West Atlantic

[pilot freak]

Same here and still waiting for a response.

[BentleyTheDog]

Another month has passed, anyone heard anything yet?

[pilot freak]

Nothing yet, Anyone else?

[SaulGoodman]

What did happen with the 737F in Marseille?

[Ramses II]

I have had no reaction on the october application whatsoever except for the confirmation mail. Now they have re-opened recruitment again for NTR FO's 737. How strange.

[pilot freak]

I'm in the same boat as you are!

[Jaygilly]

Do you think west Atlantic will start recruiting low hour pilots that have just finished there training. I have noticed the FO job vacancies they have has no hour requirements.

[cttime]

Originally Posted by Jaygilly

Do you think west Atlantic will start recruiting low hour pilots that have just finished there training. I have noticed the FO job vacancies they have has no hour requirements.

The only way to know is to apply.

[SaulGoodman]

They have done it in the past and it is not likely they have a lot of experienced pilots lined up, especially not on turbo prop. If there is a time it is now! Mind you that it will take forever to gain hours at WA...

[pilot freak]

Originally Posted by SaulGoodman

They have done it in the past and it is not likely they have a lot of experienced pilots lined up, especially not on turbo prop. If there is a time it is now! Mind you that it will take forever to gain hours at WA...

What is the average hours a FO fly annually?

[Rottweiler22]

Originally Posted by pilot freak

What is the average hours a FO fly annually?

Between 200 and 300 hours per year, I was told. Lots of short sectors, and short nights. Freight isn’t the best way of building hours and experience, I’m afraid.

[hard_landing]

Is EMA the only pilot base? I've seen WA 737s parked during the day at a few regional bases.

[Banana Joe]

Originally Posted by hard_landing

Is EMA the only pilot base? I've seen WA 737s parked during the day at a few regional bases.

Day stops. They fly to their base or "focus" airports like Liège in the night.

[Fanor]

Has anyone applied for the NTR FO position and heard anything back?

Thanks

[Jaygilly]

Originally Posted by Fanor

Has anyone applied for the NTR FO position and heard anything back?

Thanks

I applied but haven't heard anything, but the applications haven't closed yet

[TFE731]

Originally Posted by hard_landing

Is EMA the only pilot base? I've seen WA 737s parked during the day at a few regional bases.

EMA is the base for the 737. However, with week-on week-off there is no need to live close to EMA.

[Trossie]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler22

Between 200 and 300 hours per year, I was told. Lots of short sectors, and short nights. Freight isn’t the best way of building hours and experience, I’m afraid.

Define 'experience'?

Lots of short sectors,

...seems a good way of building very good experience.

Unless, of course, you are confusing 'hours' with 'experience'?

One could easily argue that a 500 hr regional turbo-prop pilot has a lot more experience than a 500 hr 'bucket and spade flights' A320 pilot.

[Banana Joe]

Lots of ILS to ILS. That's been my experience so far. And weather during the night is also a bit more "friendly" than during the day.

[Rottweiler22]

Originally Posted by Trossie

Define 'experience'?
...seems a good way of building very good experience.

Unless, of course, you are confusing 'hours' with 'experience'?

One could easily argue that a 500 hr regional turbo-prop pilot has a lot more experience than a 500 hr 'bucket and spade flights' A320 pilot.

Not necessarily. This wasn’t the debate I was getting into. I’m sure it’s great experience. Varied airports, quieter and more chilled ATC, plenty of chances to get the autopilot off and have a go. Not to mention a 737 rating, WOWO roster, and the ability to commute to EMA once a week.

But, it can be a slow way to get experience. Short sectors followed by long waits, some 2 sector days and done (I’m not complaining about that!). Granted, there are longer tours, and some are better than others. Then it’s a whole week off. As a new pilot, it could take you the best part of 5 years to unfreeze your ATPL. Quite slow burning for a new pilot who would fly 7 days a week if they could (I know I would have).

Possibly. The regional prop pilot will have probably done more sectors, turnarounds, take-offs, landings, and seen more dodgy weather up in the Scottish Islands than an Airbus pilot. So quality stick time, yes. Got the t-shirt for that one. Personally, I’d rather point my Airbus in the right direction for 3 hours, than do a 6 sector Sumburgh, but that’s for another day.

[SaulGoodman]

Unless West Atlantic is your end goal, 250 hours is not good for a low timer. I have been in night freight and it could take 10 years to get 2500 hours to be able to get a left seat or be interesting for another “better” airline. Sure, WOWO is great. But this job is more interesting for a DEC that is after lifestyle then it is for a 200hr CPL guy. In aviation anything can happen and believe me when I say it is better to be made redundant with 2000 hours A320/737NG then with 500 hours 737CL or ATP.
Positive though is the roster and the operation is dead simple. No stress whatsoever. I am not 100% sure but I believe the money is better with EAT/DHK/ASL and Star Air.