No Idea Either

My point exactly.........your's is?

Lets not do the usual and get into a tit-for-tat match. All I'm saying is that it is everyone at the moment who is dragging this industry down, not just folks in Oz. Its the same old story, we need to put ALL our heads together regardless, and until that happens this crap will still go on. But is there any chance of that ever happenning, who knows.

.

A. Le Rhone

Shockwave makes an excellent point about the way forward and pilots being their own worst enemies.

The very next post! Some smart arse retort from No Idea about his being "the King, Lord of all you survey". What better proof can you have for the division amongst us 'Professional' Pilots.

No Idea - you raise a valid point but your delivery sucks.
Hey Driver - yes these people have been overseas not of their own choice. Who sent them there in the first place? Greedy colleague pilots, yet again willing to undermine their fellow aviators. This is where the 'screw my peer' mentality really began in earnest and has yet to be reversed.

So it is time for the AFAP and IAPA to join forces but moreover it is time for pilots to stop screwing each other, whining like infants and get on with collectively improving our lot. I'm probably dreaming - it's so much easier to whine on PPRune than actually do anything.

Its time for the CAPA (Combined Australian Pilots Association) with internal chapters representing pilots from Qantas LH, Qantas SH, Jetstar, Virgin and Tiger respectively. The combined approach to pilots T&C is the ONLY way forward (with less petty whinging).

Al E. Vator

Shockwave that was an excellent post. My sentiments exactly.

The mentality of the PPRUNE-warriors that replied is indicative of the problems we face. Gents your replies were valid but how do they help change anything?

Our conditions have been forced south (largely by ourselves passively accepting this direction from management) and now they can't get enough pilots, rather than paying a decent wage they are trying to scrape together individuals from all over the world.

Yes bring on that combined union. It is the only way out of this mire.

Far Kinarss

It is only fair that Australian jobs are filled by Australians but they need to be qualified Australians. Furthermore airline managers don’t give a rat’s arse what’s fair.

It is therefore reasonable to be somewhat indignant about the two groups who, combined, will accept a lesser package than what should be paid in V Australia.
Africans coming for a resident’s permit and underqualified resident Australians are these two groups.

Resistance to qualified returning Australian expats is most likely to come from two areas of resident Australians both of whom can get a dog up them. The first group is the 89 scabs who are the reason the expat Aussies left in the first place and the second is, once again, the underqualified residents. If you are a B737 Captain for VB or whoever else and that's all you have ever done you aren’t qualified; get over it. Go across as a duck for a few years and then have a crack at it. As far as the first group goes, never forgive and never forget. Anyone who argues with this sentiment is either one of them or too young to remember.

powersfasher

Does anyone have an interview date (post telephone one) yet ????

shaftmaster

Just got an email asking what date i would like to come for an interview from the 3rd March to 11th April either in Syd Melb or Bris.... Let the fun begin

On Guard

What position did you apply for? Hrs if you don't mind.

Cheers

shaftmaster

Cruise FO. 3500 total with a bit of Dash 8 time

Long John Silver

I got the phone call saying expect an interview date soon. Applied for the cruise and senior FO positions. By the sounds of the phone conversation it was a very generic invite and I wouldn't be surprised if they had not even reviewed my application yet. Does anyone know whether the minimums for senior FO (see below) are absolute and fixed? Or are they more in line with 'desireable' criteria?

"4,000 hours total flying time. 2,000 hours multi-crew, multi-engine jet aircraft experience in excess of 40,000 kgs"

TAC inop.

Well, I'd offer that it would be a minimum requirement actually

Look at the rest of the world's 777 requirements.......EK requires 3000 hours large Jet as a minimum for FOs, Plus 3000 PIC Large Jet for DECs , same with KAL contracts ( in Command widebody ) Vietnam requires 1000 hours on type (777) ....the list goes on if you have a look around what's on offer at the moment
Yes there is a pilot shortage, but you have to realise that this means 'shortage of suitably qualified' crew.

FAR had a few good points....
''If you are a B737 Captain for VB or whoever else and that's all you have ever done you aren’t qualified''
True for the most part in the contract world if you are chasing a 777 appointment ibid

So, in closing, if the requirements in the above post are factual, then I'd say y'all will be getting off lightly as a very base minimum.

The 777 isnt just a big dash 8, nor is it very similar to a 737, and VA are not just in the market to 'hop' around Australian capital cities.

60 & below

Shaftmaster
Well done I hope all goes well for your interview.
Did they mention the interview process?

629bus

Got the email too. Dont forget the Hong Kong interview location

MAX

S/O or F/O interview in HK?

I ticked all of the above but not heard a peep since the phone call.

Though maybe she could sense my dissapointment when we talked about cash.

Good luck with it anyway.

MAX

629bus

F/O position, i applied for both

Best Rate

TAC inop., you sound like such a wealth of worldy aviation knowledge with your views and understanding on VA's requirements and ranking expectations....

What other wonderful wisdom can you bestow upon us pertaining to this thread?

B R

Long John Silver

TAC inop, thanks for your input. I wanted to get a feel for what they'd be looking for in senior F/O's and you have provided that - thankyou.

From my background, an FO gig on a 777 sounded like a golden opportunity, even if the payscale was below average. However if they are truly looking for people already endorsed with 2000hrs on type (or similar types) and willing to work their guts out (as per virgin roster) then I think the payscale is way below what it should be.

Does anyone know what the payscale for SO's (junior FO's) are? The requirements drop considerably for SO's (1000hrs Total time), so I'm assuming the pay would drop considerably also.

Artificial Horizon

Does anyone know at what point the recruitment is at, I applied around six months ago and assumed that had totally missed the boad when I had no contact at the end of last year, then out of the blue have an email saying the recruitment team want to conduct a telephone interview with me early next week. I assume that this is just one of there 'marketing research' phone calls, testing the water to see how many are willing to pay for ratings and accept the pay package. When do they actually need pilots for? and has anyone actually been offered a 'real' interview or indeed been given any details of terms and conditions????

Maisk Rotum

Just got the phone call telling me the pay will be $180-210K and was I still interested. They will have to pay every cent of that 210, and a bit more, to get myself and many others interested. No doubt most applicants are doing it as a fishing exercise to see what will really be offered. If the final deal is only 180-190 many many will turn it down.

Goofyfoot

Candidates short listed for F/O (Cruise Relief)positions have been notified. Invites for Capt's and SFO's will be sent out in the next few weeks for interviews from April onwards. T&C's available prior to interview. Good luck

B772

Just heard a rumour Virgin Blue have been approached by a large number of ex AA B777-200 pilots who resigned/retired on 31 Jan. The pilots have proposed they remain in the U.S and crew the flights ex the U.S.

Could be interesting !.