Just found this on the V Australia recruitment website for those interested:
* V Australia * | Flight Crew - V Australia AUG08
V Australia
Flight Crew Candidate Information
We would like to thank you for your interest in Australia's newest long haul airline. It is our pleasure to provide you with the latest Flight Crew Recruitment information.
WHO IS V AUSTRALIA?
V Australia is the first long haul airline in the Virgin Blue Group and will carry the spirit of the Virgin brand across the Pacific. We have ordered seven new B777-300ER aircraft and plan to commence operations between Australia and the United States of America in December 2008. We also have options for a further six aircraft, giving V Australia the flexibility to expand into other markets in the future.
We are committed to delivering a safe, reliable, innovative and tailored product at value for money prices in a unique Australian style. Our recent participation and success in open skies negotiations with the United States of America has given V Australia unlimited capacity between the two countries, although we will initially commence with ten return services per week.
V AUSTRALIA SIMULATOR
We have our own 777-300ER Simulator located at the CAE training facility in Slough Business Park, Silverwater, Sydney. Training will be provided by our service providers, Alteon.
THE ROLE OF V AUSTRALIA FLIGHT CREW
Our people will be our competitive advantage. They will be treated with respect, fully supported and openly encouraged. We will harness our people's spirit to foster a work environment of loyalty, vibrancy, personal pride and fun. We are building a team of Flight Crew who are experienced and highly competent in their ability to operate our brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft safely and efficiently. Our Flight Crew need to be motivated professionals who are driven to excel.
CREW BASE
Our Flight Crew operation will be based in Sydney, Australia. Through our start up planning phase, we expect the flight crew roster to provide some flexibility for those who choose not to reside in Sydney, with the usual obligations to be fit for duty and to comply with all duty sign on requirements. V Australia staff will be eligible, after a probationary period, to access the Virgin Blue Group Staff Travel benefits.
CONTRACT INFORMATION
As Flight Crew you will be employed on an individual contract with Terms and Conditions defined by a V Australia-Employee arrangement.
The V Australia Fatigue Risk Management System will permit rostering to a maximum of 1000 hours per annum and rosters will be based on a 28 day cycle. You will be guaranteed 9 days off in any roster period at your home base, and you will receive 42 days annual leave. We are working towards 56 day rosters; however, these won't be possible until our crew numbers grow.
V Australia will pay for Loss of Licence for Flight Crew.
THE ROLE OF CRUISE RELIEF FIRST OFFICER
CRFO SALARY
Band 1 - with CPL only $47,775 base salary
Band 2 - with ATPL $53,500 base salary
Superannuation 12 % on top of your base salary
Virgin Blue Group Company Profit Share Plan
Potential to earn up to an additional 3% on base salary
Individual Incentive plan Potential to earn up to an additional 5% on base salary
Band 1 - with CPL Training Salary $38, 220 base training salary not including superannuation
Band 2 - with ATPL Training Salary $42, 800 base training salary not including superannuation
Training Salary
A training wage will be paid at 80% of your base salary from day 1 of your training until the last day of your initial training school period.
Your salary will be reviewed at least annually, along with your progress and development needs.
Incentive Plans
The company profit share plan and the individual incentive plan are contingent on achievement of certain criteria concerning both personal and company performance and may be changed at V Australia's discretion. Further information about these two incentive/profit plans will be provided to you after you commence employment.
CRFO ENDORSEMENT
V Australia will pay for CRFO endorsement costs, and a bond period of 3 years will apply (with reimbursement pro-rata for breaking this bond period to a non Virgin Blue Group airline).
CRFO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
At our initial start up there will be limited ability to progress from Cruise Relief First Officer to Senior First Officer; however, Cruise Relief First Officer's will have the opportunity to expand their experience within the Virgin Blue group fleet (B737, Embraer). V Australia's preferred option is to progress flight crew vertically, but should this not be possible after 2 - 3 years, the Cruise Relief First Officer may elect to apply for a position with Virgin Blue as First Officer, through the normal Virgin Blue application process. V Australia will assist in facilitating this process, and credit will be given for the applicant's service with V Australia. In a similar fashion, should that person, after 2 -3 years with Virgin Blue wish to return to V Australia as a Senior First Officer, he/she will need to apply for the position through the normal internal process. Once again, credit will be given for the applicant's previous service with V Australia as Cruise Relief First Officer.
THE ROLE OF FIRST OFFICER
First Officer Salary
Base Salary $114,000 base salary
Superannuation 12 % on top of your base salary
Virgin Blue Group Company Profit Share Plan Potential to earn up to an additional 3% on base salary
Individual Incentive plan Potential to earn up to an additional 5% on base salary
Incentive Plans
The company profit share plan and the individual incentive plan are contingent on achievement of certain criteria concerning both personal and company performance and may be changed at V Australia's discretion. Further information about these two incentive/profit plans will be provided to you after you commence employment
FIRST OFFICER ENDORSEMENTS
During the initial start-up phase V Australia will pay for endorsement costs, and a bond period of 3 years will apply (with reimbursement pro-rata for breaking this bond period to a non Virgin Blue Group airline).
THE ROLE OF CAPTAIN
Captain Salary
Base Salary $175,000 base salary
Superannuation 12 % on top of your base salary
Virgin Blue Group Company Profit Share Plan Potential to earn up to an additional 3% on base salary
Individual Incentive plan Potential to earn up to an additional 5% on base salary
Incentive Plans
The company profit share plan and the individual incentive plan are contingent on achievement of certain criteria concerning both personal and company performance and may be changed at V Australia's discretion. Further information about these two incentive/profit plans will be provided to you after you commence employment.
CAPTAIN ENDORSEMENT
If you do not hold a B777-300ER endorsement, this will be a requirement of employment. Endorsement costs are for the employees account, and may be paid in full, or V Australia offers the opportunity for you to salary sacrifice the cost of a B777 endorsement upon your commencement of employment over a period of 18 months. The endorsement costs will not be greater than $30,000AUD.
The following will not be required to repay endorsement costs:
Pilots with a B777 rating.
Pilots eligible to transferring from Virgin Blue.
Please note that terms and conditions as stated above, including salary is not negotiable.
WHAT IS THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS?
Group Activity
Validation Testing
Technical Quiz
Behavioural Interview
Data Intrgration
BEHAVIOURAL INTERVIEW
The interview methodology used at V Australia is 'Behavioural Based Interviewing' which ensures an objective, consistent and more accurate method of predicting and understanding a candidate's personality, preferences, attitudes and behaviours. The behaviour-based interview incorporates structured questions on each candidate's past behaviour in situations similar to those that will be encountered in the new position. It goes beyond determining whether a person can do the job. It better determines if a person will do a good job; how it will be done and to what extent. We have embedded principles of fairness and equity into our recruitment process to ensure we keep our business operations and workplace fair and free from all forms of inequality and discrimination.
VALIDATION TESTING
As part of today's process, you may be required to complete random Validation Test. If you are chosen asked, the validation test will take approximately 1 hour and the purpose of this test is to validate your responses to the Psychometric Testing that you completed prior to today.
BEYOND YOUR INTERVIEW DAY?
Candidates who attend an interview and assessment day, will be notified via email within the next two weeks regarding the outcome of your performance on that day. Applicants progressed to the final stages of the recruitment process will participate in the following steps:
Reference checks from 2 professional referees (someone who has managed or supervised you)
Data Integration of all material gathered and final job offer decision made
Please note you can be unsuccessful at any stage of the recruitment process, including after referees have been contacted. A final decision and job offer may take anywhere from 6-8 weeks after attending the recruitment day.
Final Stages post Job Offer
Medical Assessment - drug and alcohol test
ASIC / Security and police checks
VISA through the US Consulate (paid by V Australia)
* Please note that V Australia is unable to provide any applicant with individual feedback relating to their performance during the interview process.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Endorsement Costs and Bonding
A recent decision has been made to exempt First Officers from the costs of endorsement during the initial start-up phase. This was already the case for Cruise Relief First officers.
Except for Captains who have paid for their endorsement, and those pilots who come to us already B777 rated, pilots (including those from Virgin Blue) will be bonded to V Australia for a period of 3 years. Should a pilot choose to leave V Australia within 3 years from the commencement of his/her employment, he/she will be required to repay the endorsement costs on a reducing pro-rata basis.
2. Career Progression
Cruise Relief First Officer to First Officer:
At our initial start up there will be limited ability to progress from Cruise Relief First Officer to First Officer; however, Cruise Relief First Officer's will have the opportunity to expand their experience within the Virgin Blue group fleet (B737, Embraer). Should vertical progression within V Australia not be possible after 2 - 3 years, the Cruise Relief First Officer may elect to apply for a position with Virgin Blue as First Officer, through the normal Virgin Blue application process. V Australia will assist in facilitating this process, and credit will be given for the applicant's service with V Australia. In a similar fashion, should that person, after 2 -3 years with Virgin Blue wish to return to V Australia as a First Officer, he/she will need to apply for the position through the normal internal process. Once again, credit will be given for the applicant's previous service with V Australia as Cruise Relief First Officer.
First Officer to Captain:
During negotiations leading to the current Virgin Blue EBA, a deed of understanding was reached between the Virgin Blue group and the Australian Federation of Air Pilots. This 'Deed' stipulated that 4/7 of the Captain positions for the first seven V Australia aircraft would be offered to applicants from Virgin Blue. Allowing for approximately 10 Captains per aircraft, this means that 40 or so Captains would need to be Virgin Blue transferees. In order to facilitate the training task in the initial stages, it was decided to hire externally for the first 3 aircraft in order to get as many B777 rated Captains as possible, and then offer the commands for the next 4 aircraft to Virgin Blue transferees.
The current aircraft delivery schedule is for 3 aircraft in 2008, 2 in 2009, and 2 in 2010. Aircraft 8, which is an option at this stage, will not arrive before mid 2011.
First Officers joining at the initial stages will see from the above that command vacancies for upgrade may not occur until the arrival of aircraft 8 or later. Opportunities for upgrade may arise earlier through retirements, resignations, and possibly through the inability to recruit sufficient Virgin Blue transferees, but that cannot be foreseen at this stage.
V Australia is committed to the careers of its pilots, and in keeping with the philosophy of merit based progression, First Officers will be encouraged to apply for command vacancies as their experience grows and such vacancies arise.
3. During training, who pays for accommodation and meals in Sydney?
All V Australia pilots, other than those in particular management roles, will be based in Sydney from the date of employment. Consequently, accommodation and meal expenses in Sydney will be for the pilot's own account.
4. What will the overnight allowances be and in what currency?
Overnight and meal allowances will be determined by the People department, using criteria specific to the hotel and its location, in combination with the Australian Tax Office guidelines. It is envisaged that allowances will be paid in Australian dollars to your nominated bank account, fortnightly in arrears, based on actual duties performed and at the prevailing applicable exchange rates.
5. On a 'long haul' roster, there will almost certainly be more than the guaranteed 9 days rostered off. How many of those extra days would be rostered as reserve?
Although the scheduling provisions have not yet been finalized, we envisage pilots being rostered for a standby duty on the day prior to a scheduled pattern. We hope to avoid the necessity for lengthy periods of standby by utilizing open days, which are essentially days free of duty, but with a short period in which pilots would need to be contactable. Nevertheless there may occasionally be the necessity for pilots to be in Sydney for a block of standby days.
Days 'free of duty' which are not RDOs will either be open days, or blank days.
6. What will be the length of patterns to West Coast USA?
Estimated pattern lengths to LAX are initially expected to be of 5 days duration. i.e. departing late on Day 1, and arriving back in Sydney early on Day 5, with 2 local nights off in LA.
7. What is the payment frequency of the 5% individual incentive bonus and the company profit share bonus?
The bonuses will be paid annually, on a date to be advised.
8. With regards to the training salary, will full pay begin once the endorsement has been completed, i.e. after sim training in Sydney or after you are checked to line?
Only Cruise Relief First Officers receive a training salary. All others are on full pay from joining date. The Cruise Relief First Officer training salary is only for the period of the ground school. Full salary will be instated on successful completion of the simulator endorsement.
9. The contract states that salary will be reviewed at least once a year. Does this mean that the initial base salary is likely to increase once the airline is up and running and making a profit, or will it just be looked at occasionally?
Like many organisations, we review salaries on a regular basis and this is typically annually. We have completed extensive business modelling that takes into account all of the costs of running the business and that modelling is not dependant on start up factors. Certainly we want to make sure that all of the working conditions and the benefits associated with being part of V-Australia make sense and we won't be looking at those benefits on just an occasional basis.
10. The base salary is also stated as inclusive of possibly working on days off. Are we expected, if required, to work on a day off?
You may be required to perform work at times beyond those that are rostered (e.g. to assist in the event of a recovery or a disruption or an illness/injury to another pilot or to meet with management or crew to discuss management, operational and/or people issues). Your salary has been calculated to remunerate you for all work and leave, irrespective of whether that work was rostered or not. Working on an RDO will attract a replacement RDO, and similarly, working a Leave day will attract a replacement Leave day.
11. After the roster is issued, is there a period of time in which changes can be made.
Once the roster is issued, the only way you can adjust it is by mutual agreement with Crewing, or by an agreed swap with another crew member.
12. Does my contract falls beneath an EBA?, is that the Virgin Blue EBA?
No. V Australia pilots will be contracted individually, and will be paid according to a common V Australia pilot pay scale.
13. Regarding the contract, it doesn't state if it is valid for 2 years or 3 years etc? Does this mean that changes can be made or negotiated at anytime, or is it an initial contract that will be subject to change once the airline is up and running?
The contract is valid until terminated by either party. Opportunities for negotiation or changes to the contract are yet to be determined.
14. Will promotion be based on start date and existing experience or overall performance in the company?
Unlike many existing airlines, V Australia will not be utilising a seniority system in its relationship with its pilots. Opportunities for promotion will be based on merit, which would include recognition of experience, performance in the role, and personal performance within the company. In certain circumstances, date of joining may be taken into account.
15. Will our uniforms be the same as
VB pilots?
They will be similar to Virgin Blue uniforms, with a few minor changes.
16. My training will be completed well before V Australia begins operations. What is required of me in the period between training and start of flying, and can I engage in other flying activities outside V Australia in this period?
Although there are no planned activities for pilots awaiting the start of flying, it is envisaged that Cruise Relief First Officers, in particular, will be involved in refresher simulator activities at some stage. Some pilots may also be asked to help in Flight Operations on occasion. In regard to external flying, either privately or for hire or reward, pilots will need to apply to the General Manager Flight Operations for approval. Such requests will be dealt with on an individual basis.
17. My instrument rating is no longer current, do I need to renew it prior to joining?
Your instrument rating for the B777 will be signed and issued on completion of your sim PC. You do not need to have a current instrument rating.
18. What is the duration of the ground school training?
The ground school duration is dependent on past experience: For pilots current on the B777 - two weeks; For pilots current on Boeing glass excluding the B777 - four weeks; All others - five weeks.
19. Is it all right to commute to Sydney, if I wish to live interstate?
The base for V Australia pilots is Sydney. Pilots are expected to sign -on in Sydney on time and in a fit state to perform their duties. Normally this would mean commuting to Sydney the day before a duty begins.
20. Under what terms and conditions would the direction to perform duties for related entities i.e. Virgin blue/ Pacific blue, be conducted?
Pilots employed by V Australia would not be expected to perform duties for other Virgin Blue group companies.
21. Will V Australia contribute to a Medical Aid Scheme for its staff?
V Australia will provide limited personal cover for when crew are required to overnight from their home base in Sydney. Further details of this cover are yet to be finalised.