Jobs in Quebec for an Anglophone

[awitzke]

Anyone have experience finding work in QC without speaking much French? As I continue eastward looking for work I am wondering if it will be worth it or not to even explore this idea. I'm specifically thinking about bush operators like Air Saguenay, Tamarac and the like.

[North Shore]

I was in Quebec a few years ago on a fire deployment. We were based in Quebec City, and operating about 50 north of there. Once out of the zone, and switched to 126.7, position reports were pretty much useless to me as an anglophone. They were rattled off in French at 60 to the dozen, so by the time I'd figured out what the first line was, the rest was finished, and I really had no idea of who might have been in the vicinity.. Dunno if my reports were understood either.

[awitzke]

Hmm, good to know. Guess English being the language of Aviation doesn't mean much over there.

[midwingcrisis]

Red Coats required once again

[Panama Jack]

I was there, working for a big national regional airline. Not speaking French had me pretty much out of place, and a couple of guys were openly hostile to a non-francophone working in their backyard and them having to speak English (the airline's SOP) with me.

When the airline went into bankrupcy protection and my lay-off was imminent, it was pretty clear that my chances of finding work at smaller companies was pretty much non-existant. That's just the reality outside of the 705 sector.

[timel]

Hey Panama Jack, just wondering how long ago was it?



I work with anglos (most of them work out nice French on radio because they want to), and it has always been friendly with all of them. All the pilots I know don't care working in both languages.

If people stick around in Quebec and don't bother getting interested in different people and a different culture, what's the point? Better stay home. When I go to a place where people speak a different language then mine, I adapt, because that is what people do.

Last time I checked people speak German in Germany, French in France and Chinese in China, there is no difference with Quebec.

Don't be arrogant because you will miss a lot of opportunities to have fun.


Cheers.

[Jasper]

There are opportunities for anglophones in French Canada. Yes, there are redneck French as well and some will voice their displeasure. That happens in almost any culture. If you can find a job and are open minded and friendly, it will be a great opportunity to learn Canada's second language. At least in a functional capacity. That capability has never hurt anyone. Good luck.

My kids went to French Immersion schools so we took a driving trip through Quebec for 3 weeks. They only had one negative encounter with a waiter who belittled their attempt to carry on conversation in French. When paying the bill and leaving the waiter approached me and said " Monsieur, It is customary in Quebec to leave a gratuity for service". I replied. "My good man, it is customary in Canada to treat visitors with respect. The tip reflects the the respect shown."

[Panama Jack]

Timel,

That was about a decade ago. As I said, it was only a couple of guys with a chip on their shoulder, the type with an attitude of "you are an outsider taking jobs that belong to us." You run across people with attitudes like that in aviation.

As far as as radio-coms abroad, you've mentioned the exceptions. As far as China goes, Mandarin is spoken on the radio because the English-language skills of many Chinese pilots is below Level 4. Plenty of examples of Chinese pilots struggling on the radio once outside of China.

Yes, there are probably VFR private pilots in Germany speaking German on the radio (never heard them though, with the exception of when I went for some glider flights).. None of the airline pilots do- you won't hear German on the Center frequencies, nor have I ever heard it spoken at any of the German airports I've flown to.

Yup, France is another exception, and so is Turkey, Greece and Russia. And in Latin America. i've come across tower controllers who are barely capable of stating "Clear to Land". Deviate from the script and the whole thing derails quickly. Mind you, that was a number of years ago. That's about it, although I am sure that in Sub-Saharan Africa you'll find more exceptions.

I don't have "fun" on the radio, besides saying "zai jian" when in China, "namaste" when in Nepal, "namuska" in India, "sawasdee kap" in Thailand, "allah hafez" in Pakistan, "salaam alaykom" in Iran, "as salaam alaykum" and "shukraan" in Arabic-speaking countries, "dobre dien" in Russian-speaking countries, "dober dan" over Serbia, "gruß Gott" over Austria, "Tschuss!" over Germany, "bonjour" over French-speaking countries, "buenos días", and perhaps a little bit more (because I am able) over Spanish-speaking countries. Other than that, I try to stick to the ICAO Manual of Radiotelephony. It's important so they can understand me despite my accent, and I can understand them despite their accent.

[KK7]

Contrary to popular belief:

From ICAO:

4.4.1c - ICAO languages are English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese.

I have flown in about 60 countries, ATC can speak English, or at least use English terms on the radio, but each country had people talking in the local language to ATC. Spanish in Spain, Chile, French in France, Portuguese in Angola, etc..

[Gilles Hudicourt]

You can fly IFR or VFR in Spanish in:
Argentina
Bolivia
Chili
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Domincan Republic
El Salvador
Equator
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
Venezuela

So an airliner can take off from the southern tip of South America and fly all the way to the US border in Spanish.
Most countries allow the local language on the Air, not the other way around.
Some countries that do not allow it are those that have multiple local languages, because by allowing one on the Air, one would be forced to allow the others as well, in addition to English. Switzerland and Belgium come to mind as examples.

[Shiny Side Up]

I know enough french to know that "any conflicting traffic please advise" takes up a majority of the position reports you hear, so you're not missing much.

[Alberta_x51]

While there are some nice exceptions, the vast majority of the time, if you
don't speak French and more importantly, with a local accent, then you are
going to be discriminated against.

The places mentioned are almost guaranteed to trash an anglo resume
and probably give you some dirty looks if you showed up in person.

[ahramin]

I wouldn't waste time and money doing road trip stops in Québec. Firstly your value to a Québec company with French customers is way lower than that of a French speaking candidate. Secondly you will find that the Québec jobs are reserved for Québecers attitude mentioned by Panama Jack is alive and well. An anglophone who speaks perfect French is going to be a long way behind someone with a local accent.

Realistically, if you never bothered to learn French, do you really want to get stuck living and working somewhere in Québec? Plus they have the lowest wages in Canada.

[Chuck Finley]

Hmm, good to know. Guess English being the language of Aviation doesn't mean much over there.

Yupp... An attitude like this will take you a long way. Typical Vancouverite.....

[Heliian]

English is the language and in Canada (including quebec) you get service in both but if someone cannot understand the french, you are required to give it in english. The further you get from the majour centres in quebec, the less english you will hear and the less they are able to speak, if at all. You can find a job anywhere, it just depends how well you smoke a cigarette.

[timel]

In Quebec, any ATC or FSS and most unicoms will speak to you in English/French.
A service I will not get if I fly at Pearson by the way.

Now, of course expect to know French if you want to fly a float plane and transport people who might only speak french, a float operator in Vancouver will not hire a unilingual French for obvious reason.

The French - Anglo bashing exist on both sides by the way, but they are an exception, maybe 15 years ago it was different but people change.

[Liquid Charlie]

It's all about maturity and as a famous writer once said "intercourse with the world"

Guess English being the language of Aviation

-- needs the word "International" before language -- -- all countries control in their native language and English is used when you are a visitor if you don't speak the local language. Now contrary to another poster -- you can operate in PQ being uni-lingual in French only and not know any English and as long as you operate within the borders of the bi-lingual control French is all you need. Quebec is a unique Province - why is it so hard to get along -- spent a lot of time their and had no issues except one time in Schefferville when we ordered 16 sandwiches and 4 coffees and after the 10th coffee appeared we knew there had been a breakdown in communications -- LMFAOOOOOOO

[I-Fly-Low]

In Quebec, any ATC or FSS and most unicoms will speak to you in English/French.
A service I will not get if I fly at Pearson by the way.

Now, of course expect to know French if you want to fly a float plane and transport people who might only speak french, a float operator in Vancouver will not hire a unilingual French for obvious reason.

The French - Anglo bashing exist on both sides by the way, but they are an exception, maybe 15 years ago it was different but people change.

What he said.

Jeez, I'm a french Canadian born and raised in eastern Quebec. But I'm proud that I learned English when I was younger and the fact that I'm able to communicate in someone else language. But I never felt the need or I should say, the will from any English speaking Canadians or Americans to try and learn french for the same reasons. It's always too complicated, too time consuming etc. I don't know any close friends who would look down upon an English speaking Canadian too... Keep in mind that our kids and young people in Quebec are now learning and speaking English more and more everyday. So you may think their parents were closed minded, but they aren't.

[BE82]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3o5SB1CfgU

[ThatArmyGuy]

I think you need to apply for a FLVC to work in Quebec. So if you can read french, then the application form is a piece of cake.

[Monorail Conductor]

AC and its affiliates being the exception, are there any companies in the YUL area that would even look at an application from a non-french speaking anglophone?

"doesnt matter if its in canada, but theres something romantic about rain in french speaking cites."
-Woody Allen

[TG]

AC and its affiliates being the exception, are there any companies in the YUL area that would even look at an application from a non-french speaking anglophone?

Air Transat, Execaire, Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney, Bell Helicopter, CAE (if you like sim) etc...
Broaden your career horizons, don't stick to mamy & papy's bush operations

[ASL Editor]

I wouldn't waste time and money doing road trip stops in Québec. Firstly your value to a Québec company with French customers is way lower than that of a French speaking candidate. Secondly you will find that the Québec jobs are reserved for Québecers attitude mentioned by Panama Jack is alive and well. An anglophone who speaks perfect French is going to be a long way behind someone with a local accent.

Realistically, if you never bothered to learn French, do you really want to get stuck living and working somewhere in Québec? Plus they have the lowest wages in Canada.

Disappointing to see a rank moderator diss Quebec like that. I believe any motivated anglo can adapt very quickly and learn the French aviation comms basics in no time, and history proves that much. I believe it rests with personality, attitude and motivation.

[davecessna]

AC and its affiliates being the exception, are there any companies in the YUL area that would even look at an application from a non-french speaking anglophone?

Air Transat, Execaire, Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney, Bell Helicopter, CAE (if you like sim) etc...
Broaden your career horizons, don't stick to mamy & papy's bush operations

I can't speak for AT or Execaire, however:

Bombardier: Laying people off
P&W: Laying people off
Bell Helicopter: Laying people off
CAE: Business model is collapsing, laying people off

Hi, I'm a fluently bilingual Quebecois, born and bred. Stay the *#$& away from Quebec. Quebec's aerospace industry is going to collapse in about 5 years, mark my words. We're getting skinned alive by 3rd world competition.

Best of luck to you.

[jpilot77]

I've worked at 2 companies in Quebec where the majority where anglophones, one in 702 one in 604.