Flaps to 60,
I have yet to get an IR, so I am not in a position to apply for any job, and to be honest the whole idea of having to pay yet more and more money to get a job is making me seriously question continuing. I am willing and have planned for a likely pay cut to take a job as a pilot - but having to pay for the priveledge is maybe just a step too far that my wife would not be willing to take. Why should pilots have to subsidise a commercial organisation's training budget?
Consider the questions I ask about responsibility for insurance while paying to work. I have yet to hear any answers to them, from anyone.
At the PPRuNe seminars a few years ago, all the people who were at the front of the room made it clear that buying a type rating was a bad idea - why should I discount their advice now?
I also find it interesting that many of the people who advocate paying for type ratings never paid for them themselves.
If you are now a first officer, and your company told you that you were no longer required, but replaced you with a paying first officer would your enthusiasm for paid type ratings and line time still be as strong? The desire and enthusiasm for flying I have is still a powerful driving force, but there is also a financial reality that has to be considered as well.
Just in case you think I am being too pious, the sickness is spreading beyond first job pay for your own type ratings:
Position:
B747 Type Rating / First Officer Programme
Experience/ Skills:
1500 Hours jet experience
Details:
P*** Aviation, in association with a leading international airline, are pleased to offer First Officers the opportunity to gain a type rating, and fly the B747-400.
In this unique programme, P***offer you the chance to self-sponsor a type rating for the Boeing 747-400 aircraft. Upon successfully gaining this type rating, we will then offer a one year contract as First Officer, flying intercontinental routes. Upon completion of this year, P*** Aviation will, using our position as the biggest flight crew leasing company in the world, endeavour to find further assignments for you.
Interested applicants should have the following minimum requirements:
- JAR Licence
- Class 1 JAR Medical
- EU Passport
- Minimum 2500 hours total time including 1500 hours on jet aircraft.
- Candidates with minimum 3000 hours TurboProp 'Glass Cockpit' experience may also be considered.
This scheme means you have to provide a bank guarantee of €32,000 (so if you dont make the grade you have no job and a whopping big loan to service) plus if you do make the grade the agency will deduct €2667 per month from your salary for a year, you have to organise your own transport to a hotel down route (which you have to organise and pay for yourself) plus it is up to the paying flightcrew to look after tax and social security payments.