Opportunity with start-up in Hawaii - NZ company
 

I have scoured the Internet and this forum as I figured others would already be talking about this, but can't find anything, so here goes...

I applied for a position with a NZ company starting up in Hawaii for passenger and cargo work. Recently I received the response telling me the interviews are coming soon, lots of applicants, only 10 positions. The kicker is that in order to get the job, there will be a payment of USD5,000 (to cover tickets, immigration, etc) - which I can partly understand, but then also a USD20,000 bond (not fully explained). Now, in any other industry, and with my previous business experience, I can only assume this to be a scam where someone is trying to get my money to help him do whatever he wants (possibly even start up an airline in Hawaii). But I'm wondering if this sort of thing is 'normal' in the aviation industry and how does one ever determine if it's legitimate?

Obviously I haven't handed any money over yet, and I doubt I will unless I can be seriously convinced this is legitimate.

Has anyone else received this email? What about other similar situations?

A bond is fairly normal if they are giving you some training. Whats the a/c type and training involved? ie do you do a sim to convert your licence or is it a ZK registered a/c?

on first read that sounds absurd!

I suggest do some meticulous research before you commit.

Beware of Kiwis in Hawaiian shirts bearing gifts
Beware of Kiwis in Hawaii selling you anything
Beware of Kiwis in Hawaii smoking pakalolo
Beware of Kiwis anywhere selling you anything
Beware of Kiwis

Listen to Tinpis.

He's been been scammed by Kiwis before.

W9.

Is it my turn yet? :}

A/C listed was PA31s, thats one hell of a PA31 endorsement. Sounds like his plan to get started includes all his funding coming from his pilots. Persons initials aren't GH are they ? Sure some people in Port Mac can tell you about business dealings with kiwis in aviation !!

Listen to Goblin too.

He's a big Kiwi hater from way back. Worse than Tinpis.

Think his wife took off with one or something. Or maybe a Kiwi undercut him for a 182 job somewhere. Cant remember which.

W9

Newsflash
 

Tinpis IS a kiwi..:eek::E:D

Here is the ad:

"New Zealand owner of 2 Piper Navajo twin aircraft based in Hawaii is seeking 10 qualified or trainee New Zealand pilots for a new ‘start-up airline’ (regular inter Island service, freight, training and charter services in Hawaii). The company will sponsor your USA Work Visa, provide all inclusive meals & accommodation. If you have single or multi time or just passionate about learning to fly and have the right attitude we can provide you work and further training. You need to be highly motivated and a team player. To find out more about this fantastic opportunity, apply online or send brief CV "

I thought that this sounded really dodgy on first reading. Now that I have heard about the financial contribution the candidate has to make I am convinced. Be very very careful, perhaps offer to get yourself to Hawaii 'which you can do for much less than $5,000usd'. If they insist on getting the $5,000usd themselves then give it a wide berth. Bond of $20,000 is massively over the top for a PA31.

newsflash

has anyone found out more information regarding this operation out of hawaii?. I wounder if the man who is setting this operation up actually has any aviation/airline experience?, our just the previous owner of sterling sports!!!?:ok:

where on the web was the advert listed?

Sounds a bit suss to me but it may be worh finding out more, particularly in relation to the bond.

Thanks

Biggles

Not anymore, with the amount of time he has spent in the NT, he is Territorian through and through...:ok:

They even like Kiwi's up there!;)

Krazy, bend over grab ankles and wait for shafting to occur.

Rule1 in avaition, if it looks like pooh, tastes like pooh most likely is pooh.

Rule2 refer rule 1

Rule 3 refer to previous PPrune posts.

USA is not a nice place to be caught without work visas etc.

You'll be right, just tell em you're mexican.

It was/is being advertised on SEEK - New Zealand's no. 1 jobs, employment, career and recruitment site under aviation or commercial pilot. The bit that makes me really suspicious is the fact that he says you don't even need to have a licence to apply just an interest in becoming a pilot.??

The ad actually asks for traineed or training pilots. Mostly likely looking for pilots with time on type and or instructors to carrying out the other halfs training, then use the newly trained pilots as f.o's in a 2 pilot crew operation. :}

It's strange in a number of ways - $20K for a PA31 endorsement is a joke.

Why don't you offer to pay your own airfare to Hawaii (can get it for under $1000) and offer to get your own PA31 endorsement (can get one in Aust for around $2200) and you've saved a fortune.

Not quite sure how they will sponsor a work Visa for expat pilots when there are so many local pilots (USA Citizens) out of work still - that bit seems very strange.

Honestly, what GA pilot in NZ has 20k usd...or 5k for that matter. Remember its the land where most multi IFR pilots are paid 25k per annum. :yuk:

Well...
 

1. According to the NZ companies register the company is REAL.

2. The ad does not say they are ZK registered aircraft only that it is a NZ owned company. However why else would you require NZ licenced pilots?
If they are not ZK registered, then to hire non US citizens what is your reason for applying for a US Visa to the US authorities?

3. According to the CAA aircraft register there is only 1 NZ company with 2 Navajos, being Airtothere. And I highly doubt its them! So are the planes yet to be registered as ZK, or they never will be and therefore we are in conflict as to why you need kiwi pilots and then them getting a US visa.

4. If they are ZK registered, don't you need 750hrs TT for IFR Air Transport under NZ rules?
Which leads to...

5. Why is there no mention of minimum hours for twin engine Air Transport ops, highly unusual if not bizarre saying they will train you from nothing to do that!

6. Advertising only on 'Seek' and no where else mainstream that most of us know about is also unsual, especially for targeting kiwi pilots.

7. All that money up front, hmmm, you can work that one out...
But I will say this, what is YOUR $ security if the new start up airline goes belly up?