I've been in Indonesia for about 4 months and can confirm the pilot shortage is real. The airline I'm with has just recruited about 30 low time pilots from overseas (many Aussies); local pilots are being hired with just a bare CPL / single engine IR; some locals are even being sponsored by the airline to get their IR.
The pay is low by Aussie airline standards but we do get generous allowances and flight pay, decent hotels when overnighting and transport to and from the airport provided for. Cost of living is very cheap in Indonesia and I can live quite comfortably with savings in the bank at the end of the month.
I'm halfway through a type endorsement on a 60 seat turbo-prop which the company pays for, although we're bonded for a couple of years. The standard of training has also been very good.
Just my 2 rupiah's worth.
As for the license conversion, I now have my full Indonesian CPL / IR and a few more foreign pilots will have their's very soon as well.
Last edited by training wheels; 23rd Oct 2010 at 12:50.
Reason: Grammar