What are the general employment trends looking like?

[Guzen]

Is this a great time to look for a flying job? A year from now? Two years from now?

[MUSKEG]

If I could really answer that for you I would not have to look for a job. Speculation is a waste of time.

[North Shore]

Can't get a job that you don't look for. If you are qualified, and looking to get a start (I'm assuming here, that you are a low-timer) then you should always be looking...

[canpilot]

Its slow. I'm sure you can read the newspaper or use the search function.

Things are supposed to pick up by next summer.

There are 1,000 hour drivers on the ramp. Guys with 2-3,000 hours applying for 200 hour skydive jobs and people with 767PPC's applying to fly navajos.

The sectors of aviation that are dependant on oil/gas/ mineral exploration have been slammed for obvious reasons.

Best of luck.. and lets hope things pick up. (They will.. give it time)

[inuitgifts]

Its really bad right now. Worse its been in 4 years. No one is hiring, unemployment figures continue to rise. 45 000 for the month of May. The economy is nowhere close to recovering.

[canpilot]

yup, I know!

I think best thing to do is stay positive. I had a hard time in the outset of this recession... And in some ways I am still fighting to stay positive and motivated.

[fortis risk]

I know it sounds defeatist, but I think if your just starting out then you should change careers now.

[Flaps 1 Billion]

There are companies out there looking. Bearskin, Canjet, a couple places in AB, a sprinkle here in there in Quebec, northern Ontario (Wasaya), even Enerjet has a new posting on PCC. It seems bad but it's not as bad as things were after 9/11. Zoom aside, no one has really shut their doors lately, other than the odd smaller company.

It's bad, but I think we've all seen worse. Keep at it. I know plenty of people that were trying to get started in 2001, like me, and things eventually happen.

[beast]

actually fortis, now would be the perfect time to be starting into the business - you're perfectly positioned to ride the wave next year - jumping in at the peak is the worst thing to do

[Rudy]

Wasaya is hiring? Have the first officers that were recently layed off been recalled?

[Doc]

So you're "shopping" for a job? Well, just like shopping for a new car, one must have a pocket full of money!
You can always "shop" at VAL, Bearskin, Wasaya or Ornge. Keep your wallet in plain view, with fresh hundred dollar notes peaking out. Take the CP out for lunch, and impress him by lighting is Cuban with a twenty dollar bill. Be sure to indicate that buying a job at his company is a really sound investment practice. Be sure to attach a recent copy if your(good) credit report to your resume.
A little experience as a fork lift driver is always an asset. Flying time is secondary to a good credit rating and a strong back!
The jobs are out there.....you just have to "shop" around.....
I wouldn't recommend anybody even consider a position in this industry right now.

[KHills]

I know it sounds defeatist, but I think if your just starting out then you should change careers now.

I started out this year, managed to find something. Im glad I didnt listen to this kind of advice I was given not too long ago!

[fingersmac]

Wasaya is hiring? Have the first officers that were recently layed off been recalled?

Not hiring.

[Dominic220]

I know it sounds defeatist, but I think if your just starting out then you should change careers now.

In my mind, now is actually an awesome time to start. While most people will say it's a piss-poor time to start, if you start now, you should have the training you need by the time it recovers / the next upswing hits. Just something to think about.

[jpar84]

On this note, what about instructor jobs??? I know its not great pay and it costs extra to get an instructor rating but are flight schools still in need of instructors these days??? I suppose more current instructors are being forced to hold on to their instructing jobs for longer because of the current slowdown but still.......?????????

Any thoughts???