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DHL Leipzig Interview

Freight Dogs Finally a forum for those midnight prowler types who utilise the unglamorous parts of airports that many of us never get to see. Freight Dogs is for pilots and crew who operate mostly without SLF.

DHL Leipzig Interview

Old 5th Mar 2011, 17:08
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Unfortunately AOC (Altenburg) will no longer be served by Ryanair from the end of March. Speaking to the check in staff today they are ever hopeful of an eleventh hour reprive but it is not looking good. In fact it looks like the airport will close completely after the final Ryanair flight. Meaning the best connections are either via train and SXF/TXL or Germanwings LEJ - CGN then easyJet to the UK. There is also a daily direct DRS - LHR with LH. Such a shame LEJ is not utilized for UK flights, it has some excellent facilities and is well under used.
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Old 6th Mar 2011, 09:19
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Or a commercial flight to any of the airports served by DHL and that have evening freighters to LEJ. eg bgy, waw, muc, str, ams, cdg, vit, lys, bru. just a thought.
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Old 9th Mar 2011, 08:59
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Or a commercial flight to any of the airports served by DHL and that have evening freighters to LEJ. eg bgy, waw, muc, str, ams, cdg, vit, lys, bru. just a thought
That's exhausting and pretty much risky I would say.
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Old 9th Mar 2011, 10:22
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Exhausting? If you are responsible - and all those who do this I know are - you will ensure you get to LEJ in time to achieve adequate rest prior to operating.
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Old 9th Mar 2011, 11:05
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No doubt that most people are responsible, but commuting is exhausting, especially when you have to catch several flights. It's only fine when you have lots of direct and cheap flights every day. Otherwise, what if your first flight is delayed or cancelled? what if DHL flight is delayed also, or no jumpseats are available? will you get to your base on time? you can always get a backup plan and take a very early flight and then wait during hours and hours in the airport terminal or in a hotel room (at your own expense), or you can commute the day before your duties and get bored in a cheap hotel room during your lasts 2 days off. At the end that's a crappy lifestyle. You'll spend your days ON away from home and family, and exactly the same will actually happen during most of your days OFF. It's even better to live at LEJ with your family.
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Old 9th Mar 2011, 15:18
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Best solution undoubtedly is to live in/near LEJ. However it is possible to commute and avoid hotels and "hub" living by sharing an apartment. This can work out surprisingly reasonable and relatively hassle free.
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Old 9th Mar 2011, 18:56
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Are they still looking for bods? I'm not TR, but quite fancy the idea of living in/near LEP. T'other day I was there and it doesn't look like a bad place; and I need a change of scenery. On top of that, reading this thread, they seem to be a good bunch to work for.
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Old 9th Mar 2011, 19:07
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We are still recruiting and we are a nice bunch!
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Old 10th Mar 2011, 04:50
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That's good to know. PPJN says 1500 TT with 500 jet or TP >10t- is this holding true? I've got about 2600h, most of which is TP but not >10t.
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Old 10th Mar 2011, 07:41
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Don't know. Given up trying to fathom out the workings of the recruiting process!
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Old 11th Mar 2011, 05:51
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Smile

With 14 A300-600 allegedly on the way to EAT LEJ and 3 B-767 to DHLAir UK next year,my guess is there may well be flight crew jobs at both companys in the near future.
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Old 11th Mar 2011, 08:49
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So the latest rumour is now 14 A300-600s.
Last week it was 7, the week before it was 3.

What about A320s?
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Old 11th Mar 2011, 13:27
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LEJ Contractair Commute

Just to fill in a few guys on the reality of the contract with Contractair at DHL.

The contract itself is not a bad one, the pay is good and as many have said, your roster will change inside your block of working days (but then again who cares if they sleep in a hotel in Lyon or Casablanca?)

The commute is manageable as many guys do it on a daily basis. However, the jump seat to and from LEJ is completely on your own doing and there are no guaranteed jump seats. Until that door closes and you've pushed off stand you could in theory be asked to disembark. It hasn't happened to me but it is a possibility. Contractair do not provide jumpseats or accommodation at LEJ, that is at your own cost. Having said that I've only had to stay in a Hotel in LEJ for 1 night since Christmas.

The roster is published approx a month in hand (i.e. you'd get April's Roster at the start of March). I was told there would be a fixed roster 5 on 4 off, but this isn't the case. There is a plan to give 9 on and 5 off (with the first and last of the 9 on being rest days, so effectively 7 on 7 off) but that would mean a single day off in the middle at LEJ more than likely a weekend.

A many have said, it's a good job, interesting flying, good colleagues and the company is probably one of the most stable/profitable out there. There is a rumor of the 767 being offered to LEJ based crews who have the required hours and have done over 12 months at the company.

As far as the EAT Airbus issue is concerned, I've heard from a few "Office Workers" that there seems to be a great deal of A300's in Dresden form an Asian Carrier that they are seriously looking into converting into Freighters and bringing on the books. No hard set plans but I do now that there have been a few visits from LEJ to Dresden to have a look at the aircraft. Not heard anything about the A320.

I'm currently on my last rotation at DHL and I'm leaving next week, so that should be another vacancy in the RHS. I know of a fair few going to BA, TCX and Jet2 from the RHS therefore leaving vacancies.

Feel free to PM me if you need any info. good luck
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Old 24th Mar 2011, 16:08
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So the latest rumour is now 14 A300-600s.
Last week it was 7, the week before it was 3.

What about A320s?
I've heard recently that this deal is over. It seems that an american company has already purchased them.
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Old 24th Mar 2011, 16:29
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He who hesitates is lost
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Old 1st Apr 2011, 00:07
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Hello all,

Im coming up on 1500hrs 737 and just wondering what life is like at DHL. Im 23, married with a house in the midlands and looking for a stable long term career airline with opportunities for command and training posts.

It looks like the new spots are for LEJ, what are the chances of getting back to EMA? Is the work condusive to a decent home life with wife and kids?

cheers
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Old 1st Apr 2011, 06:21
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Not if you want to stay in the midlands.

Recruitment is for an LEJ contract with no prospect of a return to EMA.

If you do not want to move don't bother. Commuting is hell. Especially on a young family.

For anybody who is thinking about it.

Fatigue. Chronic fatigue comes with the job. Night freight is hard on the body and mind. 5-6 hours sleep in 24 if you are lucky. 2-4 hours spent sitting around in the LEJ canteen, between sectors. There are not that many bunks. The last thing you want to add to that is trying to get yourself back to the UK after 5 days out. Your family will suffer as much as you when you get back.

All Standbys’ will be done in LEJ. Jump seats to and from the UK are full. You are expected to be in LEJ 12 hours before your duty and have somewhere other than the hub to get good rest before reporting.

The only way to get any quality of life is to move to LEJ if you have a family. You will get very little in the way of support from the company with your move and very little information on the in's and out's of life in Germany.

Pilots living in Germany will be subject to German taxes as of the beginning of April.

The Pound vs. Euro, Interbank rate currently £1 = €1.13

There are no direct passenger flights from LEJ. If your close family is in the UK they will be at least 6-7 hours travelling time from you and £150 - 300 average in travel costs.

It is blxxdy freezing in the winter.

LEJ was Soviet block until the early 90's. If you can't speak German, Russian would be your best bet if the person you are trying to communicate with is in their mid 30's or older. It is not West Germany, English speakers are not that common.

Having said this, if you live in LEJ, are of the right mindset and have the balls to make it work for you it could be just what you are looking for. If you have a family make sure your partner knows what they are in for and make sure they a prepared to learn German. There are some good language schools that will sort them out. Unfortunately for you, if you do not already have a grasp of German, picking up the language will be hard as the company does not provide any language support.

LEJ is a good city with money being spent on it, there are worse places you can be. Several places in the UK spring to mind for starters! It is a cultural city with an interesting history if that is your thing. In the summer it is a good place and people say it is good for a young family. Some good bars and nice restaurants. Good, but expensive shops.

You are not far from Prague and less than 2hours from Berlin.

The Christmas market is good especially if you like gluhwien! You are 5 hours by car from skiing in Austria.

Good Beer and Bratwurst!

The more people that move with their families the more support there will be. There are families already in LEJ and most likely more people will be moving out.

If you do get offered a job with DHL, before you start get your self and any significant other out to Leipzig and have a look at the place. I am sure the DHL HR dept could put you in touch with a few people who live out there.


Moving countries is not for the faint hearted. This is not the forces. You will have do everything yourself and there is a language barrier.

You might enjoy the challenge though! Depends on the sort of person you are!
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Old 1st Apr 2011, 11:50
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If you r invited, do you also have to do these bloody dlr tests.???

Gryz
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Old 1st Apr 2011, 13:25
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Interview process for me was - a chat with a management pilot and a HR lady, with a few technical questions and a simple problem solving exercise thrown in.
A couple of weeks later - 757 sim ride at Cranebank, involving a SID, VOR/NDB tracking to procedural ILS. Twice if required.
All very civilised.
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Old 1st Apr 2011, 16:39
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DLR tests are for EAT Leipzig. Not DHL Air.

DHL Air is more realistic. They are not trying to recruit astronauts whilst paying the wage of a humble cleaner. The German union should be looking hard at EAT LEJ.
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