Air Inidia Express
Travel:
Business class: but is subject to Bookings and even though confirmed, can be denied boarding buy station.
Hotel:
Air India will only pay for Launder of one complete uniform per day.
Therefor the launder of all other clothing is your responsibility. this can be quite expensive. Air India has spies at the hotels you stay at, and will report to the operations any time they see any evidence of alcohol use. This in turn triggers the doctor to make a call when you come in for your flight to administer the Alcohol test.
So drink discreetly and get rid of the evidence discreetly and quickly.
Rostering:
Very erratic. Mostly 6 days per week. Sometimes can flow into the seventh day. Day. 's off are not scheduled but are placed between rest period. Therefore you actually fly 7 days per week with a revolving "24hr" window for a break Day off.
(e.g you will start your trip Calicut, Kochi, Dubai, Calicut. Late on the 6th day and arrive home on your 7th day, they consider this legal. because of your duty and flight time you will need 22 hrs off and but by the time you show up for your flight the next day will have just had you 24 hr day off) And similar for flight time, if you exceed your 30hrs while on the trip then you are considered legal to finish.!
Schedules:
There are no weekly or monthly schedules. Most of the scheduling is done the old fashion way, with a pencil an eraser and a large paper book. All Schedules are produced Daily usually in the evening time. There fore Alcohol use is discouraged.
You will be asked to do them favors. And after that be expected to do that same favor every time.
Taxes:
Your responsibility. And if you dont produce any proof of paying taxes your visa will not be renewed.
You must also register with the government within 2 weeks. If you don not register you will be arrested.
Sigmar:
A company based in Dublin Ireland, but registered in the Isle of Man.
The really are more like a "Pimp" once you are on the Property they cut you lose and they get Paid on the 25th of every month of the month before. But dont pay you till 40 days later. Any issues with Air India are your responsibility, You are totally on your own.
If you leave or give your month notice. they will hold your last paycheck.
Licenses:
You will be give a validation called a "FATA" for 1 year which is tied to your work permit. However you will have to go up to Delhi and do an oral examination with the DGCA officials there (who dont speak "proper English" them selves, but can deny you the validation based on their opinion of you Accent.
If approved you will be allowed to fly for 3 months within which time you have to do the Air Law exam.
Training:
You will be given a checkride in the sim when you arrive,(there is no training given) you will be given some one on one familarision with the Policy manual and ETOPS. but no testing.
So think carefully abut going to AIE. And be careful of any indian who swings there head from left to right. That is code for they are up to something.
Best of Luck