Air Canada Pool

[Dockjock]

Old Fella there are financial incentives and disincentives in the contract that compel pilots to give 12 months notice, and to not use more than 8 sick days during that period.

[Old fella]

Old Fella there are financial incentives and disincentives in the contract that compel pilots to give 12 months notice, and to not use more than 8 sick days during that period.

I am not an AC pilot so it's good that you pointed out variances in regard to proposed retirement and associated incentives.

[yycflyguy]

The legality of this tactic is debatable.

[60+pilot]

Despite the leave of absence program now in effect it looks like a PIT course may run in Nov

[Lemon]

Good news! Thanks for the info

[Slappy the Squirrel]

Despite the leave of absence program now in effect it looks like a PIT course may run in Nov

That would definitely be some welcome news, but if there is a course in Nov the pool has not been notified yet. Not saying you're wrong, your previous prediction was bang on, but hopefully this is confirmed in the next week or so.

With all the negative outlook lately I'm surprised at this, I'm wondering what the reason behind it is.

[rudder]

A reduction bid causes dislocation and incremental training expense plus forced mainline reductions in to Rouge positions are at mainline pay scales. If there are unbid vacancies at Rouge yet surpluses in the mainline fleet it is probably cheaper to offer mainline LOA and street hire in to Rouge if the mainline surpluses are not overly significant and not permanent.

[Slappy the Squirrel]

An email went out to the pool today.

They confirmed that although they were considering a late November new hire course, they have decided there is no need, so no more hiring in 2014.

They did say that they expect the next course to be run in or around March 2015, but they have not indicated whether or not that will be the start of sustained hiring or just a single course.

[loopa]

I would take that with a grain of salt. Just like how they said they are running a Nov course, and now they are not. Don't be surprised if they email you in a week saying they need pilot's again (sarcasm).

Organization at such level is often times hard. Meaning the conclusion they come to now can very well change way before when they anticipate - in this case March.

Keep your chin up and best of luck to you!

[Fanblade]

I suspect the offer of LOA'S and temporary suspension of the one year notification to retire didn't produce much.

We will know Tuesday when the next bid comes out.

Age 60 retirement ended in Dec 2012. Each bid looks out 1 year. Notice to retire is one year. So the bid out Tuesday will look out to the 3 year mark post the retirement change.

It might very well take another 2 years before we start to see substantial attrition on bids. It might happen on the next bid. Who knows. No one knows.

All we can do is make an educated guess based on retirements so far. That guess points to 64 becoming the new average age of retirement. If so we will start to see attrition showing up on bids a year from now. Sustained hiring 4 -6 months later.

[altiplano]

Equipment bid delayed. Now will run in Nov. closing Dec. 02.

You won't see a course this year.

Sorry for those waiting.

[7dirty7]

How many people are in the pool right now?

[ski_bum]

The number I heard was 60ish, plus what ever is added from the last batch of interviews...

[777LR]

little birdies are telling my at least 700 new hires by the end of 2017. Hang in there boys!

[snag]

little birdies are telling my at least 700 new hires by the end of 2017. Hang in there boys!

With almost zero retirements for the next 2 years, that would mean 50 additional aircraft in 3 years. Not a chance. The outlook is positive for a couple extra fins by then, but let's be realistic here.

[Fanblade]

little birdies are telling my at least 700 new hires by the end of 2017. Hang in there boys!

With almost zero retirements for the next 2 years, that would mean 50 additional aircraft in 3 years. Not a chance. The outlook is positive for a couple extra fins by then, but let's be realistic here.

I agree. With that said I heard the same thing and called BS on it at the YYZ meeting afterwards. It was pointed out to me that this was a “paper" projection. In other words the end of 2017 would project out 1 year. It is really a four year outlook. Also told it likely includes a Mega bid. Apparently AC has employed this in the past to reduce training costs in a rapid advancement condition?

Maybe you can explain that one to me. Has AC done this in the past?

Either way I still call BS on the number within 3 years. Positive though.

[7dirty7]

even if it is half then that is good news, about 10 a month starting in the spring

[TCAS II]

How long have guys been waiting for a ground school date?

[Slappy the Squirrel]

How long have guys been waiting for a ground school date?

Lately? Years. There are still people in the pool from spring 2013. I've been in for 18 months now, I'm nowhere near the top of the list, and with no confirmed hiring in sight it will likely be over 2 years for me by the time things are all said and done, if I'm lucky.

It's quite poopy.

[Biggles]

anyone know when they're going to open up the portal to add to said pool?

[aycarumba]

April 1st

[dukepoint]

Just a side comment, but to anyone in the pool.........your wait will be well worth it.

Given the growth projected, and upcoming retirements, advancement will be relatively fast, and you'll be on the front side of a huge hiring spree. Being first through the gate makes an immense difference. Fast movement to higher paying status and equipment will more than make up for a later start date.

Those giving up and taking other offers should really have a seriously close look at what's happening at AC before accepting an offer elsewhere.

DP.

[V1]

Wait.. can someone please explain the pool system and how it's possible to be in it for potentially years? Does this mean you are hired and are just waiting for a ground school spot to open up? Does AC makes this clear that this is their intention? How much notice do you get? I am just assuming you will stay at your current job until you are called.
I am very happy in my position right now but would like to apply but by the sounds of it I should do it now (applications seem to be closed). If you have many internal recommendations does that make a difference with anything?

Thanks!

[Slappy the Squirrel]

Wait.. can someone please explain the pool system and how it's possible to be in it for potentially years? Does this mean you are hired and are just waiting for a ground school spot to open up? Does AC makes this clear that this is their intention? How much notice do you get? I am just assuming you will stay at your current job until you are called.
I am very happy in my position right now but would like to apply but by the sounds of it I should do it now (applications seem to be closed). If you have many internal recommendations does that make a difference with anything?

Thanks!

Sure. In order to be hired you have to have an online application. I believe you can fill this out at any time. When AC decides they may want to hire some pilots soon, they pick some suitable candidates from their database and offer them interviews. Interviews are set up a month or more in advance of the interview date. You go for the interview, psych eval, and cognitive testing all in the same day. They then call your references, possibly including the company you currently work at. A few weeks later they advise you if you are successful at getting through the interview. If you are successful you are put in a hiring pool.

They make it very clear that being put in the pool is not a job offer, and make no guarantees as to when you will be hired, nor even if you will be hired. Basically they are reserving the right to not hire you if they choose not to for whatever reason. From this point on they will email you every couple months to advise you of updated hiring plans.

When a ground school course comes up they generally take the candidates who have been waiting the longest out of everyone in the pool and put them in the ground school. Prior to being offered a ground school a pre-employment medical has to be completed. Generally they will organize this for you if you are getting close to the top of the pool, so that you are ready to go if they need you. If things move fast interview to hiring could be a matter of a few months.

So how does one end up in the pool for years? Easy. You apply, do an interview, pass said interview and enter the hiring pool. Air Canada then decides to stop hiring for whatever reason (ie. pilots stop retiring) so you are left in the pool for an undetermined length of time. Some hiring occurs, which means you move up on the list, but still not enough to be hired. Then they stop hiring again and you sit and wait for the next hiring cycle.

As for your other questions: Yes, you wait in your current job until you get a call. Yes, your current employer knows you are waiting to leave. You would probably have a month or two's notice before getting an actual ground school date. Internal recommendations? I don't know for sure as I'm not an AC pilot, but I've heard there is a place where their pilots can recommend one individual each year. This is a new thing. I don't know how much an internal reference helps nor if that info is even accurate.

Good Luck

[jpilot77]

Are you able to update the questionnaire online while the pool is closed?