Encore Flight Operations
From day one, WestJet Encore pilots are given the opportunity for flexibility. All pilots have an equal chance at bidding on attributes such as pairing length, destinations, layovers, days off and report and release times, regardless of seniority*. You’ll also be able to drop, trade and pick up flights with ease using our trade system.
The WestJet Group has, and always will be, defined by our people: passionate, friendly individuals who go above and beyond in everything they do. It creates an atmosphere and culture that ensures our guests, and WestJetters alike, love where they’re going
Next Steps
You've signed your offer letter, what happens next?
About a week before your start date, you will receive an email from our Crew Services team with your new hire package. Within that package, it will include some information regarding your upcoming training and get you started with WestJet Encore.
The documents below are to be reviewed by you very carefully and many items are time sensitive. Any questions regarding the onboarding process, please reach out to encorecrewtraining@westjet.com or encorestandardspilot@westjet.com
If you are not a Pilot, but within Flight Operations, your onboarding will look different. Please reach out to your leader for further details
Welcome Aboard Orientation:
As a part of your onboarding, WestJet offers a program called Welcome Aboard. Welcome Aboard is a three-hour introduction to the mission, vision, values and culture of WestJet.
The class is designed to welcome and connect our new hires with WestJet in a virtual, interactive way. You will learn about where we’ve been, where we are, and more importantly the part you play in where we’re going.
You can expect an engaging virtual session, filled with media, activities and great discussion that will educate, motivate, and ignite their cultural spirit.
For this class we utilize the Micrsoft Teams Platform. Please find a how to get started document here.
Electronic Flight Bag - ipad
Electronic Flight Bag (ipad), are given to each new employee on day 1. There will be an IT representative to support set up on your first day.
Work Environment
With an unwavering commitment to Safety Above All and the track record to prove it, the WestJet Group has attracted some of the best aviation professionals from around the globe, providing outstanding support and leadership for our pilots.
Calgary Campus/Hangar Video Tour
Whether you will be working or training at the YYC campus, or working on the frontline, this video will take you through all the key spots and fun facts that will help familiarize you with our campus and set you up for sucess for your next visit or workday. In this video we explore the many unique features of our Fred Ring Building (minutes 0:00-05:45), Russ White Hangar (minutes 05:45-09:07) and Wide Body Hangar (Minutes 09:07-11:32).
Growth and Development
In operation for over two decades, the WestJet Group is an award-winning Canadian success story. With ambitious growth plans, along with more aircraft and routes being added around the globe, there’s substantial opportunity for advancement across the WestJet Group’s different airlines. It’s why many pilots choose to fly with us for their whole careers.
Health and Wellbeing
Inkblot
Inkblot is a fantastic tool WestJet has partnered up with in our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), to provide confidential counselling and information to you and your family.
You will receive access within your first 30 days of employment. If you require access immediately, please reach out to your Leadership team or Training instructor.
Vacation
You shall be entitled to a paid annual vacation as outlined in the Collective Agreement. The timing of vacations shall also be in accordance with the current Collective Agreement.
Fit to Fly program
WestJet, recognizing that all crew members commute to work using various forms of transportation, is now placing parameters around commuting as a fatigue management tool to help maintain crew member fitness for flight.
Ensuring that crew members are fit to fly when on active duty is a joint responsibility between WestJet and the crew member. From a company perspective, Crew Planning ensures that all scheduled activities include sufficient time free from duty during and between pairings to allow
crew members to obtain adequate rest, time for personal hygiene and time for required nourishment. During "day of" operations, these responsibilities shift to Crew Scheduling.
Crew members, in turn, are required to use the rest periods provided to obtain the necessary rest to be fit to fly when reporting for duty. If a crew member is required to commute for two hours or longer, the projected commuting time must be added to the scheduled Flight Duty Time for that day, and if the total time exceeds the limitations outlined in this Policy, appropriate alternate actions must be taken.
Pilot Recovery program
The Pilot Recovery Program (PRP) is a confidential program to assist and support pilots who struggle with Problematic Substance use. The approach of the Pilot Recovery Program is both preventative and therapeutic.
Union
WestJet Pilots and WestJet Encore Pilots unionized in 2017 and are both represented by ALPA. WestJet Pilots and WestJet Encore Pilots unionized in 2017 and are both represented by ALPA. Air Line Pilots Association. The body representing WestJet and Encore pilots. The Encore ALPA group has dedicated representatives for both bases and ranks, as well as other committee chairs that cover specific areas such as commuting, negotiations, training, safety, etc.