Qantas upgrade
Qantas upgrade
Join Date: Jun 2001
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A bit like asking "how long is a piece of string" Jet man.
It can take anything from a few months to 10 or more years to go from S/O to F/O and a simlar story from F/O to Capt.
It all depends on when you get in and what is happening within the airline at the time (i.e. expansion,new A/C etc.)
Right now there is fairly rapid promotion in most ranks,but that has not been the case in the not too distant past and will no doubt slow down again in the future.
There is rapid expansion in the B737 ranks at the moment and that has been stagnant for years.
On the other hand expansion on the B767 has slowed from a frantic pace over the last few years.
I know guys who were S/Os for 10+ years and others who had a B744 Command in not much longer (15-16).
Luck of the draw.
It can take anything from a few months to 10 or more years to go from S/O to F/O and a simlar story from F/O to Capt.
It all depends on when you get in and what is happening within the airline at the time (i.e. expansion,new A/C etc.)
Right now there is fairly rapid promotion in most ranks,but that has not been the case in the not too distant past and will no doubt slow down again in the future.
There is rapid expansion in the B737 ranks at the moment and that has been stagnant for years.
On the other hand expansion on the B767 has slowed from a frantic pace over the last few years.
I know guys who were S/Os for 10+ years and others who had a B744 Command in not much longer (15-16).
Luck of the draw.
Nunc est bibendum
Current crop of commanders are doing it in about 12-13 years Although you have to remember that QF took a truck load of guys in in the late eighties leading up to the dispute and the Gulf War.
Some of the guys on the crest of that wave did it in 9-10 years.
F/Os are currently about 2 years although some are getting it shorter than that. I'd expect this to blow out a little to 3-5 as the training slows down from it's breakneck pace of the last few years.
Of course, it depends on expansion, retirments and so on. There are about 150 blokes due to hit sixty over the next five years but with the advent of the 737 being available to the most seniot to 'bid back' to, it means that they can go beyond 60. (But don't get me started on bidding issues related to THAT!)
OTher than that, it is still a great job whether as a S/O of a F/O but I can understand the desire to get the front left seat.
Some of the guys on the crest of that wave did it in 9-10 years.
F/Os are currently about 2 years although some are getting it shorter than that. I'd expect this to blow out a little to 3-5 as the training slows down from it's breakneck pace of the last few years.
Of course, it depends on expansion, retirments and so on. There are about 150 blokes due to hit sixty over the next five years but with the advent of the 737 being available to the most seniot to 'bid back' to, it means that they can go beyond 60. (But don't get me started on bidding issues related to THAT!)
OTher than that, it is still a great job whether as a S/O of a F/O but I can understand the desire to get the front left seat.
Last edited by Keg; 17th Apr 2002 at 13:20.
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Thanks guys. Might have a go and apply. Am currently flying B737 in Europe and in mid-30s so I wasn't sure if it was worth a punt. Want to move back donwunder! In your opinions would the Qantas route be better than Singapore Airlines (Mauritius) based from Australia? (the question may be irrelevant because I'm not sure if they're hiring!)
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Jet Man, Keg's on the money. Minimum time to FO in recent history is about 10 months, but 12 is the 'standard' low. 'Standard' maximum at the moment is about 3-4 years for people with low hours. So the average is probably about a year and a half... However, the backlog is building up so the time will probably increase over the next few years. Many of the current senior Captains spent over 10 years with 2 bars!
Maybe TIMTOFO and TIMTOCPT should be available as an ACMS pneumonic!
Lancer
Maybe TIMTOFO and TIMTOCPT should be available as an ACMS pneumonic!
Lancer
Last edited by *Lancer*; 17th Apr 2002 at 22:11.
Join Date: Aug 1998
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I got a go after 9 mths as a SO. Not normal but it seems that during this time of expansion that things are happening quicker than normal. How long will it last? Until the 380 finishes integration at my guess.
