Flying for a Canadian airline
 

Hello everyone,

Just curious if it is possible for a US citizen to apply to a Canadian airline. I have been looking into it a bit and based off of Air Canada jazz it looks like you must have the following qualifications:


All applicants shall be licensed by Transport Canada to act as First Officers on 705 category aircraft.

Hold a valid Transport Canada Instrument Rating.

Hold a valid Transport Canada Class 1 Medical.

Must be able to obtain an Airport Restricted Area Access Clearance (i.e. security pass).

Must hold a current passport at time of hire.

If Permanent Resident, must be able to obtain and maintain crew visa documentation required to operate aircraft within the USA.

Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Must have completed a High School diploma.

Candidates must meet Transport Canada English proficiency standard.

Preference will be given to applicants who possess 1500 hours total time with an ATPL, and two crew multi-engine turbine experience.




I am currently flying Citations for a Part 91 Operation as a F/O around 950 hours. I have been planning on applying to some of the regionals here in the states in the next few months, however, my girlfriend lives in Canada and it sure would be nice to live and work close to her.

I would really appreciate any information concerning this issue.

Thanks

See this statement?

And this one?

Make those happen and then getting hired in Canada is no harder than in the US. Well, maybe a little harder, it's a very small labor market.

GF

Okay, so how do you become legally entitled to work in canada? As well as becoming certified to fly in type 705 A/C..?

Marry your girlfriend would work, assuming she's Canadian. CAR 705 is like our 121, so you have to be eligible to hold an ATPL.

GF

As a previous poster outlined, there are two separate processes that you'll need to go through to be eligible to work at a Canadian carrier.

On the licensing side of things, Transport Canada and the FAA have agreements in place regarding the conversion of your FAA license to a TC licence (note the spelling :) ). You can check out:

https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviati...-fore-1812.htm

for general information and:

Advisory Circular (AC) No. 401-001 - Transport Canada

for information regarding an FAA license specifically. Generally speaking, the conversion process is not too onerous, just the fun of dealing with not one, but two regulators.

There are a few different flight schools, such as "Harv's Air" in Manitoba that specifically deal with these types of conversions.


With regard to the immigration issue, this may be harder. My understanding is that it is not quite as easy as simply marrying the girlfriend. You'll have to check out Citizenship and Immigration Canada to get a full understanding.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Cheers!

Not to rain on your parade, but there are plenty of Canadians out here in the GCC because there aren't any decent jobs left over there. If you are older than 30 its going to take you a while to move on up and make a decent living.

In order to fly for a Canadian 704/705 carrier you need to have either a Permanent Resident Card or Citizenship in addition to the appropriate Canadian licenses.

End of story.

Getting a PR is equivalent to getting a US Green Card down in the States and it will take time. Recently there have been changes in the immigration policies here in Canada that make it more difficult to immigrate and gain citizenship. Look at the CIC website for info posted earlier in this thread. Really research this to see if this is something for you.

Best of luck.

Never, I repeat Never, marry a Canadian woman or one with Canadian citizenship. 55% of your gross income, that's what they get in the divorce. Saw that happen to too many guys from my last airline.


TP

Plus, you must watch Jeanette McDonald, Nelson Eddy movies every month.

If you marry her and she is willing to import you (sponsor you) and do the giant stack of paperwork you will be able to work for Jazz in about a year it took me that long to get my wife into Canada.

Need to be a little more than friends think long term partners!

Cheers.....J