Watch out
Hello again,
Just spoke to a 737 Captain on the weekend who is based in Japan. He reckons after the fiasco that Vietnam Airlines had with a Korean guy who was supposed to have flown for Batavia (P2f) but apparantly didn't, there will be some airlines putting bans on hiring anyone who trained with an Indonesian carrier. (The guy had written in nearly 600 hours bus time in his book but it seems he only did the endorsement and a few circuits) This is the story that atm is not confirmed but appears to be credible.
A Singapore based LCC was also bitten by the Indo bug when it hired 12 ex Batavia Capt's after the company cut wages and a big chunk of the pilot force resigned in protest. The flying standard of these Captains was supposed to have been quite terrible. The company line was that with a little training they will be fine. Well they weren't and all but I think one never made it to line. Company then put wages back up but the majority of guys had already left Singapore! If the Captains are that bad then how good do you think the training was that FO's got?
Above mentioned Captain warned that anyone taking up the P2f scheme in Asia should remember that the airlines participating are usually considered sub-standard by European/Amercian/Canadian companies and those countries aviation authorites. He hasn't a clue about the European providers but he's sure you would never see BA/AF-KLM/Lufthansa or Iberian ever offering one.
Just read this and keep it at the back of your mind. Thought that if you put all the info out there people can be better informed with the decisions they make.
Does anyone know any more news on the Vietnam Air incident?