What's Happening at Airways NZ??
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Green and clean
Lortnocatuo
Please be advised that Airway's view is that if you want to come and live/work in NZ, it's all about lifestyle, and not money. If you want money, apply to Serco.
I know this will come across as not very helpfull in relation to your question, however it is the God's honest truth.
To assit you, if you are single, the wages are OK, if you are married with kids, and you want to send them (kids) to a good school, your wife will have to work, and you will have to stick to a tight budget.
Cheers
SAS
Please be advised that Airway's view is that if you want to come and live/work in NZ, it's all about lifestyle, and not money. If you want money, apply to Serco.
I know this will come across as not very helpfull in relation to your question, however it is the God's honest truth.
To assit you, if you are single, the wages are OK, if you are married with kids, and you want to send them (kids) to a good school, your wife will have to work, and you will have to stick to a tight budget.
Cheers
SAS
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Morning all,
I've been reading this thread with great interest over the last few weeks.
I'm currently an ATCO in the UK and will be visiting New Zealand for one month mid-Jan to mid-Feb.
Can anyone tell me if a unit visit would be possible during my time out there and, if so what would be required of me?
Regards, V801
I've been reading this thread with great interest over the last few weeks.
I'm currently an ATCO in the UK and will be visiting New Zealand for one month mid-Jan to mid-Feb.
Can anyone tell me if a unit visit would be possible during my time out there and, if so what would be required of me?
Regards, V801
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V801
Yes - visits should be OK (assuming nothing drastic happens between now and your visit)
Bring your Airport ID, ring (tele numbers in NZ white pages under Airways NZ) the Manager/Supervisor of the unit you wish to visit, and arrange a time.
I hope you enjoy your stay in our country (looks like we may have a summer this year) just don't mention the money thing during your visit cause it's all about life style
Cheers
SAS
Bring your Airport ID, ring (tele numbers in NZ white pages under Airways NZ) the Manager/Supervisor of the unit you wish to visit, and arrange a time.
I hope you enjoy your stay in our country (looks like we may have a summer this year) just don't mention the money thing during your visit cause it's all about life style
Cheers
SAS
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Just got a email asking me to apply for Airways under the experienced controller recruitment , I am considering it ,but a bit concerned about the cost of living. What sort of salary range do you need for a descent standard of living with a family. We are not materialistic and love the outdoors and with the UK going down hill it is appealing
The Original Party Animal
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You would be earning too much to starve and not enough to survive...
Seriously: Cost of living is high (especially milk products, electronics, cars),
salaries are low, income tax is high. As an ATCO you won't make ends meet, unless your wife works as well.
Seriously: Cost of living is high (especially milk products, electronics, cars),
salaries are low, income tax is high. As an ATCO you won't make ends meet, unless your wife works as well.
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RV
Have they indicated where they are looking at placing you?
If you are looking at a domestic airport, the pay and cost of living is "a bit" different to the radar centre (only one) in Christchurch.
I suggest you ask for more info from Airways as to their intention for you and then post on here and I will do my best to explain.
If they are looking at the Radar Centre, you need to be aware that each sector (eg Auckland, Ohakea, Wellington, etc) gets a different allowance in lieu (AIL) based on your salary, and these differ greatly. eg Auckland 32%, Ohakea 21% - and if the hot goss is correct the Ohakea sector's AIL is about to be cut to 15/16% (or thereabouts) due to a change of their hours of service. So in other words, the take home pay of each sector is different, even tho' the base wage is the same.
As a result of the last wage round, from 1 April next year this AIL will attract superanuation contributions from Airways (the max you can super is 6% of your pay).
Hope this helps
Cheers
SAS
If you are looking at a domestic airport, the pay and cost of living is "a bit" different to the radar centre (only one) in Christchurch.
I suggest you ask for more info from Airways as to their intention for you and then post on here and I will do my best to explain.
If they are looking at the Radar Centre, you need to be aware that each sector (eg Auckland, Ohakea, Wellington, etc) gets a different allowance in lieu (AIL) based on your salary, and these differ greatly. eg Auckland 32%, Ohakea 21% - and if the hot goss is correct the Ohakea sector's AIL is about to be cut to 15/16% (or thereabouts) due to a change of their hours of service. So in other words, the take home pay of each sector is different, even tho' the base wage is the same.
As a result of the last wage round, from 1 April next year this AIL will attract superanuation contributions from Airways (the max you can super is 6% of your pay).
Hope this helps
Cheers
SAS
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Actually Ohakea sector is 24% and is currently looking at 24hrs which will take the AIL up to around 30%!
That would indicate that most Kiwi's don't make ends meet given that ATCO salaries are in about the top 10% salary group in NZ!!
NZ is as expensive as you make it - if you dine out all the time, buy the dearest cuts of meat and eat like a king, go night clubbing etc - sure you won't have alot of money at the end of it. If you are careful with your money, make you lunch and cook your dinner, get an average rental (house) you should have plenty left over to tiki tour around the place. I think the mentallity is the more you earn the more you spend therefore the more you feel you can't make ends meet. I know many people who live very well and are not even earning half of what I get paid. If you take off your Off Duty days, Annual Leave, Days In Lieu, and Sick Leave - you only work 190 odd days of the year. Of those 190 days you only work a 1/3rd of each day - generally less with early releases. If you CHOOSE to work a recall on an Off Duty day - you get paid well for it. Extra money on public holidays over and above your AIL.......is it really that bad???
As an ATCO you won't make ends meet, unless your wife works as well.
NZ is as expensive as you make it - if you dine out all the time, buy the dearest cuts of meat and eat like a king, go night clubbing etc - sure you won't have alot of money at the end of it. If you are careful with your money, make you lunch and cook your dinner, get an average rental (house) you should have plenty left over to tiki tour around the place. I think the mentallity is the more you earn the more you spend therefore the more you feel you can't make ends meet. I know many people who live very well and are not even earning half of what I get paid. If you take off your Off Duty days, Annual Leave, Days In Lieu, and Sick Leave - you only work 190 odd days of the year. Of those 190 days you only work a 1/3rd of each day - generally less with early releases. If you CHOOSE to work a recall on an Off Duty day - you get paid well for it. Extra money on public holidays over and above your AIL.......is it really that bad???
Last edited by conflict alert; 13th Dec 2007 at 23:21. Reason: spelling
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They are looking to place people at Okahea or Bay sectors ( which are where ? North, south island nearest city etc would help). Although they also said that there may be other terminal sectors available at a later date. They are looking for people with Approach radar/terminal radar experience.
The Original Party Animal
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conflict alert,
What can I say...been there done that, therefore I know what I'm talking about.
As an average NZer, if you buy almost everything on credit you may be fine, but it is a constant struggle. Of course as an ATCO you earn considerably above average, but I would suggest that NZ ATCOs are amongst the worst paid in the so called western hemisphere. And getting taxed around 30 per cent on your comparatively low salary is just plain ridiculous.
What can I say...been there done that, therefore I know what I'm talking about.
As an average NZer, if you buy almost everything on credit you may be fine, but it is a constant struggle. Of course as an ATCO you earn considerably above average, but I would suggest that NZ ATCOs are amongst the worst paid in the so called western hemisphere. And getting taxed around 30 per cent on your comparatively low salary is just plain ridiculous.
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Spud M
Does this mean you are talking from experience that you found it hard to make ends meet. Everyone's financial situation is different and perhapes because you found it hard, I think it's a pretty bold statement to say overall anyone wanting to come to NZ will only cope with the other partner working. Anyway, this is a forum where everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Can you give some comparisons then? I know the wages are not fantastic for a brand new controller at a domestic tower, but other than Queenstown or Whenuapai most domestic tower locations are in area's where accomodation are not at city prices and at the end of the day that is the single biggest cost bar a mortgage. As soon as they move up the scale to International Towers/Oceanic/Radar the coin gets much better and the longer you stay the better it gets again.
I have seen the Ozzy pay scales and comparing top of the scale with top of the scale, it looks like you would end up with pretty similar take home pay given the higher tax in Oz.
I seem to recall seeing a post from someone from the FAA sometime ago, while I can't remember the figure I recall thinking they were on a similar level to here. Sure if you convert what each country earns to NZD you will go WOW but then your not living in their economy so you can't compare like that.
I have seen ads in Flight International for UK controllers salary 35-40000pounds (my kiwi keyboard doesn't have a pound symbol!).
I have visited all these places and I have found pricing similar eg. something costs 5 NZD in NZ - similar thing over in the states will cost 5USD etc etc.
So I am interested in your comparisons. Don't use UAE as an example because pay rates have only just changed.
What can I say...been there done that, therefore I know what I'm talking about.
Of course as an ATCO you earn considerably above average, but I would suggest that NZ ATCOs are amongst the worst paid in the so called western hemisphere. And getting taxed around 30 per cent on your comparatively low salary is just plain ridiculous.
I have seen the Ozzy pay scales and comparing top of the scale with top of the scale, it looks like you would end up with pretty similar take home pay given the higher tax in Oz.
I seem to recall seeing a post from someone from the FAA sometime ago, while I can't remember the figure I recall thinking they were on a similar level to here. Sure if you convert what each country earns to NZD you will go WOW but then your not living in their economy so you can't compare like that.
I have seen ads in Flight International for UK controllers salary 35-40000pounds (my kiwi keyboard doesn't have a pound symbol!).
I have visited all these places and I have found pricing similar eg. something costs 5 NZD in NZ - similar thing over in the states will cost 5USD etc etc.
So I am interested in your comparisons. Don't use UAE as an example because pay rates have only just changed.
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V801 & Ca
V801 - as CA has stated the Ohakea and Bay sectors (with all the other Radar sectors) are based in Christchurch.
Not want to sound like I am putting you off, but both those sectors are pretty challenging in terms of their traffic mix, (from gliders to jets and EVERYTHING in between -I jest not) and both have high failure rates (but then that appears to par for the course in Airways right now - hence the reason they are looking for people like you)
I don't know what the Bay sector AIL's but I think it is more than the 24% CA says the Ohakea sector gets, but if I had the choice I would go for Bay, as the Ohakea sector is a civil/mil sector.
If possible, make a trip out to NZ before accepting a job, to see which sector you want to work or make it a condition of employment that you can decide when you get here.
As for getting onto another sector, well with the staffing situation as it stands, plan for 3/4 years to move sectors.
Hope this helps.
CA - from what I hear the Ohakea sector does not have the people to staff a night shift, and that Qantas are thinking againg about their requirements in light of the cost given to them by Airways.
Also Airways is getting so desperate on staffing, I hear that the roster re-view is going to be brutal ie if it's not NEEDED it's gone, and in that light already one manager is already an ex, and is training on Bay.
Tell me what you know.
SAS
Not want to sound like I am putting you off, but both those sectors are pretty challenging in terms of their traffic mix, (from gliders to jets and EVERYTHING in between -I jest not) and both have high failure rates (but then that appears to par for the course in Airways right now - hence the reason they are looking for people like you)
I don't know what the Bay sector AIL's but I think it is more than the 24% CA says the Ohakea sector gets, but if I had the choice I would go for Bay, as the Ohakea sector is a civil/mil sector.
If possible, make a trip out to NZ before accepting a job, to see which sector you want to work or make it a condition of employment that you can decide when you get here.
As for getting onto another sector, well with the staffing situation as it stands, plan for 3/4 years to move sectors.
Hope this helps.
CA - from what I hear the Ohakea sector does not have the people to staff a night shift, and that Qantas are thinking againg about their requirements in light of the cost given to them by Airways.
Also Airways is getting so desperate on staffing, I hear that the roster re-view is going to be brutal ie if it's not NEEDED it's gone, and in that light already one manager is already an ex, and is training on Bay.
Tell me what you know.
SAS
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SAS
I think it is the centre as a whole that is reviewing ALL rosters isn't it?
My understanding is that Qantas will make its decision in Jan08 regarding OH 24hrs.
One thing that must be taken into account when 'streamlining' rosters is that if the AIL becomes to low, effectively it will destroy a sector as no one will want to work on it, causing an even bigger crisis! I believe people have been stuck in Queenstown for years unable to take up their postings elsewhere because of the high cost of living there and low AIL for the domestic unit, which in turn results in NO ONE wanting to go there.
I think it is the centre as a whole that is reviewing ALL rosters isn't it?
My understanding is that Qantas will make its decision in Jan08 regarding OH 24hrs.
One thing that must be taken into account when 'streamlining' rosters is that if the AIL becomes to low, effectively it will destroy a sector as no one will want to work on it, causing an even bigger crisis! I believe people have been stuck in Queenstown for years unable to take up their postings elsewhere because of the high cost of living there and low AIL for the domestic unit, which in turn results in NO ONE wanting to go there.