A-Net contract starting Nov 2005

[Chilli Tarts]

Did anyone get the call up for the A-Net Q400 contract start in November?

[xdc9er]

October interviews for March starts, friend of mine and I were called for interviews in Seattle, I declined due to family/ commute reasons, looks ok for single guys out of a job or looking to move up to something heavier!
X

[oxygen on]

Probably a good decision. It is getting hard here for guys with families as the overnights went from 0 to an average of 10 per month. We are getting seriously short on crews as more guys are leaving and the company doesn't seem to react.

Here are some goods and bads:

Goods:
The money
Brand new airplanes
Cute FAs

Bads:
Lots of overnights
More flying
Commuting standby on your own time off

Here's three of each. Give it a good though, because 3 years might be a long time if you don't like it.

Cheers

[eaglejet]

Did you guys apply through Hawaii aviation?

How is it working for the housing allowance, Is the money they give you enough to get a decent accomodatiion while in japan?

Thanks

[Flyintrim]

Just finished the interview and Sim in Seattle. Everyone seemed very polite. Being able to adapt seems to be the name of the game. As a single person it might not be so bad.

[Hydroelectric]

Would you happen to have any examples of interview questions they may have asked. Are you going for Captain or F/O

[moon_towers]

02,

Thank you very much for giving some idea,looking forward to be there...

cheers,

m_t;)

[Chilli Tarts]

Interview Questions

The interview questions on my day of testing were very straight forward and to the point. All I can really suggest is make sure you read through your tech section in the Jeps and study the information which they send out in the interview pack. On my day of testing there were three pilots from across the globe, and for what I can put together all three of us where asked separate questions. Basically, approx three tech questions per interview, questions from memory included;

•If you are flying a VOR approach, and find your self high on the inbound segment what will you do?
•Which is the critical engine to lose in a two engine aircraft with the only consideration being a strong cross wind from left to right?
•Colour of taxi way centre line and edge lighting?
•Colour of rwy edge lighting at 1000' to go from end rwy at intl airport?
•Colour of rwy center line lighting at 2000' to go from end of rwy at intl airport?
•Brief the VOR approach given in the group briefing prior to the interview (guess they are testing memory ability)

That’s all I can recall in the sense of tech q’s, pretty sure it’s about the lot for the three interviewees. The rest of the interview was very formal (typical Japanese style) with a basic discussion about how you think you will adjust to Japanese culture, amount of flying / overnights which you can expect and a general run down on the company itself. Nothing to stress about, dress appropriately, try and get there a few days early to allow your body clock to semi adjust (if you can or need to) to your ground work and you will be in.

Hope this helps.

CT

PS I completed testing in Aug for a Nov 2005 course

[Prince Buster]

Any of you guys went through the JCAB medical? I need some specifics on what to expect there. Got a leg injury and wonder if that might cause any problems?! Is there any running involved or stairmasters?!

Cheers!!

[Chilli Tarts]

JCAB Medical, what a fun two days they were! My two days of testing went as follows;

1. Pysical examination with Japanese aviation medical examiner
2. Chest X-ray
3. Blood test (they take three voiles of blood!!!)
4. 2hrs with a Psychologist (personality profiling)
5. 1hr with Psychiatrist
6. Ophthalmologist
7. ECC (like an ECG but monitoring your brain waves, looking for spikes of energy which can be associated with epilepsy)
8. Stress test with a Cardiologist (completed on a tread mill, keep increasing the rate until peak heart rate is achieved [220 - your age while monitoring B/P and HR]
9. Ear, Nose and Throat specialist

Apparently the Japanese have a small tolerance for acceptable results. I was told 60% of initial test fail (not sure how accurate this is though) but glad I was in the other 40%.

You need to fast for 12 yours prior to having blood taken, but drinking lots of water leading up to the blood tests does wonders for your Enzyme levels.

[Prince Buster]

Stress test with a Cardiologist (completed on a tread mill, keep increasing the rate until peak heart rate is achieved [220 - your age while monitoring B/P and HR]

Tread mill you said.... For how long? 5 min? (I probably reach my peak in about 5 sec...:} )

Cheers

[Kaptin M]

This is the first time I've heard of the JCAB medical involving a stress test - but then nothing would surprise me.

There is also the "marching on the spot" with eyes closed, and standing on one leg balance (inner ear) tests, Prince Buster, so depending upon the severity of your injury, it might have an effect.

The #7 test that Chilli Tarts mentioned, involved having your head wired up, and a series of strobe lights being flashed.
Likewise the ENT will also check you for imbalance problems associated with inner ear fluid problems by fitting some Coke bottle goggles with a light attached, and then shaking your head (to try to get those gyros to topple).

I covered the JCAB medical in another post on this forum a while back, including a few "helpful hints". Try here for a start JCAB Medical (http://pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1529751&highlight=JCAB+medical#post1529751)

There is a very strict set of guideline figures that the applicant MUST fall within - these are based on Japanese physical characteristics, which are - in some cases - difficult for the heavier-bodied Caucasian to achieve.
There was one fellow who failed several years ago because his pulse rate was too LOW (due to his superb fitness). Since then, they have revised their ideas in that area.

Get used to having a chest x-ray every 2 years, in spite of the fact that Japan has probably a zero incidence of TB now.
It seems to be a hangover of the early days of last century, when tuberculosis was rampant in Asia.

The PE is a fasting one - so no food for 12 hours beforehand, as this will affect many of the test results of the urinalysis and blood.

The eyesight tests include eyeball pressure, long and near distance vision, field of vision, and blind spot (along with another couple).

[jumpdrive]

i dont know if they told you this in your interviews
of the +/- $6,100 (hawaii or parc)
take a slice of 22% on tax
it makes just over $4,700
then, while on training those long months you will just make 80% of those +/- $6,100
and take another slice of tax, again 22%, in other words
42% of tax of those initial +/- $6,100 is what you will get of salary while on training, yes, you will get aprox $50 per diem each day of class, some $1,500 per month, but your gonna eat those, unles your a mickey dee's type of guy (burgers) gotta live, to survive!!! je je
living there you will have to pay a lot if not all of those $2,000 of housing allowance to get a decent place of your dreams, if you dont mind cardboard walls and weird toilets! je je youll get sometin cheaper.
life, wel its diferent, and not cheap
if you dont have anything else better or anything at all, well go on, all the best

[Team Player]

Speaking with acquaintances in Tokyo and Osaka, don't expect to get a decent apartment (or house) for under YEN300,000 (about $3,000) per month.
Key money is 2 months, although legally they are supposed to take only 1 month.

The accomodation allowances offered by the agencies is well short of what you will need, so if you do accept their offer be prepared to shell out an extra $1,000-$1,500 from your own pocket every month.

[NZLeardriver]

Are you required to be based within a certain time of Itami? Or can you live anywhere in Osaka?

[oxygen on]

As for the apartments. You can find a very decent place with 3 bedrooms for around 1000$ a month. Generaly, its all about location. The closer you are to a train station, the more expensive. The real killer is the key money. For a recent place, you can pay up to 6 months rent, and you might get back 1000-2000$ when you move out.

I know single guys here that commute and have a nice place for around 800$ with no key money. I live in an almost brand new place with concrete walls and close to everything, and pay 1200$.

As for taxes. Most guys pay under 10% and less if you have your family. Even though the cost of life is higher, by the end, the money is very good. A single guy (FO) can easely save 3000 per month, make it 5000 for Capt. Maybe 1000 less with a family.

[Kaptin M]

oxygen on, I think it's very unfair (unethical) of you to advise readers of this thread, the information you have.

This is my 6th year here, and checking back through my Japanese Income Tax statements, they ALL indicate a tax rate of approx. 22% - the first year being the exception, because I was not here for the full tax year.
How you arrive at 10% (and less) is totally beyond me, but it is obviously not legitimate.

As for the accommodation prices you have indicated - they MIGHT be possible if you are willing to live way out in the countryside, but prices around Osaka are going to set you back a minimum of JPY250k per month for anything half decent.
One of the guys here had a house (double story, as most are, and small by Western standards) and he was paying USD3000 per month.
I have NEVER heard of anyone - Japanese or foreigner - who is let off the key money (bond), unless they are living in a hotel!

Your post reads very much like a contract agency employee trying to lure candidates.
If you do manage to tempt a few with stories of tax at 10%, and accommodation around $1000, how long do you think they are going to stay once they discover the TRUTH?

The moral of the story then is that anyone who comes to Japan for an interview, make SURE you talk with other guys who have been here for a while to find out the real costs.
Go to Real Estate agencies and check out accommodation prices for yourselves.

For NZLeardriver, JEX has a restriction of 1.5 hours from Itami by public transport, public transport excluded Shinkansen, taxis, and boat transport. (In other words, bus, monorail, and local train was okay).
What's the deal with you A-Net dudes?
(Heard a few Canadians in your Q4000's today :ok: )

[oxygen on]

Just to make things clear. Most of the people on this contract are not here for the long term. So our definition of ''Decent apartment'' might be different. I could never dream of having the kind of accomodation i could afford in my home country here.

If i was here to spend the rest of my career, i would probably be looking for something around 3000$ or even buy. But this is not the case. If you look at the outskirts of the city, where 80% of us live, you can easely find what i was refering to.

Now regarding the taxes. There is probably quite a difference between a Dash 8 salary and 737 or 767. So that might explain the difference in taxation level. And you only pay taxes on your base salary, which is about half of what we get.

If i was a contract agency guy, i would recommend this contract. And the fact is that i don't. There are many issues to settle here before i could say its a great contract.

Capt M. Are you one of those guys that slow us down to 150kts by MIDOH?

[Kaptin M]

Are you one of those guys that slow us down to 150kts by MIDOH?I too get frequently p!55ed off at so called professional airline pilots who fly 747's, Triple 7's and 767's (both companies) at Cessna 150 speeds. Speed reductions and vectors all over the place after OHDAI.

The ATC preferential treatment of All Nippon is another thing that sticks in my craw - it is so blatant.
Yesterday I had an ANA aircraft that was 5 miles behind and 2,000' above (in stronger headwinds) given track shortening to put him ahead of us. He was still slower, and so we were given absurd speed reductions and further vectors off course to let him get far enough ahead (10nm).
Today I saw a JAL MD81 which was taxi-ing out from spot 23 told to hold abeam spot 20. The reason? - an All Nippon 777 which was still completing its landing roll on 32L was given the "red carpet treatment"....cross 32R and take C4 direct to your spot.

The kickbacks to the JCAB from All Nippon must be pretty lucrative to let them get the treatment they do. (I've been told ANA employ quite a few JCAB staff, post retirement).
(Ahhhh, that feels better).

[beecher]

Not sure about this because I'm not there yet, BUT my understanding is that the Q400 HACS employees are paid by HACS, US company, and hence taxed at US rates...

Any confirmation from HACS employees?

Thanks

[Team Player]

My understanding of this contract is that the pilots are domiciled in Japan.
As residents, they must pay Japanese tax.

[beecher]

Well, except I've been told this is a "commuting Contract". Meaning...?? Not a resident? I'm not sure.

[NZLeardriver]

If you are on a commuting contract, but still live in Japan for more than a certain number of days, you will be responsible for Japanese tax, pension and health insurance. Tax usually starts at 22%.

For those based out of Kansai Int. you can get an ok apartment or small house for cheaper than Nth Osaka. This is decent for Japanese size, you will never have a place like you can get at home. However it is too far to commute to Itami. For those needing to live near Itami, apartments, also known as shoeboxes, are very very expensive.

A no key money apartment is usually sharing, or a sublet. Both of which are generally against the terms of the rental agreement and illegal.

How close do the A-net guys have to be to Itami?

[Hydroelectric]

For the guys there I understand that you get a commuting allowance. However do they also pay for your subway commuting back and forth to work. I know alot of companies that do that in Japan

[moon_towers]

Gas,

Any one can tell the PE , which is about opthamologist,would be appreciate?

cheers,

m_t:cool:

[Kaptin M]

Far & near vision, using an eyesight chart for the distance testing (done using monocular vision, ie. each eye separately) asking you to point where the break in the circle is eg. 12 o'clock, 3 0'clock, 8 o'clock. The largest "horseshoes" are at the top, the smallest on the bottom row.
Near vision is done using the same shapes, but from a book.

Eyeball pressure tests on each eye, using a puff of air onto the eye.

Colour blindness testing, using the Ishihara method.

Field of vision - one eye at a time - using a white light on a white concave dish. There are 3 or 4 different sized lights used, starting with one about the size of this 0, and the last one about the size of this .

Blind spot testing, using the same white dish and a light.

Convergence and divergence tests.

Physical eye examination, which might include using those drops that dilate the pupil to check the back of the retina.

I think that's about it.

[Hydroelectric]

I have heard very little talk about the contract issue and what happens if you leave before the 3 years. Is there a big price to pay.

[AtoBsafely]

Hydro: A-Net pays only the basic commuting allowance and living allowance (total US$3000/month). How you spend that is up to you. Beginning this month they are also paying a supplement of US$30/night away from base in Japan (we are doing about 10-12 overnights per month).

NZLear: There is no prescribed time distance to Itami, but most guys live in the Toyonaka/Ikeda/Mino-O areas, all less than about 45 minutes door to door.

Taxes: A-Net pilots are resident in Japan, and pay Japanese taxes. I don't know about HACS/US taxes. You only become resident in Japan after getting your work visa (completing OJT -about 6 months), so you don't pay Japanese taxes until after that. You should pay taxes for the country you are resident in until that time. Also, you only have to pay national taxes for the remainder of the first calendar year that you become resident (hence some different tax rates). Subsequent years you have to pay national and municipal taxes.

We don't pay Japanese health insurance. We have private insurance through the contracting companies. Be careful of Japanese hospitals!

Medical: In the pre-screening (New York) I did a stress test and echocardiogram only because of a "heart condition" (disrythmia), as well as the tests Chilli mentioned. The JCAB check (about month 4 of the contract) is easier, and did not require a stress test, only an EKG. Nor was there any psych stuff.

Early Departure: I believe all future contracts will have specific penalties built in. You are expected to stay for 3 years.

Hope that helps.

Joe

[Hydroelectric]

Sounds good thanks for the info.

I am not interested in leaving but would like to have some kind of clue what the penalty would be if something at home happened and I had to get out

[moon_towers]

Gent's,

My 1st questions:
The Living allowances and Commuting assistance,is it we gonna get after done the 8 months training?

2nd questions :
When your 1st basic received?

Thnkng you in advanced,

m_t;)

[AtoBsafely]

MT,

During training including OJT (approx the first 6 months) you will be paid 80% of salary (about $4800 for captains), plus a per diem of $50 per night in a hotel.

On completion of training (landing in Japan with work visa) you will be paid "full salary" (Parc withholds 20% for taxes, so no change actually), plus $2000 living and $1000 commuting allowances. A per diem supplement of $30/night away is planned to begin this month.

There actually isn't much difference between the two when you look at cash in hand (more free cash during training).

J

[moon_towers]

OJ,

Appreciate for dropped by


Domo Arigato,

m_t:ok:

[burnable gomi]

No more $30/night per diem. At least if your with PARC. The contract amendment with the per diems that they sent us for approval included a few other suprise and unwanted changes that PARC tried to sneak in there without telling us.

BG

[otis cornbread]

Hi all. I have been on this contract for over a year and this is some of the stuff I have found.

APARTMENTS - You can get a nice apartment for just under 80,000 yen right on up. A lot of guys live in Minoo and pay about that. It seems that every group of guys that comes online with this contract are able to get better, and better deals on apartments. There definately are nice places available that don't involve key money or deposits. One guy has a 65 square meter 2 bedroom, fully furnished place 17 minute walk to the airport for 80,000 yen. No deposit...nothing. Free highspeed internet to boot, (courtesy of an unsuspecting neighbour). Something that many guys negotiate with landlords is the paying of the key money on a montly basis. That is, you 300,000 yen or whatever is paid over 2 or 3 years or whatever the lease is. Takes a little of the sting out of it I think.

CONTRACT ISSUES - HACS has a 3 month notification requirement to leave early. If you don't give 3 months, I believe it is $15,000 USD penalty. PARC, up until now had no clause. This led some to believe you could leave any time. Now PARC has sent letters to most who have quit early saying that legal action is pending and that they seek a SUBSTANTIAL amount of money.

FIRST OFFICER CONDITIONS - ALL the first officers here are very, very experienced, but unfortunately it is Japan and they are not allowed to fly all the time. With the new captains coming who are not type rated, it will mean that many FOs will not actually "manipulate" the controls much at all. This, very understandably, has led to low morale amongst some of the fo's. Before you come as an fo, please try to get more info.

I think it is a good job overall. Japan is an interesting country and there are many nice people here. But make SURE you get some more info before accepting it. There are many great guys here who have good attitudes, but somehow morale is in the toilet right now.

[moon_towers]

OC,

You guys not covered with the lost of license insurance aren't you,my question is do you have your own or any suggestion concerning this?

Thanks very much,

m_t:hmm:

[otis cornbread]

Loss of Licence insurance is an option for Parc guys, but HACS guys don't get the option for some reason.

[Kaptin M]

You can get a nice apartment for just under 80,000 yen right on up.80,000 yen might score you a 1LDK (combined (1)bedroom/living/dining and small kitchen + bathroom/toilet) apartment in the suburbs around Itami airport.
"..on up" - in other words 80,000 yen and up, will open up a world of accommodation opportunities.
But as with ANY rental market, the more you're willing to pay, the better you can expect.

If you have a wife, don't expect to rent for less than about USD2,500 - and even then she is going to feel the squeeze, if she isn't Asian.
If you've got kids who are used to living a "normal" western lifestyle, you'll need to look at forking out at least USD3k per month just for a "normal" house (which will, in fact, be considerably smaller than what you've been used to).

LEAVING EARLY - If you feel that the contractor has promised you something, but that your expectations were not met, then I would challenge ANY attempt(s) by them to try to recover costs from you.

FIRST OFFICERS - As foreign F/O's (sorry...f/o's) expect to be treated with the same respect as toilet paper.

[Hydroelectric]

Do you think with people leaving for other jobs and the current state of the market, if an F/O works really hard there will be a chance for upgrade in the company. If the previous experiance of that f/o is quite high

[oxygen on]

If you sign a contract as a Co-pilot (cuz there aint such things as FOs in Japan). You will finish your contract as a Co-pilot. Then, you might get an upgrade if you sign for another term. There has been no upgrades here yet. But the first guys finish their contract next year, and we will see what the company will offer.

[burnable gomi]

Well all the f/os here are very experienced. They have 4000-6000 hours, lots on the Dash 8, lots of previous command experience and a couple of years with the company. Yet they're hiring guys with 3000 hours who've never seen the inside of a dash 8 to be captains. Does that answer your question Hydro?

[Hydroelectric]

That certainly does answer my question. I guess there must be guys who leave if they get the option and break that contract.

[PARC-JALEX pilot]

During training including OJT (approx the first 6 months) you will be paid 80% of salary (about $4800 for captains), plus a per diem of $50 per night in a hotel.

On completion..... per diem supplement of $30/night away is planned to begin this month.What is for the reason you becomes cheaper after the JCaB check out?
$50 dollar is 5600 jens.
$30 is 3300.

Japanese captains is bringing 7500 and 10,000 jens for one night.
You very cheep cheep import labor.
So des yo.

[Hydroelectric]

I interviewed in October did the medical in November and recently heard that I passed the medical. My next question is when does ANA get back to say you have the job or don't have the job. Do most people who pass the medical get the job? I am just wondering what to expect next.

Thanks

[AtoBsafely]

Hydro,

Congratulations! The next step is when the contracting company calls with a start date and sends you the contract to sign. Start dates are restricted by the timing of the JCAB licence writtens, but you shouldn't have to wait too long.

Conditions haven't really improved here. Be prepared to work hard, and don't expect anything more than what's in the contract. Read the contract carefully before you sign!

[Obbie]

I don't know why anyone would be leaving Canada now when finally things are starting to happen here.

When you finish in three years the hiring wave thats starting now will be all but over and you will be left stuck on the outside.

Guys take these contracts to rideout layoffs, not to make careers out of them.

[tuangala]

Gentlement,

Me and my colleague been told passed the PE in SYD, but my question is he's been told by one of the personnel agency by e-mail that Not all applicant(s) will be hired by the company even they've done all the homework...so Just wanna verify these,any positive feedback would be much appreciated though.

have a good one,

tuangala:hmm:

[moon_towers]

Hydro,

Check your PM keep n touch possibly we're gonna be in the same course.


Cheers,

m_t:)

[Prince Buster]

Any one else got accepted and starting on the 25th?

[Hydroelectric]

I also got the call to start Feb 25 should be interesting. I was hoping maybe we could hear some postiive feedback from the people working over their. Seems there is not much good to be said about the place. Any new details anyone would like to share both positive and negative. Will I be able to save any money as an F/O. Do the guys at A-Net hang out much.

Hydro

[Prince Buster]

Hydro,
At least there's the two of us and we will make sure the place will never be the same! :}

Looking at your contract on regards of leaving early, I can only find a 3 months notice period from the contractors side but no penalty?! Is that the same in yours Hydro?

Cheers

[Hydroelectric]

Yes my contract has the same early departure clause as yours. I hope this works out well and they iron out some of the difficuties from the past.

Hydro