Qantas Engineering is on the prowl for AMEs
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Mr Fixit
When I worked for Air Canada from 1998 to 2003, we did America West Airlines (AWA) heavy maintenance on their A320's. At that time, AWA had 16 different MRO's doing heavy maintenance on their fleet of aircraft. The FAA advised them to reduce that number significantly, to a manageable figure. We also did JetBlue, Skyservice and Air Jamaica A319/320/321's. The fact is airlines can make a healthy buck by doing third party maintenance, whilst outsourcing their own.
Air Canada used to charge AWA more than USD$75 per man hour for maintenance at that time and pay us around CAD$35 - $40 per hr (top rate). It adds up pretty quick when you calculate that on an average of 30,000 man hrs for an A320 D Check. All airlines are doing tha same, as is evident in your post.
Its sad really.
When I worked for Air Canada from 1998 to 2003, we did America West Airlines (AWA) heavy maintenance on their A320's. At that time, AWA had 16 different MRO's doing heavy maintenance on their fleet of aircraft. The FAA advised them to reduce that number significantly, to a manageable figure. We also did JetBlue, Skyservice and Air Jamaica A319/320/321's. The fact is airlines can make a healthy buck by doing third party maintenance, whilst outsourcing their own.
Air Canada used to charge AWA more than USD$75 per man hour for maintenance at that time and pay us around CAD$35 - $40 per hr (top rate). It adds up pretty quick when you calculate that on an average of 30,000 man hrs for an A320 D Check. All airlines are doing tha same, as is evident in your post.
Its sad really.
Hi all I am new to this forum so please go easy on me.
I have watched this post pop up and want to know is Qantas engineering getting better, would it be worth my while to try and jump on board with stars in my eyes with the prospect of becoming a wide body LAME or will that be beaten out of me in no time.
Having been told that if I joined Cathay in Sydney ,dont even think about becoming licenced with them because it wont happen.
I would like a long future in aviation are these Qantas AME jobs the way to go?
I have watched this post pop up and want to know is Qantas engineering getting better, would it be worth my while to try and jump on board with stars in my eyes with the prospect of becoming a wide body LAME or will that be beaten out of me in no time.
Having been told that if I joined Cathay in Sydney ,dont even think about becoming licenced with them because it wont happen.
I would like a long future in aviation are these Qantas AME jobs the way to go?
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BAE a still desperate for AME,s a lot better pay, and no shift work! not to mention Government Military work, which means a lot better security. why would i ever go back to QF!
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Metal Fatigued, sadly yes, it seems everyone is doing everyone elses washing but their own. BAE in Nowra, I am told, will be looking for AME's for the seahawks pretty soon as well, much better rate of pay than Q.
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I have watched this post pop up and want to know is Qantas engineering getting better, would it be worth my while to try and jump on board with stars in my eyes with the prospect of becoming a wide body LAME or will that be beaten out of me in no time.
many many employees. (I use the term "supervising" in jest, and the word employee's rather than AMEs). They even had the nerve to tell our AME's that they had reached the pinnacle of their career. This concept, however, is totally illegal and does not work. We are slowly starting to see a turn around with a handfull of AME's starting to get trained, and this type of management being shown the door (sloooowly).Although I believe Qantas is/was a world leader in avaition engineering, if you want a fast track to being a LAME you might be better off with another organisation who recognises the need to invest into training their employees at present. I have seen friends recently leave QF with no training over many years, and suddenly be trained on 2 types over 10 months with other organisations (eg Emirates). However they were LAME's when they switched. I don't know how you would go joining as an AME.
Put simply mate, Qantas is not the employer it was years ago when there were many LAME's, alot of training, Heavy maint was in Sydney, and our safety record was unquestionable. Maybe this may change if you are willing to jump on board and wait around.
Either way, you sound like you have the motivation to be a good LAME. Best of luck.
Last edited by Ngineer; 18th Oct 2008 at 08:10.
Thanks for the insight Ngineer. I have put my application in so if I am successful I can make a more informed decision in the future.
Surely though QF must need to invest and expand it maintenance with all the dramas of late and also the arrival of quite a few aircraft in the coming years.
Surely though QF must need to invest and expand it maintenance with all the dramas of late and also the arrival of quite a few aircraft in the coming years.
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Yes, common sense would say more aircraft = more training. However we are currently being led buy guys of no maint experience who think that new aircraft fix themselves. (I am not kidding, they have actually stood infront of us and told us this).
It is now apparent that the A380 is a very labor intensive aircraft. They also banned all engineers participating in the A380 famil training whilst it was running. The majority of this training went to people that will probably never set foot on one, except to look around or to travel. The result is that most LAME's have no clue on the bare essentials such as connecting ground power, aircond, even a headset jack.
I hope this bulls*!t blows over by the time you are wearing the uniform. Best of luck anyhow.
It is now apparent that the A380 is a very labor intensive aircraft. They also banned all engineers participating in the A380 famil training whilst it was running. The majority of this training went to people that will probably never set foot on one, except to look around or to travel. The result is that most LAME's have no clue on the bare essentials such as connecting ground power, aircond, even a headset jack.
I hope this bulls*!t blows over by the time you are wearing the uniform. Best of luck anyhow.
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And now they are recruiting 737ng/767 LAMEs for for short term casual employment. Just when I thought I could apply and I read that it wont be full time.Bugger me.
Does anyone have any info about these positions or the AME jobs, like when do they need them filled and how many positions are available?
Also I noticed they arent asking for 400 ratings any clue why this is, I would have thought there were a few of these waiting to come back as well.
Does anyone have any info about these positions or the AME jobs, like when do they need them filled and how many positions are available?
Also I noticed they arent asking for 400 ratings any clue why this is, I would have thought there were a few of these waiting to come back as well.
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Im employed as an AME quiv at BAE, currently in Nowra, last Fin year just over $70K but that was with an average amount of overtime.
base ame wage is about $27.60 an hour. working a 4 day week, Monday to Thursday. 38 hr week. which leaves friday for overtime if you so desire,
normal extras are 15 days sick leave, 15 days annual. yearly performance bonuses of up to $4000, on top of an average pay increase of 4% per year for the past 5 yrs. if you want more annual leave, then work fridays for time in Lieu, every time you work overtime, you choose if you want it as leave or cash..
as said before, we are desperately short of staff.
PM me and i can give your details to HR.
base ame wage is about $27.60 an hour. working a 4 day week, Monday to Thursday. 38 hr week. which leaves friday for overtime if you so desire,
normal extras are 15 days sick leave, 15 days annual. yearly performance bonuses of up to $4000, on top of an average pay increase of 4% per year for the past 5 yrs. if you want more annual leave, then work fridays for time in Lieu, every time you work overtime, you choose if you want it as leave or cash..
as said before, we are desperately short of staff.
PM me and i can give your details to HR.
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come on ultra Qantas are offering half that with 3% pa and no carrer path,you will have to do better than that
DON'T YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE,THERE QANTAS
DON'T YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE,THERE QANTAS
Last edited by employes perspective; 21st Oct 2008 at 20:56.
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has anyone who have applied heard back from Q yet, or does anyone know when they will be contacting people? I had an email telling me my application had been considered and that they would contact me after the closing date but theres no closing date on the advert??
I have only had the automated email response as well. It is all open and with no way of contacting anyone for the slightest bit of information.
I don't know why there is no closing date, not very professional I think.
Does anyone have any inside info about these jobs. Also I see they want casual LAMEs with 747-800 licences. They are way ahead of there time.
When do they want people to start, will it be before or after the new year, I hope they don't drag it out forever.
I don't know why there is no closing date, not very professional I think.
Does anyone have any inside info about these jobs. Also I see they want casual LAMEs with 747-800 licences. They are way ahead of there time.
When do they want people to start, will it be before or after the new year, I hope they don't drag it out forever.
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Hi All,
Also after some more info? Had the usual email reply, saying my application has been accepted. But whats next?
Syd Eng - What are the ACS jobs they are currently interviewing for?
Also after some more info? Had the usual email reply, saying my application has been accepted. But whats next?
Syd Eng - What are the ACS jobs they are currently interviewing for?