Jetstar Aus/NZ Positions
The pilots that joined JQ around the ‘14-15 era are in the sweet spot. 3.5 years to the wide body. The 10-13 joiners needed 4-6 years.
The ‘09-10 joiners are getting SYD/MEL commands now. The late 08-09ers waited 9 years, the 06-08ers waited 4.
Interestingly a SYD widebody FO is pretty much as senior as a SYD captain. I must say, I’d stay on the widebody too.
The 10-12 joiners will need 8-10 years to command. The 13-15ers probably 6-8 years and then after that. Good luck! It’ll blow out to 12+
As has been mentioned above, QF would be the best option salary wise, base and fleet right now in Australia.
The attraction to JQ was a fast left seat and a 250K+ job. You’d earn far more money now at QF before command and have lots of lifestyle options.
The ‘09-10 joiners are getting SYD/MEL commands now. The late 08-09ers waited 9 years, the 06-08ers waited 4.
Interestingly a SYD widebody FO is pretty much as senior as a SYD captain. I must say, I’d stay on the widebody too.
The 10-12 joiners will need 8-10 years to command. The 13-15ers probably 6-8 years and then after that. Good luck! It’ll blow out to 12+
As has been mentioned above, QF would be the best option salary wise, base and fleet right now in Australia.
The attraction to JQ was a fast left seat and a 250K+ job. You’d earn far more money now at QF before command and have lots of lifestyle options.
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Anyone joining JQ in the recent intake which started 2016 expect to wait well over 15 yrs for a 320 command. As above average age in JQ is early 40s and now they have approval to conduct ATPL flight testing all the cadets will get thier commands in the next 5+ And those kids are mid to early 20s. Wide body for new joiners could be around 10+ in ML even longer for SY or other bases.
My my advice would be apply to QF try that avenue first at least you will have a career there, if not successful try VA new joiners most likely go to ATR but you can transfer and fly other AC with in the company as JQ will be just 320 for the foreseeable future.
My my advice would be apply to QF try that avenue first at least you will have a career there, if not successful try VA new joiners most likely go to ATR but you can transfer and fly other AC with in the company as JQ will be just 320 for the foreseeable future.
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The question remains will FOs hang around and wait, there is potential to get caught out with lack of FOs in future years. Young 20 something’s waiting 15 years for a command, highly unlikely when Emirates will give them a 777 seat with many promises of upgrades et al.
15 years for a command, in 15-20 odd years effectively the current captain pilot body at Jetstar will be on the way out. That’s the point the industry is going to crash as the current generation (20s) are not learning to fly. GA is dead and flying schools are going under all over the country. The solution, and I’ve seen carriers get caught out here, is hiring more cadets. But they couldn’t upgrade them fast enough to stem the retirements and cancelled flights.
15 years for a command, in 15-20 odd years effectively the current captain pilot body at Jetstar will be on the way out. That’s the point the industry is going to crash as the current generation (20s) are not learning to fly. GA is dead and flying schools are going under all over the country. The solution, and I’ve seen carriers get caught out here, is hiring more cadets. But they couldn’t upgrade them fast enough to stem the retirements and cancelled flights.
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Well, I’m definitely not hanging around at a low cost carrier as an FO for the next 15+ yrs I’ve already done 3 and I can see no career progression now so I’m currently looking abroad.
If you’re desperate for a command or a big bird then so be it.
However most FOs that have been around a while are netting 9k plus a month and have their base of choice and a reasonable lifestyle.
Once the rostering and PBS are sorted and the annual leave peak slots are realistic, it’ll be a good place to be.
Lets also face it, a WB FO in the sandpit doesn’t earn a great deal more and there is a huge trade off for the privilege of flying something big. If you’re single it’ll be a great gig, until you’re married.
China - have a read of some of the experiences of guys there. It’s a 3 year cash grab before you shoot yourself and get the heck out of there. Then you’ll be kicking yourself for a career at the star when the cash runs out.
There’s no garden of aviation eden out there. There’s just varying amounts of **** in the sandwich.
Get a hobby, get married. Have some kids and buy a boat.
However most FOs that have been around a while are netting 9k plus a month and have their base of choice and a reasonable lifestyle.
Once the rostering and PBS are sorted and the annual leave peak slots are realistic, it’ll be a good place to be.
Lets also face it, a WB FO in the sandpit doesn’t earn a great deal more and there is a huge trade off for the privilege of flying something big. If you’re single it’ll be a great gig, until you’re married.
China - have a read of some of the experiences of guys there. It’s a 3 year cash grab before you shoot yourself and get the heck out of there. Then you’ll be kicking yourself for a career at the star when the cash runs out.
There’s no garden of aviation eden out there. There’s just varying amounts of **** in the sandwich.
Get a hobby, get married. Have some kids and buy a boat.
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I don't understand, if your 3 years into JQ already you won't have to wait 15 for a command (maybe 5-7), and your only 18 months or so away from a 787 FO slot - so what are you trying to achieve?
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so what are you trying to achieve?
A mate of mine joined Jetstar in 2008. In 2014 his command vacancy was coming up, but was pushed back a few years by the MOU guys. So he and a few others left for Emirates. Less than four years later he's been checked to line as an A380 Captain.
This pathway isn't for everyone, but for those who're willing to leave Australia there are opportunities that aren't necessarily available to those who remain.
Some people want job security in their own country; others want job opportunities overseas. We're lucky to be in a period where these opportunities exist, and that people are taking them.
DIVOSH!
Really?
pushed back a few years by the MOU guys
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Yournamehere
Correct! My post was in response to 3xToga, giving an example of a J* pilot who felt frustrated in his current position and decided to go overseas. There are some great opportunities out there, and the result for him was a good one!
But it looks like I managed to trigger a Qantas pilot (unintentionally, btw), so an added bonus, I guess!
DIVOSH!
Correct! My post was in response to 3xToga, giving an example of a J* pilot who felt frustrated in his current position and decided to go overseas. There are some great opportunities out there, and the result for him was a good one!
But it looks like I managed to trigger a Qantas pilot (unintentionally, btw), so an added bonus, I guess!
DIVOSH!
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I think you misunderstood my point Divosh, I was replying to someone who stated they were considering leaving JQ because they couldn't see a chance for progression - my point was if your not satisfied with a WB FO gig after 3.5 years, and command after 8...what would satisfy you?
Fair statement, perhaps going overseas is the best option for him/her for faster progression if thats their overiding desire - I still think its abit ridiculous to consider progression at JQ slow.
Glad your mates happy, I know of few in the ME who are at the moment. Anyway, back on topic...
Fair statement, perhaps going overseas is the best option for him/her for faster progression if thats their overiding desire - I still think its abit ridiculous to consider progression at JQ slow.
Glad your mates happy, I know of few in the ME who are at the moment. Anyway, back on topic...
At the end of the day we should all encourage guys to do what we want them to do, i'd much rather share a cockpit with someone who wants to be there. + if thats heading overseas then great because it opens up another opportunity for someone else who wants to stay around or someone who hasn't got into the airlines yet.
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What are u guys arguing about lol. Recruitment is dead. Jetstar is just interviewing to grow thier pool. No one actually getting a call to start. I know many people in the hold file that have been waiting for several months and still heard nothing.
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The order that you interview isnt necessarily the order you’ll get called, Jq have been like this from the beginning. If you work out their system, please tell us so that way we all know....
If you got a letter saying you’re unsuccessful then you’re unsuccessful. If you haven’t got that letter, just sit tight. I know it’s frustrating, but refer unsuccessful letter above, that’s far more frustrating.
They want a heap of people this year and the bottleneck is the sims which was pointed out a few posts above. They are even looking at doing cyclics overseas.
If you got a letter saying you’re unsuccessful then you’re unsuccessful. If you haven’t got that letter, just sit tight. I know it’s frustrating, but refer unsuccessful letter above, that’s far more frustrating.
They want a heap of people this year and the bottleneck is the sims which was pointed out a few posts above. They are even looking at doing cyclics overseas.
I think there’s a total of 3 sims in all of Australia and they’re in the same place. So I dare say so.
Time to bases
As many have suggested, if you have the option, take the first base offered as direct entry to other than MEL/SYD are rare. From the last list (May), time (mths) to basing (most junior positions)
MEL/SYD- direct entry.
NTL - 4
ADL - 7
CNS - 9
AVV - 10
OOL - 13
BNE - 15
PER - 24
Command - 7y8m
of course these can vary greatly as fleets and demand changes.
MEL/SYD- direct entry.
NTL - 4
ADL - 7
CNS - 9
AVV - 10
OOL - 13
BNE - 15
PER - 24
Command - 7y8m
of course these can vary greatly as fleets and demand changes.
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I haven't interviewed with them so I'd be pretty lucky to get a call! I know the frustration of being on a hold file with not a lot of communication. The good thing for you is you haven't been told no. Sounds like you are holding for Jetstar and Virgin so your odds of getting a start are pretty good IMHO.As others have said hang in there and your time will come.