crj705

There sure seems to be a lot of thread deletions lately. Someone must have gotten their feelings hurt.

Poita

Hello chaps I hope all is well. Just have a few questions:

1. Whats the relationship between AJV and ANA cargo. I see the cargo planes have "ANA cargo" on the side.

2. I applied for and will be interviewing for AJV but can/will they offer me a AJX slot instead. I would much prefer the cargo ops. Would they get upset if I say I would prefer the cargo operation?

3. For the written test I see a few people have said there are questions on locations of emergency equipment in the cabin. I would have thought that most airlines don't have all the equipment in the same place so it seems like a strange thing to ask in a written exam.

4. The contract agency fees are not taken out of the pilot salary is it? I assume this is sorted out between the ANA and PARC.

5. Have there been anyone leaving AJX or AJV lately?

6. Are there many back of the clock flights for AJV?

7. I have heard its possible to leave on your last day of work if you have a late arvo or evening flight. Are you able to arrive into Japan on your first day of work early in the morn then do a late flight that day?

8. Is AJV still doing the American flying or is that outsourced to a bigger A/C?

Thanks again for the help. This is a great thread

The Dominican

I'll give you my opinion on a couple of your questions and leave the AJV specific questions for one of the boys!

#2) they can and sometimes they do offer a slot to the other company (this was my case) It is ok to express your preference during the interview but I would remain flexible, both are very good operations and I'm sure you will be happy on the AJX side as well if that would be the opportunity given to you (opportunity being the key word)

#4) No, their fee has nothing to do with your contract

#5) We had an F/O from AJX leave recently due to personal issues, something related to a family member illness for what I understand, It was so urgent in fact that he couldn't give the company the 90 days notice required and had to pay a large fine for what I understand, ouch!
We have a captain that left for another contract on the 777 that is coming back to AJX early next year

DrinkSleepFly&Repeat

Hi Guys

This is a question for current contract pilots of ANA/AJX/AJV who were accepted through the current recruitment program via PARC, IAC, etc.

Is this recruitment program here to stay for the coming years do you believe?

Does it look like there is a constant, long term need for expat contract pilots in ANA/AJX/AJV?

I really hope so, I am far from the minimums at this time but did hop along to a screening in Sydney last year for the meet and great with the future endeavor to join the company as soon as I have the minimums. I would rate it the best job I have heard of as of yet, especially since I hold Japanese citizenship and would not mind a sea change in a few years with an airline I have admired and have had my eyes set on for so long.

PS: If anyone knows how the Dash 8 contract pilot intakes are going, info on that would be much appreciated also. I know they were hiring Captains in 2008, how bout now?

Fratemate

Excellent question and one I'm sure a well educated member of our fraternity might be able to answer All I know is that Japan Post have withdrawn from the contract, so ANA now 'owns' more of the AJV company and, therefore, has more of a say in haow it is run. To be honest, I've never heard of anyone being asked about this in the interview but that's proabably because few of the interviewers know the whole picture anyway At the end of the day, the 777s have enough capacity to shift cargo to Europe etc but the ANA (AJX) 767s, used around these parts can't carry enough, so we do it for them. Loads have recently gone up substantially and with the Naha centralised base open for business in just over a week, I think we'll see ANA Cargo doing more business in the Far East. And, just to get you thinking, what about 'Allex' written on the side of the aircraft

As Mr Dominican has written, it has happened in the past but it is VERY unlikely to happen to you, as things have settled down a bit since the heady days of TD's course The companies are pretty well separate entities, though we enjoy each other's company in the pub. AJV are still very actively recruiting whereas, as I understand it, AJX have slowed a bit and are no longer after direct entry captains etc. You'll be interviewed by AJV people for an AJV job. I would consider why you would prefer cargo to pax but, put it this way, you'd have to drag me kicking and screeming back to passenger flying.

I didn't do a written test but I'd be quite certain that, like a lot of airlines, it's a 'filler' i.e. something extra they want you to do but something that's not really looked at too hard. It's all about your knowledge of your current operatations. They don't have a list of where every operator keeps their emergency equipment but they do expect you to know where it's kept. I know they can't check up but whoever thought they would As I said, it's a time filler and something to get your grey matter thinking about.

You don't get involved in any of that and will never know how much Parc get paid. The money they say in the contract appears in your pay slip and, added to that are things like per diem, accomm allowance etc (after training). It's all very simple and no need to get hung up on agency fees. I've been delighted with Parc and have only good things to say about the people that look after the salary side of things (and other facets of the contract, obviously).

Nobody from AJV that I know of.

As I write, no, there's not too many. However, stand by for that to change in 10 days That's when the Naha base is going to kick into action and the work patterns will change a fair bit. Basically, Naha will act as a cargo hub and we'll be 'spoking' out to our normal destinations more from there, rather than NRT or KIX. This will mean a lot more night flying but, rather nicely, a lot more stops (day) at destinations and some very pleasant ones at that. Overall, I think we'll be at NRT/KIX a lot less and there will be more night flying but we'll be able to enjoy the delights of BKK, HKG etc at more reasonable times

It is normal to leave on the last day of work and, for the chosen ones, this does not present a problem as the Oz flights leave in the evening The European flights leave late morning/lunchtime, so these guys sometimes get screwed by not being back in time to get the flights. The scheduler is normally pretty good at getting you back early on the last day of work and, looking at the new Naha schedules, this will become easier as the majority of flights get into NRT/HND in the morning. As for coming back to work; you must ensure that you are at report on time and suitably rested for your duty (good egg-sucking lesson there ). Again, I believe the new schedules will better allow you to come in on the day of work because they are going to have late reports. So, arrive early in the morning from Oz, sleep during the day in the NRT hotel and then late report is acceptable. It may not be absolutely by the letter of the contract but it is done and everybody respects the need to ensure they don't screw it up for everybody else by not turning up on time or not in a fit state.

Not bigger aircraft but, as I understand it, UPS in some tie up deal that's far too involved for mortals such as me. We're stopping (for now) the ANC/ORD flying but we are starting HNL. This, at the moment, will be a very short stop and will be only one per week but who knows what it will develop into and if we'll get the other stuff back? This way, AJV keeps all its ETOPS clearances and we'll stay current at speaking 'Merican

Bahamapilot

I have been folowing the thread since August09, and this truly does seem like a good contract job...Unfortunately I am already 41 yrs of age and the biggest A/C I have flown is a King Air 200 right seat, so I don't think
I have a shot at getting in...Please keep the thread going so I can live my dream through you guys....

Poita

Hey folks anyone going up for an interview in November? I'll be there from the 10th to the 14th.

Mmmayday38

Poita,

I've got the same dates (for AJV); so I'll see you there.

Poita

Hey guys I need a few tips for the interview. I'm interviewing for the AJV and this is my preference over AJX because I have always loved the lifestyle and freedom of flying freight and it seems to be less hassle than pax sometimes too. Also the extra day off means more time at home as well and I don't mind night flying either. I'm just stuck putting this into a good solid answer if they happen to ask why I applied for AJV not AJX. Or do I just tell them like I did above?

Also it seems the AJV route structure is a little more extensive which is also very inviting. Can someone please confirm that these are the current routes for AJX: Tokyo, Osaka, Hawaii, Guam, Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Xiamen & Hong Kong.

Thanks.

serenitynow

Poita,

I intereviewed a couple weeks ago and they did ask me why I was choosing AJV over AJX. I responded that I chose AJV because I felt there would be more of an opportunity to upgrade (I was applying for F/O), and that even though it is not gauranteed, that the AJV guys seemed to be getting an extra day off. It seemed to me what they really wanted to know is if I was willing to take AJX also.

It might be a mute point since I was told that there is a possibility that AJV and AJX could be combined as far as flight operations is concerned. There are a lot of changes going on at AJV with the Naha hub. The interview was exactly as has been talked about on previous threads, and with the information given by the recruiter. You can PM me if you need any more detailed information.

Serenitynow

89Pistons

Poita, I think you would be best served if you told them you picked AJV on your app because you had to pick one. I would tell them that I my preference is the one that would get me into class the soonest. In the answer you gave, you make a lot of assumptions.

You said that you love the lifestyle and freedom of flying freight. That one statement alone would bring on more questions. What do you mean by freedom? You would have to explain exactly why you think cargo has more freedom. Freedom to do what? What if they merged the operations and you flew pax and cargo? Would you not be happy? Those are the types of follow up questions that you would be inviting.

Also, there is no extra day off at AJV from what I have heard. The days off are the same in both contracts now.
The statement about night flying is one that I wouldn't make unless asked. You will be flying at night no matter which way you go. AJX isn't all day ops. They do a lot of night flying.
Lastly, the route structure can change so I wouldn't put any emphasis on that either.

That's just my opinion and it may not be the best so take it for what it is. Think about it and good luck on your interview.

The Dominican

Hello Poita

It is important to stress that outside of the interview profiles and operational procedures, what we express here is only our opinion and neither of us (including the contract companies, they gather a lot of information through the line pilots and the interviewees,) has an insiders track into planning at ANA and it's affiliates but I believe that Piston 89 advice is very good because this company (ANA and affiliates) is going trough a transitional period that has too many variables to be able to predict. At what pace will the Japanese economy recover? What will their market share look like with Jal's restructuring? What will the slot availability at both Haneda and Narita look like when the construction is finished? Are we merging or not? One very big variable is the 787 not only at AJX route structure but also at AJV because the 787 program will also influence if AJV will operate a bigger freighter or not. How much day or night flying you will do at any company? the company themselves don't really know the answers to these questions, little alone any of us. All these variables will affect how these companies will look like up to a year from now that you will be expected to join the line, I would keep your answers non specific such as "I've always been interested on the experience of flying freight but I would really like to join this organization in any capacity the company considers that I would be more useful" and I would try to stay away of giving answers about specific current route structures and I would most definitely won't tell them you don't want to deal with the hassle of flying passengers since we don't really have any interaction with the passengers at all at AJX. About the faster upgrade at AJV, I'm curious how you came up to that conclusion and the interviewers will be curious as well because both companies are hiring at the same pace and although AJX is currently not hiring DEC's the word around the clubhouse is the they will start next year. Remember that we don't know how this companies will look like at the other end of the economical recession.

Good luck on the interview brother

serenitynow

Dominican,

I came up with the answer of possibly upgrading quicker on AJV just on the basis that AJV is hiring DEC's right now, and that they have current aircraft orders. Honestly, the answer was to show them that I had a desire to be a Captain and a desire to be at their company for a long time. I would be perfectly happy at both operations.

Serenitynow

Fratemate

89Pistons,

AJV does get an extra day off. AJX guys get 10, AJV get 10 + international blank day. It's just a matter of words but the result is AJX get 10, AJV get 11.

89Pistons

Thanks Fratemate. I'm unfamiliar with the International blank day. Is that added on to the consecutive days or mixed in between trips?

The Dominican

The additional day off for AJX has already been discussed by the company but in true fashion, things just have a way of taking a couple of months to be implemented.

I see, in reality both companies have an active upgrade program and they are still receiving pax 76's also. I'm sure you will enjoy any of them as well, my compadres at the AJV side are a great group of guys

Poita

Thanks for the input folks. It's good to get other peoples perspective on some of these ones and I am going to change how I answer that question.

Fratemate

It's added to the consecutive days off so, assuming you're not taking any vacation days, in a month you'll get Off1 x 10 + BD2 x 1 on your roster, giving you 11 days off in a row. This is what happens in reality and does not necessarily reflect the exact wording of the contract. The threat of having the 'extra' day removed has been discussed previously in this thread but we know the Japanese of AJV are good people and wouldn't try to incite the trouble that would bring.

Poita, don't forget the freighter enjoys en-suite facilities, no passengers to have to deal with, no locked doors and security camera, no looking over your shoulder to see if you've upset any of the crew, food/drinks when you want them and not when the cabin crew have finished the service and no complaints from the payload when you land in a 'positive' way . Okay, so none of this is admissable in the interview butI wish I'd discovered this job sooner

oldhasbeen

Jesus H, Frate. That even makes me wanna come over to the darkside

Poita

Heya folks. Just a question for the AJX'ers. Is it true that there is no jump seat policy in Japan even for paxing tech crew for a duty? Do they have the cockpit door closed and bolted before the first pax boards until the last pax disembarks?