The Pan Am/WASINC, Chinese road show - 2/23
After European pilots have become wise to Chinese smoke and mirror false promises, I note that the Chinese are now copying Middle East carriers and taking their show on the road to the USA, albeit with the aid of an agency and, rather conveniently, a simulator facility.
Before packing your sunscreen and thong, paying for hotel and flight to Miami in the hope of a “conditional offer” from one of the Chinese carriers in attendance, carefully examine the bait before being hooked! - You may be rushing down to Miami just to pay for a simulator evaluation and provide revenue for the facility.
Any so-called “conditional offer” will continue your expensive journey. No Chinese airline will recruit you unless you pass both the tricky CAAC ATPL written exam and strict CAAC medical (any health issues – stay home). In order to take these examinations you must travel to China. Before travel you must obtain various official documents which are required to be notarized and presented to the Chinese embassy for inspection and endorsement. A visa is also required. You can then purchase your ticket to China. Unless you have some travel benefits, by the time you arrive in China you will have spent $2,000 or more. Upon arrival in China, expect to be told that any refund of expenses will be made once all paperwork is complete. Not surprisingly, the paperwork will not be completed before your return flight.
As many of you are aware, this is very different from the recruitment procedure in place with most Middle East carriers, who provide both a ticket and accommodation to a single screening event. The Chinese will never provide tickets and pay expenses in a timely manner while pilots are so willing to spend their own money!
It would be prudent for any road show prospective attendee to review the many threads on the topic of Chinese airlines, their methods and various agency representatives – Best of luck.