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How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

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How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

Old 5th Jan 2006, 06:09
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How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?


I am currently flying for a regional carrier in US, and I would love to fly something bigger in main land China. Unfortunately I can’t find Air China and China Eastern pilot recruiting contact information website, e-mail, mailing address, phone number, or fax number. I would really appreciate if anyone can give me any information regarding to these airlines pilot recruiting information.

Thanks
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Old 5th Jan 2006, 06:58
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

Are you Chinese
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Old 5th Jan 2006, 15:38
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

Yes, I am a Chinese. In United States, it’s very difficult for us regional pilots to move on to something bigger than a CRJ-200. Most pilots in major airline such as United, American, Delta, Northwest, or Continental will spend their entire career flying something no bigger than B-737 or MD-80. If anyone can give me some information in China, I’ll be greatly appreciated.
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Old 5th Jan 2006, 16:27
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

Originally Posted by ubpilot
Yes, I am a Chinese. In United States, it’s very difficult for us regional pilots to move on to something bigger than a CRJ-200. Most pilots in major airline such as United, American, Delta, Northwest, or Continental will spend their entire career flying something no bigger than B-737 or MD-80. If anyone can give me some information in China, I’ll be greatly appreciated.
Sorry, but neither one is hiring foreign pilots at this stage. Air China Cargo is a subsidiary of Air China but you need to be rated on the B747-400.

If you want to fly those heavy Irons, perhaps you can try SQ cargo, CX cargo, Emirates, Qatar Airways, etc.... They hire expat pilots and you do get to fly those shiny "Heavy Irons"...
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Old 5th Jan 2006, 16:57
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

Originally Posted by ubpilot
Yes, I am a Chinese. In United States, it’s very difficult for us regional pilots to move on to something bigger than a CRJ-200. Most pilots in major airline such as United, American, Delta, Northwest, or Continental will spend their entire career flying something no bigger than B-737 or MD-80. If anyone can give me some information in China, I’ll be greatly appreciated.
There is nothing wrong with flying an MD-80 or 737 for your whole career. In fact, if the pay was good enough, that would be preferable to flying long haul IMHO.

That said, ETOPS is right, neither hires foreign pilots at the moment. I've been involved with training China Eastern pilots in the past. They do everything in Mandarin. An F.O. there makes about $ 500 per month, while a Captain is closer to $1000. That was a few years ago so it may be higher now.

Even if you are Chinese, are you an ABC ? Do you speak Mandarin or Cantonese ? Can you read and write Chinese ? Can you think in Mandarin ? Even if the answer to all those question is yes, I doubt you'd get hired by either of those carriers on local terms without a PRC passport, which is about the only way you would work your way up the ladder to flying 747s internationally.

Some mainland Chinese carriers are hiring expat pilots, but generally only those who are already experienced on type. One of the recent start-ups reportedly hired some low time foreign pilots who probably went out and paid for their own type rating. In fact, there may be a thread somewhere in here on that.

You might be better off looking into Cathay Pacific as a Second Officer. With them you'll have a pretty well defined career path and it is one of the better jobs out there.


Typhoonpilot
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Old 5th Jan 2006, 22:18
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

I totally agree with the 2 previous responses to your question. As you are flying in the US I take it you are quite westernised. Even though you are Chinese as your ethnic origins, your time away from the motherland would be an enormous impediment for you to enter the mainstream airlines there, unless you were a highly experienced 747-400 Captain going through an agency for say Air China Cargo (who are hiring these type of qualified people), then they would snap you up.
In my opinion you are much better off going the softer route. CX are actively hiring pilots, and would be very interested in you with your qualifications for their cadet programme, as would Dragon Air. CR Airways in Hong Kong have just advertised for flight crews (not necessarily type rated) for a fleet of 30 737-800 and 10 787's. The add was in Flight International (www.flightinternational.com ) yesterday, In fact that would be a back door way int Hainan Airlines which is I think the 4th largest Chinese carrier.
You should also look at Air China and EVA AIR in Taiwan, both operating 747-400's A330's ect, and would be very interested in hiring a pilot with Chinese ancestry. Singapore Airlines are actively recruiting cadet and second officers as well.
All of these options you would find would be a mich better career path and much better financially than trying to enter the Chinese mainstream as a low time pilot.
Good luch
G
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Old 8th Jan 2006, 09:02
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

at least forget about China eastern . They did say to recruit expat pilot unofficailly. But heard from the top management that CES only do that if no other choice. and that's between 2006-07 when 15 A330s coming in.
I guess typhoon was right , try some airlines in Hongkong or Taiwan . if failed , the new start-ups might be the second chioce for you as low timer . 2005 is like a year of pivate owned airlines. nearly ten new starups got the certificate from the CAAC . and they are desprated for flt deck crew.
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Old 8th Jan 2006, 09:19
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

the pay is higher than "a few years ago" ,esp. in privated owned airlines as an expat. heard a rumour it is $6000 per mon for a a320 capt which is 3000-4000 higher than it is in CES. of coz, 340 capts would get better , but in comaprison with pilots in HKG , it's nothing.I am afraid.
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Old 8th Jan 2006, 16:38
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

I am interested my self in working in China.
Does anyone know the names of teh start up airlines in China. I have a HARD time finding any information on the net.

Thanks
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Old 8th Jan 2006, 17:17
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

ubpilot,
If you wanna fly in China, first of all you have to accept the low pay. As far as I 've heard. the FO for local chinese is around 23000RMB. also you have to re-sit a total of five written exams and a flight test. Therefore you are now flying in the US and earning the USD. there's no point for you to come back to china.
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Old 8th Jan 2006, 20:02
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

The Bare.
CR Airways must have a very big expansion planned? According to
http://www.crairways.com/eng/index.html
they are currently flying a few CRJ's. And according to Boeings homepage they have not placed any orders. What can you tell us about this?
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Old 8th Jan 2006, 23:14
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

Go to www.flightinternational.com
The job search section has the ad for 737-800 pilots, and if you surf through the airline section under Asia you will see the article about CR airways, Hainan airlines ect.
regards
G
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Old 9th Jan 2006, 05:09
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

Originally Posted by King Air
ubpilot,
If you wanna fly in China, first of all you have to accept the low pay. As far as I 've heard. the FO for local chinese is around 23000RMB.
Is this monthly pay or annually pay?
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Old 9th Jan 2006, 05:47
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

Originally Posted by King Air
also you have to re-sit a total of five written exams and a flight test. Therefore you are now flying in the US and earning the USD. there's no point for you to come back to china.
Are these five exams in English or Chinese? I can read and speak Chinese well, but I do have difficultly to write Chinese , because I left China when I was little. Currently I am holding FAA pilot license and Medical, and I am a CRJ-200 FO for Delta Connection. I would love to fly something bigger, and it seems like the only opportunity for me is in China. Thanks for the help.
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Old 9th Jan 2006, 13:16
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

I was in your shoes last year and decided to go fly a B744 here in Asia and it's totally different flying and lifestyle. The hardest part for me is the time away from home and after 4 months of doing this, I decided to call my ex-chief pilot in the US asking him for my old job back (regional).
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Old 9th Jan 2006, 17:52
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

Originally Posted by Medwin
I was in your shoes last year and decided to go fly a B744 here in Asia and it's totally different flying and lifestyle. The hardest part for me is the time away from home and after 4 months of doing this, I decided to call my ex-chief pilot in the US asking him for my old job back (regional).
Honestly, it makes me jealous every time I fly into New York JFK and taxing next to those foreign jumbo jets. Therefore Medwin, can you please tell me what airline are you working for? Is your airline still hiring? What’s their requirement?

Thanks!!
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Old 9th Jan 2006, 17:59
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

[quote=ZSSSZSPD]I guess typhoon was right , try some airlines in Hongkong or Taiwan . quote]

I have thought about Taiwan, but I am not sure would they be mind about my mainland China heritage?
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Old 10th Jan 2006, 04:00
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For Medwin

Hi Medwin,
E-mail me when you have a chance..
Tim
[email protected]
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Old 10th Jan 2006, 10:46
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

[QUOTE=ubpilot]
Originally Posted by ZSSSZSPD
I guess typhoon was right , try some airlines in Hongkong or Taiwan . quote]



I have thought about Taiwan, but I am not sure would they be mind about my mainland China heritage?
I heard Sichuan airlines hired some retired airforce pilots from Taiwan, implying the policital string is not that tight as before in the civial industry.beside you left young and hold a U.S. passport ?
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Old 11th Jan 2006, 00:12
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Re: How to apply for Air China and China Eastern?

The $23000RMB is monthly pay that is included all allowance. The sichuan airlines did recruited some retried taiwan airforce as FO on their A320 fleet. I 've also heard that some private airlines also recruit the overseas chinese.

The five exams are Basic English, Aviation English, CPL, IR and ATPL. all questions are multiple-choice. CPL , IR and some of the questions in ATPL are in chinese. I don't think you would have any problem in passing these exams since most of the questions are copied from FAA test prep.
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