CC, thanks for the answer. It is as I suspected. You are a captain who has been here roughly 6 years, so your salary is 29,510/mth. At 2.78, that is oz 10,615, NOT oz 14,000. The erp will disappear in around 2.5 years if the AUD remains roughly where it is. And remember, lots of our colleagues are not receiving erp at present. You are a trainer, and hence you get the 5,825, but that is an additional allowance. And you have done 15.5 hours of overtime, something the B blokes aren't doing (at present anyway), giving another 6,200. (I'm also guessing there probably weren't a lot of days off, free of jet lag, after that lot). As for the education allowance, you are not getting 100% coverage, and I maintain you can get equally as good schooling in oz for the difference between the EK allowance, and the Varkhi fees. The profit share has been good, but it is profit share, not a bonus, and the rulers pretty much decide what they allow us to have. As for the provident fund, you are getting 12%, and in oz super is paid at 9%. However, in the last 7 years, my oz super has doubled, giving an effective return of 10%/annum. The A and B funds here have not even come close.

What I do agree with is that flying aeroplanes in oz has become a joke, and any form of Jet* is not the answer. Supply and demand, and there is still an enormous supply down there. Solution is to stay put until the s*** bucket overflows, then try something different. As I said, there are still lots of good things in EK as well.

GJ.

Not trying to give you a rise, I understand from friends how bad things are for you guys over there.

As far as IR legislation goes, ours has just been thrown out thw window by the howards govt.

The comment was made that waiting for supply and demand to be more in the pilots favour would be a good thing.

This is good advice

better option?
 

Guys, if you are thinking of leaving the desert and coming home, ozjet may be a better option. They have just had their AOC approved, and Stoddart appears to have deep pockets.

The deal is not great, but stacks up well compared to Jetstar International. A flat 120K for a captain to fly 737-200 domestically, with no up front endorsement payment (3 year bond). And a DTA payment of $75 per overnight. Home a decent amount, so some semblance of family life.

J* will require you to pay for your endorsement, and then offer 160K with no allowances. On your overnights you will burn a huge amount of after tax cash out of your own pocket. If as indicated they start flying to Japan, Europe and the States, imagine how much it will cost you. And if Joyce has his way you will be overseas more often than not. There will be no family life. I would avoid this like the plague.

All things considered, the gap between the two is not that great. Ozjet are desparate for pilots, so it may be worthwhile to head there and wait until Joyce offers a reasonable package before jumping ship.

http://www.ozjet.com.au/employment/pilot1.aspx and click on employment terms and conditions for the package.

Food for thought...

Lets not forget that Stoddart still hasn't paid the aircrew and other staff from his UK operation that he pretended to shutdown. Do a search before you work for him.

You are kidding aren't you Metroboy?

Give up a nice 777 or bus to fly an ol'shi*ta -200 for $120 K (less tax), working for a startup about to face some very strong players? Insane!

I think I'll take the extra 40K and fly a new bus, and I know for sure they will pay some overnight allowances (tax free).

:confused:

Icebreaker.

Just interested in how you know "for sure" that allowances will be paid. QF mainline is doing everything in its power to get rid of allowances. Also the ATO taxes allowances on all crew that are paid in Australia (if thats the way it goes)

I would be astonished if JQ int paid more

Additionally, JQ international will be crewed from outside JQ aust and QF mainline.

Latest is that Joyce is looking to have pilot / crew basings offshore (maybe Sin - he has been up there three times in the last fortnight) to save on payroll tax ect.

Also to help with depreciation of a/c ect


Good luck

Stoddart has once again declared IAL insolvent and laid all staff off. Gosh, I'd really want to work for him!!

Doesn't Surprise Me
 

I think Ozjet are trying as many good folk do when they want to start a business but, as I said, I couldn't accept a position from them because I was not able to see far enough ahead in their plans.

But when you do read about them in the UK you gotta stop and think there is something not right. Anyway time will tell.

The ATO does NOT tax allowances that are associated with overnights. DTA for day trips is taxed.

Escape Slide, J* are about to start A320 International Ops next month I think, with crew to be based in Christchurch.

BB

No need to worry about our meal allowances being taxed here in Oz, the politicians claim a fortune every year in travel allowances as does the public service. They will ensure that this stays tax free.:)

Jetstar advertising for drivers in the Middle East
 

Todays Gulf News had an ad in the Appointments section.

Jetstar are recruiting pilots for their longhaul operations.

Suitably qualified Captains and First Officers are requested to apply.


Should be interesting to see how many leave Noteatingham to go home.

halas

.....and they are paying ohhhh so much!!! NOT!

Caynine
There comes a time (usually on account of cronic fatigue and no familly life) when money takes a backseat to lifestyle. There was a time when the people comming to the Middle East were doing so because of the huge increase in disposable income (and hense savings for retirement or whatever) and an increase in lifestyle. Over the past few years it has not kept up with one, and is now struggling with the other. Jeststar won't be for everyone, but you can bet that there will be enough that have had it with this region and leave. Whether they go to Jetstar or to one of the many others carriers only now starting to hire, it's going to give the operators here yet one more thing to complicate expansion plans. ...As if they don't have enough on their plates already!


For some, just getting out of the sandpit is necessary just to save a marriage or whatever. If it gets the family back to home turf, if even for a short while , untill something better comes along then there will be those who go. It's sad the demise of the industry that has taken place of late. Perhaps once again the cycle will swing back in our favour. I just hope it's soon...
The saying "What comes around goes around" usually applies to those companies with disregard for their employees.

I guess time will show whether money or lifestyle is gonna win. I'm looking forward to hearing about some positive changes for you guys.

If only they left!
 

Nothing against them guys who would be able to get that job. But I sure do hope that a lot of them actually do leave. For two reasons: Hopefully the ones that moan the most will have a chance to finally show what they're up to and capable of. And secondly that the number of guys going will increase the pressure on EK to do something about the whole package.
The thing is that I see neither happening - as usual :(
Probably those will hit the road that are nice to fly with, and who are straight and normal guys. Nobody wants those others anymore, they have their attitude engraved in their eyes meanwhile, in their posture, in their talk, everything. Once you do it too often it becomes your personality. Unfortunately.

I'd take a very close look at the conditions of service at Jet* before joining it for "Lifestyle"!!!

If by "lifestyle" you mean a dispo for 1000hrs, gauranteed days off in your slip port, and all expenses paid "by you" training, better get those applications in! :ok: Maybe think about getting a camper trailer to leave in the car park at work so the family get to see you more! Hang on, arent they going to charge staff for parking??? :confused:

Yes, the choices are clear, money and no lifestyle, or no money and no lifestyle. "Oh Manner from heaven!" :}

JETSTAR!?!?!?!
You must be kidding! The Jetstar boys and girls recently signed off on a pilot deal that has destroyed Australian Aviation, from a professional pilot's career perspective. If anybody thinks that the Jetstar offer provides EITHER money or lifestyle, then PLEASE explain it to me?!
Yes, they probably will get a few people for a variety of reasons, but to consider a A330 Airline Captain as worth the same money as a Sydney Metro Train driver is a pretty good indication of where Qantas management hold the credibility of their pilots. The Qantas bosses tried it on (probably giggling behind their hands saying "nobody will be stupid enough to sign off on this, but hey, lets try it and see!") and sure enough..........
I don't blame the pilots for taking whatever position they signed off on, but the basic pilot quality of "doing whatever it takes to get my ass in a bigger shinier jet" has been , in this case especially, masterfully manipulated by the big Dick(son).
You've made your bed of nails guys and girls: I just hope you can eventually get comfortable laying on it.
All the best.....CTOAN

I haven't seen too many longhaul command opportunties arising in OZ !!!!!;)
it could be worth a sniff ....even if it's short-term...you can always re join EK as a DEC on a higher salary !!!!!!!!!!! and you never know the long awaited OZ/NZ base might become a reality.:ok:

ah yes the shades of green on the other side of the fence..... poisonous weeds maybe???

There is nothing good about the jetstar package, Dixon will continue to reek havoc on all and sundry in Oz till there is absolutely no incentive whatsoever to take up flying as a career.

Vale Oz/NZ aviation.