The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Discuss topics relating to Air Canada.

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Rotten Apple #1
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The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Rotten Apple #1 »

While reading the Globe and Mail on Friday, I couldn't miss the advertisement by Air Canada showing two silver haired Captain dudes, stating "The Pilot Pilots Want To Be". Curious. It didn't seem to be a pilot recruitment ad, so, what was the message to the travelling public? Was it a shot at the competitors' pilots?

I have to admit getting my back up a little bit. I only ever wanted to be a military pilot when I was a kid. The civvie commercial pilot gig I ended up doing was only a second choice fall back position.

Was this the company's management attempting to curry favour with the pilot group?

Fire away.
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Last edited by Rotten Apple #1 on Tue Nov 09, 2010 6:57 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Johnny#5
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Johnny#5 »

That is interesting. What's the ad selling?

"The pilot pilots want to be"?? - be what?...bitter, and represented by a lousy union?
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babybus
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by babybus »

The ads have been running nationwide for a few days.It is not a jab at any other pilots.
What it is is Air Canada promoting their employees to the public, believe it or not showing pride and respect for a talented and important group in the company.I never thought I would see the day but I have to say that as an Air Canada pilot it sure feels good to see the path the company is taking.
I know you guys are going to fire away with criticism, wich is to be expected, but we finally seem to have an airline that is solid, making money, has a great vision for the future......and.......wait for it...........seems to realize the employees are an asset to be proud of!

You guys can blast away but the finally AC is making a major effort at getting us to be proud instead of fearful and scared.
From my perspective it feels good!
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LisaS
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by LisaS »

I actually laughed out loud. What a total complete crock of shit. Sort of insults every other pilot group there is, assuming everyone would even want to be a pilot for AC. Just goes to show you the height of arrogance that SOME people there display.

Bitter, angry, divided........where do I apply. :smt040
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Xander
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Xander »

PR is good, but the millions spent on advertising this pride nationwide could have been spent on increasing the 1st year FO pay! :smt040

My 2 cents.
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LisaS
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by LisaS »

I think it's great that AC is doing well. It was a very poor choice of wording.
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The Raven
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by The Raven »

Let's call a spade a spade. Of course not every pilot in Canada wants to fly for Air Canada, HOWEVER I would argue that over 95% of them do. Some of you may disagree. Then again some of you that disagree probably have your resume on file with Air Canada at this very moment.

The ad is probably as truthful as the WestJet care-untee. Take it for what it is, just a bit of marketing. Air Canada is reinforcing in the public's mind that Air Canada pilots are professional and experienced. This is not to say that other airlines employ less professional or experienced pilots. The public generally believes that the Air Canada pilot is trained to a higher standard and is more experienced than most. Of course we know that is not necessarily true, however Air Canada is using this belief to it's advantage and promoting it wisely.

As for those of you that fly for other airlines and take offense to the Air Canada ad, I really don't think Air Canada gives a damn what you think. The ad isn't directed at you, it's directed at John Q. Public.
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scopiton
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by scopiton »

Babybus' analysis seems correct to me.
A company who's able to sell dream to his customers isn't just selling a cheap seat, but much more : a service provided by professional with a passion for what they're doing.
By saying they have a pilot pilots want to be, it's a way to say "we're the perfect airline you want to be with, because we have ideal employees".
like this, for instance. A good ad made by a very good director :



or this one. Cathay will do anything for its customers, but nothing for its employees. Who's stupid enough to doubt that, um ?



I'm conscious it has nothing to do with employees' realities, but who cares : any mean is good to sell more seats and leaving this mediocrity that's been the only marketing idea North American airlines found to barely make their boat float.
If it can be a way to go beyond this, why not ?
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Mig29
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Mig29 »

Raven,

you said it best! Come on guys, it's a freaking advertisement done by marketing department somewhere in some office in Montreal. These guys are responsible for hundreds of other AC adds, so why is this one any different to GENERAL PUBLIC??? Yes, it may be cheesy to us (pilots), but to Joe reading his paper at home, sipping coffee, it maybe be just simply - cool. Just like some WJ adds....nothing wrong there either, no one is poking at anyone! :D

Having said that, I would have put two guys in that pic but of different age....showing that it is a place where young people can join the ranks and stand next to some very professional and experienced folks in hopes of making this their life long career. Shows some security in general public as this is a place that will be around for years, and not disappear overnight just before their drip to Mexico......sounds familiar to anyone??? :rolleyes:
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SilvrSurfr
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by SilvrSurfr »

LisaS wrote:I actually laughed out loud. What a total complete crock of shit. Sort of insults every other pilot group there is, assuming everyone would even want to be a pilot for AC. Just goes to show you the height of arrogance that SOME people there display.

Bitter, angry, divided........where do I apply. :smt040
You asked so here's the link...

http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/caree ... ilots.html

Good luck with your aplication! You seem to think you know a lot about us considering you don't work here. Sure we've got our share of bitter and angry types, but if you think we're all like that then you've been listening to the wrong people. Lots of destinations, a pretty good selection of machines to fly, and good people to work with. Suit yourself though, looks like a fair bit of hiring on the horizon. If you're happy where you are, then great I'm happy for you.

Surfer
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LisaS
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by LisaS »

Thanks for the link!

Just have to book the lobotomy appointment now.
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Rotten Apple #1
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Rotten Apple #1 »

Some reasonable answers there fellas. Fly safe.
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cgzro
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by cgzro »

Actually I spend a lot of time on the different airlines .. pretty much always in coach unfortuantely. Honnestly Air Canada is pretty good (although more expensive than the US equivalent flights). The entertainment system is real life saver on those long hauls to Asia .. except for that stupid freaking commercial that they play over and over and over again.. that damn Vodka commercial. I must have seen it 200 times by now.... somebody should tell them that if you show a commercial more than a couple of times its effect reverses...

The flights seem to be generally on time (but they never seem to allocate quite enough time to a Toronto connections without a bit of running) and usually seem to be pretty full. Food is ok and I've never felt unsafe. I do bitch aobut the upgrade certificates that NEVER work. The lounges are not bad. I've not had my luggage lost for years by Air Canada and I think United lost my bags twice in one month .. once an Air Canada baggage guy offered to go look in customs for me to find my lost United bag .. which he found .. kudos.

Anyway if my experience is similar to other members of the flying public Air Canada is doing not too badly ... just get rid of that freaking vodka commercial and get some wifi in the planes already.
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by F-16 »

How much of a reduction in our wage demands will this little gem cost us?

5%? 10%?

Between the reduction in wage demands for the promise of more melon on our breakfast trays, I've lost track of what we are trading so we'll "feel good about ourselves."

Perhaps like most other ads, there should be the disclaimer on the bottom of the ad....

"you too can be a B777 captain at Air Canada... but applicants must get hired at 18 years old, make less money at Air Canada in your first two years of flat pay than at ANY other airline in Canada, be subject to the position group for at least another 5 years after that, and be ready to work for over 50 years until you are 70+. This is not an ad for employment. Terms and conditions subject to change."


:wink:
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Last edited by F-16 on Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Disco Stu »

F-16 wrote:How much of a reduction in our wage demands will this little gem cost us?

5%? 10%?

Between the reduction in wage demands for the promise of more melon on our breakfast trays, I've lost track of what we are trading so we'll "feel good about ourselves."

Perhaps like most other ads, there should be the disclaimer on the bottom of the ad....

"you too can be a B777 captain at Air Canada... but applicants must get hired at 18 years old, make less money at Air Canada in your first two years of flat pay than at ANY other airline in Canada, be subject to the position group for at least another 5 years after that, and be ready to work for over 50 years until you are 70+. This is not an ad for employment. Terms and conditions subject to change."
This is a pretty good example of why people on this forum believe all Air Canada pilots are bitter and that AC is such a terrible place to work.
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Disco Stu »

I've been at AC for 4 years now. I came on excited to work there, with none of the baggage of mergers or CCAA with me.

AC is a fantastic place to work. Our wages, while liveable, need a HUGE improvement accross the board. Flat pay must come WAY up (I had to remortgage my house to get through the first 2 years and took a 53% pay cut). Working conditions and many other areas of the contract need to be improved.

That being said, I enjoy working here, find most of the crews I work with enjoy the job, and company, to be a great place to work as well. There are issues at play that are very emotional, however AC and ACPA are not as bitter and divided as most people on here want to portray.

In my short time here, I have seen the general morale around this place improve. AC is a better place to work, and is better to our customers, than we were when I started in 2006.
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by F-16 »

Disco,

I know AC is a good place to work... perhaps I should've added a few emoticons...

Was thinking of the Xtranormal site.

Just a little dry humour.

But things do need to improve a LOT on the bottom end - the new hires shouldn't have to be subject to the same stuff we were.

:goodman:
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by flyinhigh »

F-16 wrote: How much of a reduction in our wage demands will this little gem cost us?

5%? 10%?

Between the reduction in wage demands for the promise of more melon on our breakfast trays, I've lost track of what we are trading so we'll "feel good about ourselves."
HAHA, funny thing is as soon as I saw this ad. I imediately thought about the negot skits that came out 2 weeks ago. The timing is perfectly aligned with this, which made the videos even more funny now.

As for the ad, i do see the idea behind it. However from someone that doesn't work there(I have never, or will ever apply). I does take a shot at all other pilots in the way that its saying were not all professional. Just my opinion.
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Deerinheadlights »

Base pay increase during first few years I will agree with.We all desire a decent living and not just for the last 10 years of a career.Maybe then when you retire at 60 with a full pension you will quietly go away and enjoy a perk that everyone else would love.
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Archoes
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Archoes »

I think the purpose of an advertisement is to be an inspiration to become one of them someday. It seems that AC is working for the progress of it. They are doing well because they give value to their workers especially to the community.
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Last edited by Archoes on Wed Nov 10, 2010 11:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Localizer »

As a point of interest .. why does society feel they need a "pat on the back" in order to feel appreciated? We're paid to work .. we should have our own sense of gratification at the end of the day for a job well done. I don't feel I need a manager to show up at the end of a days work to give me a cheesy smile and a thumbs up. If i'm truly appreciated, then it comes in the form of compensation.

Question is .. do you feel you need acknowledgment or some form of appreciation in order to feel secure with your job?
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Shinyshoes »

Here's an old TCA ad that was promoting their safety record and pilots:
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Howitzer »

"well son, I've a stripe for every wife I have to pay alimony to, that's why I need to fly till I'm dead!"
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Inverted2 »

Howitzer wrote:"well son, I've a stripe for every wife I have to pay alimony to, that's why I need to fly till I'm dead!"
:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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Re: The Pilot Pilots Want To Be (!)

Post by Rotten Apple #1 »

Not a picture of Mr Vilven and Mr Kelly. This is the original ad, and taken as a photo by my son and his Nintendo DSi.

Hope I am not flogging a dead horse. I thought the original ad relevant.

Not sure if this is against trademark, or posting guidelines. I guess I'll find out :

JD
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