Virgin Australia recruitment
Given that the current command upgrade program is 8x4 hour sims (using up the time of a check captain and a support FO) as well as then all of the line training sectors (which I know are revenue flights - but given FOs are now paid as captains from day 1 of training, that’s two captains salaries up the front instead of normally one) - I would imagine to upgrade a competent FO to Captain is actually more expensive than $40k
To put 1 existing capt into the 777 costs about 900k.
some will scoff at that figure, but think about all the consequential training, the cost of the sims, line training, salaries during ground schools etc and it doesn’t take too much imagination to suspect that the above figure is close to the mark.
some will scoff at that figure, but think about all the consequential training, the cost of the sims, line training, salaries during ground schools etc and it doesn’t take too much imagination to suspect that the above figure is close to the mark.
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I’m not sure what untruths you’re talking about - VARA (Skywest) can thank the AFAP for Integration. Had that not occurred - what do you think would have happened to the F50 pilots or all of the ATR pilots when they got rid of half their fleet. All of those people still have jobs because of the way Integration allowed for the transfer of pilot in an orderly and fair process throughout the group.
Integration is hardly a wedge - that’s a very simplistic naïve view of how things have worked out.
Integration is hardly a wedge - that’s a very simplistic naïve view of how things have worked out.
In any case, VARA can thank SALPA for integration. It's initial form was improved only by virtue of the SALPA efforts and then the majority membership to have it voted in. When the caddy suggests a 9 iron out of the rough, but Tiger steps up and instead smacks a pitching wedge onto the green - the caddy doesn't get the credit.
The F50 pilots had jobs because of their place on the VARA list, the intent of the company, other clauses in the EBA and negotiations with SALPA - not because of integration. To try to imply they would have been made redundant if it wasn't for the AFAP and integration is extremely misleading.
The reason the AFAP was obsessed with it is because they were able to see the Forrest through the trees. Unlike Qantas, Virgin Group Pilots now have Integration across the entire group. The Company is unlikely to be able to play the Groups off against each other. VARA’s 320 Pilots are paid a comparable amount to VA 73 PH pilots. This is a good thing - you won’t have the situation like at QF where Network 320 pilots earn significantly less than QF 73 pilots.
How else was VARA Integration supposed to go than without having a cap (Genuine question)? It may be all well and good for the WA pilots who were never likely to transfer en masse to mainline, but for ATR pilots there was the real possibility that they would have lost over 75% of captains in less than an 18 month period. That’s unsustainable and would have shutdown that operation.
Whilst you may be right about the F50 pilots and their relative position on the VARA list (I concede that point as I am not completely familiar with all of the pilot’s positions at that time), I do know a number transferred to the ATR, 777 and possibly VANZ due to Integration that AFAP drove. I’m not trying to be misleading, and I note that you failed to mention what would have had happened to half the ATR pilots when their fleet was reduced by half. Also interesting to point out is that the BNE ATR captains who had their base closed weren’t forced to CBR o SYD but were given firm commuting rights, again thanks to the AFAP.
How else was VARA Integration supposed to go than without having a cap (Genuine question)? It may be all well and good for the WA pilots who were never likely to transfer en masse to mainline, but for ATR pilots there was the real possibility that they would have lost over 75% of captains in less than an 18 month period. That’s unsustainable and would have shutdown that operation.
Whilst you may be right about the F50 pilots and their relative position on the VARA list (I concede that point as I am not completely familiar with all of the pilot’s positions at that time), I do know a number transferred to the ATR, 777 and possibly VANZ due to Integration that AFAP drove. I’m not trying to be misleading, and I note that you failed to mention what would have had happened to half the ATR pilots when their fleet was reduced by half. Also interesting to point out is that the BNE ATR captains who had their base closed weren’t forced to CBR o SYD but were given firm commuting rights, again thanks to the AFAP.
The Resource Update released in Jan had:
- More than 10 window seats on WB
- 16 SO positions
- More than 35 positions on Aus NB
- More than 20 positions on NZ NB
- More than 20 positions on ATR
The update did not include TT positions or VARA positions, and does not include the backfilling of positions (ie SO upgrades to 73 FO). I think it’s safe to say if you’re on the hold file you will get a call, especially as training ramps up. As an FYI they are desperate for guys to go to NZ and struggling to fill courses.
Good luck to those waiting.
Last edited by Colonel_Klink; 10th Feb 2019 at 03:46. Reason: Spelling
Sure is - as I said though, doesn’t include TT or VARA West Coast. From what I can gather TT has steadily been recruiting FOs for last 12 months, as has VARA for F100 drivers.
These figures dont include consequentials either, and by that I mean:
- 777 Captain position taken by 737 Captain.
- That 737 captain is replaced by an A330 FO
- That A330 FO is replaced by another less junior 737 Captain (or one that wants a lifestyle change)
- That 737 Captain is replaced by a 737 FO
- That 737 FO is replaced by a 777 SO
- That 777 SO is replaced by a guy off the street.
So you can see a single position can result in significant movement across the Group!
These figures dont include consequentials either, and by that I mean:
- 777 Captain position taken by 737 Captain.
- That 737 captain is replaced by an A330 FO
- That A330 FO is replaced by another less junior 737 Captain (or one that wants a lifestyle change)
- That 737 Captain is replaced by a 737 FO
- That 737 FO is replaced by a 777 SO
- That 777 SO is replaced by a guy off the street.
So you can see a single position can result in significant movement across the Group!
Also interesting to point out is that the BNE ATR captains who had their base closed weren’t forced to CBR o SYD but were given firm commuting rights, again thanks to the AFAP.
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has anyone recently started with VANZ and have some insight into length of training time away from NZ? also by the looks of the CEA are you paid a full FO wage from the very start of training?
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If if you have a start, get those Boeing CBT is done before your TR, and try to get the flows as memorised as possible. (-:
As per the CEA, pay is from date of induction (your first day)
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Does anybody have any ideas how the change in CEO may affect hiring NZ based FO's? Have heard various things regarding Tiger taking over trans tasman but also that virgin have injected a lot of resources to try and compete with Air NZ etc
The new guy running the joint literally took over the shop today. How could anyone know the answer to your questions with any certainty?
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Not meaning to be naive but people in the company may already have heard certain rumours etc especially if the news is already talking about tiger. This is a rumour website after all