MaxJet STN Base

[Muizenberg]

Training?

Hi guys,

Don't want to rain on anyone's parade...I flew for United for 12 years (based at LHR). Have Maxjet mentioned whether you get paid during training? With many US airlines training is unpaid, as you do not become an employee until after you have completed the training course. Also it is standard practice for US airlines to charge you for your uniform (In 1991, UAL charged $750, which took 2 1/2 years to pay back @ $50 a month).

The salary set up is how US airlines pay (almost all your money in your basic salary). Have they indicated how long and what the top pay will be? At United it took 14 years to get to the top pay scale, which was double the starter rate (but after 5 years you could see a significant increase).

Will your salary be based in Pounds, or is it just the US dollar equivalent converted every month? If your salary is converted from Dollars, you could potentially earn more/less if the exchange rate changed drastically. Saying that it's been many years since the £ broke the $2.00 barrier, and if anything the exchange rate should move in your favour.

Will you be under US or UK terms and conditions? Flying for a US carrier you will not be subject to the 900 hours EU ruling, FAA duty time limitations are far more liberal than in Europe. Up until 10 years ago US carriers could do trans-atlantic turns...now defunct Tower Air use to do JFK-BRU-JFK trips, and position JFK-TLV and work home!

It is also common place for US airlines to put you on reserve (standby) for many years, until you have achieved the seniority to come off of it. Maybe worth asking Maxjet how they manage this?

Those of you who have flown before, working under an FAA regulated carrier is much different to the CAA. The FAA is very hot on manuals...they have to be carried at all times, and flawlessly upto date...one page out of date, extra, missing is a $1000 fine levied against your personally. An FAA inspector can demand to see your manual onboard, and you have 90 seconds to produce it. The FAA are also very big on the seat belt sign, should you not verbally warn someone with an FAA inspector onboard (known or unknown) you could face a $1000 fine again, against you personally. The other thing the FAA mandates is no glass/china for the pre-departure service, so despite being a premium class airline, you will have to serve pre-departure champagne in plastic glasses.

All in all, if you willing to take a risk, it may be an invaluable experience, seeing how different the aviation industry is in the US. Good luck to you all!