6500 hours for an interview?

[Approach Ban]

This comes from somebody I know who got this directly from a Westjet capt. Apparently you need 6500 hours to be called for an interview at WJ. To me that doesn't make much sense. For example I would think at 4000 hour pilot with lots of MPIC working on the RJ at Jazz would be a better candidate then a 6500 hour instructor. Could somebody in the know comment on this? If it's true I need to get a job where I fly more...

[wrc]

no you don't need 6500 hours. I think something got lost in translation. Some of the last few class' have averaged 6500 hours, but some had more and some less. The Matrix assigns values for various qualifications, experience amoung them...

[ETOPS]

Aside from a breakdown of one's total time any other categories would seem highly arbitrary.

How do they quantify and weight these categories?
Is this matrix or any others like it available for viewing?

[Approach Ban]

no you don't need 6500 hours. I think something got lost in translation. Some of the last few class' have averaged 6500 hours, but some had more and some less. The Matrix assigns values for various qualifications, experience amoung them...

Thanks for the reply. That is the way I thought it worked, just needed to make sure.

[B-rad]

For example I would think at 4000 hour pilot with lots of MPIC working on the RJ at Jazz would be a better candidate then a 6500 hour instructor.

wow, you know a 6500 hr instructor? And here we all were complaining on how people with freshly minted licences are teaching. Give your head a shake, who out there has 6500 hrs and no experience?

[Approach Ban]

For example I would think at 4000 hour pilot with lots of MPIC working on the RJ at Jazz would be a better candidate then a 6500 hour instructor.

wow, you know a 6500 hr instructor? And here we all were complaining on how people with freshly minted licences are teaching. Give your head a shake, who out there has 6500 hrs and no experience?

Give my head a shake? You need to relax, just asking a question.

I personally know 3 people with that kind of time instructing, all of it on light airplanes. They are very experienced pilots with excellent flying skills on light aircraft. You missed the point of my post. I'm simply suggesting a lower time pilot with airline experience could be a better candidate for WJ. That seems to be the purpose of the matrix.

[ETOPS]

Really? Nobody has seen one of these matrices?

[jjj]

If you haven't seen the matix that WS uses it's because it's none of your business.

[Tiny Voices]

I'm already hired. Therefore, I don't concern myself with the Matrix. Thank Jebus though that I slipped through the cracks when I did!! I'd never make it under today's system, Lol!

[Troubleshot]

Yes the "Matrix"....what a dumb thing to call the hiring process. Anywho...this is the WJ pilot interview.

[DaveP]

News to me that it's called the matrix. We do score people by: Mathematics a rectangular array of quantities or expressions in rows and columns that is treated as a single entity and manipulated according to particular rules. Contrary to Trouble's thoughts on the system.

Octobers first class average was 13000 hrs class two was about 8000.
I can't recall what January 4th's was but I'm thinking around 8-9 thousand.

Generally speaking I think most resumes are in the neighborhood of 4 to 5000 hrs.

Dave.

[Troubleshot]

Contrary to Dave's thoughts on my post....for the record I have no problem with "the system", it's the whole naming it "the matrix" that is silly ,and by giving it a name we are putting the hiring process on a unnecessary pedestal no matter how many levels of compatibility are used....oh wait they are using E- Harmony to hire !!!...it all makes sense now.

[ahramin]

Troubleshot, do you know what a matrix is?

[twinpratts]

"unfortunately, no one can tell you what the Matrix is..."

[AuxBatOn]

"unfortunately, no one can tell you what the Matrix is..."

Why? What's the logic behind this?

[Troubleshot]

Troubleshot, do you know what a matrix is?

I'm confused are we talking about the "Westjet Matrix" or the Webster's defintion of a Matrix?

[DaveP]

I think I forgot to add the lol.

In all seriousness, First, all applicants must meet the posted minimum requirements and then the following moves you up (ahh the elusive matrix):

We give a few points for having time on certain types such as corporate jet/705/military or similar airline ops to those of westjet including large cargo airlines like Cargojet.
The next bump is TT 2500/3500/4500
Finally you get additional marks for simulator experience/FMS and education. Second languages are also in there.

So why do we use this? It simply gives a candidate a better success rate in the initial training.

As many are aware, internal references play a large roll in our hiring. No system is perfect, but it seems to work without the use of CRM days/medicals and psychological evals etc...
Who knows, maybe some day we will go that route, but nothing is planned in the near future. If it ain't broke...

Dave.

[ahramin]

Hello Dave, first let me say that I appreciate your time and effort providing information here. It is unheard of for someone in your position to do this.

Question: is there any provision in the education points for partial degrees? I have 90 out of 120 credits required for a computer science degree, but at my current rate it is going to be another 3-4 years before I finish and actually have the paper. Would there be any point in putting this in or is paper in hand the only thing that counts?

[ETOPS]

Do the points for the TT category plateau at 4500h or do they continue at 1000h intervals?
Are all second languages assigned the same number of points? I would guess French is a cut above. Also how rigorous is the proficiency test?

Thanks for the info Dave!

[DaveP]

I would just include your schooling progress on your resume ahramin. Degrees and diplomas simply show your learning traits. The fact that you are working away at it with success displays these traits.

4500 is the top mark. Yes, french is preferred.
I'm not sure which proficiency test you are referring to. Do you mean the actual training for the A/C or the exam for the interview? Either way; the exam at the interview is 20 questions- open book and one closed book written ATPL type question. This is done on a laptop (one hour duration). The A/C is six weeks. Sorry, I can't recall the exact breakdown of classroom days/exams/fixed base sim (ptt)/full motion sim/line indoc/line check.

Dave.

[ETOPS]

I was referring to the language proficiency test? I'm assuming there is one. If not, how do they verify your ability?

I'm considering taking some french courses (heavy on the verbal) but I doubt I'll ever attain a "fluent" knowledge.
I wonder if there is a certificate or something you can show at an interview...

[ahramin]

Thanks for the information Dave.

[DaveP]

Ahh,

Sorry, Our HR person does the screening on the proficiency if you select the box on the application. She has a conversation and assigns a mark based on your comprehension etc... this is done during the initial phone screen when he/she goes over your resume with you.
Dave.

[twinpratts]

"unfortunately, no one can tell you what the Matrix is..."

Why? What's the logic behind this?

(Sorry, I should have stated the obvious... it's a line from the Movie!)

[Bede]

Can anyone opine about how necessary internal recommends are? I know quite a few people at WJ, but haven't talked to them for 5+ years since I worked with them. I'd feel kind of shameless calling them up just to get an internal.