VB - What dictates type given?
 

Seeing that all that have recently gone through testing for VB should know their type now I am curious to see what governs / requirements are needed for each type?

Some people seem to have stacks of PIC turbine and get 737, yet others have been given E-jet - seeing that time to command will be quicker on the jungle jets the guys with more PIC turbine would get brazilian you'd think?

I wonder if it is just based on interview performance or a culmination of factors?

Any ideas???

Just a guess but PIC time (on turboprops) may indicate someone with more initiative at remote airports where there is little support. Might give an indication of the marketing strategies involved... (ie operating from smaller airports to bypass major hubs).

I imagine what people ask for may also be taken into account which may explain the irregularity

I was asked what my preference was.............and got it

VBW

Good work VBW!

If this is true for all accounts why would guys then take the Ejet when the pay is less - the lure of the quick command purely or just to fit with base preference??

Maybe it is a case of drawing names out of a hat?

It could be that simple!

Friend of mine got Embraer, over 8000 hours total including turboprop command and regional jet experience.

Just my hunch
 

I got placed on the Embraer.
I was not happy at first but it was hinted that I have the necessary hours and experience for a fast-ish command.
That/ combined with the fact that they took 60 and management insisted that half go on the Embraer.

Ah yes, but the company ops manual states that a Capt must have 2000hrs on company aircraft.... quickish command = 2.5 years........:eek:

Fast Command!
 

Yes but the Ops Manual also states that the MD can change the minimums in "exceptional circumstances".
That would explain how at DJ start up, how guys with 1500 total and less than 500 multi got a gig.

What basing did you get Salamundi??

Basing
 

I got sydney
How about you????? Or are you inquiring for a friend?

No, I am enquiring for myself. I have an interview this week. I heard most new guys/gals are getting SYD which suits me! Congrats! Any tips would be appreciated :)

This is only what i got:

Happy Meeting/Greeting thanks for coming etc.....
Tell us about yourself? Where have you been working/now working
Boss/flight crew/student that you found difficult. How did you handle it?
Do you have anything against the E-jet. Preferences?
Here is a chart, can you circle here? If so which category of aircraft can circle here.
Read this TAF/METAR. Do we need to plan for an alternate.
How long is this TAF valid?
IFR stuff. Holding speeds/ circling radius
What do you know about ETOPS? (I said not much seeing that my current company has no requirement for it)

Sim ride - Take is for the opportunity that it is.
A FREE RIDE IN A 737!!!!

My instructor was great. He can't give feedback.
Take off - climb.
Turn left/right
climb/descend
intercept bolinda
fly ILS
Ignore the landing!!!!! (mine was fairly firm!!)
Just listen to the briefing and you'll be fine.

Overall, I came out of the interveiw NOT feeling like i had been turned inside out and violated. They were nice people who just want to see what you have to offer.

If I think of anything else i'll let you know

Many thanks for that Salamundi! Nice of you to share that with us. I believe I have prepared quite thoroughly for it so hope that it pays off! Once again thank you for the feedback and fingers crossed for me this week :ok:

Dookie good luck with the interview this week - let us know how yours goes.

Did you get a chance to have a go at the 737 sim before hand??

Salamundi - congrats on the job - well done - thanks also for the debrief

Salamundi,
Sorry to rain on your parade, but not even the MD (whoever that is!!), maybe you mean MFO!!! can change this, well, ,,,,, NO HE CAN'T, and it isn't written in the manuals. The manuals were changed about 12 months ago as per the CASA directive re intro of new type etc etc

Perhaps if you give me a reference to the A manual, I am happy to be corrected.

Can someone explain why you would get a fast command by starting with VB on the Jungle jet.

Does this mean an F/O already driving around a 73 is less senior than a new start because of type?:confused:

Thanks captwawa,

Yes I had a crack at that Flight Experience 737 sim which I thought was worthwhile.

I shall provide some feedback once it's all over.

Cheers.

DoD

There are a lot of 737 FO's who have joined with substantial jet time and/or turboprop time and are keen to move across to the e-jet once they have the time(2000 hours) on company aircraft. The current EBA allows this move.

What about a move in the other direction? If you get on the jungle jet and your preference is on the B737 then can you move onto it? Will this mean you give up your SYD basing? Or are the 737 drivers getting based in SYD now too?

what are they doing the sim on, classic or the NG? and is the interview done in melbourne or brisbane?

Sliding from E jet to B737 whilst being SYD base... no problem.....you'll get that easy enough..

There are currently many B737 FO with 3000+ on type who have knocked back the E Jet command... why?.... well why go onto a frozen type for 2.5years only to try bidding for a slot in the B737 ranks.... I'd rather wait another 6 months for a B737 command... and in the meantime guys behind me in the list getting jet commands ahead of me "out of seniorority"... yeah whatever, it's a decision one makes and lives with... I have no problem with this process....

.. but guys, if you think you're going to get a gig on the e jet and get a command without 2000hrs on company aircraft, I think you're dreaming.... join Jet* or Nat Jet...

Can someone tell me the requirements for level 1,2,3 F/O wages, I think you start as level 1, is 737 same as ERJ as far as the 3 levels go.

Folks,
whichever type you start on, you'll be level pegging with your colleagues on the other type when the time comes for first command, which will be on the E-Jet and the E-Jet only. By the time 2007 new hires are looking at a command, all the 737 commands will go to 2007 737 FOs who will have done their 2.5 years E-Jet command.
As for bases, Syd is the easiest to get into and Bris the hardest. This goes for both types and will for some time.

As for salary...

737: Level 1 is about $93k, and Level 3 $110k, 2 is mid way between
E-Jet: 80% of above figures.

It's not the ERJ, that term belongs to the E135/E145.

Which level you start on is a function of previous jet time and what you negotiate in the interview/offer stage. I would politely suggest that if offered E-Jet one would have a better chance of negotiating a higher starting level.

Ok delete reference to ERJ, got this from CASA web sight under VH-ZHA as Model ERJ 170-100 LR. Is level 2 after 12 months and level 3 2000 hours on company a/c ? Is there a strict seniority at VB ?

Level 2 is after 500 hours on compnay aircraft or 500 hours on greater than 50t.

F111,

Thanks for the level 2, what is the requirements for level 3?

Can you be employed 'off the street' straight onto level 3?

Cheers in advance.

JetRacer,

Yes you can be employed as a level 3 if you have the required hours. Most of those that have come from PacBlue were employed as Leve 3.

Thanks F111,

What are the 'required hours'?

Hi Guys.
Can someone explain something please.
My question:
Apparently one has to pass an Virgin OPC with Virgin procedures before being accepted for employment.Following a successfull OPC one is given a start date for an induction course.

Don't you guys go through an induction course,do the CRM,DG's etc,have few sim sessions to get one accustomed to Virgin operations and procedures and then have an OPC?
I am told that I have to resign from my current job,I get given a book to learn the Vb procedures,front up for an OPC a week before a supposed start date,expect to perform to a VB standard and then be given a job offer???????
I have tried the office and all I get is a million different answers(is this a sign of how things really are inside VB?)

Your induction course will be slotted in ASAP after the OPC is slotted in (in the expectation that you will pass the OPC). You therefore do not need to wait until the OPC is successfully passed, until they give you a start date on the induction course. BTW - you are not expected to know any VB SOP's for the OPC. Just operate to standard Boeing SOP's or whatever your existing company uses, if you're already flying the 737 with another operator. You will only be given a copy of the VB SOP's on the first day of the induction course, and there will be some Sim-training (LAHSO, TCAS, PAR etc.) using these SOP's prior to to starting line training. Hope that helps. Tada.

waav8r Thank you for clearing that up.Can you tell me whats covered in the opc please,is there room for error,how is the whole affair conducted,is it check and chop or has it changed from the good old days.
Cheers

OPC = Operator Proficiency Check. It basically is a Command Instrument Rating Renewal with some extra bits thrown in. I definitely don't have the impression that it is a chopping exercise. My understanding is that only a VERY low number of pilots don't make the grade here. I have also been told (straight from the horses mouth) that if performance during OPC is not to standard, you may be offered another crack at it after some more training.
All the operators in Australia need pilots at the moment and they're not out to get you.:ok:

Minimums for command at vb just reduced to 3000hrs and 500 on company aircraft...

Salary Sacrifice
 

Hi All

Can anyone detail how the salary sacrifice works. I hear that VB will take out the full amount for the endorsement within the first twelve months

Ang :ugh:

Ang737, you got it in one. That's exactly how it works. To be specific, your first year's salary will be the gross amount, minus $30K.

:hmm: Hmmmmmm bread and water here I come, at least I'll get fit riding my bicycle to work......retention bonus Embraer ?

By F111:
F111 is correct RE: hours, however I think that VB management (at its discretion) use the hours requirement as guidance, rather than a hard and fast rule.

It is possible to go in as level 3 without the commensurate hours based on your experience and knowledge. Experience and knowledge that may not be directly related to flying hours accrued but can be directly translated to the job.

Start Date
 

Hi Ech

I was interviewed early Oct and no start date yet. I was successful and put on the E-Jet so just waiting on a course date over in Zurich

Ang

Yeah it should be a good gig. I had my heart set on the 73 but not to be. They say quicker commands on the EJet but time will tell. Anyone got any good notes I can stuy up on before I head to Zurich.