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• Reading the reviews here, I see that I am not alone in regretting ever working for Air Canada. Sure, I knew that the starting salary was low, but I love to travel, I love interacting with passengers from all over, and I enjoy customer service duties. However, I soon found out that they pretty much throw you on the floor when you've barely finished training. Often, I was left all alone at the customer service desk, with huge lineups of upset passengers. Whenever I would call for assistance, some of the managers were rude and indifferent. One woman even told me, "It's not up to me to do your job!" I saw many passengers waiting for wheelchair assistance that never came. Still, I gave it my all. I was always punctual and helpful, and friendly. One day, I woke up quite ill, so I called in sick. I later provided a doctor's note. Despite my justified absence, the bosses had me meet with a manager. That manger screamed at me, threatened to fire me, and tried to intimidate me. Over one absence, with a medical note. I eventually resigned, and I am still waiting for my final pay. HR constantly gives me the runaround. Please do not apply here without researching Air Canada's history. They're an awful company for employees and passengers. They don't appreciate the good workers. Check the reviews on Indeed, and the countless news articles detailing bullying, harassment, etc. I am glad to be gone from that toxic place.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 3 January 2023 by Rater #252 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Horrible toxic work environment, narcissistic managers who just love to micromanage employees and destroy their enthusiasm and career development  

  Posted on 6 January 2022 by Rater #249 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• If you value your personal health and safety, please stay far away from the ramp/baggage position.
  Management has no clue what they are doing there. Employees often feel like they are at odds with the company, with them assigning you to places you lack clearance for, or understaffing you for jobs that require more than one individual, assigning you work that cannot be safely completed without breaking airport regulations. And questioning or asking for help is met by bully tactics to keep people in line.
  The first thing the union rep said to us during training is to do your time and get out. I should have followed my gut and left right then, but I thought I could tough it out.
  My time ended there with a permanent injury due to mismanagement. I was put working solo on a job requiring more than one person, the leads were off talking with their buddies instead of working, one even gave me attitude when asked for help, eventually time ran out for the flight and in the rush I was injured.
  The icing on the cake? Air Canada will harass you constantly when you are sick or injured.
  
  This is my warning to you, potential employee. Stay far away, for your sake.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 30 November 2020 by Rater #247 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• -The worst company for work/life balance, you're at the mercy of the scheduler.
  -Great flight benefits but that's really it
  -Low pay, dangerous job, little recognition from an unorganized management.
  -I will really miss the guys though made some amazing friends over the years   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 18 April 2018 by Rater #246 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• I work on the ramp/baggage team; the job is not bad if hou enjoy keeping busy with your hands. Management and a majority of my collegues constantly make inappropriate jokes such as racist sterotypes,homosexuality etc etc.... there has been harassment classes offered to employees to educate them on what is unprofessional and not allowed but it still happens, and whats worst is the management whom teaches these classes are also cracking inappropriate jokes all the time. New comers to the job gets hazed and bullies a lot, when inexperienced rather than helping the individual, new comer gets the cold shoulders a lot. A lot of safety SOPs are ignored by the senior employees and if the new comer does not follow then he/she will get bullies and harassed.
  Overall love the job, but work enviroment requires thick skin.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 12 August 2016 by Rater #245 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 13 1

• This companies lacks major leadership. It functions on old school scare tactics to reach out to their employees. Everyone walks on eggshells and the moral is absolutely disgusting. I've seen way better else where and find it very sad for those who love the job itself as they will continue to be treated with disrespect, and they deserve a lot more.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 22 October 2015 by Rater #244 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• I've been at the company for 15 years. It's gone through some rough financial times which has been hard on employees, but the company has always focused on strategies that benefit all of its stakeholders - employees, customers and shareholders. Employees are incredibly proud to be part of Canada's flagship airline and as the company has begun to do better it has increasingly focused on engaging and communicating with employees.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 7 October 2014 by Rater #243 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• I retired from AC after 35 years. Worked all over the country and at various jobs. The last 15 years in the Toronto Call Centre. Once you get to max salary the wages are good. Management was always fair and helpful. Lots of training to keep you at the top of your game. Benefits (dental/drug) and airline passes are phenomenal. Great deals on hotels, car rentals, ocean cruises, anything travel related. The stocks are going through the roof these days so they must be doing something right. I can't believe all these negative comments are coming from real AC employees. That's not the company I worked for all those years and I was a unionized employee. No complaints at all.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 7 April 2014 by Rater #241 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Air Canada is a great company to work for.
  I haven't regretted a day yet.
  Sure there is room for improvement, and that is with any company in any field. Room for improvement is what opportunes growth and development.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 13 January 2014 by Rater #239 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 9 38

• I have worked in general reservations call centre in YUL for about 2 years now.
  My manager is an angel. She bends over backwards for us. She supports and encourages our career growth.
  I feel valued, appreciated and proud of what I do.
  Literally the only complaint I have is that the starting wage needs to increase. Minimum wage in QC is now 10.15$/hr and AC gives 11.20$/hr
  I am working my butt off just to be able to live paycheck to paycheck.
  Our managers understand this, and they try their best to support us but at the same time it's the big bosses that need to let go of the arrogance and sense of entitlement and finally give back to their employees
  
  All in all it's not a bad place to work, at least in the call centre.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 30 December 2013 by Rater #238 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Truly a throwback to the days of management by fear and intimidation.Customer service has dropped to dead last as a company priority.  

  Posted on 17 October 2013 by Rater #236 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 47 5

• has become a horrible place to work over the past 10 years. don t send any of your friends there.  

  Posted on 2 October 2013 by Rater #235 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 46 5

•  

  Posted on 21 January 2013 by Rater #234 | Comments (1) | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 10 9

• I worked for AC for 35 years and watched as the company was slowly taken apart by the likes of Robert Milton and Co. Maintenance and Aeroplan should never have been let go. I watched as it saved the jobs of thousands of CP employees who to this day have a grudge towards AC - why I will never know. You have a job people!! From what I gather from current employees, not a particularly rosy place to work.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 2 December 2012 by Rater #170 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 39 9

• This company is the most horrible company to work for.I have been with this company for almost 12 years and every day is hell..If one certain manager doesn't like a employee for whatever reason then all managers are bullying the employee.If a manager likes a lead hand and his crew that lead hand and his crew will be sleeping or doing whatever and nothing will be said to them but the rest will be on a constant watch..It's like a old person in a old folks home..You think that the elderly person will be looked after taking care of treated with respect and dignity but no instead taking for granted, abused, and most off all the self respect Gone.!   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 26 November 2012 by Rater #62 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 46 10

• I worked for this company for 10 years. After I realised I had 15 left before retirement I left. Once you get top wage you are paid well, but you really do deserve it. Many times I left so badly for how we handled our passengers begging for help (often handing out hotel vouchers with one other person, calling deployment for help because people are waiting for too long, sometimes they would laugh because there was nobody, they were safely upstairs watching on cameras, but a few of them were great)
  Company standard operating procedures and reality are severely disconnected to a point of daily stress.
  I actually really enjoyed the job itself, I am a people person so never really had confrontations with passengers, employees or management. I do say many employees are incredible and kept that place running, some fellow employees were an embarrassment to work next to, same with management. I felt it was best to just help people I came across as much as possible and avoid management.
  I always had hope it would be better like it was but it is just such I political environment and the greater good of the operation is never served and the passengers are just there to experience the fall out.
  I still don't hate them. Some days I loved my job so much, some however I felt uneasy to the core about our actions.
  Knowledge and true attempts for improvement are not valued at all. Only compliance regardless of sense. Communication is the worst in any company I have worked for. You get email updates and news, but not given time to check them during work hours. Most computers block it even so if it is actually quieter or you are on break but can't get to break room in time you can't check it.
  I found hard working honest employees are worked harder and harder and lazy ones left alone, only half the reason being the union which is just another self serving company at this point. Their office is closed during off peak hours which is when perhaps they are needed most.
  Work ethics and assessment only come down to sick time and punch times, there is nothing recorded about how you actually do your job unless a real mistake is made and a letter of discipline is given, I never got one, but it is not always for big mistakes and they are not evenly consistently given out. (same mistake made, some employees given a letter, some are not)
  I wish they could do a week of undercover boss with this company as they put on a show when upper management rolls through.
  I have never heard or seen upper management walk around unannounced to simply see how things really run.
  Maybe it's different in the offices. I can only speak about the airports.
  The benefits are good. I never used them much but appreciate them. Flying passes are a privilege and we're great, it's a lot more expensive now and harder to get on flights but still good. Sometimes it's cheaper to use other airline discounts then your own, but that's not the end of the world.
  I really hope it gets better. Corporate culture would have to change top to bottom. Trust even within management itself would need to be developed, it's just completely disconnected
    read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 20 October 2012 by Rater #169 | Comments (1) | Flag as inappropriate

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• The business model is to strip everything of value from the company. Have no cash reserves. Always be on the verge of collapse. Take as much profit as possible. Cry hard done by everyone.
  
  This was once a flagship carrier with one of the most respected names in the industry, no more.
    read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 19 October 2012 by Rater #233 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• If you like being worked harder than you have ever seen in your life for very little pay then this slave pen is for you.
  
  all these comments about over paid union workers are total BS . Picture this as a ramp/baggage agent working a flight your starting wage is $10.5/hr , you are responsible for EVERY aircraft , bag you touch , IF something ever happened .. you , your crew and EVERYBODY that touched that aircraft that day will be grilled endlessly by federal agencies. So you better put what training you are given to use an stick to it.
  
  IF you can survive your first 3 years at the piss poor wages and the extreme physical wear induced on you .. you too will become a very very bitter person.
  for 10.50 an hr your out in the rain , sleet , snow , extreme cold , heat , wind ... slugging bags all day , some of those bags can weight alot , you are required to be able to lift up to 70 lbs , usually ON your knees in a hold bent over ..whats it like ? crawl under your desk or kitchen table an pick up 2 bags of kids play sand ... now do that 150-200 + ( average # of bags per flight) times per hour for 8 solid hours. on some shift schedules 6 days a week and because your so tired your days off are usually spent trying to recover. your social / personal life becomes a thing of luxury , for get about holidays like christmas ... while your family is at home sitting in front of the warm fire eating a nice dinner or your kids are opening their presents ... your at work , you cant afford to take a day off .
  
  your inhaling enormous amounts of fumes from aircraft , various machinery
  
  managers are always crawling around and will jump at ANY opportunity to breath down your neck about even the smallest thing , very very few will have any spine left to congratulate you on a good job or even thank you , those that do usually dont last more than 6 months .
  
  simply put ... your an employee with a number - to the company your are a machine ... when machines start to loose performance they are discarded and new ones are trained to replace them an the cycle is repeated.
  
  at the ramp/baggage level you can move up once and still stay in the union to a lead hand .... but you also become a big target for management , your scrutinized for everything. to go higher than that your not protected by the union when you reach management level and your job security becomes very very slim.
  
  Turn around rate is very high ... the door doesnt stop spinning
  
  So next time you fly ( any company not just this one ) and you look out your window and see that person with the wands walking at the end of the wing as you depart from your gate... think of this post ... he/she likely makes about as much as a the person behind the counter at the restaurant you bought your food from and your life , safety is in his/her hands until your at your next destination on the ground picking up your bag again.
  
  our job function may not require much skill to do but the level of responsibility , work load , danger factor ( 2nd most dangerous in the world next to mining ) vs the amount were paid is very insulting.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 14 September 2012 by Rater #168 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• This is the worst employer I have ever worked for, and I have worked for alot of employers. I was a part of the management team only for a short few months before I found that my duties and responsibilies were not aligned with my morals and values. Unfortunately, the company has a "us against them" attitude. The atmosphere is completely toxic. Not one person is happy in the company and seems like the only people who last there are the ones that rely on the income and who have no alternate choice. Management is after saving every penny. The work environement is depressing and there is no sense of unity. Flight Attendants are miserable and management is miserable. I can honestly say not one person was proud of the company or what it stood for. AVOID AVOID AVOID.
  - The disillusioned   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 13 September 2012 by Rater #61 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Worked at AC for 5 years. First time in my work-history, seeing employees sleeping during office hours. It used to be a great employer, it degraded to a terrible place to work. Management doesn't respect its own employees and treat them like their enemies. Employees hate management. Company's culture is toxic -- maybe it still good place to-work-for, for lazy ignorant employee.
  Problems are handled using blame, finger-pointing and a cover-your-ass mentality, therefore nothing gets fixed. The majority of management mindlessly follow directives in order to get ahead, even when they know it is not the right thing to do.
  
  Don't waste time applying for a job here. It's not worth your time and efforts!
  There's a lot of better company out there.
    read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 31 August 2012 by Rater #167 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 20 3