VB pilots lifestyle
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Australia
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VB pilots lifestyle
A serious question for VB tech crew and anyone else who would like to comment.
After many years of struggle I have just been tracked into the selection process for VB. I know a couple of guys at VB and and have been staying in touch on Prune. The common theme I am hearing is that they are worked to the bone and are away heaps from home. (hard work is not the issue).
I have heard
FO away up to 3 times a week
Capt away up to 4 nites per week.
Yes I want to go back to Brisso but I have a young family and the thought of being away that often (after I have been away heaps over the last ten years) is hard to take. I am at a career crossroads and want to do the right thing for my family
I do have some other career options so I just want to get a reality check. I have many airline friends both at Q and elsewhere and my feedback is that the going away issue really does get to you after awhile. Yes the pay is OK and they fly flash new jets but there is more to life....
that is why I choose VB over Q because it is domestic and I dont have to go away as much.
So the Questions
1. What is it like working at VB with a young family to care for?
2. How often are you actually away as an F/O and CAPT?
3. Is this likely to change as the airline expands and perhaps get some other basings?
4. Is burnout a real issue there?
5. Are new pilots still being told Melbourne basing or nothing?
sincerely
After many years of struggle I have just been tracked into the selection process for VB. I know a couple of guys at VB and and have been staying in touch on Prune. The common theme I am hearing is that they are worked to the bone and are away heaps from home. (hard work is not the issue).
I have heard
FO away up to 3 times a week
Capt away up to 4 nites per week.
Yes I want to go back to Brisso but I have a young family and the thought of being away that often (after I have been away heaps over the last ten years) is hard to take. I am at a career crossroads and want to do the right thing for my family
I do have some other career options so I just want to get a reality check. I have many airline friends both at Q and elsewhere and my feedback is that the going away issue really does get to you after awhile. Yes the pay is OK and they fly flash new jets but there is more to life....
that is why I choose VB over Q because it is domestic and I dont have to go away as much.
So the Questions
1. What is it like working at VB with a young family to care for?
2. How often are you actually away as an F/O and CAPT?
3. Is this likely to change as the airline expands and perhaps get some other basings?
4. Is burnout a real issue there?
5. Are new pilots still being told Melbourne basing or nothing?
sincerely
I have 2 young children and am a Captain at VB
I fly on average 4-5 days out of 7, the rest being reserve days.
Mostly 4 day trips - ie 3 night stops, with the occasional 2-3 day trip thrown in.
The training Captains are working fairly hard, the line captains marginally less so - though still working hard.
3 day trips are good, however the downside is that you can do 2 x 3day trips back to back, so effectively you do a 6 day trip with a brisbane overnight.
I miss my kids when I go away, but I get home more regularly than my mates flying overseas for Cathay and China Airlines - though in reality we probably get pretty close to the same number of days off at home each month.
The progression at QF has to be slowing down with the introduction of Jetstar, I can't see how it won't. Progression at VB will probably do the same towards the end of the year I guess - I am not privy to the numbers but we have been expanding fairly steadily for the past 3 years, so it would have to consolidate at some point I imagine.
the reality is that if I left to go overseas I would probably not work in Australia again, and that isn't a cheery thought.
so to answer your questions.
1. its do-able, but you need committment from both of you - there is a support network for wives and kids starting up - lunches,playgroups etc - but it is still a lot of work from partners.
2. Capts 9-10 nights a month I guess, F/O's less - one bloke I recently spoke to had about 4 overnights this month.
3. I hope so!
4. yes and no - you need to manage your leave - don't hoard it - you get 6 weeks a year - and you need every minute.
5. not sure about melbourne but wouldn't be surprised - I believe that there is a protocol for transferring back to Brissie now, but have not paid attention as it didn't effect me - sorry
Hope that helps.
I fly on average 4-5 days out of 7, the rest being reserve days.
Mostly 4 day trips - ie 3 night stops, with the occasional 2-3 day trip thrown in.
The training Captains are working fairly hard, the line captains marginally less so - though still working hard.
3 day trips are good, however the downside is that you can do 2 x 3day trips back to back, so effectively you do a 6 day trip with a brisbane overnight.
I miss my kids when I go away, but I get home more regularly than my mates flying overseas for Cathay and China Airlines - though in reality we probably get pretty close to the same number of days off at home each month.
The progression at QF has to be slowing down with the introduction of Jetstar, I can't see how it won't. Progression at VB will probably do the same towards the end of the year I guess - I am not privy to the numbers but we have been expanding fairly steadily for the past 3 years, so it would have to consolidate at some point I imagine.
the reality is that if I left to go overseas I would probably not work in Australia again, and that isn't a cheery thought.
so to answer your questions.
1. its do-able, but you need committment from both of you - there is a support network for wives and kids starting up - lunches,playgroups etc - but it is still a lot of work from partners.
2. Capts 9-10 nights a month I guess, F/O's less - one bloke I recently spoke to had about 4 overnights this month.
3. I hope so!
4. yes and no - you need to manage your leave - don't hoard it - you get 6 weeks a year - and you need every minute.
5. not sure about melbourne but wouldn't be surprised - I believe that there is a protocol for transferring back to Brissie now, but have not paid attention as it didn't effect me - sorry
Hope that helps.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Australia
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Should have added that Virgin intend to open another base by the end of the year. Final decision yet to be made but will be Sydney, Adelaide or Perth. This info came directly from management. This new base plus maybe others later will hopefully reduce the overnights for Virgin crews.
Jetstar, by the sounds of it will have numerous bases in an effort to cut down on overnight costs - hopefully Virgin management will follow suite in time.
AA
Jetstar, by the sounds of it will have numerous bases in an effort to cut down on overnight costs - hopefully Virgin management will follow suite in time.
AA
