Some good questions have come up on this forum; allow us to address some of them.
1) This is a program that has been created after more than a decade of cooperation between AC and AGL in the area of pilot hiring. The number of AGL pilots that have moved onto careers at AC is in the hundreds. This program represents only a single stream of pilots that will go from AGL to AC.
2) AGL will continue to hire pilots with all levels of experience including direct entry Captains, experienced FO’s, mentor pilots though aviation college and university programs and pilots from this cadet program.
3) The cost of the ab initio training is paid to Flight Safety not AGL and it is the direct cost of the program. AGL makes no money from the program but does take on an administrative function at its own expense to provide FSI SOP’s, technical information, mentoring and supervision of training.
4) The cost includes housing and the cost of flying. The program offered by FSI is in use by many airlines. They are one of the best in the world at training airline pilots.
5) FSI was chosen by AC and AGL after an RFP process which involved both Canadian and other US training providers.
6) This program will be no walk in the park. The selection process is highly competitive and the testing is rigorous.
7) Financial assistance in the form of loans may be available from Canadian Chartered Banks. Successful candidates should discuss this opportunity with their financial institutions if they are chosen to take part in the interview process.
Here are
the conditions of employment from AC:
A. You acquire a minimum of 2000 flying hours as a First Officer on a Multi Turbo Prop aircraft as an employee of AGL (“AGL employment”);
B. You successfully complete initial training at the Flight Safety International Academy prior to starting your AGL employment;
C. You obtain and hold a valid Canadian Airline Transport Pilot License;
D. You maintain a clean disciplinary record throughout your AGL employment;
E. You maintain an attendance record that meets or exceeds the standard at AGL during your AGL employment;
F. You successfully complete all required training events during your AGL employment (a maximum of one failed training event that is passed on the subsequent evaluation will be allowed);
G. You consent to AGL disclosing to Air Canada the records necessary to confirm your fulfillment of the conditions listed above; and
H. You pass an Air Canada Pre-Employment Medical exam and a Pre-Employment Security Clearance.
9) AGL will continue to hire mentor pilots in the same ratio as it does today.
10) The “One Regional” program mentioned in the press release is an AGL initiative focused on attracting new pilots that will stay at AGL until they are hired by a major international carrier. The program is also focusing on retaining current employees until they are offered a position with a major international carrier.
11) AGL pilots are currently based in 3 locations – YHZ, YYZ and YYC. All new pilots must be willing to work from any base upon being hired. AGL is governed by a binding collective agreement and a base lottery is held during groundschool as is a seniority number draw. Usually, but not always, new FO’s go to YYC or YHZ as YYZ is a relatively senior base.
. And I make double 27k flying a smaller twin than a B1900 working 1/4 of its sched.
