I’ve been a PPRuNer for many years. It helped me make the transition from the military to the airlines many years ago with the help of Keg and many others who helped me with what to expect from the recruitment process. It’s also been an invaluable, albeit informal, source of information, gossip, anger management and a great place to vent with people of the same profession.
There are also, of course, people not in the profession who have an interest in flying and use PPRuNe to help demystify what happens on the other side of the security door. Of course their questions and input is most welcome.
Never, have I ever come across an individual on this forum that seems to have the sole motive of stirring the pot. Determined to denigrate the profession in general, and Qantas pilots in particular.
In an attempt to try and work this guy out, I did a little bit of research. My quest was to work out why he hates pilots so much. It’s been an interesting voyage of discovery.
So what makes Flyboat North so angry? Here are some of his posts from the not distant past.
23 Apr 2013
VET Funding for MECIR in Melb
Hold a CPL and wish to complete MECIR which flying schools in Melbourne area currently have this approval, my understanding is that Oxford and TVSA currently are signed off. Does anyone know the mechanisms/rules of doing training under VET in terms of could you do it part time etc ? Any other schools got the tick in the box yet ? Thanks and feel free to PM
Then 22 May 2013 Under Jetstar Pilot Cadet Program
Here is the deal:
• 60 ab-initios per year 30 each flying school
• Junior FO wage for first two years , base around 60K
• onto standard contract after two years or when you get ATPL ,whichever comes first, standard aus contract that is
• Out of pocket Oxford - around 40K
• Out of pocket CTC - around 100K
• No repayment of company loan , around 45K until year 3 of employment
• Based in either Syd, Melb , Brisbane when you graduate
• first 18 months increased checks supervision.
So 60 less positions per year for direct entry pilots , Virgin not hiring , so therefore some don't like these programs
The Next Day:
Back Up
• Pretty easy really just call Simon Lutton from the AFAP on 03 9928 5737 he will confirm the arrangements - knows them well as he played a role in negotiating them
• Google Jetstar Pilot EBA 2008 , junior FO around $60K base for two years then onto standard payscale of around $90K base
• Add at least 20% to base
The people who don't like these programs are:
• Those who don't get selected
• Flying schools who don't have the training contracts
• Pretty much every GA/Regional pilot in Australia who aspires to the majors - as every cadet place means one less direct entry. Tough gig for these people as QF - not hiring, Virgin - not hiring (small cadetship) , Jetstar - QF transfers and cadets only. Sorry guys flying a jet with the majors - it just ain't gonna happen for most of you
• Military pilots - who are looking to transition to an airline job - none there unless you like sand
After Questions from other forum members on the same day, the following:
Not on the course - sitting in a confined space with other blokes - not for me I think.
Further:
Done a bit , not a whole lot , just wouldn't aspire to the flight deck of a Boeing or Airbus - but goodluck to those that do.
I would think that those who are trying to get an job with an rpt Jet operator in Aust, it really would be very grim wouldn't it.
How many DEs would have been hired by Virgin , Jetstar in 2011,12,13 , forget Qantas obviously - wouldn't be many would it ?
Some chances with FIFO but hardly big numbers.
So our resident expert has all the info on the Jetstar recruitment process, yet it seems has now gone cool on not only the idea of a Jetstar cadetship, but has also decided that the whole cramped confines of a flight deck are not for him.
Yet, on
13 Jun 2013, the following from our intrepid aviation expert:
Converting Aust CPL to NZ CPL
I know this has been asked , just couldn't find the thread.
As we know there is a fast track method of conversion via TTMRA.
The thread I saw mentioned some "mountain awareness" training maybe ten hours that would have to be done for an Aust CPL to convert to NZ CPL.
Obviously this would have to be done in NZ - anyone got any good recommendations , for a 500 or so hour CPL , but fly really for personal business travel. So perhaps not looking so much at the "airline type" academies.
Would actually like to combine it with a CIR , to take advantage of the exchange rate.
One more question. Those converting an Australian ATPL to NZ ATPL - do they have to do this or not necessary considering the higher levels they fly at
Further, on the same day, under the thread ANZ SO Recruitment:
Do Australians have to first convert from a CASA licence to a NZ licence prior to lodging an application ?
Or can this be done once an offer is made ?
So, it seems he’s telling everyone the flying game is not for him, yet is now actively seeking to convert his license so he can fly in NZ.
Although, it appears he’s had a change of heart.
30 July 2013 under the thread
Virgin Australia Cadetship 2012 & 2013:
How accurate is the PATS website in saying HECS debt of $75K plus company loan of $40K which you are required to pay back from year 1 - meaning first year of training or work.
So incur a debt of $115K - that is just for the FTA part ? What about aircraft endorsements etc , more $$ you have to pay or bond ?
But paid a "training" wage of around $50K whilst at FTA, so clear say $42K whilst at FTA.
The website is contradictory in that it states no contribution expected from student during training , company funds the part up to pre PPL , but clearly a debt is incurred ??
$115K sounds about right for the FTA program ??
Then, on the same day, under the thread
Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme we have:
Is the advanced program open now to non HKID holders or not. When you look at the cadet recruitment website it says HK only.
Is this actually correct - I knew the ab-initio was HKID only - and quite correct doing that I think.
If advanced is now open to HKID only - does anyone know when or if this restriction might be lifted.
Tried contacting company directly , never respond to an email, never answer a phone call
Not to be put off we have this on
12 Mar 2014, now looking to
SIA:
Noticed on the afap website (
www.afap.org.au click jobs) that SIA flying school are advertising for flying instructors , little bit confused really. How do they still have students if no SIA cadetship hiring since a long time (couple of years) . Are they private students or are they just trickle feeding through the last couple of ever SIA cadets , or private sponsor maybe ?
When did SIA last actually hire cadets ?
I did read further, but it seems I now have my answer. That is, why is Flyboat North so angry at the world, and pilots in particular?
Reading between his lines, its pretty clear he tried and failed. He’s tried Jetstar, Virgin, AirNZ, AirNZ Regional and others, but it seems nobody wants his services.
Now that’s OK. Not everyone is cut out to be a pilot. That’s not to say he’s not suited to another profession. This is a realization faced by many that have tried the flying game and either decided it’s not for them, or had the decision made for them. That’s life, get over it. Unfortunately a small percentage of people just can’t let go of a grudge. Maybe they are part of the entitled generation where every child gets a prize, and a sense of failure isn’t realized until quite late in life.
Unfortunately for us, FBN has decided his way of getting back at the pilot profession is to scream and yell and stamp his feet in a rather embarrassing display of an adult tantrum.