MERGED: Jetstar Pilot Cadet Program

[wishiwasupthere]

Unless this is black and white in the contract then do it, otherwise I would be very wary. Don't simply believe what you have been told by flying schools or interview prep companies.

I don't advocate cadetships myself, but I know of someone who did the Jetstar cadetship and the pay situation was as Damien1989 described, pretty ordinary pay for the first 18 months or so (but still better than GA), then onto normal FO wage, regardless of holding an ATPL or not (but of course they would have their ATPL subjects). Regardless, I see cadetships in the future as just a big a stream if not bigger for airline entry as direct entry from GA and the military.

[morno]

but still better than GA

So what are these wages that Jetstar are paying? And what is your take home pay by the time you take out the repayments for the massive cost of doing the cadetship?

I'd like to compare them to GA wages myself.

I somehow think that GA would probably have you being better off than a Jetstar cadetship.

morno

[pilotchute]

Deadcut,

I know many people who started on the van sub 500 hours so don't take the ad the wrong way. This guy is trying to start RPT ops in his vans and needs people with high time on the van to get CASA approval (ASEPTA). But your right he won't pay a cent above award and can be somewhat difficult to work for hence the ad on AFAP almost every other week for drivers.

There are people flying jets who shouldn't be flying kites but that's the industry so like it or lump it.

[27/09]

morno

So what are these wages that Jetstar are paying? And what is your take home pay by the time you take out the repayments for the massive cost of doing the cadetship?

I'd like to compare them to GA wages myself.

I somehow think that GA would probably have you being better off than a Jetstar cadetship.

morno

Come now Morno, you're introducing some facts and reality, you'll spoil a good story.

[deadcut]

Pilotchute

So you need 2k for a van while cadets with 250 hours fly a airliner?

[morno]

27/09,
Just as I suspected, .

Until someone can prove to me with facts and numbers that you really are better off as a Jetstar Cadet, then I will continue to believe you are much better off in GA.

Deadcut,
Perhaps those hours to fly a van are excessive, but let's keep in mind that the 250hr cadet is going to be sitting with a 5,000hr+ Captain.

morno

[Boeingdream]

Spent 2 years Instructing in Australia, before moving to Botswana to fly for 2 years. After that I flew in PNG for 10 months.

The experience has been amazing, but I am no closer to getting into the airlines, I am broke and the only jobs I can get are flying in some back country town with no social life and terrible pay.


To those aspiring pilots, go for the cadet programs.

[SammK]

Thanks everyone,
it seems that from all the replies if you get into GA, you will be stuck in GA.
Although I do want experience in regional flying etc. but cadetships look too good to be true.
I got myself into a J* a320 cockpit a few months ago and met a 24 year old guy that did this cadetship, and he said it was fantastic and that it was great fun.
Some are complaining about the pay, zero to hero in 18 months, what do you expect?

[deadcut]

Does anyone know what the ratio of direct entry vs cadets is anyway? Seems to me that line of progression is closed to the GA pilots.

Makes sense doesn't it. Paying pilots 40k less the first year or two. 100 first officers=400k savings. Why wouldn't they do it.

[Advs]

Currently JQ7 is running with two program intakes a year. Jetstar have only committed to 10. So not sure if Jetstar cadet programs will be around when this 15yo is old enough.

[Capt Fathom]

GA vs Cadetship

It's a bit hard to recommend one way or the other unless you have done both!

[morno]

it seems that from all the replies if you get into GA, you will be stuck in GA.

Very incorrect.

I've gone through GA, plus done a few other things along the way. Have had a ball, gained some valuable experience, seen the countryside, met many lifelong friends (including my wife), and now I'm off to the airlines. The social life in these 'back country towns' is perfectly fine if you're not a bore who doesn't mind socializing with others in a non-nightclub environment.

Everyone who I went through GA with is either in the airlines, or in some other sector of the industry that is of their choosing.

morno

[j3pipercub]

With those math skills deadcut, perhaps there are other reasons why you aren't in an airline. 40k less and '100 effos' is a bit more than 400k.

Also never heard a 15 year old ever use the term 'zero to hero'. Fishy. Sounds like someone having a stir to cure boredom or pushing a barrow.

j3

[Ted Nugent]

Does anyone know what the ratio of direct entry vs cadets is anyway? Seems to me that line of progression is closed to the GA pilots.

Since mid December 2012 give or take

Direct entry 48

Cadets 34

Ted

[deadcut]

Ha! J3 you are right. Although I wouldn't mind the plane doing all the calculating for me since I can't do it.

My bad but even better! Imagine what the KPI bonus from 4 mil savings will be!

[Capt Fathom]

Very fishy indeed J3.

Fortunately, our friend SammK is not getting many bites!

That aside, there have been some good points put forward.

[T28D]

My bad but even better!


God save me, North American Coloured language taking over, this is just lazy undesirable language that has no association with the English Language.

[DH164]

friends (including my wife)

Pick one.

Just stirring, you always roll into threads and put people in their place Morno!

[Dawn Patrol]

G'day all,

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas or thoughts on the future of the Jetstar Cadet Program at Swinbourne University considering the changes that have been announced by Alan Joyce today?

[tmpffisch]

Dawn, don't worry. The cadet scheme is a profitable revenue source for a Jetstar, they won't get rid of it. Cadets are good customers.