rickenbackker your comments are very true but to go back to CJ from AC , come on. Not a very bright move. At least stay and give it a shot. He did not even get in his final sim ride. No AC or WJ are not for everyone but that move is a leap backwards. At least there is a future, much longer than what is at CJ, for your family.
As far as the commutte goes the first 5-6 months are pos space until you get checked out and released to the line.

Just my 2 cents.

I agree that to leave AC to return to CanJet would be foolish in the extreme...at first glance. But for the CanJet guys, especially the captains, there are far more lucrative options than AC out there if they are willing to go overseas. For example JetBlue, who are looking for B777 pilots for commuting contracts, and serious talk of a Canadian base. Only one of many, many opportunities currently out there.

My guess is if this is true (I really haven't heard anything about it other than this forum) the individual may have something better lined up, and left seat at CanJet is a better place to camp out while waiting for a contract to begin, than making the shite initial pay at AC. Might as well live in your own house with your own family in your own city and make double the pay while you wait.

Just a theory. Longterm if you were staying in Canada, obviously you'd get away from "Kenny and the Shut-'em-down Boys" as quick as you could. But everyone has their own reasons, the guy could have just had a sick kid or something...it's just a job...

Well, I don't know. If the lousy start pay at AC is getting in the way, then I would say some pilots are missing out on a good career and family life with that shortsight. Most guys I would think have or plan to have a family. Why on earth would I take my family out of the country to be on contract just to avoid lousy pay for the next two years? Best part is, in Canada you could be home with that family quite a bit as you work. Most overseas jobs have you gone for days on end while your family is sitting around in a strange land. To each his own, I guess. In my case, I don't even remember those two years of lousy pay. What came after that and what has been ever since is what stands out. Companies have come and gone in Canada but there's always work to be had.

Are you saying Jetblue is getting b777s and going to hire Canadain pilots to commute. Aswell open a Canadian base?

I'm pretty sure he said exactly that,

I did say exactly that, and they are doing exactly that. (Hiring commuter contract pilots.) Three weeks on/off. As far as Canadian pilots, sure, if you're B777 endorsed and a TRE or TRI.

As far as the Canadian base that's rumour.

tony,

I think you missed my point - I was speculating as to why someone would leave AC to go back to CanJet. Because I agree - if your only reason is the first two years pay then you're missing the big picture.

But, if you read my post again, it's not shortsighted to leave AC to make double the money in the short term (and live at home, etc) if you are already decided to leave Canada anyway. As to what you think of AC vs. any Any Other Job On Earth, I think we're all pretty clear as to your opinion so we'll give the expat argument a rest this time 'round eh?

As to what you think of AC vs. any Any Other Job On Earth, I think we're all pretty clear as to your opinion so we'll give the expat argument a rest this time 'round eh?

Yep let's not waste our time with the obvious. If I didn't think it was great at AC I probably wouldn't be here now would I? Lots of other great jobs out there on earth Complex. I have never hidden that. In fact I state it quite often.
Unfortunately that's the obvious fact that you seem to disregard.
I think I'm just as tired of explaining that than your are of reading how great AC is. For what it's worth, I think those guys would be better off going back to CJ than to go overseas. Then again each situatuation is different.

When you get my age....... and you will, it won't mean sweet f--k all where you been or who you worked for, or for that matter, how ya got there. Nobody will give a rats ass and you won't either. So chill out chaps and enjoy what you do have........

Exactly...it's just a job.

lol And meant to say JetAirways, not JetBlue...sorry for the confusion!

As for Tony's comment on AC being a great place to work, it is. The starting pay does suck, for a quick 2 years. Remember in a 4 year term CJ shut down and opened twice. So personally, I think leaving AC to go back to CJ is a very risky move.

The contract life can be lucrative; but its a hard life. Managing time away in Asia on contract, and family life will have a cost. Once you go down that path, it may be very difficult to get back to Canada and join either AC or WJ. The hiring wave won't last forever.

Canjet just resigned the leases on the UAL aircraft untill 2011. The 733 lease will expire in 2009 at which time canjet will be getting a new aircraft type.

Sorry is that "resigned" as in "quit" or "re-signed" as in renewed? I'm assuming you mean renewed from the rest of your post.

Not trying to be the grammar police, just making sure "resigned" isn't some fancy way of saying "terminated the lease". If they've renewed the lease(s) that's some slight encouragement for the good guys still there.

What IS the hiring situation there these days from those in the know?

re-signed. More and more charters are being signed, not just with the tour operators. Still a couple of more to leave, but it's been pretty quite lately.

You say the UAL aircraft, I thought 506 was an ex-Sabena aircraft... they hanging on to that bird?

Congrats... now you can look forward to another 4 years of IMP abuse, low wages, sub-standard work conditions and the constant threat of the next imminent shut-down.

But I still think that KW is the only good man in the mngt team that can be trusted. You can probably thank him for any good that comes from this new oppurtunity.

A sad and happy day for me. I just gave my two weeks notice yesterday. I finally got the call from Westjet. For those that are staying I wish you the best as you are some of the finest people I have worked with. I really hope Canjet 2.5 works. Take care and I'm sure I will see you around.

Steve.

is that steve s.

thats right..

Its not true what they say about you, your not a bad guy.

GB

From what I hear lately, the CJ'ers are a happy bunch these days with the re-signing of the aircraft leases. Any more news from the line? What is the staus of an (ALPA) collective agreement with IMP?

Everything is status quo. Still a few more to leave very soon for India and interviews are occuring on a regular basis.
The schedule has been great and the ALPA ball is rolling. From what I hear, KR and even SP are happy with what's happening. Now and then you hear KR wants more airplanes in the future, but crewing the airplanes is going to be a problem. That's an issue KW is addressing with corporate.
So problem with CanJet is not work available for each season but making sure there are crews to cover the schedule, probably by this fall.

The schedule has been great

Working every weekend is great?

Working every weekend??? Not me. In fact, everybody on the schedule is getting at least one weekend off per month. Other weekends are partial or reserve.
Days off are scattered out because alot of reserve coverage. (alot of people actually like the reverse schedule). This month was a little tight but most months have been 15 days off. And tight I mean 12-13 days off, not bad.
Don't know where you're getting your facts, but I think you should revisit them

so there are some India bound cj'er?

yup........3 in total. Another Captain going to WestJet.

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