substantial jet or turboprop experience. I know of one guy, who was hired a few years ago, with about 2,900 hrs. However, this guy had just come straight out of the military and also had a university degree. For people who don't have his background, I would imagine, that they would want at least 4,000 to 5,000 hrs. with considerable air carrier experience. If companys like Wesjet and Canjet require this kind of time, I can't imagine, that the largest airline in the country would be any different.

shankdown · Post by **shankdown** » Mon May 23, 2005 1:09 pm

Just remember that the most senior guys in the company (aka, the guys with the most pull) were hired with 200 hours. At one point in time, the two companies doing this, CP and AC, were being questioned for these hiring practices, citing that they need to hire guys with more experience. Well, since then, none of the 200 hour pilots that were hired in the 60's have ever scratched an airplane. The airlines trained them the way they wanted them to fly. They never had the time to pick up bad habits elsewhere. Certainly, this is still a thought for them. Maybe not hiring with 200 hours, but a minimum ATPL anyways. Just a thought that could keep some encouraged. If they hire pilots young, they'll have them for upwards of 40 years. Sure beats hiring a grizzled 55 year old who wants to do things his own way.

SD

Jaques Strappe · Post by **Jaques Strappe** » Mon May 23, 2005 4:51 pm

Actually, your experience will be considered against whoever else is applying. Obviously, you have to meet the minimum requirements. There will be no 200 hr new hires and you can pretty much bet that a university degree will be required. Speak french, even better.

Age is not so much an issue because they are now paying the price of hiring all at the same age, as they all retire at the same time, so they now diversify.

shankdown · Post by **shankdown** » Tue May 24, 2005 12:48 am

I know one fella that just got a call to go for his medical that doesn't have any education past highschool. And he's in the first batch of the hiring. I'm sure there are more sub-university/college educated pilots that are going to get the call, too. Maybe I'm way off, though. My 2 cents (and I'm sure its worth less than that

)

SD

whipline · Post by **whipline** » Tue May 24, 2005 4:55 am

I'm not sure where you got your info Shakedown, but the 200 hr pilots hired back in the late 60's and 70's proved to be a disaster. They were hired to sit side ways for many years and when their turn came to occupy the front seat they were more then a handful. Can you imagine having 200 hrs and not flying for many years then trying to fly a 727. And as for AC not bending any metal you might want to look into that a little further.

The place I work at right now hires pilots straight out of flight school to fly 737 NG's and some of them take 6 months of line indoc before they are let lose, and for good reason.

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Tue May 24, 2005 5:35 am

Shank, what kind of experience did your buddy have?

Cheers.

slowstream · Post by **slowstream** » Tue May 24, 2005 7:51 am

Guys,

Study the history at A/C and their hiring criteria, they have always been changing requirements, No experience & age, Bush Pilots, Ex Military pilots, Universty Grad's and so on. Each of these groups posed problems for the airline and each time a/c has ajusted their requirements. I have a couple of friends there who have helped me greatly and according to what they are saying it is not one thing alone that will get a person in! This is with out doubt the biggest hiring that A/C has done since the 60's and I do believe that the numbers are even higher (not perfectly sure though) than the 60's, their hiring program is the most complex yet. My sources tell me that they will be looking for a very broad range of pilots with varied experience. To verify this information one only has to look at T.C and ATAC's numbers of pilots, ALPA & ACPA statements and lastly the airlines press releases and you will quickly find out that there simply is not enough qualified pilots out there! As a friend says, the hiring is happening and they're exciting times ahead for A/C!!! Good luck to all.

shankdown · Post by **shankdown** » Tue May 24, 2005 12:16 pm

Whipline, my information comes directly from one of the ones hired in the 60's at 21 years of age. He was hired at CP with about 40 other guys that all had very little experience. For this fella, it was his very first job. They were hired for DC-3's, and DC-4's (if I remember correctly). They airline got shit for it, but at retirement, not one of them had ever scratched an airplane. As I understand, AC hired like this as well (I know one of those ones, too). I never said AC never had any accidents, I'm just saying that I have no proof that any of them were a result of hiring a guy with 200 hours. It worked for CP, and I'm under the impression that it did for AC as well. I don't have a leg to stand on if we jump into a pissing match, but can you come up with an accident at AC (or CP) directly resulting in having hired a low time pilot? My feeling is no, but I'm sure you have your reasons for saying it was a disaster for them. I guess it all depends on who you talk to on the subject. Different people spin things differently.

SD

whipline · Post by **whipline** » Tue May 24, 2005 2:43 pm

Sorry no pissing match intended. My uncle was also hired at CP with no time at a very young age. My point is simply the lower the experience the higher the amount of training involved (generally). If there are lots of candidates out there with a high level of experience I don't think many 200 hour pilots are going to get a call at AC.

Good luck to everyone trying to get in, hopefully everyone finds a seat they enjoy.

Cheers

LANDGREEN · Post by **LANDGREEN** » Tue May 24, 2005 4:03 pm

Friend of mine called today....34 yrs old 8500hrs 727 Capt. with lots of jet time. Last week another friend same age 7000hrs large jet Capt.

TTail · Post by **TTail** » Tue May 24, 2005 4:52 pm

LANDGREEN wrote:Friend of mine called today....34 yrs old 8500hrs 727 Capt. with lots of jet time. Last week another friend same age 7000hrs large jet Capt.

Friend of yours called, or GOT called?

LANDGREEN · Post by **LANDGREEN** » Tue May 24, 2005 6:35 pm

Got called for medical and sit down for file review. Sorry it's been a long day...

popo · Post by **popo** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:22 pm

Seems like a lot of hours to sit right seat on an ERJ,
the pay cut will hurt too.

but considering their age, I guess the are after the red team.

so when are the real interview start?
is it June or July, I know it should have started Yesterday.....

Chao.

Jaques Strappe · Post by **Jaques Strappe** » Wed May 25, 2005 6:09 pm

Seems like a lot of hours to sit right seat on an ERJ,
the pay cut will hurt too.

Doesn't anyone look at the big picture anymore? Not to say that AC is the be all and end all and certainly isn't what everyone wants but hey, If you want to have a schedule and a life along with the opportunity to be making 200K as a 777 Captain one day, you gotta start somewhere bud.

Flywest · Post by **Flywest** » Wed May 25, 2005 7:34 pm

"Schedule and a life"

Amen

talkinghead · Post by **talkinghead** » Thu May 26, 2005 4:22 am

I gotta say, if someone wants to pay me what I am getting now for the chance to sit Right seat in a 787 or 777 i am all for it.
Yes the pay cut sucks but..........

LANDGREEN · Post by **LANDGREEN** » Thu May 26, 2005 6:22 am

talkinghead wrote:I gotta say, if someone wants to pay me what I am getting now for the chance to sit Right seat in a 787 or 777 i am all for it.
Yes the pay cut really sucks but..........

What are you getting for pay now?

talkinghead · Post by **talkinghead** » Thu May 26, 2005 7:06 am

A little more then first year AC pay.
http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/content/view/96/11/

LANDGREEN · Post by **LANDGREEN** » Thu May 26, 2005 9:40 am

talkinghead...could you explain? "Yes the pay cut really sucks but..."

popo · Post by **popo** » Thu May 26, 2005 10:01 am

Relax Jaques,

or I should say fiche le camps Jaques et ne revient plus jamais, jamais, jamais.

You are right Air Canada is the best we have, everybody is really getting excited, hopefully noeone will get hurt in the end....

My buddy just got a phone call, out of Seneca, with 230 hrs,
he finished top of the class...
Amazing!!!!

Happy flying.
Just relax, I have no buddies at Seneca. I have no buddies anywhere as a matter of fact!!! Jaques can u be my friend?

talkinghead · Post by **talkinghead** » Thu May 26, 2005 1:21 pm