did they send you the "we are going to contact your references within 2 weeks" email? If so and they haven't called, maybe a brief email of your own is in order?? :confused:

Jsmitty
I think there might be a couple dozen people in the same position as you... Still waiting for ref checks to happen..

hold file
 

Hey All,

Anyone on the hold file here get a start in April. When were you interviewed?

Cheers,

CA

Received an e-mail from recruitment today advising that they haven't been able to contact my references yet and it could take another 2 weeks. Anyone else get the same e-mail?? I received the original reference check e-mail exactly 1 week ago.

It is nice of them to send a courtesy e-mail though, never seen an airline do that before!! :)

I'm in the same boat mate.

Dotell,

1) Yes.

2) If you are a professional pilot then you will already know your stuff. My advice is know the AIP. Know it well. Questions will come from topic areas:

• AIP.
• CAOs.
• CARs.
• Aerodynamics.
• Met.
• Nav.
• Approach procedures.
• etc..

Re-read all of your ATPL notes and texts. I might add that to ask about specific questions or topic areas does not indicate to me a good attitude.

Good Luck :ok:

dotell,

IFR and aerodynamics are big ones, I'd concentrate on those. But as anthill said, take a quick look at met, performance and CAO's as well. Good luck :)

Excuse my ignorance and be kind,
If you take a cruise FO spot on the 777, is there progression onto the e-jet/73 fleet? If you were to do this, would you have more seniority over someone that was hired directly onto the e-jet/73 while you were cruise FO for later position bidding etc? Are positions advertised to the cruise FO's before new hires?

Fair questions Noclue, I'll answer as best I can:

CzFOs can progress to B737/Ejet FO positions. Under the current Short Haul EBA, B777 CzFOs will NOT have there date of joining with the VA group recognised. The proposed EBA WILL recognise date of joining throughout the group. This will bring alignment with the Long Haul EBA which recognises group DoJ for promotional and base transfer purposes.

I am just filling in app online, got a few Q.

Where it asks whether u r prepared to pay for initial endorsement what is everyone putting?? ( No bashing responses please)

I thought the company paid upfront for initial endo for new hires and all training and you have to sign a ROSO ??

Is that correct or do you have to outlay all the endo/ training costs upfront out of your bank account and get an endo before your start date like Jetstar was/ is doing???
( Then have to fight the ATO in claiming it as many have)

Which is it now in 2012 ???

Does it matter what bases/ location prefs you enter???
Do they care what you say re those prefs in the interview???

As others have said above, take initial offer and get in first then move later.
Thanks for all genuine answers. :ok:
( Again no bashing/rubbish answers please, getting sick and tired of all that instead of some informative answers on this site when people ask genuine Q )

Ejet and 737 - salary sacrifice
777 cruiser - were being bonded but not sure what is happening with the new LH eba.

I would definately say you are prepared to pay.

Bases - certainly put down the base/s you would like, but I would suggest being, and coming across as, flexible. If they sense you wouldn't be happy with other bases they probably would offer them to someone else. As has already been posted, if you want 737 bne it's not gonna happen. As has also been posted, once you are in the company, you can base transfer when slots become available and this will be before it's offered to someone on the hold file. The transfer could potentially happen before you even finish your training, but I certainly wouldn't count on it.

Good luck!:ok:

Wot Grrrowler said :ok:

B777 bond is for 30 months. I sdon't think that you'd want to leave for anywhere else anyway.

Thanks very much Growler,

Yes you have to tick yes since they make you pay.

Does anyone know--

How much do you salary sacrifice total and over what time period?? (2012 numbers)

Do they pay a training wage until you check to line that they start taking the endo cost out of or does the salary sacrifice start once you are flying the line??

Can the total salary sacrificed amount be claimed as a work expense on your tax each year til it is paid off since you are already technically employed by the company first and then start training after?? ( Many had issues with ATO in past years over this when claiming training costs)

Very Important since it means you are paying for the endo and training out of your salary.

Salsac options are:

Ejet - you have the option of 12 or 24 months.
737 - no option, 12 month only.

Type is dependent on where you are placed on the hold file and the type they happen to be employing for when they take you off it.

No training wage, paid full salary from day one of employment...however, day one is not the first day of your course as you are not employed until you have the endorsement and pass the company check, known as the operator proficiency check or OPC. This is roughly 6-8 weeks after the commencement of your course which will be in Brisbane for the Ejet or either Brisbane or Melbourne for the 737. Accom, meals, transport etc is your responsibility during this time as you are not an employee yet.

Salary sacrificing is the same as a tax deduction. They take the endo cost out of your gross pay and then tax you on the remainder. No different to writing off the entire $30K amount against your salary at the EOFY except a) it improves your cashflow getting the 'tax back' pay to pay and b) you don't have to pay any interest on the $30K like you would if you got a bank loan and then wrote it off at the EOFY.

Thanks Dragun that is really good info.

I'm also in the waiting for reference check category, nothing heard from my 2 referees.

Just speculation on my part, VA must be planning ahead for the next pilot shortage and compiling a massive hold file.

They seem convinced (I'm not) that a shortage of some sort will exist as they seem to be going ahead with the cadet program.

Interested on how cadets will fit into the operation, I.e Atr or CRFO, maybe even both.

Thanks very much for the info Dragun. :ok::ok:

Interviews today in Brizzy for VANZ & 777

No problem.