Aires, Colombia
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Question ... sss
OK, Heading090 ...
Here it is .. or better here they are ...
I have about 10.000 T.T. about 3.500 jet PIC, flown all over the world ...
Very loyal employee, 3 jobs in the past 25 years ...8 years so far in this one ..
3 languages fluent and another 2 kinda 1/2 ... been chief pilot of companies with more that a dozen pilots .... not to brag, but I could be a very good asset for any Airline ... still have about 15 years of service ... so ...
Can I get a job with Aires ???
What would the salary be ???
and finaly ...
Can I count on a Left seat place in the next 2 years ??
That's all from my side ..
Thanks in advance and take care ...
Keep it safe ...
Pilocol.
Here it is .. or better here they are ...
I have about 10.000 T.T. about 3.500 jet PIC, flown all over the world ...
Very loyal employee, 3 jobs in the past 25 years ...8 years so far in this one ..
3 languages fluent and another 2 kinda 1/2 ... been chief pilot of companies with more that a dozen pilots .... not to brag, but I could be a very good asset for any Airline ... still have about 15 years of service ... so ...
Can I get a job with Aires ???
What would the salary be ???
and finaly ...
Can I count on a Left seat place in the next 2 years ??
That's all from my side ..
Thanks in advance and take care ...
Keep it safe ...
Pilocol.
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Experience $$$$
Hi Pilocol,
just by reading what you posted last week, I can tell you are more knowledgeable how thing are handled in the Colombian Airlines. I just wish you good luck.
ps: That's a lot of experience....
Keep the blue side up!!!
just by reading what you posted last week, I can tell you are more knowledgeable how thing are handled in the Colombian Airlines. I just wish you good luck.
ps: That's a lot of experience....
Keep the blue side up!!!
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The Colombian Airlines ..
Well I'm honestly not looking to get a job back in Colombia, just wondering if someone with the experience that I have may be able to get a job back in the country ...
It is not easy over there for some very specific reasons ...
1-There are not a lot of airlines.(No need for more)
2-Being a pilot is consider a very good job there.(according to Colombian standards, hence the ones that have the job don't want to leave it)
3-When one of the few airlines open doors for new candidates to apply for the one or two seats available, because there was a retirement, the family members get them ... that is normal ... and the problem is that since there are not that many seats, the possibilities of someone from the outside getting one are very slim ....
Not criticizing the Colombian Airline's system, and it is normal for the airlines to take family members from the already employed, the problem is the amount of jobs available .. nothing more nothing less ...
For the ones applying, good luck, for the ones that would like to do it, make sure you have someone IN to push for you.
On what regards standards, they are very, very good in did, I put my family on an Avianca, Aires ... etc, flight any day ... professionals to the max, and that is because you have the most demanding terrain, weather, approaches, radio-aids, ATC and conditions in the world, believe me I flew for 14 years there and ...not jets ...
Wish all good luck ....
Just to let you guys know, I'm in Corporate now ... having a blast going all over the world with a fantastic airplane ...
Keep it safe ...
Pilocol
It is not easy over there for some very specific reasons ...
1-There are not a lot of airlines.(No need for more)
2-Being a pilot is consider a very good job there.(according to Colombian standards, hence the ones that have the job don't want to leave it)
3-When one of the few airlines open doors for new candidates to apply for the one or two seats available, because there was a retirement, the family members get them ... that is normal ... and the problem is that since there are not that many seats, the possibilities of someone from the outside getting one are very slim ....
Not criticizing the Colombian Airline's system, and it is normal for the airlines to take family members from the already employed, the problem is the amount of jobs available .. nothing more nothing less ...
For the ones applying, good luck, for the ones that would like to do it, make sure you have someone IN to push for you.
On what regards standards, they are very, very good in did, I put my family on an Avianca, Aires ... etc, flight any day ... professionals to the max, and that is because you have the most demanding terrain, weather, approaches, radio-aids, ATC and conditions in the world, believe me I flew for 14 years there and ...not jets ...
Wish all good luck ....
Just to let you guys know, I'm in Corporate now ... having a blast going all over the world with a fantastic airplane ...
Keep it safe ...
Pilocol
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"The "RAC" (Colombian Aeronautical Rules), and the "Commerce Code" require all captains to be Colombian citizens."
In other words, a pilot still has the chance to get hired by a Colombian carrier as an F/O even if not being a Colombian Citizen or Resident? Does anyone knows how the process runs? Can a specific airline establish a standard of hiring only "local" pilots or does the rule applies of all of them in Colombia?
In case you might be interested, I called AeroClub in Bogota last month and they told me they do FAA-to-Colombian license conversions for around 5,000,000 COP (aprox $2,500 USD).
Regards!
Airliner777
In other words, a pilot still has the chance to get hired by a Colombian carrier as an F/O even if not being a Colombian Citizen or Resident? Does anyone knows how the process runs? Can a specific airline establish a standard of hiring only "local" pilots or does the rule applies of all of them in Colombia?
In case you might be interested, I called AeroClub in Bogota last month and they told me they do FAA-to-Colombian license conversions for around 5,000,000 COP (aprox $2,500 USD).
Regards!
Airliner777
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It is very expensive!
Greetings Airliner 777,
That´s a lot of money for a license conversion!. I did the convalidation of my Canadian CPL-IR in Nicaragua for around US $500.00. And some guys from Spain spent around the same amount as well.
I think that for a colombian citizen who wants to fly commercially back home might be worth it (?), but that is not my case.
The thing that changed my mind about moving to Colombia is the fact that I would be flying as co-pilot for the rest of my career.
I don´t know about you guys but I want to retire from the left seat.
Thanks for the numbers Airliner!
Salud!
That´s a lot of money for a license conversion!. I did the convalidation of my Canadian CPL-IR in Nicaragua for around US $500.00. And some guys from Spain spent around the same amount as well.
I think that for a colombian citizen who wants to fly commercially back home might be worth it (?), but that is not my case.
The thing that changed my mind about moving to Colombia is the fact that I would be flying as co-pilot for the rest of my career.
I don´t know about you guys but I want to retire from the left seat.
Thanks for the numbers Airliner!
Salud!
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Keep in mind that if you are granted an interview after spending $2500 to $4000 USD for the conversion, your competition will be former airline guys that use to fly for Avianca, Aces or Sam and are now in the middle east. But because of contract terminations or just things not working out, they are returning home and find themselves looking for a job back where they first started. All they have to do is call uncle Mario which is friend's with the nephew's brother's sister's cousin that can walk his/her resume and no questions ask.
Had a friend that went thru this crap with AeroRepublica and out of the 6 interview 4 came from some overseas flying. Things didn't work out for them. The other 2 were my buddy and another guy. Now the funny part of the story was that they failed my friend because his english test........Funny ahh!!! he just came from the states to do this, in fact he just converted his FAA to their license.......ahh and he's lived in the states for over 24 years and speaks perfect english.
Had a friend that went thru this crap with AeroRepublica and out of the 6 interview 4 came from some overseas flying. Things didn't work out for them. The other 2 were my buddy and another guy. Now the funny part of the story was that they failed my friend because his english test........Funny ahh!!! he just came from the states to do this, in fact he just converted his FAA to their license.......ahh and he's lived in the states for over 24 years and speaks perfect english.
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english...
Agentdenzel,
I am sorry to hear that about your buddy, but the hiring process there is not clear nor fair at all. On the other hand I have to disagree with you on who si actually applying for those jobs, about 85% of the potential airline pilots are just brand new with Zero experience pilots, basically out of school. a lot of those ex Aces and others, would never leave their current contract to fly as a FO and making only $2,000 USD at max.
Take care guys, keep the blue side up!!!
I am sorry to hear that about your buddy, but the hiring process there is not clear nor fair at all. On the other hand I have to disagree with you on who si actually applying for those jobs, about 85% of the potential airline pilots are just brand new with Zero experience pilots, basically out of school. a lot of those ex Aces and others, would never leave their current contract to fly as a FO and making only $2,000 USD at max.
Take care guys, keep the blue side up!!!
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Any info about Avianca and Aires hiring this year??
Hi everybody!! I am looking for some information about Avianca or Aires. I want to know first if they are hiring and if so, how is the hiring process, what I need to do to work in any of this places, how much money they pay? how long it takes to upgrade and pretty much the whole quality of Life? do they hire DECs? and how hard is to become a Line check airman or flight SIM/IOE Flight instructor. this is my background....
I was born and raised in Bogota Colombia so I have dual citizenship "american and Colombian" I speak perfect spanish too. I actually took some flight lesons back in 1995 with IVIETA a flight school by 'el centro commercial el dorado" but the fliying was done out of the Ibague Airport; but I never finished my Colombian priate; instead when i was 17 I came back to the states to finish my staff here. Currently I hold a FAA ATP with a DASh 8 type and a CRJ type I still have my CFI, CFII and AGI licenses. I have 7000 TT, 5500 multi, 4000 turboprop from DCH-8, Caravan, Metroliner and King-air 200 and 500 CRJ jet time. about 2500 Part 121 PIC and 1500 part 135 PIC. and about 1000 SIC. I was a flight instructor for about a year and a half too. I have a degree in Aviation from embry Riddle aeronautical University.
The regional airline I fly for here in the U.S. is downsizing and they will be downgrading me at the end of the year to CRJ FO, so I think since Avianca is growing this might be a unique opportunity. My uncle is a MD80 Capt there and he says they are buying many planes this year. and since Aires flies Dash 8s I might get a better chance there??. Thanks in advance!!
I was born and raised in Bogota Colombia so I have dual citizenship "american and Colombian" I speak perfect spanish too. I actually took some flight lesons back in 1995 with IVIETA a flight school by 'el centro commercial el dorado" but the fliying was done out of the Ibague Airport; but I never finished my Colombian priate; instead when i was 17 I came back to the states to finish my staff here. Currently I hold a FAA ATP with a DASh 8 type and a CRJ type I still have my CFI, CFII and AGI licenses. I have 7000 TT, 5500 multi, 4000 turboprop from DCH-8, Caravan, Metroliner and King-air 200 and 500 CRJ jet time. about 2500 Part 121 PIC and 1500 part 135 PIC. and about 1000 SIC. I was a flight instructor for about a year and a half too. I have a degree in Aviation from embry Riddle aeronautical University.
The regional airline I fly for here in the U.S. is downsizing and they will be downgrading me at the end of the year to CRJ FO, so I think since Avianca is growing this might be a unique opportunity. My uncle is a MD80 Capt there and he says they are buying many planes this year. and since Aires flies Dash 8s I might get a better chance there??. Thanks in advance!!
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Hey Dash...
I suggest you two things,
1. talk to your uncle, he has all the real insights about Avianca, and plus you have a connection ( you are in )
2. read from the beggining of this thread is pretty well informative.
3. it take about 13 years to make it as capt in Avianca.
take care, if I were you... I would think about it more.
Take care....
I suggest you two things,
1. talk to your uncle, he has all the real insights about Avianca, and plus you have a connection ( you are in )
2. read from the beggining of this thread is pretty well informative.
3. it take about 13 years to make it as capt in Avianca.
take care, if I were you... I would think about it more.
Take care....
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I agree with HDG 090
Denver Pilot,
With all the experience that you have you can get a very good gig in the middle east... yeah I know that sucks to spend some years of your life in the "sand box"... but anyways. I would say that it depends on what you are looking for:
- Money?,
- Or to make the dream of flying in your home country come true? (Which I did and I don´t regret)
If your uncle can get you a left seat job in little or no time, I´d say GO!.
There´s nothing like the status of a pilot who flies for a major airline in Latin America!....
You know what I mean!.
Take care amigo!
DÍAZ
With all the experience that you have you can get a very good gig in the middle east... yeah I know that sucks to spend some years of your life in the "sand box"... but anyways. I would say that it depends on what you are looking for:
- Money?,
- Or to make the dream of flying in your home country come true? (Which I did and I don´t regret)
If your uncle can get you a left seat job in little or no time, I´d say GO!.
There´s nothing like the status of a pilot who flies for a major airline in Latin America!....
You know what I mean!.Take care amigo!
DÍAZ
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There is no way that a connection can put you on the left seat in Avianca.... unless your connection is Mr. Fabio Villegas, or in fact Mr. German Efromovich.
take care....!!!
take care....!!!
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Maybe!
Quoting HDG090:
...unless your connection is Mr. Fabio Villegas, or in fact Mr. German Efromovich.
...
Maybe one of them is HIS uncle!... GOSH HDG090!!!, what is wrong with you lately!?!?.
Be nice to the guy, apologize, wish him good luck and maybe he´ll help you out. You never know.
DÍAZ
P.S. CHILL!!!
...unless your connection is Mr. Fabio Villegas, or in fact Mr. German Efromovich.
...Maybe one of them is HIS uncle!... GOSH HDG090!!!, what is wrong with you lately!?!?.
Be nice to the guy, apologize, wish him good luck and maybe he´ll help you out. You never know.DÍAZ
P.S. CHILL!!!
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DashDenver.
With the experience you have, you could get a DEC position in AIRES. They are looking for captains for the Dash 8s, since the DHC8 captains are being upgraded to de B737s.
Cheers!!!!
AA
With the experience you have, you could get a DEC position in AIRES. They are looking for captains for the Dash 8s, since the DHC8 captains are being upgraded to de B737s.
Cheers!!!!
AA
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chill
ahhahahah, I am chilling here, I am just trying to be really honest to you guys, of course I wish everybody the best, but if someone here is seeking opinions comming from experience, then you will have it.
NO SURPRISES.!!!
Take care......!!!!
NO SURPRISES.!!!
Take care......!!!!
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No DECs in Avianca I am told... even ex pilots trying to get back into AVA would start at the bottom of the heap...again! it the way their seniority works....a long line from 1 to 600 or so. you fly FO from small to big then Capt from small to big...then retire if you make it. This comes from a friend that works there.
That type of experience you´d be wasting your time in colombia...sorry. Id look East! Or maybe some crop sprayng for anti narcotics? they pay reasonably well.
MRC
That type of experience you´d be wasting your time in colombia...sorry. Id look East! Or maybe some crop sprayng for anti narcotics? they pay reasonably well.
MRC
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Dash,
Stay in america, avianca won´t be hiring for the rest of 2009, maybe in 2010 but we have to wait and see, you have a lot of experience you´d be wasting you time in the right seat of a Fk50, like everyone else has said look east or look into Aires, I have heard of DEC´s there but not in AVA, that will never happen, ACDAC (colombian version of ALPA) will never allow it, even efromovich himself can´t make it happen, what´s your uncle´s name?? maybe I've flown with him.
Cheers.
Jc.
Stay in america, avianca won´t be hiring for the rest of 2009, maybe in 2010 but we have to wait and see, you have a lot of experience you´d be wasting you time in the right seat of a Fk50, like everyone else has said look east or look into Aires, I have heard of DEC´s there but not in AVA, that will never happen, ACDAC (colombian version of ALPA) will never allow it, even efromovich himself can´t make it happen, what´s your uncle´s name?? maybe I've flown with him.
Cheers.
Jc.
Last edited by AVApilot; 2nd Jan 2010 at 18:46.
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dashDENVERpilot
Not to say my luck is like yours to discourage you or anything like that but in my case I tried the DEC’S at Aires and it didn’t work, I know Capt friend there that tried to help me but for some reason my stuff got lost in the system and they couldn’t find it. I sent it again and took them two weeks to reply (we are reviewing your application and will call you when we have an opening for you). I said it before and was told by several Captains down there as well, they are very much disorganized with the whole hiring process, so maybe you luck is better than mine. Also remember that you must do a license conversion before you apply, otherwise they probably will not even look at your stuff. You will spend about anywhere between $2500 to $4000 dollars to do everything depending on the school you go to and how quick they are with the overall process. After all this, you still don’t know if you are going to be granted an interview or not…….. I say stay in touch with your uncle, that is close family and sadly enough is the only way things roll in Colombia.
BTW my qualifications are FAA ATP CFII, MEI 6000 TT, 4000 PIC, 2500Turbine, 1500 Turboprop, 1000Jet 500 PIC Jet, Types 737, and GV. I am currently looking at some stuff in the Middle East.
Not to say my luck is like yours to discourage you or anything like that but in my case I tried the DEC’S at Aires and it didn’t work, I know Capt friend there that tried to help me but for some reason my stuff got lost in the system and they couldn’t find it. I sent it again and took them two weeks to reply (we are reviewing your application and will call you when we have an opening for you). I said it before and was told by several Captains down there as well, they are very much disorganized with the whole hiring process, so maybe you luck is better than mine. Also remember that you must do a license conversion before you apply, otherwise they probably will not even look at your stuff. You will spend about anywhere between $2500 to $4000 dollars to do everything depending on the school you go to and how quick they are with the overall process. After all this, you still don’t know if you are going to be granted an interview or not…….. I say stay in touch with your uncle, that is close family and sadly enough is the only way things roll in Colombia.
BTW my qualifications are FAA ATP CFII, MEI 6000 TT, 4000 PIC, 2500Turbine, 1500 Turboprop, 1000Jet 500 PIC Jet, Types 737, and GV. I am currently looking at some stuff in the Middle East.
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Sorry but its true
There are varying realities, depending on your point of view, heres mine:
AVA is a growing, strong airline, with lots of history and xperience, BUT:
The work culture is one of the 1950´s (or in some cases before).
many Captains today treat FOs the way there were treated back in the days CRM was not born yet
They beleive they (Captains) invented aviation (and CRM), and work with that attitude...its sucks as an FO, FA, or mechanic. Its actually quite sad to see how the need for work makes people take any crap they are thrown.
Sure the social "status" in latin america pilots are given is high, but it does not mean anything if its a torture going 9 hours flying a day with a d/(&%$head on your left side.
Company does not have a bidding system. You can ask for particular flight or off days, but somehow only SOME people ALWAYS get them...
Holidays? a joke (they owe me years worth), plus if you have family, forget sharing your time off with them...you cant really ask for holidays, you are assigned holidays whenever they want...like it or not...so much for the fantastic tickets you get. NOT.
If you are not in the club...your no one! and the money and retirement fund scheme...HAHHAHAHA!
And sorry to say this is the best in COlombia. You guys in the US, Europe... id strongly consider your options before wasting time here
Obviously I m looking at getting the hellout of here, or doing something else...
AVA is a growing, strong airline, with lots of history and xperience, BUT:
The work culture is one of the 1950´s (or in some cases before).
many Captains today treat FOs the way there were treated back in the days CRM was not born yet
They beleive they (Captains) invented aviation (and CRM), and work with that attitude...its sucks as an FO, FA, or mechanic. Its actually quite sad to see how the need for work makes people take any crap they are thrown.
Sure the social "status" in latin america pilots are given is high, but it does not mean anything if its a torture going 9 hours flying a day with a d/(&%$head on your left side.
Company does not have a bidding system. You can ask for particular flight or off days, but somehow only SOME people ALWAYS get them...
Holidays? a joke (they owe me years worth), plus if you have family, forget sharing your time off with them...you cant really ask for holidays, you are assigned holidays whenever they want...like it or not...so much for the fantastic tickets you get. NOT.
If you are not in the club...your no one! and the money and retirement fund scheme...HAHHAHAHA!
And sorry to say this is the best in COlombia. You guys in the US, Europe... id strongly consider your options before wasting time here
Obviously I m looking at getting the hellout of here, or doing something else...
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frustration!!!
Hey Lab Erinto,
I feel your frustration, and I know exactly what you are going through.... but remember, for a lot of those guys is just about pride !!!
I just hope you can get the hell out of there, but in the meantime, at least you are flying, and building experience. I know that having a A320SIC is good for nothing in a different country other Colombia, but I can't enforce it enough....YOU are flying!!!!!!!
Check your PM.
Keep the blue side up...
WELCOME TO THIS FORUM!!!! HAHAHAHA
I feel your frustration, and I know exactly what you are going through.... but remember, for a lot of those guys is just about pride !!!
I just hope you can get the hell out of there, but in the meantime, at least you are flying, and building experience. I know that having a A320SIC is good for nothing in a different country other Colombia, but I can't enforce it enough....YOU are flying!!!!!!!
Check your PM.
Keep the blue side up...
WELCOME TO THIS FORUM!!!! HAHAHAHA
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Hi Lab Erinto
I have a close friend there, and can second what you are saying. Hopefully things will get organised in the future (near future) because it does create frustration. Hang on, a good wave will come again if you are looking at moving!!
MRC
I have a close friend there, and can second what you are saying. Hopefully things will get organised in the future (near future) because it does create frustration. Hang on, a good wave will come again if you are looking at moving!!
MRC