No **** Sherlock!
Try going back and looking at every Jetstar thread since inception. ;)

To correct Mockingbirds comment, the cost of the assessment has has not increased. It remains at $150. It is clearly explained in the documentation, on the website and confirmed with a simple call to CAE.

You've heard the catch cry. "Safety is our Number 1 Priority!" What an awesome slogan. Would look great on a bumper sticker or a promotional t-shirt.

Yeah. Safety Schmafety. Welcome to the organisational behaviour of the modern low-cost carrier. You are learning the REAL organisational values before even becoming an employee.

Of course Jetstar wants cadets that can perform their piloting duties adequately. (i.e.. without bending an aeroplane). But they certainly aren't willing to pay for anything extra (in ability, aptitude, skill, work ethic etc etc) beyond the minimum required. It doesn't fit their business model.

The OVERARCHING focus in the entire Jetstar business is cost. Cost containment, cost reduction, cost efficiencies and continual cost elimination.

Cost, cost, cost. This is the REAL number 1 priority at this type of business. Unless they crash one (perhaps even 2) aircraft with significant lives lost then the focus of safety will never override cost. Safety is a nebulous, unquantifiable pilot-touchstone to most modern airline managers since aircraft don't usually crash. They think that pilots talking about safety implications is like the boy who cried wolf.

Safety is talked and written about. A lot. But is it acted upon? No, not when it will incur the business additional cost.

This philosophy extends to their recruitment and cadet program. If they could legally institute a genuine pay-to-fly program at Jetstar they would. It would be a nice little ancillary revenue stream along with checked baggage, preferred seat selection and the $5 muffin & coffee combo.

I wish my humour was in jest only.

If you do manage success with the Jetstar Cadet intake then you will have gained some very accurate insight to your future employer before having pulled on the uniform.

PG

Tankengine, agreed. I have extensively researched threads on here (as well as forums on recreationalflying, Whirlpool, etc) regarding Jetstar's cadetships along with other Australian run cadetships. Starting to see it more and more, and finding myself nodding in agreement with some old timers who have contributed here and on other threads outlining their concerns.

Stretch06, I've checked the online application portal and it says $200. However, I concur if this is my mistake and apologise for misunderstandings. I do ask myself why is there a fee anyways? REX, VA, conduct testing without fees. However, I do think we all know the answer to this...

EDIT: Thank you Popgun for the insightful comment.

^^ Yes for some reason it states the normal application for an RTO of $200 but never makes you pay it.

Thanks Logansi, now I can see where the confusion comes from. To clarify for all, CAE have confirmed that the cost is only $150

Mate this isn't just Jetstar but the Qantas group as a whole. QantasLink used to charge $180 for their aptitude test just for direct entry jobs on their props, and recent candidates going for direct entry roles with QF mainline had to arrive at the interview with the Qantas pre-employment medical already completed (a $500+ exercise just for the chance to interview). And no flights to the interview were not included..

It's all just a culling exercise to see how badly you want the gig. I'm not saying it's right but for every bloke that says "no I won't pay it", there will be 20 who fork out the cash.

I know a young pilot currently undergoing training for a PPL who has applied to Jetstar for a cadetship. Application went in prior to the end of Dec 2016 and to date he has had nothing back from Jetstar! Is this the norm? Hasn't even had acknowledgement of his application!

Hi Obie,

The nature of this industry is such that the applicant may or may not hear back and it could be many months or even well over a year before they do. This is considered normal. Luck of the draw! If the applicant is flying already be aware as there may be a limit as to how much flying they can have before they no longer meet requirements (too many hours)

Obie,

Tried to send you a message but it wouldnt let me. I dont know of the situation, but I would suggest that if he never heard even an acknowledgment of his application, that he did not actually complete the application in full. The system sends a confirmation of the application to the candidate upon completion.

I would suggest if he indeed is interested, to apply again and give it a go.

Stretch

Thanks Stretch, I'll pass that on.

Hi all,

Was hoping for some genuine advice.
Is there anyone with some experience that could tell me honestly, what are career prospects like for cadets? Say in the case of Jetstar, how long might you be bound solely to Jetstar before you could consider a position at Virgin, Qantas or an international? Is it the command experience that would hold you back?

If this is true, would you be better placed at say Rex or Virgin Cadetships as you are more likely to get command on a turbo prop sooner?

Would appreciate anyones thoughts!

Most ignorant post ever

You’ll be bound for them as long as you desire. You pay for all your initial training via FEE HELP, and you also pay for an endorsement cost which is repaid via salary sacrifice. However if you wished to leave at any time by giving the minimum notice you legally can do so, you’ll just be bound to pay back the endorsement costs to the company. But they can’t legally force you to stay.

The command experience wouldn’t hold you back as all those airlines don’t require much beyond basic CPL command hours for their recruitment. Most overseas or contract jobs don’t care for command time, they’re looking more for time on type.

Here’s a post from further back on this thread that’s also enlightening:

Type rating now being paid for by the company.

And if that applies to Direct Entry pilots we're back to where we started re: who bears the cost of a type rating.
Now just gotta get the wages up a bit.

It applies to all direct entry recruits.

Awesome.......

Thank for the info Dr Dre and web links you sent - that's really kind of you to help!

From reading though, it seems like having zero command time on a Jet limits you to second officer or turbo prop though with any other airline. Most FO direct entry positions seem to require min 300hrs command (e.g. Virgin) unless I'm mistaken.

You even needed command time to apply for Qantas SO.

The Jetstar cadetship will limit you to Jetstar until you obtain command, unless you are magically transferred within the group.