EVAS to take over Air Georgian's YHZ flying.

[yhzbe02]

Confirmed today that EVAS will be taking over GGN's Halifax flying as of April 1st 2014. I have heard that GGN has not told their pilots yet, but EVAS informed their pilots today.

[KAG]

Which is the better company to work for?
Does EVAS have a union? Can the GGN pilots keep their seats with EVAS?

[rudder]

GGN has probably told AC that they do not have, nor can they attract, enough qualified pilots to staff the CRJ and existing B1900 contract. EVAS must have assured AC that they can staff a larger B1900 operation so they will shut down GGN YHZ and allow GGN to return these pilots to YYZ and get started with CRJ training.

Good luck. There is not a more convoluted and less forgiving aircraft to fly than the original CRJ. Hope that TC keeps a very close eye on things. Would love to see the CV's for the pilots that GGN is putting in the left AND right seats of the CRJ's.

[yhzbe02]

I don't know about the pilot situation. I'm sure Evas would take them if they quit GGN because they have current PPC's. Evas pay is better than GGN, pretty bad benifits though. It's great news for Evas, pretty bad news for the GGN yhz guys. No union here but from what I hear the union at GGN is pretty bad.

[KAG]

Being from yhz myself I know how hard it is to get a good job back east. I feel for those effected and hope if they want to they can transfer to EVAS without too much interruption.
Good luck all.

[cpt.sam]

EVAS has a lot of crew that rotate in from YHZ and YQM.
Likely that these pilots will stay in the Maritimes to take over the GGN stuff, while hiring will be split between YQX and YHZ.
I would expect many of the displaced YHZ crews from YHZ will get the chance to go on the RJ...?
Perhaps some will want to stay in the Maritimes, and slide over to EVAS, with their PPC's!
It is an exciting time for both companies!

[yhzbe02]

CPT.Sam,

I wouldn't call it exciting times for both companies, I would say its exciting for EVAS, but the GGN pilots are getting the worst part of the deal. They got screwed over by their union president, who just happens to be based in YHZ ( karma maybe ) and now all those pilots have to relocate or switch to Evas at the bottom of the pay scale all because GGN wants to operate CRJ's and pay their pilot's Mcdonald's wages.

[thepriceisright]

Rumors are that EVAS is looking for somewhere under 10 captains and more than 10 first officers.

They have bunch of drivers now in NL that commute week on/week off to either YQM or YHZ. I am assuming those guys will drive the 1900s in the maritimes so they are closer to home. I guess that's why they need less than 10 captains to start off with.

Scuttlebutt is that they will have a full on base in YQM and possibly a pilot base in YHZ with a few maintenance guys on call there, but no actual 'base'. That makes sense because their cargo run overnights in YQM most nights of the week so they would kill two birds with one stone by putting a hangar in YQM.

They'll probably lease GGN's aircraft for the first little while, and then purchase them once things are underway.

I don't know a whole lot about EVAS as a company, but from previous posts on here by employees that work there, something makes me think that they won't be as receptive as you might think to hiring GGN pilots. It will be interesting how that pans out... I know they have the flight school there as a scout for pilots, and some guys get on either from dispatch or instructing, but there is no way there are more than 10 people there that are ready to jump right seat in the Beech, so like I say, it will be interesting to see who they hire!

Needless to say, some seen this change happening especially after GGN got the RJ contract the other day. You won't hear it on any media right away I wouldn't say because Air Canada doesn't want to come out and say they are giving GGN the RJ business and a few days after come back again and say they are taking some business away from them. You'll probably hear it in the new year, if at all.

You'll see a lot of rumours and talk on here before then because everything will need to be in place by then which means pilots being hired, hangars being built/bought, and the purchasing/leasing of aircraft.

If I hear anything else from the guys around the water cooler, I'll be sure to share.

Anyone have any details that I didn't get?? Be interesting to hear from an EVAS or GGN employee about this change and hear their perspective... anyone?

[thepriceisright]

CPT.Sam,

I wouldn't call it exciting times for both companies, I would say its exciting for EVAS, but the GGN pilots are getting the worst part of the deal. They got screwed over by their union president, who just happens to be based in YHZ ( karma maybe ) and now all those pilots have to relocate or switch to Evas at the bottom of the pay scale all because GGN wants to operate CRJ's and pay their pilot's Mcdonald's wages.

Don't speak too roughly about the McDonald's wages... I hear they are hiring as well...

[cpt.sam]

CPT.Sam,

I wouldn't call it exciting times for both companies, I would say its exciting for EVAS, but the GGN pilots are getting the worst part of the deal. They got screwed over by their union president, who just happens to be based in YHZ ( karma maybe ) and now all those pilots have to relocate or switch to Evas at the bottom of the pay scale all because GGN wants to operate CRJ's and pay their pilot's Mcdonald's wages.

That's a valid point.
However, I think it is a pretty exciting time for an airline to move into 705 with RJs to fly AC routes.
And, likely some crews won't want to follow the jobs, in which case EVAS will be hiring.
The pay scale thing i missed.... however EVAS pays more, and I think the scale says comensurate with experience.
Hopefully the crews that do move over will slide into the scale.

[Rogerdodger2]

This is not exciting or good in anyway. These companies are playing ball with AC for one reason. DRIVE PILOT SALARIES DOWN. These routes were Jazz routes now GGN will be doing them at prob half the cost. GGN, Sky Regional, Encore, Rouge, all exist to Drive Down Salaries. Wake Up!

[fish4life]

The advantage is if GGN loses the 1900's as a way to funnel pilots onto the RJ they are going to have to raise pay to get people to leave a different job to go there.

[rudder]

This is not exciting or good in anyway. These companies are playing ball with AC for one reason. DRIVE PILOT SALARIES DOWN. These routes were Jazz routes now GGN will be doing them at prob half the cost. GGN, Sky Regional, Encore, Rouge, all exist to Drive Down Salaries. Wake Up!

Perhaps the answer is that AC and WJ pilots should agree to a new severe B-scale for all new-hires. So all of the pilots that say that they work for these companies "as a stepping stone" will all of a sudden realize that there is nowhere to step to!

Wake up people. Those before you took a stand to make things better. Now it is your turn. That means either fixing things where you are or avoiding these new flying opportunities at grossly substandard wages. If you think that the B-scale suggestion is far fetched, it is not.

[yhzbe02]

This is not exciting or good in anyway. These companies are playing ball with AC for one reason. DRIVE PILOT SALARIES DOWN. These routes were Jazz routes now GGN will be doing them at prob half the cost. GGN, Sky Regional, Encore, Rouge, all exist to Drive Down Salaries. Wake Up!

I wouldn't say EVAS is the bad guy here. EVAS is just a 704 operator trying to get more work. They pay well for a 704 operation and they aren't the ones driving pilot salaries down. The 1900 guys at EVAS make more than the guys at GGN. GGN is the one driving pilot salaries down and you can thank that Martin guy who is the union president at GGN for that. Yea they are playing ball with AC, but they have been playing ball with AC for years.

let's get one thing straight here. We aren't the ones flying RJ's, we aren't the ones paying our pilots crap. GGN is the one who wanted this, and EVAS just happened to be in the right place at the right time to pick up this flying. EVAS pays their pilots according to their experience, they pay their guys what they are worth.

[Black Cat]

B scale will be making an Encore at jazz, likely down to the current 1-3 year pays being offered in the industry.

[rooster]

This is not exciting or good in anyway. These companies are playing ball with AC for one reason. DRIVE PILOT SALARIES DOWN. These routes were Jazz routes now GGN will be doing them at prob half the cost. GGN, Sky Regional, Encore, Rouge, all exist to Drive Down Salaries. Wake Up!

I wouldn't say EVAS is the bad guy here. 1) EVAS is just a 704 operator trying to get more work. They pay well for a 704 operation and they aren't the ones driving pilot salaries down. The 1900 guys at EVAS make more than the guys at GGN. GGN is the one driving pilot salaries down and you can thank that Martin guy who is the union president at GGN for that. Yea they are playing ball with AC, but they have been playing ball with AC for years.

let's get one thing straight here. We aren't the ones flying RJ's, we aren't the ones paying our pilots crap. GGN is the one who wanted this, and EVAS just happened to be in the right place at the right time to pick up this flying. EVAS pays their pilots according to their experience, they pay their guys what they are worth.

1) And Air Georgian isn't? Every company is looking to get more work if they can. That's the nature of business and economics. Nobody says "nah we don't want to grow".
2) Captains @ 55K and FO @30K. About 3k more than Georgian captains and about 1200 more than their FO's. So 3000/1200 respectively better is the difference between crap pay and good pay? You're joking right?
3) EVAS B1900 captains are worth 55K? Strong statement.

Neither seem to pay very well for a 1900 when you compare to other similar typed operators (look up NAC, Courtesy Air and NCA). I'm not bashing EVAS nor Air Georgian, but don't come on here trying to make your potato sack look like an armani suit when you're comparing yourself to a very similar paying airline. Get over yourself.

[frog]

So 1st year at EVAS is 55k for the left seat ? What is the yearly increase ? What is the top of the scale ?

[Big Pistons Forever]

Are any Georgian's 1900 pilots getting upgraded to the RJ or are they hiring outsiders who are already rated ?

[DF_PQ_QX]

So 1st year at EVAS is 55k for the left seat ? What is the yearly increase ? What is the top of the scale ?

Skippers start at 55k and the scale tops out at 85k after 16 years. Increases for the first 5 years are about 3.4%.

[ehbuddy]

Well, you can survive and work in Toronto flying a 1900D for 55K or you can have quality of life living in Moncton for the same amount..............and if your spouse works its a bonus for you.

Moncton is an awesome spot. Housing is up to 50% less than most places in the country. Everything is close by. Don't knock it until you have tried it.

Halifax is just as nice but a little more expensive.

[yhzbe02]

This is not exciting or good in anyway. These companies are playing ball with AC for one reason. DRIVE PILOT SALARIES DOWN. These routes were Jazz routes now GGN will be doing them at prob half the cost. GGN, Sky Regional, Encore, Rouge, all exist to Drive Down Salaries. Wake Up!

1) And Air Georgian isn't? Every company is looking to get more work if they can. That's the nature of business and economics. Nobody says "nah we don't want to grow".
2) Captains @ 55K and FO @30K. About 3k more than Georgian captains and about 1200 more than their FO's. So 3000/1200 respectively better is the difference between crap pay and good pay? You're joking right?
3) EVAS B1900 captains are worth 55K? Strong statement.

Neither seem to pay very well for a 1900 when you compare to other similar typed operators (look up NAC, Courtesy Air and NCA). I'm not bashing EVAS nor Air Georgian, but don't come on here trying to make your potato sack look like an armani suit when you're comparing yourself to a very similar paying airline. Get over yourself.

1) First of all buddy I was referring to what they are going to be paying their RJ drivers. EVAS pilots make more than what their RJ drivers are going to be making. I think it's an absolute joke what they are going to be paying their RJ guys.

2) RJ captain=55K GGN, crap
19 captain= 55K EVAS, good

RJ FO= 30 roughly GGN, crap
19 FO= 30, good EVAS, good

3) Evas captains, and FO's are worth a heck of a lot more than what we are worth now considering the crap we fly in on a daily basis. Same goes for the PAL guys and Air Lab guys who fly out here as well.

4) we don't wear armani suits, we are more of a Hugo Boss type airline.

5) You get over yourself.

[thepriceisright]

1) First of all buddy I was referring to what they are going to be paying their RJ drivers. EVAS pilots make more than what their RJ drivers are going to be making. I think it's an absolute joke what they are going to be paying their RJ guys.

2) RJ captain=55K GGN, crap
19 captain= 55K EVAS, good

RJ FO= 30 roughly GGN, crap
19 FO= 30, good EVAS, good

3) Evas captains, and FO's are worth a heck of a lot more than what we are worth now considering the crap we fly in on a daily basis. Same goes for the PAL guys and Air Lab guys who fly out here as well.

4) we don't wear armani suits, we are more of a Hugo Boss type airline.

5) You get over yourself.

[PoFo]

Are any Georgian's 1900 pilots getting upgraded to the RJ or are they hiring outsiders who are already rated ?

Heard from a reliable source that GGN thinks the higher time Jazz FO's will soon defect and scoop up all the Direct Entry Left Seat spots on the RJ.

[prop2jet]

Are any Georgian's 1900 pilots getting upgraded to the RJ or are they hiring outsiders who are already rated ?

Heard from a reliable source that GGN thinks the higher time Jazz FO's will soon defect and scoop up all the Direct Entry Left Seat spots on the RJ.

Just like they left in droves to go to SkyRegional and Encore? There are a few that will probably make such a move but in so doing will be taking a substantial cut in pay and benefits.

[rudder]

Heard from a reliable source that GGN thinks the higher time Jazz FO's will soon defect and scoop up all the Direct Entry Left Seat spots on the RJ.