A330 Vietnam airlines

[yako]

Hello,

I am a 330 FO and applied via Parc to vietnam airlines.
I would like to know what the roster looks like and what to expect at the interview(sim session, quiz test,...?).
How is it to fly as an FO for this company ? Upgrade possibilities?...
How much approximately do you spend from your salary for your perdiems while in lay overs? (with Parc perdiems are included with salary)
Thanks.

[juzlime]

try other forums. plenty of info. cheers.

[yako]

Thanks Juzlime but most of the info are for A32O not for A330!

[Luke SkyToddler]

How about roster? What destinations are turn-around and what are nightstop? How many nightstops average per month and can you bid for the ones you want, or just get what you're given?

Thanks for replies

[PappyJ]

There is no bidding. You can make a "Request" but these are only considered for special circumstances and are not awarded often.

The roster is published monthly. Changes happen, but they don't seem excessive. it's common to have a lot of STBY days and you can expect to fly on those days.

The night stops include:

Melbourne
Narita
Taipei (Reduced Rest / Extended Duty Stop)
Osaka
Incheon (Occasional)

Expats will overnight regularly at all except Melbourne, which is typically crewed with locals. Also, expats will be rostered for overnight in Hanoi at least a few nights each month.

Other destinations (Turns) include: Hanoi and Da Nang

Occasionally when loads require, the A330 will also do turns to Hong Kong, Singapore, Bejing and Bangkok, but these are not frequent.

[sandworm]

pappyj,

how about days off? is it possible to get 3 days in a row?

[PappyJ]

Sure, we call these days "Vacation" or "Hospitalization."

If you're on 6/2, expect to work with minimum required rest during the 6 weeks. The 2 weeks off is all yours. Same goes for all other rotations schemes (8/1, 10/2, 5/3, 4/4, etc)

That said, you MAY find yourself with a few extra days off during the work rotation, but don't expect them.

[PappyJ]

There are hundreds of pages of A320 info contained herein. Search it on your own and you'll find answers to every conceivable question.

I'll continue to answer A330 fleet specific questions only.

[yako]

Thanks Pappyj for all these straight answers.
some more questions...
how many days off/rest days can you have in a month (average)?
hours flew in a month (block or duty)?
Is the automation policy stict?(AP/FD/AT all the times?)
If you get an upgrade do you have to pay for it as told on 320 forum?
Can you have sim sessions/tng days during your 15 days off?

Thanks

[Luke SkyToddler]

All great info pappyj we do appreciate it.

Whats the ratio of day and night flights? Could you maybe post a typical weeks' roster? Do they pull the Gulf airlines' trick of giving days off down route, or are they actually at home undisturbed?

Any speculation that more 330 destinations might be added and if so what are the likely candidates?

[Luke SkyToddler]

Errrr why are all the days off in HAN? Are you HAN based? Or am I reading your roster wrong? I thought the base was SGN, as such I was kind of planning to move my family to SGN and have some kind of a life with them ...

[Luke SkyToddler]

Thank god for that, my wife was gonna freak out

See you in a few weeks then, really do appreciate you taking the time to give these answers

[PappyJ]

There is no end to the things that keep most western women happy here.

[yako]

Thank you again Pappyj for all these answers! Life looks nice there

Luke sky toddler it seems that you passed the interview. If it's the case can you tell me what is all about - sim check, interview, ...-?
Or anybody else.

Thanks

[Luke SkyToddler]

There was no interview. Sim check was very straight forward ... not much more than 3 big circuits. First one, take off, vectors to ILS and land. Reposition, take off, V1 cut, complete the ECAM procedure, back for VOR approach to go-around. Fly the go-round, reposition again, take off, 3 x prim failure (gives direct law) : fly a couple of holding patterns in direct law and then back for raw data, LOC approach to land. Hand flying for the whole thing, except for the initial actions after V1 cut I was allowed to use autopilot for a couple of minutes there. All standard airbus SOP as pappyj said. Vietnam looks like a truly awesome place to live and work, I can't wait to get stuck into it. Good luck to you

[yako]

thanks Pappyj and luke skytoddler for your answers and feedback.
Hope to go through the screening....I n this case I will come back to you Pappyj... Having a couple of beers sounds like a plan
cheers

[vivek67]

a330 Captains flying n future in Vietnam Airlines

Hi,
I presume u still with VNA on A330. I am a Captain on A330 & keen to apply to VNA. My questions are pretty much the same as posted by you....like type of flying to be expected, no of days of flying, no of night halts etc.

what is the future of the fleet & if any chance of upgrade at a later stage.

Any info is most welcome.

Thanks.
Vivek67

[dmitryhkgsu]

Colleagues, what is the situation on A330 fleet in VN now? Ive recieved an email from one recruiter that VN is hiring A330 expat captains...

[Luke SkyToddler]

All expats are gone from 330 now, with the exception of a couple of guys over 60 who were too old for the A350 conversion. The fleet is being retired, they're down to 5 aircraft now I think, 1 more goes to the desert next month, they'll all be gone within 12 - 18 months as the leases expire.

The 330NEO rumour still floats around, but at this stage it's just a rumour. I'd be very very very surprised if VNA was hiring 330 captains.

There IS a hot rumour that Vietjet are about to buy some 330s though, are you sure your agency is talking about the right airline?

[iggy]

Originally Posted by Luke SkyToddler

There IS a hot rumour that Vietjet are about to buy some 330s though, are you sure your agency is talking about the right airline?

That rumor has been there since even before the maiden flight. I wouldn't give it too much credibility.