WOMBAT Test
 

Just wondering if anyone has failed to pass the WOMBAT test but then been invited to re-sit it upon a subsequent application (as you are allowed to re-apply after 6 months)?

Hi Radiodude, I have the same question as you. I need to to the maths testing and was wondering what i should go study up on? are you able to shead some light from your experience?

@radiodude
 

I had completed the cadetship many years ago and found it to be the best thing I did. Whilst the process and the likes have changed since I went through the whole process; I still recommend it to anyone.

Yes there are times when it gets a bit too much whether it be study related or the dealings through the grapevine, but if you keep a positive and professional attitude you will go far.

I was a Cadet FO for about 4 years and have been in the left seat now for a little over a year and am loving it. I jumped on this thread when I was going through the application process and had many people give their "Opinions" on how stupid I must be to go through with it......but haven't looked back since.

Just keep in mind this is a "Rumor network".
All the best with your interviews and future endeavors.

I now fly with a large number of former REX Cadets. It is my opinion that kilo for kilo they are a superior product to what we have experienced in the past, and I humbly include myself in that number!

They are green, but what they lack in experience they compensate well for in enthusiasm and ability. However....

The REX Cadetship has not, and never will solve REX's chronic crewing issues. The reasons for this are quite complex, but many of our former Cadets are well aware of, and in many cases have experienced first hand the reasons for this!

One byproduct of the Cadetship is the almost universal membership of the AFAP that it generates amongst its graduates. But you'll learn about that first hand when you go through the experience.

Cup vs Cake, not bad progress, 4 years from graduation to left seat. You must have progressed to the PICUS program (currently under suspension by management) swiftly.

Personally, I refer to our former Cadets who have not yet attained command as REX First Officers not Cadet First Officers. It may seem pedantic, but once they have graduated and are checked to line, they have certainly earned the title.

Does REX even take direct entry FO's any more, or is it all cadets?

Not interested, just curious. From the outside, it looks like it would be an enjoyable job, but the pay cut from an experienced GA pilot to a REX FO is just too big if the figure I've heard is correct (circa $45k per year).

Yes Krusty, I had got my act together quickly before it was suspended. You certainly are correct in the fact the cadetship won't solve the crewing issues as there always seems to be a large turnover throughout the years I've witnessed.

It's also unfortunate that many pilots join the union not primarily for MBF benefits etc. It will be interesting to see how things progress after Friday......

REX Cadetship
 

Hi all,

I have recently applied for Rex, got shortlisted, did the wombat test and passed it.

Now i have a phone interview with the flight operation manager soon. Is that what usually happens? Because i didn't see this step in the selection process information or on any thread.

Also i have to show industry knowledge, technical knowledge and company knowledge. What exactly do they mean by industry and technical knowledge?

Congrats .

Industry knowledge would just be about aviation as a whole; in particular here in Aus and how the company is involved. Ie new routes and bases and where you see aviation heading etc.

Tech knowledge would be related to your specific type of licence If you've done any flying. Like flight controls, lift formula, aerodynamics and possibly some knowledge of your current training aircraft if you're at a GFPT level. Then maybe some MET and NAV style questions if you're doing PPL training.

If you haven't done any flying then hit up Wikipedia or do some Google searches on learning to fly.

Best of luck!

REX interview
 

Thanks for the tips guys.

Now im through to the actual interview at Wagga Wagga and the sim assesment. Anybody have any tips for the interview? Cheers guys

Thanks for all the info guys, I just sat the WOMBAT test. Any idea the time frame of knowing whether you are successful or not? Anyone who did that test could you shed some light on what you thought and whether you were successful or not? Difficult to know at the end of the thing.

Hi Cup vs Cake. Hope you're still enjoying the AAPA accommodation on your Wagga overnights. :ouch: ;)

Considering the way GA is going, I think this scheme is probably still worth while - but expect a few pineapples. It's not what it used to be.. It's a lot more expensive now from what I hear too. You're the puppet and management will pull your strings which ever way they see fit to save a buck (constant blackmail). The best advice I can offer is to keep your head down, don't get noticed and you'll probably be ok.

At the end of the day, REX will need you as a captain when you're eligible. So, no matter how much they try to screw you over with conditions and threats it's in their interest to get you in the LHS.

There are now former cadets moving to Emirates and Cathay who had commands at <25 Years old - that's pretty damn good going. Your alternative is to slog it out in GA and fight for the few multi jobs left on clapped out, dodgy 40 year old aircraft on more often than not less money than a REX FO, probably getting treated similarly.

Any truth to the rumour some FO's have their apps in at Qlink?

If Qantas opens up applications soon which is is likely to do so we might see some make the move to the big time i recon.

I see a lot of complaints about their management, what is it actually that makes them so bad, and in what way do you have direct contact with management?

Aren't REX FO's on about $50k? If you're flying a GA twin and getting paid that, you're getting shafted.

$54,000 in year 1 to close to $65,000 in year 10 + DTA of $7 per hour. 90k base for a Captain. Also they didn't get a pay first last year as the EBA is still being fought over.

Also does anyone know how many hours per year would count towards the DTA?

Haha mate! How many years do you think it takes the average Joe to get onto a twin in GA? and I'm not talking about 3 or 4 years ago, I'm talking about now. I have a lot of mates in GA and I can tell you some of them have had a commercial licence longer than me (6 years) and still can't crack it into a twin job. Of those who do of the guys and girls I know, I would say the average wage for a twin job would be about 50k a year. Most of them are only on casual twin jobs trying to pick up the scraps of what's left. The occasional guy/girl is paid the GA base award (52-60k depending on type) but can guarantee you of those who are lucky enough to be paid the "award" 90% of those companies don't pay all the allowances that are written in the award. Go figure. As people have already alluded to, the REX base wage is about 54k a year but with allowances you could expect an extra 10k on top of that. Is it worth while? you decide.

A good way to think about it as a cadet from what i have heard is that the allowances pay off the loan to REX so the base wage is what you take home. Not sure many GA pilots would make $54000 in there first year out of training. By the time they are on Multi a REX pilot may be pushing towards command and a 90k base wage.

While REX's wages are shocking when compared to other regionals such as Qlink, you can't say they are shocking when compared to a GA. Meanwhile Management may while be another issue

WOMBAT Test
 

If anyone has failed to pass the WOMBAT test on their first attempt and believe the "two back" number memory test was one of their your shortfalls, feel free to send me an email as I have a tool to be used for practice.

Hi I am just seeing if anyone knows when the next intake will be for 2017 as the Rex website has not been updated in a while and still says 21st Nov 2016.

Thanks for all the help.

Generally DTA + the odd overtime here and there can account for 30k extra bringing FO gross to over 90k. If a cadet becomes a cpt they will transfer onto yr5 pay base ~99k plus a lot more overtime if you want it can gross up to around 170k if you want to. Hope that answers your question :)