Working for First Air

[PopnChipper]

So, I have been working in the near north (south of 60, but north of civilization)for awhile now and I am looking to get onto some bigger equipment and go further north so I am wondering if anybody out there has anything to say about working for First Air. I see they are looking for an ATR Captain right now, what about F/O requirements? Are F/O's on a 2 weeks on 2 weeks off rotation as well? I know that movement with the company is fairly slow, but from my initial impression it seems like a place I could stay at for my career, feel free to P.M or just post. Thanks

PnC

[Arctic Icarus]

Hey PnC,

Try this link for the minimum requirements for the positions at First Air.

http://www.firstair.ca/About_First_Air/ ... ght%20Crew

Only the crews in Iqaluit are rotational and it's only from Ottawa. Lots of people live elsewhere but commute to Ottawa before their rotation. Yellowknife is a permanent base for crews.

Cheers

[Expatriated]

Hey,

Not sure what the minumums are anymore (check the website) but I did work there for 8 years and can fill you in on what they're like as an employer!

Great place actually. First off, the pay is alright for a Canadian airline and they tend to have some good benefits and a small "retirement" type of defined contribution plan.

The company is still small enough that you'll get to know all the pilots by name and it really has that "family" feeling. Especially if you make it to the jet in YOW although since I left I can imagine that the YOW base is VERY senior.

Stable comany financially and from what my friends over there tell me, things should keep on that way if you're looking for some kind of job security. (like that's possible in Canada?) I know a handfull of guys who have had or are going to have interviews at my present employer so I imagine there will be some openings in the near future as they tend to promote from within and hire from the bottom.

Over all they're a good company to work for and you'll enjoy some of the most amazing/interesting flying of your career there. On top of that, they're actually quite well know in and around the industry (even here overseas) for having some of the best training too.

Good luck,

[SQ]

haven't seen their 727 @ yul for a while?!

[Kosiw]

Moral can't be all that great, some of their most senior drivers are leaving for the sandbox...

[young grasshopper]

Moral can't be all that great, some of their most senior drivers are leaving for the sandbox...

Actually, moral is very good...how can it be bad when the industry is the way it is? The biggest complaint I hear from guys day in and day out is "These salads are brutal...they need way more meat in them"...when thats the biggest complaint - I think you're workin at a pretty good spot!!! I couldn't be happier!

[Kosiw]

You haven't been there long enough....give it time to become bitter

[young grasshopper]

You haven't been there long enough....give it time to become bitter

lol I guess you could say that about any job...but so far, so good!!

[185/310]

Kosiw wrote:

You haven't been there long enough....give it time to become bitter

Is there a reason why a person cant be happy at there company?

[blewhead]

Moral can't be all that great, some of their most senior drivers are leaving for the sandbox...

Don't know where you're getting your info from, these guys left to fly bigger and better metal. From what I'm getting directly from the pilots is that the morale is great.

[Kosiw]

I guess we are talking to different pilots who work there

[young grasshopper]

Kosiw wrote:

I guess we are talking to different pilots who work there

I guess it just depends on which old, bitter, crusty guys you choose to chat with...I couldn't be happier at 7F, and I'd say most of the guys here would say the same. But hey - I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion, and there are some guys who won't be happy no matter where they work (and yes - we do have some of those guys!!).

Kosiw wrote:

Moral can't be all that great, some of their most senior drivers are leaving for the sandbox...

Just because someone views the Middle East as an opportunity for their family (or an opportunity to fly something bigger), doesn't always mean they hate their current workplace! I really enjoyed my last job and worked with an awesome group of guys, but I thought 7F would be better for my family in the long run...anyway - just my thoughts...


Jeff

[Hoov]

Kosiw wrote:

I guess we are talking to different pilots who work there

I guess it just depends on which old, bitter, crusty guys you choose to chat with...I couldn't be happier at 7F, and I'd say most of the guys here would say the same. But hey - I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion, and there are some guys who won't be happy no matter where they work (and yes - we do have some of those guys!!).

Kosiw wrote:

Moral can't be all that great, some of their most senior drivers are leaving for the sandbox...

Just because someone views the Middle East as an opportunity for their family (or an opportunity to fly something bigger), doesn't always mean they hate their current workplace! I really enjoyed my last job and worked with an awesome group of guys, but I thought 7F would be better for my family in the long run...anyway - just my thoughts...


Jeff

Well you may have liked us, but we couldnt wait to get rid of you!

[young grasshopper]

Hahaha - Hoover, I got nothin....lol...