GBU-24

1S 1E - Ya that is funny. It sucks being in a rush...Although she wouldn't get a laugh out of it, she is about as skinny as can be.

Either case, I like Vancouver..but the rain is bad in the winter.

BubbleEyes2

Well, I've gone through a bit of this process in order to make myself eligible to apply to Air Canada. As of last August when I began the process of transferring over flight certificates I had to take an instrument written and ride, which I did. A couple of weeks later, the FAA and TC announced a new "bilateral licensing" agreement. The new process went into effect in December and is much easier! All that is required now is a single 25 question written test covering some rules of the air questions - namely some differences between the two countries. That's basically the way it is now for an ATP conversion to an ATPL, with different tests for the different grade certificates. Of course, for employment for Air Canada, you need to be either a citizen or landed immigrant, which is a much more involved process, although much easier than coming here from there!

I haven't taken the new test yet, since I hadn't been in any rush, because my immigration was still processing anyway. That is until yesterday, when I got the go ahead from the Canadian govt. to make the move. My problem is that I've got an interview here soon, and probably won't go over at this point, but I've got to leave the opportunity open. Anyway, hope this helps with the original question.

BubbleEyes2

GBU-24

Bubbleyes2

Are you switching citizenship or going dual?

BubbleEyes2

Citizenship comes later, this was only to immigrate. It took from about last June to now to get all of the documents in order (kids proof of citizenship cards - they were already citizens, FBI background check, etc.) and I filed in early December. It took less than 3 months to be approved, so that was actually very fast.

To be honest, in recent weeks I'd been planning to cancel the application and was surprised when it came sooner than the 6 months they told us to expect. But having a few days to chew on it, I think I'll interview here and plan to stay here if I get hired, but I've got a pretty nice plan B if I don't get it. I've got until April 4 to activate my Permanent Resident Card.

As far as I can tell, citizenship comes after you've spent at least 2 of 5 years in Canada (cumulative days), that's when you can apply for that. Canada recognizes dual, the US doesn't. So I'd be a dual in the eyes of the Canadian govt, and a US citizen in the eyes of the US, if we got that far.

The immigration part now is the real barrier to applying to Air Canada, and others that require citizenship of immigrant status. The licensing can be done pretty easily at this point.

BubbleEyes2

shaffee

Torontonian here...haven't really visited any other major city in Canada...how are the taxes much lower in Clalgary?...sales tax, or income tax, or property tax.
I would not mind moving there after getting my PIC time up and see what I can land.

I still TO is the best city in Canada.

FighterHayabusa

Alberta has no provincial income tax, so I hear, and though there's still a 6% federal sales tax, Alberta has no provincial sales tax.

Linebacker35

Right now the Alberta(specificaly Calgary) economy is out of control. There is so much money here right now. There is a severe labor shortage to, businesses have been closing due to understaffing. Traffic in Calgary is getting bad because the city is growing faster then they can update infrastructure.
But its pretty good we have like a $8 billion a year surlpus with only like 3 million people

As long as the bastard liberals dont get back in power and try to nationalize our oil fields. Last time they tried that our Preimier told the rest of Canada that he was stoping oil shipments to the rest of Canada, the PM backed down. Premeir of Alberta is the most powerful man in Canada

FOD Picker

Anybody have any good interview stories about their interview experience, or know what's competitive at Air Canada mainline? I've read on some of the canadian forums that the flight time just to get with AC Jazz is upwards of 2500TT/1500PIC, plus these guys were more focused on getting on with Jazz in order to get the flow through at a higher pay rate and flight benefits coming in at the bottom of mainline (apparantley you come in at $55K as opposed to 37.5K flat for 2 years and get flight passes right away). Last year I had heard of a Chatauqua E135/145 guy who got on with Air Canada on the E190 based in YYZ with either very little or no PIC in the jet. I'm not sure if he actually got to upgrade at CHQ or not before moving on.

I"m a low time, new hire FO on the CRJ (50-seater) flying down here in the U.S. Canadian citizen, (U.S. green card holder) born and raised in Toronto, and would appreciate any good helpful info for later on down the road.

As far as the debate goes on which city is the best? Anywhere I don't have to have a block heater to plug in to in order to get the damn thing started in the morning. That eliminates Calgary and Winnipeg. Vancouver is way to expensive, and I can't speak french to save my life in Montreal, not that you need to but still. Better yet not having a car works too. I'd rather ride the Rocket into work if I could anyway. Live downtown, and take the subway to Kipling station where I can get on the Airport Rocket 192 express bus to Pearson (CYYZ - New Terminal 1). Plus I'm a Toronto Maple Leafs fan (who play in the Air Canada Centre) <---notice centre spelled with "re" not "er" so the choice is obvious for me.

supersix-4

Montreal is the best, hands down. (born and raised)as a matter of fact Im in YUL right now. I had to come here monday to get my passport. I will need it for training in may. Going back to TPA tomorrow...
Go HABS GO

flystraightin

Linebacker, are you kidding me? Calgary is (very) hot right now. Yes, they have the right idea with no icome/sales tax. However, after the oil is gone, what are you left with? An overpopulated, underdeveloped city with hella cold weather, flat prairies and a ****ty hockey team. Thats Calgary. Face it, we have the island, Van city and the best lake in the world. People from Alberta just have gotten lucky recently with their oil, but the first thing they do is get out and move to BC. But, worst of all, it's that 'we're better than you' attitiude that you guys have. I'm with bus_canuck on this one, Beautiful British Columbia beats "Wild Rose Country" every time.

Also, there is no way Calgary has the largest American population in Canada. Per capita, I garentee its Victoria, followed by Vancouver. In Victoria, every second car in from WA or OR, and no, they're not all just visitors.

vagabond - You ask about YYJ? Having been born and raised there, and having been to most other Canadian cites (YVR, YYC, YWG, YYZ, YOW, YUL, YHZ) I can tell you that Victoria is best, bar none. Victoria has the best weather in Canada, with far less rain compared to Vancouver. We are close to quality surf (Sombrio), a great ski mountain (mt. washington) and we have world class sailing right in town. Victoria is small enough for virtually no traffic, yet big enough for all the major stores and corporations (read: amenities) to open up here. There are tons of pilots here who commute to both YVR (on Jazz) for AC and SEA (on QX). I know one from UAL who is based in SEA, and at least 3 that fly for AS.

GBU - the general rule of thumb for Canada is, the farther west you go, the more American-ized, and the less Ottawa/Toronto center-of-the-universe B.S. and French you get.

Speaking French for AC is in no way a requirement, but it cant hurt. Hell, I know more Spanish than French.

1S 1E - the "dreary winters" in YVR are no different than SEA's. But yeah, I'd rather be in SNA or FLL for the winter.

On a completely unrelated note, Montreal is a pretty cool city (went to visit McGill a few months ago), at least the english speaking parts are.