There Is No Substitute For Experience!!!!!!1

The facts are that the apprenticeship lasts about 5,000 hours.
Many of our aircraft are lown by apprentices today.

Swings and Roundabouts brissydriver. Up untill 6 months ago, and for the previous year, REX policy was to hire only Cadets. Blind Freddy could see that would lead to problems about....NOW! Lots of pilots on the hold files for Jetstar and Virgin, and 3 Captains departed 2 weeks ago. Reserve coverage for Captains now becoming critical again, with many working on their days off!

The few direct entry guys that were taken on 6 months ago are starting to come on line as F/O's. Now even though they may have the hours for a SAAB command, it doesn't mean that they will progress to command without any problems. (for obvious reasons). The exact number of direct entry F/O's that have been employed in the last 6 months, I couldn't tell you, but it's not many. Probably in the order of 4-6. The problem is that REX have committed to employ the graduating Cadets as part of their contract (fair enough too), but this has created a juggling act with regard to F/O numbers. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Some current F/O's were employed 2-3 years ago when REX relaxed their entry requirements as the pool of higher time applicants dried up. These guys are now well experienced F/O's and IMHO most would make good Captains. Problem is, many of them are still short of the 2000 hours Total (bearing in mind they have been accumulating hours at Co-pilot rate, only 50%) or are short of the required night hours for the ATPL, or they are short of Multi-Command, or they haven't completed their subjects, or even a combination of all of these! I would estimate approx 10-15 pilots in this catagory.

My understanding is that all direct entry F/O's must now have at least 2000 hours Total aeronautical experience, ATPL, and at least 350 hours Multi-Command under the IFR. Crikey! Management reminds me of my pet Jack Russell chasing its tail.

As far as Direct Entry Commands go, they can only be considered once all the qualified existing F/O's are used. A few pilots are nearing the minimum requirement, and several are under training at the moment. REX avoided Direct Entry Commands last time, as even they realise it can produce widely varying results. The departure rate of pilots in the near future however will determine just how critical the situation again becomes.

I happen to know for a fact they do accept direct entry captains, and there are two guys who will be joining by the end of this year. one in Townsville the other not sure of base yet.

Rex hr I have found can be tedious at best of times but at this time of year with the 2011 cadet recruitment going on I wouldn't even bother. once all is finalized with cadets in December is when I'd be approaching them..

Some Pseudo DEC's were employed at the Townsville base catas'. I say pseudo because they managed to secure a spot under the Townsville Leter Of Agreement which has now expired. Under the LOA if insufficient "existing" REX Captains applied for the Townsville start-up, then the positions would be offered to Pelair (ex-Macair) Saab captains, provided they met all of the REX Check and training requirements. These Captains would be employed on a temporary basis and at the expiry of the LOA would either return to Pelair, be offered a REX F/O's position at the bottom of the seniority list, or if they were lucky, be offered a Command in Townsville if no other REX captain or REX F/O with the required min for command applied. There were 3 command positions available under the Townsville LOA which were filled by 2 existing REX Captains, and 1 Pelair (ex-Macair) captain.

About 6-8 months ago 2 additional Pelair Captains were "given" positions in Townsville in breach of the LOA. Under the LOA these positions were required to be advertised to existing REX captains, but I'm assuming due to expediency, the company elected to renig on it's industrial responsibilty and appoint these people illegally! Some protest via the REXPC was made but it amounted to nothing. Absolutely disgraceful! (from both sides).

Anyway, now that the LOA has expired and Townsville is a permanent base, all bids for command (Townsville or otherwise) must follow the mandated bidding system. If no existing REX captains or qualified F/O's apply for positions in any base where there is a vacancy, then the company can theoretically employ DEC's. There are a few (very few) F/O's left with the mins for command. If any REX F/O with a standing bid in for command upgrade is bypassed without reason for a DEC, then a dispute should be lodged with FWA due to a breach in the EBA.

A dispute should have been lodged for the LOA breach, but that horse has now bolted! As for the original Pelair Captain and the 2 subsequently illegally appointed Captains, there were no standard bids for command in Townsville at the expiry of the LOA. So these guys have "Lucked out", and are now permanent REX Captains based in Townsville!

How is the Rex cadet programe going
 

Hi All,

I applied for the cadet program around 6 months ago and went to Wagga for a test and interview, sadly I mised out.

I would like to reapply and I was wondering if anybody had any new on how things are going at Wagga.

Thanks in advance guys.

Upcoming test and interview
 

What an interesting read this has been, and as somebody heading over for and interview and flight screening soon it has proved very informative. As somebody seriously considering this path, I would like to point out my reasons why.

I realise there can be a dislike for cadets, seen as taking the easy ride, but the reality is, a cadetship can offer the opportunity to be a pilot to those who may not be able to afford it. Well, for me this is the case. I would love to do it on my own and take the GA route, but realistically my parents are financially not in a position to help and my financial situation due to events in my life is not at its best so a loan on my part is not possible. My only options are a cadetship or the military.

I was offered a position in the Jetstar course but turned it down due to the fact that I would rather get some prop time under my belt, and would prefer to enter a cadetship with a smaller airline and progress (hopefully) in time to a larger airline on my own terms, as I know a cadetship is not the best thing in the world financially for myself as well as other pilots.

Some of the information on here has been invaluable, and I thank those for it, and hope to work with some of you in the future sometime..

And Shock, sorry to hear that mate, hopefully you will be successful later down the track. As somebody who has been through the flight screening and interview, are you able to shed any light on what is involved, particularly in the flight screening?

Malakor

I had written half a page of rebuttal to your illogical arguments, but then I realised that you will only see what you want to. So in that light, good luck, enjoy that big airliner and peak cap.

j3

j3, mate what the F:mad:k is your problem bloke?

You have no insight as to this fellas background, financial situation, abilities nor any further related reasons or information as to why he would like to go down this path.

After reading some of your previous threads around this subject you sound like a very disgruntled perhaps constantly rejected applicant to these schemes.

If you have negative comments keep them to yourself because it really has no useful purpose on this thread or site. Many people before me seem to have told you the same thing in previous posts but you're still yet to get the picture.

rocket

MALAKOR,

Really sad to hear that your PARENTS just can't tip in for your aviation career, you must be so disappointed in them.
It would be the greatest of shames if you had to get of your arse and work 3 or 4 ****ty jobs to pay for it yourself. Guess the path of least resistance and reward is all that is open to you, all the best buddy. :ugh:

Wow, I didn't expect such hostile replies, maybe it's because you can't invoke any sense of emotion in words, so maybe people can take things the wrong way?

Please do not mistake me for somebody who was relying on their parents, I am simply stating that for some people their parents are an option for providing a source of funds. I know if my kid wanted to fly and I could help I would.

I already do work 2 jobs as a matter of fact, but supporting family members who become sick and incapacitated can be an unplanned yet necessary financial drain, so you see not all is a black and white as you seem too have believed it can be Cutter.

Please try to remember that feeling once of actually wanting to fly aircraft for a living, yes some people would one day still like to get behind a large piece of technology, if you think it is wrong for chasing an airline job, then fair enough, that's your opinion, but somebody people still aim for that and somebody has to do it..

Hey rocket, you legend! You're right, I am a disgruntled REX cadetship applicant. When it started, I already had 2000hrs and 500multi turbine command, so I can see why maybe they turned me down... And guess what, despite your sage advice, I intend to keep talking about this subject in whatever manner I choose, so get over yourself.

Get the picture? perhaps you should do a bit of research about pilots in the US and Europe on these sorts of schemes.

So rocket, if you would like me to keep my negative thoughts to myself, just read the following:

SUNSHINE, LOLIPOPS AND RAINBOWS.

But goodluck with the resume writing, tool.

Malakor

A lot of us still have that feeling, and we want to still have that feeling in 2 decades, not have to work another job because schemes like these have reduced the Terms and Conditions to a laughable level.

I am in that boat too, but I don't think selling your soul and then some so you can work for paenuts is a price I would like to pay. And after a couple of years, I think you would agree.

j3

Hey J3,

Don't worry about how many hours you had when you applied for Rex. I don't think that matters as much to Rex as the applicant's IQ. I think they only want cadets with a certain 'mentality'.

I know of a bloke who had ZERO hours who applied for both the RAAF and Rex pilot training courses. Rex knocked him back but the RAAF offered him a spot. If the RAAF thought he was good enough to learn to fly their advanced planes why didn't Rex think he was good enough to be a First Officer on a poxy old SAAB?

Too smart for them maybe?

Cheers,

Cn

Just for clarification CN, I never have and never would apply to REX, ever.

j3

wise words cn.

Lismore Base for Rex pilots
 

Hey,
I was just wondering whether anyone knew what the chances are of being placed in Lismore after graduating from the Rex Cadet pilot program?

Also, now that it's 2011, how many pilots are based at Lismore now?

Thanks so much.

Rex , are they still recruiting ?
 

Was interested if Rex are still recruiting for the cadet program. Things have been quite on prune ! Has anyone heard how the first batch of cadets are getting on ?

REX is still recruiting, REX008 started early december and they start REX009 soon with applications being asked for to be in REX010 already

Currently 2 crews in Lismore. Very stable base and both Captains will be there till they retire. As for F/Os...They will only leave to accept a Command in another port where one is available. Chances of one of them possibly doing this, not too remote but I would not hold my breath or count on it happening.

Curved'

REX Cadetships
 

REX Cadetships