If you want to work in China..!!

[On Final]

If you want to work in China:

I have read many posts here on PPRUNE and other sites and found some very valuable information from time to time.

I am working for a company that needs Air Bus Captains. I was trying to help other pilots but my previous post must have been Deleted by PPRUNE Mod's. I did a search and couldn't find it. I know it is a struggle to get through the jungle, especially trying to work in China. I have made other posts here about written tests in China and feel it was a mistake that my first post was deleted.

I am just trying to help some of our displaced or furloughed pilots out there..! The company I am working for pays very good and the treats you like a rock star..! The training is not intimidating and I have really enjoyed the process.

I turned down another interview in SE Asia because of the way that company had treated other pilots. So I went a different coarse.

I am currently working as a Captain in China on the A-320 and found a good one. Just like I had made other posts trying to help this post is nothing more that that. It is not an advertisement...!!

Good Luck ...!!

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[knee how]

Here's your post about the CAAC Written tests. I have it as one of my bookmarks. There's good information there.

http://www.pprune.org/south-asia-far...en-test-2.html

[On Final]

Thanks for your quick reply, I try to give accurate information which gives credit to the many posts I have read that have been helpful here. I have spoken to quite a few pilots that got tangled up in China spending 6 months to a year waiting trying to jump through hoop after hoop. Then at the end game, never get the job they tried to get because of problems with the Recruiting Agency or the airline just turned out to be a bad deal.

If you really want to work in China you need to be very careful with many things that normal jobs don't involve. Here is my story.

I started out wanting to fly the A-330, after my type rating only found 1 airline that would interview me as a test case having thousands of hours PIC A-320 series. I turned down the interview because I read many posts about how this company (I won't mention the name here) because I didn't want to get chewed up in the process. I don't think the airline is really bashing pilots anymore because it has hurt their recruitment process.

I looked at Vietnam Airlines but there was no upgrade to the A-330 available.
It looked like a good deal with the 4 weeks on 4 weeks off but I am tired of the light twin, A-320...!!

I ended up taking a job with a Chinese Airline that is not in the mainstream but offered an upgrade to the A-330. It was the Diamond in the rough, and the way I am treated here is much better than the way I was back when I worked for TWA. I am very happy so far and it was worth the time and energy..!

I started this process in June this year and just finished up so you can see this process is rather long. The Olympics blocked some of us for an additional 2 month wait so Oh Well.

First the interview, which is more like a 10 day evaluation. You take the famous Chinese Medical CAAC Beijing (Pass), Local Medical form work visa The Famous Chinese Written exam (Pass), Police Letter (Pass) Oh, I forgot the interview.

You go in with your agent, company representatives, interpreters there was a total of 10 to 12 people in this large board room. it is really informal just some chit chat about "Why you want to work in China" which I named my post header from. After 30 to 45 minutes you finish up and your on your way.

After you finish all of this it was a busy 10 days. You go back home and wait for your license verification. Word to the wise, if you are thinking about China you need to get your circle to land restriction removed from your certificate if you have one. As soon as your license verification comes in you pack your stuff and head to china. Make sure you bring all of your required original documents with you it you same you time and hassle later.

You get to do a CAAC aircraft Sim check, finish your ground school, get your Chinese Pilot License, line training and check, and then you are finished.

This post is already too long and if anyone is interested I can add more details later. I wish you guys the best of luck and happy flying..!!

[HarmonRabb]

Any chance of a non-rated F/O applying ? (No A320 type rating) just pistons

Have over 2,200+ hours, ICAO CPL/ME/IR

thanks

[Anonymus6]

harmonrabb NOT A CHANCE AS AN FO IN CHINA!!!!! SAD BUT TRUE

[VRSCSE2]

Maybe ONFINAL can post what airline he is working with, who is his broker, details of the great contract, how many Airbus captains they need and other fun facts.

Thanks

VRSC

[captain_mark747]

so even with the pilot shortage going on, airlines are still relectant to take in pilots that are not type rated and only have time on piston aircraft let's say around 2000hrs? correct me if i'm wrong... just curious about this matter.

will there come a time where airlines would be so desperate that they would even take in cpl trainees? or even worse people who have no flying experience yet and sponsor the rest of their training all the way up to filling in the flight deck vacancies?

[2Wright]

Yeah ONFINAL, give up some details of the Company you work for...I wanna get paid well and be a "rock star"

[On Final]

I have been answering a few PM's and will continue to do that. Any of you need help getting your job in China I will do what I can to give you helpful information. I will continue to remain behind the the WEB mask and therefore am not going to name my Airline or agent on a public forum. If you want to talk feel free to PM me.

If is difficult for FO's but not impossible. I have heard of some High time FO's getting jobs and upgrading in China but very rare.

Good Luck..!!

[beluga0703]

Have been offered interview with Shenzhen airlines, Deer Air and East Star Airlines. Wonder which of these is the best airlines to work for. Its for A320 captain through agency.

[On Final]

I know the players but don't have much data on East Airlines. It also depends on your lifestyle and schedule. Do you need to commute or not? Can you get a 4 week on 4 week off schedule? I think your agent is good if it is who I am thinking about. Good Luck..!

[gibas]

Captain upgrade in China

Hi guys!

For China experts:
I've seen most companies seeking for A320 PIC's require only 300-500 PIC hrs.
I'm an A320 type rated guy with 5.500 hrs on type and 8.000TT, JAA ATP.
Stable job in Europe for the time being. Stuck as F/O because of Seniority.
Those of you who are experienced on the China/Asia market, you think there's a chance for an DEC, upgrade there or a PIC(US) Transition in China?

Thanks a lot.

[On Final]

There is still a steady supply of pilots heading to China from the USA, EU, India and the Sand box. It has slowed down down from what I hear.

It is a problem for a high time FO to upgrade in China you just have to check the different agents to see if they can make you a deal. It is not impossible but difficult.

there is one company called Eagle Jet International Eagle Jet International, Inc. out of Miami, Florida that offers an FO time in type package of 300 to 500 hours from the initial type rating. They don't advertise it but may have a deal that can be worked out for a A-320 high time FO to get the Capt. PIC time. Just call them an ask.

Good luck I hope this helps...!!

[arka]

Air China

Hi!I just read about your expirience working in China.I sent my application for Air China.Be so kind and give me more info about selection process and simulator and medical.How is going after if you been selected.Is it so dificult to pass Air low exam?Regards from Arka

[On Final]

If you want to fly in China..!

Hello Arks,

How long ago did you apply with Air China? What equipment? Let me know what stage you are in and I will try to let you know what to expect next.....

I made a good post here on The Chinese Written test which will give you some highlights about the CAAC exam. I also have around 8000 sample questions on the CAAC written test and other pointers which may be helpful.

It takes time to get a flying job in China, just plan on it. What I mean by time is 2 to 6 months depending on your license and if you have a circle to land restriction which you will need to remove. The CAAC will not verify a Temp. US certificate, only the plastic hard copy. One major hurdle is you go to China and interview, take the written test, pass the medical and you have 2 weeks in this process by now. If you have a "Circle to Land Restriction" common in the USA, you will have to go have it removed from your license. You will have to go to the sim and take a checkride on the circle, costs about $1,000.00 usd. It takes 90 to 150 days to get you hard copy back from the FAA and then the CAAC will have to verify your license before you go to CHINA. This may take another 30 days. You are now 4 to 5 months in this process. This is for US certificates only.

If you know you are going to work in China and have a US certificate with a Circle to land restriction you should GET YOUR CIRCLE RESTRICTION REMOVED First..!!!!! Saves you a month or 2 waiting.

You can PM me too if you like...OK.

Good Luck..!

[International Trader]

On Final.

With all respect,sounds to me like you JUST STARTED working in China.
June to October is not a long time at all and it appears that you have just gotten "on the line".
You should wait a while before you sing the praises of an employer that you just really don't know. Having signed with an agent your risks just multiplied.

I truely hope that you have found "Nirvana" and that you get your upgrade but, years of experience in the East ( which hasn't given me much insight)and the mountains of claims sighting bad treatment ,broken promises and contracts would suggest otherwise.
For the moment you are doing what they require and they are paying you.All are happy.
What if they keep putting off your upgrade for 3 or 4 years and they decide that you should work a tighter schedule, reduce your time off (make it harder to get home maybe) ,pay less because of the way they interpret your salary structure? Would you still feel like a " Rock Star"?
They would be happy providing that you keep doing what you are told to do!Doesn't matter that the contract says something completely different or what your agent says that they will do!
You see them through a "rose coloured glass view" of an A 330.
They see you as something to be exploited to the limit if not beyond for the simple reason that they are paying you,even if they are underpaying you! This is their culture, they don't make friends.
Many foreigners get into these companies, see that there are difficulties getting and keeping expatriate pilots and decide to become some sort of an "employment ambassador" for them. Maybe it is to genuinely help people or maybe it is for personal gain but ,in all the instances that I have encountered, the company eventually turns on the individual and the story then is completely different.

The spider wraps its prey in a warm cocoon of silk ,to keep it safe until it is ready to use it for the intended purpose.
Good luck

[Rotorhead1026]

years of experience in the East ( which hasn't given me much insight)and the mountains of claims sighting bad treatment ,broken promises and contracts would suggest otherwise.

All true, Trader, but the above sounds just like my career in the west, too!

If the guy's happy, he's happy. If he starts getting shafted, I hope he posts that here as well. At least he's already in the left seat. True, though, time wounds all heels - and non-heels. We'll see. In the meantime, it's good information.

[VRSCSE2]

Hello.. with a couple of years experience in China.....

Both I-Trader and Roto-head have good points about the extremely happy on final guy.
I traded a few e-mails with On final and he seemed like a nice person with
current information. I think he found a deal that he is happy with and is glad to share the information. Any info about the Chinese tests are good.
He did admit he used to be a union rep for somebody (union reps know what is best for the rest of us) but I think he can be helpful to others out there looking for information.
My big caution to anyone coming to China is be careful of who you pick as a broker/agent. They are all just a bunch of slave traders and some people are reps for the traders.

VRSC

[On Final]

Hello,

I just wanted to say thanks to those that treated my information with respect, I appreciate that. I am not saying anyone has treated my information otherwise but feel everyone has been fair.

I am not trying to Rep. to any particular agency and have nothing to gain from it. I guess after many years working with pilots it is still in my blood to try to help a fellow guy out.

I also try to be careful with too much information that may get blown up in a public forum. I tried to put what I feel is valuable content information in my open posts and more details to the 37 members pm 's that I have responded to. I think I have had to much time on my hands during this process and put my energy here instead of going crazy sitting around...ha.

There are many good agencies out there and even the agencies get screwed by an airline not following their end of the bargain which in the end, screws the pilot. I agree with the post made here that agencies are head hunters and it is part of the game. We should always keep that in mind whatever agency you are going through and take care of Number #1 you the pilot.

I am not trying to come across as Mr. China either, I am actually new to China but wanted to share part of my path and experience along the way so take what you want from it. Like I have mentioned in my posts I am pleased and feel very fortunate at the present time and I will post future updates as we move forward.

If anyone gets stuck in the China process feel free to send me a PM and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Good Luck..!!!!!

[On Final]

I made another post with a new title "Required paperwork to Bring to China..!!"

I will show the link here... http://www.pprune.org/south-asia-far...ml#post4517933

Here is an older posts to help you with the Chinese Written Test

I will show the link here.. http://www.pprune.org/south-asia-far...ml#post4517941

It will help you know what documents to bring to China so you are not stuck 7000 miles from home trying to get a notarized original document. The documents may vary depending on your agency but many should be the same.

Good Luck..!!