ETOPS..good questions and I did not mean to imply anything.
I can tell you that there are not many situations out there that I would enjoy going to.
It was almost one year ago when my former company started downhill and then Filed for Bankruptcy in DEC, I recall. I started reading a lot of US and International jobs boards and publications. Although I looked at many scenarios, I only applied one place and that was CAL. That was probably because I was current on 747-400 and they had immediate openings.
From threads other forums, you would see that I became frustrated how some companies and countries would not entertain the though of Direct Entry and US ratings. Then some companies/countries required CURRENCY. Well that was not possible. My 767 ended in 1997 and 777 ended in 1999. I couldn't very well stay current in 4 airplanes.
About that time SQ had stopped hiring in all positions. That essentially left CAL. It was a natural fit for me. In fact,about 6 months before my ultimate retirement decision, I had downbid to 777 from the 747-400 to get current so I could actually have been current on two airplanes for 90 days or so. So I was planning knowing that I was 90% going to retire from UAL. That happened and the rest is history.
Some things work for some people and other things work for other people.
Now to the check ride issue. I think my timing was such that they do give all new Captains a check and some people get a consolidation check as they call it. I think that is done if you were not rated on the airplane. Then Flight Operations decided that people would have a check to SFO and ANC because of the problems these two stations had. CAL has most FOQAs at SFO/ANC/HKG as you undoubtedly know since I think you are a CAL guy. Even though I went to ANC on "my own" in my former life and even one week earlier at CAL,they still insisted I be "checked". I tried to get out of it,but was told it was a CAA requirement. I do not know whether it was retroactive to the incumbent pilots. Then they rode with me to SFO which was my annual check AND the SFO check. So actually I got one LESS ride than possible. And I think I am going to be "checkless (as in check and evaluation) for one full year.
I can tell you I am checked and overchecked,but I don't make the rules. I don't think there is any pilot who loves getting checked and observed because you always have to perform at your peak. So perhaps I can just go fly a routine line trip this week.
BTW, I am 5 hours from getting off high minimums and 1 practice C2 landing from being up with the big boys. As a CAL employee ETOPS, I am sure you know that CAL requires 100 hours PIC before getting off high minimums and letting First Officers fly. CAL often uses 2 Captains on a trip and being the relief pilot does not generate PIC time. So it has taken 255 hours to get 95 PIC.
But the good news to all of this is that I am being paid and when you write a check to the bank every month for mortgages abd bills...they like that!
On your last point, I think I know what the future holds as a CAL Captain. I am prepared for anything.
Lastly, drop me an E-mail or PM so that I can know who ETOPS is and we can further discuss this over beer. I can confirm that there is still some beer and there are still ladies of the night in the ZONE in Taipei. Perhaps you could ask for an airline discount. That was current information as of last night!
ETOPS777...Had one more thought about check rides,etc.
Just for the record, I started in May and got 30 days off without pay because of slow business and SARs for June.
I had the "short course" and it has taken a long time. In fact, it took May,July,and August to complete. In fact we get (required) to go to the fire department and earthquake simulator to get the last box checked that we did not do last June because of SARs. I don't make the rules.
But the good news is that I have a HNL layover in 2 days. I think I can find the island. I did the last time with another airline!!!