US citizens flying for Air Canada
 

Just seeing if there are any US citizens flying for Air Canada. Was wondering the process to transfer ratings and immigation issues.

You would require at least a work permit (like a green card), just as a Canadian requires one for the States. You'd think it would be easier for you guys considering we're all in this NAFTA thing, but that is generally not the case. The license and ratings transfer over pretty easy, but you'll have to be current and produce your log book and the paper work for the check ride you last did (within six months the last time I transfered a US rating to my Canadian license). The first rating I put on my Canadian license was done at Flight Safety and I did not have a US ticket. I just had a letter made up by the FAA examiner and that was good enough, so from that I gather that the MOT and the FAA have a pretty cozy relationship. You might also have to write both ATPL exams though. It's been a while for me so best to phone them or try the Transport Canada web site.

Thanks, I was doing a bit of digging around today and that helps

Is this something that a lot of people have done? I'm just curious if people who go to Canada typically have to go through a lot to get there and if anyone ever commutes back to the States to hold a job down here.

ophir,

don't know, I was just asking. My wide is from the land up north and was just checking to see if it had been done by anyone on APC.

I knew of an American guy who married a Canadian and had a interview with Air Canada. Apparently he did not get the job because he could not speak French. This information is not very reliable as I did not know him directly.

You do not need to speak french to be a pilot for AirCanada. The vast majority of AC pilots do not no french. All the french pilots band together in their montreal base.
By the way NEVER fly aircanada between paris and montreal... ALL FRENCH crew, everything is in french. The FAs would not even speak english to me.

But as for pilots, french is in no way required

yea i figured, wasn't a reliable source that I got that from, but I could see it being important to know a little french. If I was going for an interview with them i'd get one of those french language programs for the computer. Cant hurt.

GBU, I haven't heard anyone on APC flying for AC, but check out pprune.org . (canada section)

Thanks for the words. I hate those tapes/CDs, the phases you learn are always so korny and useless...but they do make me laugh.

Well the good news is that I speak French, or have been able to at one time I should say. My girlfriend is Canadian and we are planning on marrying and moving to Canada. I want to make sure i do the move correctly and not ever face some bureaucrat telling me that I didn't get a form signed when I first talked with her and that disqualifies me from working in Canada. I hope to be moving to the Calgary area within the next couple of years. I just need a bit of PIC time now.