Dragon Air question

[Buford]

Are there any Americans working at Dragon Air? Does KA employ from all over, including the US? How many pilots will they be hiring over the next twelve months and what's a good way to get noticed?

Buford

(Hopefully get your answer here! - BE).

[Buford]

Just to bring this back up - any ideas, anyone?

Thanks

[Buford]

Ok, third time lucky - what's the verdict? Any US pilots out there working for Dragon Air - would I get a look in and does it help if you know someone?

Thanks

[idg]

B'ford,

There are (allegedly) 22 nationalities working for KA as pilots at the moment. Quite a few have american experience but none to my knowledge from the good ol' USA. Doesn't mean they wouldn't take you though! From what I hear knowing someone on the inside is not much benefit really.

Just send in the app. and I'm sure they'll look at it. Rumour mill has it that they're looking at where to base guys for the impending -400s. Obviously the US must be under consideration.

:ok:

[typhoonpilot]

Hi Buford:

Good idea to look everywhere but don't let all the negative comments over on the M.E. forum dissuade you from still trying at Emirates. It's still a pretty decent job.

I'll tell you my experience as an American trying to get noticed/hired by Dragonair. I started sending resumes and letters shortly after 9-11. Never got a reply of any kind. I found their office phone number here on Pprune and decided, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So I jumped on an airplane and flew to Hong Kng with my wife ( we were on our way to Taiwan anyway so it wasn't far out of the way ). We camped out in the airport hotel and I called the recuitment office looking for Doris Au or Ann Law ( think those were the names, it's been awhile ). Finally got a hold of Ann on the second day and she was nice enough to agree to a meeting to discuss my application later that day. My wife ( Chinese ) and I went to meet Ann and had a nice sit down discussion for about 20 minutes. I tried to impress upon her that Dragonair was where I would most like to work and that my previous experience in Asia plus Mandarin speaking ability might come in handy. With 10,000 hours total time, 5000 hours PIC in commercial jets, and multiple type ratings they sent me a letter a few weeks letter saying I was not qualified:suspect: :( .

My opinion, and it is only that, is that the letter should have said, " You are not Australian or British nor do you have an Airbus type rating so piss off " :mad: That is not to be read as a slam on Brits and Aussies nor on Dragonair, but it would seem to me, an outsider, that is the case.

Typhoonpilot

[Flap 5]

There was a time that Dragonair was run by pilots. They are now run by faceless bureaucrats and accountants. Your experience does not surprise me at all.

[shimmydamper]

@Typhoonpilot.

You are not the only one applying to KA, there are many more with the same experience you have.

for info:
I work at KA, not UK or OZ & I did not have an airbus rating when I came to HKG.

s.

[BlueEagle]

When KA said you were 'not qualified' I think you will find they meant that you didn't fit the mould of pilots they were currently hiring, in fact you were possibly over qualified.

If there is no large scale exodus of captains from KA then their requirements for replacement and expansion will most likely be met from within where they have a band of well qualified and time served F/Os already. If this is the case then future recruits are likely to be taken from the ranks of those younger, less experienced pilots who will accept an extended stay in the RHS whilst adjusting to and moulding to the KA requirement.

Had they been looking to recruit DE Captains or experienced F/Os who would be ready for upgrade at short notice then with your experience you may well have made it.

Don't blame yourself, it was just a case of wrong time but right place.

[typhoonpilot]

Thanks Blue Eagle, I guess that is possible. In any event it was very disappointing.


TP

[Flap 5]

Dragonair have always had a policy of no direct entry commands. It tends to annoy the existing flight crew.

[typhoonpilot]

Who said anything about direct entry ? :confused:

TP

[Fly747]

There were DE commands when the freighter started and there probably will be again when the 400 comes.

[Flap 5]

TP,

I did and BlueEagle also (DE).