RE: agencies, just for info for anyone looking at SKY and making no recommendations (refer above post):
- commuting and days off, you do get 10 days off per month however the word "consecutive" is all important and needs to be very clear, some indicate 10 days with 9 consecutive, some just say 10 days;
- bases, presently Tokyo and Kobe with others being considered however any inference that you may have your choice of base flies in the face of the way Japanese management prefer to operate;
- transport at base, presently SKY generally provide/arrange transport on overnights however at base it is public transport (in all weather conditions and except for very early/late starts and finishes) and SKY will re-imburse the cost;
- upgrades, yes announced that SKY will get A330 and A380 however no-one (least of all SKY) have nailed down how they will be crewed....and much will happen in the next 12-18 months.
Just a few items to consider regards the agencies and SKY - and it's not impossible that individual agencies have negotiated a better deal, however very unlikely.
And if they have....ask them about the SKY/TAXI contract issue a few years ago....and whom the agencies supported.
Surprise - it wasn't the pilots.
fullforward - things change, I had a pretty fair contract with Rishworth 10 years ago in Japan, I think that's the key as the tax issue in Japan is very clear for ALL agencies.
Rishworth in other parts of the universe........??
Cheers all.