To be honest guys, nothing has changed. The cargo capts are gradually getting 'checked out' to fly pax and the cago & pax FOs are flying both. They are waiting until April, when the terms and conditions of both groups become the same, and then we'll see the pax capts flying cargo and more pax flying for the cargo guys. There will, no doubt, then be a mini-revolution. The cargo guys will probably continue to fly mostly cargo and the pax pilots will fly a fair bit of cargo. Without the extra day off (and the $500/month extra for capts), there is no incentive to fly the less attractive cargo schedule and I reckon people will then make their feelings known
The commute, especially for the Americans, has become more difficult. With the 'office' insisting on ANA flights, when available, many of the US pilots are missing the early flight and having to travel on the first of their days off. Also, when connecting in the US, the Company will no longer buy business class domestic seats because they're sold as 'First Class' and that's not what the agreement says. Never mind that many domestic airlines don't have 'Business Class' or, when they do, it's the equivalent of economy in the rest of the World; because the business standard is called 'First' they are not buying the tickets.
The merger of the two offices has certainly had a negative effect on the job. The family atmosphere has gone and it is a less friendly environment, courtesy of one or two of the office managers. The pax flying has more midnight/early morning flying. They are trying to improve the scheduling of the cargo flights to best utilise the OKA turnrounds but it is having limited success. In all, though, the flying is still pretty good compared to many places around the globe.
Of course, the strong Yen is murdering the pay and, unless you live in Yankville, the crap US $ is also murdering the take-home pay and that has certainly been a consideration for some that were thinking of joining and haven't.
Recruitment, however, continues as before. They've had a few roadshows and had some positive feedback from those but I don't think they are holding their breath too much. With a bit of luck, people will vote with their feet and we can get the salary upped, the days off increased to 11 for ALL pilots and the commuting sorted out (to how it was before the merger). A couple of pilots have left and one or two are thinking about taking their place back in the States from furlough. This may well be the catalyst we need and that will be good for all potential pilots too.
Overall then, no real change for the screening or requirements to join. Once in, it's not as good as a year ago but there is potential for it to get better, especially with the profits that ANA are now raking in
