Changing slowly
The change is happening slowly.
After a few resignations the company is changing.
The trips are now 2-3 day trips with one day trip smatterings. The hotels are still very dirty but better than before. We are still working on this point.
The OPS manuals are being re written into readable English and to use live document updates.
The OJT pilots are working to international standards. It is in the interest of the airline to do so because in the next year we will start flying international flights. Cases like activating the FMS before another pilot has confirmed it are changing.
Expats are working on documentation for initial ground. This will help you see documents like the logbook and load sheet before you sit in the cockpit. (really simple things like this are not thought of here)
The company needs pilots. There are no less than 5 aircraft sitting on the ramp at all times with covers on the engines. Chinese pilots are timing out at 1000 hours a year in December. If you fly maxed hours you will gain weight as the crew meals are the largest I have ever seen.
The A320 has arrived and is flying. 5 are slated for delivery but the markets are undecided.
E145 pilots on property with over 700 hours are upgrading in China. Simulator training is in Sanya with Swiss Training personnel.
Interviews in the United States are being handled as an all in one session. CAAC doctors, examiners, and airline staff are all present to give thumbs up or thumbs down on the spot. No more waiting or having to give up your seniority number for the chance to come to China. The process is less than a 50% pass rate for the flying skills and then add the medical process and you have about a 40% success rate. Add on top of that the ability to live in China and learn a new style of flying and culture and you are looking at a 25-30% success rate. If you can make it here the first six months then you should be able to make it for the contract.
There are still many things that will blow your mind about flying in China. There is still the difficulty of living in China.
There is a forward progress that is happening slowly.
A new international medical facility has opened in Tianjin that does not require membership.
Maybe things are improving or maybe I'm getting used to seeing people spit all around me. Could be both.
Last edited by pilotss2001; 1st Jan 2012 at 08:59.