The transition is easy enough, only thing for me was learning all the company information and procedures for de-icing and all that goes along with winter ops in the US. Everything else falls into place at about 100 hours on the line. That being said I already had my fixed wing quals and hours for an FAA ATP so it for me it was just the type rating and line training.

As a side note; in the US there are no bonds for training at all. You will uograde as soon as you hit the 1000 hours required for captain, so basically a year after you get checked to line unless you already have some jet PIC time from corporate jets which count towards the 1000 hours.

Coming from experience, the pay and conditions are similar to all other regionals in Australia. It is a resonable salary for the role. Your not wide body captains so don't expect that sort of pay.

Those complaining that it's not enough, well anyone can say that in any industry, all it says is that one needs to rethink their spending habits.

For those complaining that they can't get a look in, your time will come. If responses are slow it's because everyone is spread thin. I had waited a lot longer waiting for other regionals.

If your being knocked back because of hours it's for a good reason. You have to have the hours for command even for an FO position otherwise when your seniority comes up for a command they won't be able to upgrade you as they don't have the resources to run ICUS programs.

I think another problem here is what else is on offer for the advertised experience required. Those hours would easily get you a Dash8/ATR job based on the east coast.

People would rather hold out for a gig down south rather than make a further time commitment to Darwin. Imagine getting a call from Jetstar the day after you sign a 2 year bond on the Brasilia!

Quick command
 

On a positive note, if you want a quick command on a turbo prop (Brasilia) go to Airnorth... do your time and move on. Airnorth has its positives, home every day, days aren’t huge other than centre run to Alice Springs (although contract might or had ended) Direct entry on the jet would also be good for the log book. Living in Darwin has its challenges but could be worse.

Pilotchute it would take about 2 months or so at Jetstar to pay back the bond for a Brasilia (at Airnorth) endorsement! What is it about $7k pft! Not nothing, but not much either.

Watched many pilots say no to a better job because they just signed a bond . I’d say nearly everyone of them would have taken a short term loss for long term gain if they had their time again . The extra pay will take care of bond in time and while your waiting for that to be paid off your flying the one you want and getting better experience .

I find it almost impossible to believe that the training bond for a multi crew turbo prop is $7k. Maybe in 1985.

Haven’t there already been rulings that bonds in Australia are not enforceable?

If a pilot with experience on type joined any airline, it’s still going to cost them lots of money to train the pilot up and get he or she online, particularly if the pilot has been off the type or out of flying for a while. What’s really the difference in a non type rated and type rated pilot with relevant experience on other similar types from a cost of training perspective? Probably next to nothing. Airlines are happy to take the profits, however they like any other business that employs technical people should be investing money into training which is at their expense, not the employees should circumstances change.

Only if the the agreement is not ratified by / registered with FWA.

Indeed pilotchute? Perhaps you should read the Airnorth EBA? 1985? Hardly! More like 2005! 😉

Apologies Pilotechute! Here are some amendments for my post. 2006 and $8750.

HR look for people that have these thoughts, and don't want them sitting up front of shiny jets.

Hats of to the boys and girls that worked out their bond time (their agreement), and I hope they have or will achieve their desired jobs.

Wow, Airnorth are working to an EBA from 2006? One that doesnt even mention jets? The bond amount said it was dependant on hourly rate so I assume thst figure is based on doing the rating in the aircraft? Pretty sure thats not allowed anymore.

A pilot with experience on type has already proved capable of jumping through the hoops and should pass through the training and checking easily without extra SIM hours or sectors. Once released he won't be a burden on the line Captains.

Actually it's $24,000, not in EBA but on the letter of offer you sign in order to begin employment.

Soooo not legal then? Bravo TL!

Greaser so you have gone from defending Airnorth to ridiculing them?

Training bonds say more about the company than anything else. They probably miss out on some decent applicants by having a training bond.

Double Standard?
 

I’m not familiar with the Airnorth contract, but have the pilot salaries been updated and increased outside of the 2006 EBA amounts like the bond has been? Seems like a double standard if not!