empati

Good luck with your schedule.

Where is this world going?

It is hard to believe that this company actually get pilot applicants, when there are plenty of better jobs out there for low timers with much better contracts. Check Norwegian, Netjets, Ryanair, Easyjet, Parc Aviation, ++++ ,some better than other.

I read this tread and my stomack turns. Get a grip! Do not sell yourselves!!

Stay awake, avoid fatigue, fly safe!!

















i

topper74

"It is hard to believe that this company actually get pilot applicants, when there are plenty of better jobs out there for low timers with much better contracts. Check Norwegian, Netjets, Ryanair, Easyjet, Parc Aviation, ++++ ,some better than other."



Aeehmmm .... So why is it u think that ANY of those companies will take a guy with lets say 300 tt and a TR ???
So.... As I see it AirBaltic has , no matter which terms and conditions they offer, given me the possibillity to start my carreer.

And... Dont u think that a lot of us has tried applying to a lot of other companies as well ??

empati

No offense intended! Just illustrating my frustation at this industry. Airline management is not really pulling towards flight safety, even though they like to state so in the media. We, the pilots, are the only group with true interest in (the expensive and crew demanding) flight safety.

Yes, take that first job! But don't stop applying other places. Hopefully those airlines with the worst working conditions will have such high turnaround of pilots, increasing cost, that they will have to improve their contracts.

By the way, Norwegian Air Shuttle hire very low timers (300 hours) even though their requirement is high. So keep at it.

Navigator33

Donīt you honestly think Iīm not doing my utmost best to get out of this place?

Norwegian, applied.. havenīt heard a thing

Netjets, donīt have the 1500 tt unfortunately (like most others)

Ryanair, donīt have the savings to cover the first month or so without pay (cause airbaltic has paid me crap over the last year)

Easyjet, Not hiring

Parc Aviation, no good contracts on offer.

empati

Like I said, keep at it! I bet with in one year you have several job offers. If you think these days are hard, you should have tried the beginning of the 90's....Be patient!

Jobhunter

You need 500 hours multi crew for Norwegian. Its insurance minimums.

Their website says you can apply with less, but thats what the requre at the moment.

Just heard of a pilot that left Air Baltic because of safety concerns. Was not allowed to put airplane problems in their maintenace logbook. Dont think they care to much about their MEL!!!

There will be alot of hireing in the next months, I wouldnt panic quite yet!!!

hbiwe

They care as much about the MEL as every other airline, otherwise one wouldn't be in business for a long time. Although some people tend to live in a "dream airline outfit" which just dosn't exist in reality. Things are put onto MEL as anywhere....who comes up with such - excuse me - bull all the time.

Navigator33

Well... keep dreaming than.

ILSTOMIN

I have heard rumours that when airBaltic is flying to their Russian destinations, they are out of radar coverage for some time, and the pilots are navigating by the use of handheld GPS!!

topper74

No, how absurd! When we are over Russia we navigate using any kind of map we can get our hands on.... I prefer personally to use google earth.
Most captains seem to just follow their instincts (and roads/bridges etc) which sometimes brings us to the right destination.... and sometimes not. If you see an Air baltic diving rapidly, followed by a climb, there is no problem, we are just asking for directions...
When we land, regardless of whether its the right airport or not... it causes a spontaneus high 5 over the center pedestal, as finding a place to land before running out of fuel is Soooo stressrelieving.

But please guys.... let these facts be our secret. OK

Turkish777

Good post topper, certainly made me laugh, its nice to see a bit of humour on here once and a while.

Well if I pass my interview I will keep my CRP5 (flight computer) in my flight bag and a few VFR charts...

storlax

So may I ask you Turkish 777 do you have any TR? Is that what counts to get to interview at Air Baltic?

ILSTOMIN

Hehe..
Good reply!!
I been at interview with aB, last year, seems like ok company, but pay was too low

Turkish777

Hi

Yes I just completed a TR on the B737 and within 3 days of applying they got back to me with an interview date. I disagree with having to pay for TR's but unfortunately the industry has changed and now it seems almost mandatory, like the MCC which used to be paid by the airlines years ago.

I know the pay is not great but look at Ryan Air, they pay 1200 Euros a month for quite some time plus the training is 35,000 Euros. Some people are going via Eagle Jet which means you pay the Airlines to fly thier planes for free which I think is taking the piss, you have to draw the line some where.

Im really hoping I get this job contrary to some of the posts here. I think that being a native English speaker I might hold a few English classes in the crew room as this does seem to be a weak spot . As long as the Capt's understand the words 'Go around', 'Pull up', 'Terrain' I will be happy haha...my interview is next week and I still do not know what time to turn up even after emailing asking several times...common sense tells me to just arrive around 9AM....

PS.storlax..I applied online to AB about 6 months WITHOUT a TR and I heard nothing at all, and as I said as soon as I re applied with a TR they contacted me almost immediately.

bacou

Is there any possibility to be promoted to Captain as a foreigner at Air Baltic?

I've been given a date for interview;
Does the airline pay normally the ticket to fly to Riga?

I currently fly the 737 in a tropical Island where everything is fine and people still complain, it must be human nature....

Thanks for your answers

Navigator33

Yes if you stay here long enough (2 years more or less at the moment) and you meet the requirements (and the chief pilot likes you) you can get left seat on the Fokker.

Yes but only on airBaltic routes.

Question to you: Why on EARTH do you want to leave a tropical island to come up to a -30 degree dark country on the Baltic sea?
Donīt get me wrong, Riga is great during the summer but can be a bit suicidal during the Winter.
Maybe we can swap jobs eyh?

Der_dk.

Bacou.

Yes and yes

bacou

Navigator33 if we're the same size just need to swap uniforms.
I have to learn icing conditions instead of tropical storms and change my suiming suit for a big warm coat.
Actually if I remain where I am I won't be promoted Captain before 40 years.
We're very good at writing senority lists in France.

Turkish777

Its all gone rather quiet in here...................

bacou

So tell us more Turkish777.
Have you already been to the interview or is it due to arrive soon?
Mine is at the end of November.