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Old 22nd Jul 2005, 09:03
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SIA cargo

Hi chaps,

I have an interview with Singapore Cargo and would like to get some information on what to expect during the interview and simulator. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance
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Old 22nd Jul 2005, 14:26
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You may find some of what you are looking for here!!!(search) .
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Old 24th Jul 2005, 23:26
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Can somone please give me some information regarding the DEC F/O.

1) Are the contracts permanent of for 5 years (for expats)?

2) what are the possibilities of getting command and how long would it take?

3) After a couple of years is there the possibility of changing over to Singapore Mail line (passangers)?

4) what routes do they fly and how long do the crew stay out of home (typical roster)?

5) What is it like living in singapore medical and schools?

6) Is Singapore the only base they have or do they have others?

7) After one applies how long will it take to recieve from SIA Cargo?
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Old 12th Aug 2005, 12:34
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ferdinand,

I've been in a recruitment process in SIA CGO and have some info. that might help you

1. FOs are offered a national term. You won't get housing allowance and child education reimbursement.

2. As far as I know, at least you'll get command training after 7-8 years from your date of fully operational as FO.

3. Not sure about this, even local FO couldn't get this opprtunity.

4. They fly to Europe, Middle East, Australia, US, schedulle around 3-14 days.

5. Medical & local schools are cheap. You get fully coverage medical benefit from SIA CGO.

6. SIN is the only base for SIA CGO.

7. Approx. 3-5 weeks after applying, you'll be invited for 3-4 days for interview, simulator assessment and medical check up - hotel + medical on your own account.

Hope those will help a bit.

Cheers.
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Old 13th Aug 2005, 15:17
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SIA CARGO

mounster you forget one more,

* for F/O position if you have ATPL whatever FAA/JAR/NZ you only
given a SINGAPORE CPL the best in the world comparing to the
licence you hold

* if your time come for command training you do have to go by
your own time and money to get your a better SINGAPORE
ATPL licence

it is best not to think for command training, just come as contract term get the money and rating
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Old 18th Aug 2005, 12:49
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SIN ATPL

speedtwoten,

that's right, whatever our licence is, we only will be given SIN CPL. if we only hold foreign CPL with frozen ATPL, the company won't give us employment / contract unless we sit for exams ( 7-8 CPL subject ), pass them and the fees are on our account. here's an e-mail from CAAS :

We recognise ATP licences from all ICAO contracting states, Besides having
a valid and current foreign ATPL, the applicant is required to acquire a
minimum of 3000 hours total flying experience out of which 1500 hrs must be
PIC (Pilot-In-Command) on aircraft certificated for multi crew operations.
He must also have a minimum of 10 hours flying experience in a multi-crew
aircraft or in an approved simulator within 6 months preceeding the date of
application for the issue of a Singapore CPL.

Failing to have the above flying requirements, will entail the applicant to
be issued with a Singapore CPL only.
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Old 18th Aug 2005, 13:45
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you must be misunderstand mounster, I fullfilled all the requirement for what the CAAS wants, but I have not the 3000 hours in wide body to apply as Commander to the company, so I only accepted as FO and my license for Singapore CPL, then I said good bye to them, they have the best license standard to other ICAO contracting states, so be advise for them who apply to any company in Singapore go back to flying school before you come to them because where ever you come and standard your license is below standard in Singapore
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Old 19th Aug 2005, 10:40
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Sia Cargo

Hi guys,

Got an interview soon with SIA Cargo 744 F/O.

Can someone who is working there please tell me why they are not promoting from within?

How long does it take for command, i saw an earlier post that said 7-8 yrs, but assuming u have an ATPL , and lots of heavy time, but all as an F/O, will it still take that long?

Also, what is the the take home pay an expat can expect, (ball park pls)

And, any change to jump to mainline ever?

Thanks for any and all info.
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Old 19th Aug 2005, 11:15
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How's the work pattern like,anyone? Can someone work like 2 or 3 weeks in a row then have a few days off at a time?
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Old 19th Aug 2005, 12:46
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neilb767

Don't join SQ Cargo as an F/O if you are looking for a quick command or think you can move over to Mainline as both are non starters. The hoops you will have to jump through are almost impossible. If you are happy to be a F/O for say 7/8 years then you might just suceed in getting a Command. I can count on the fingers of two hands those ex-pats that have made it.

I should add that they all joined as low hour Pilots whereas for SQ to take high hours expat F/O's now then that is a new thing, Whether they upgrade more quickly only time will tell.
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Old 19th Aug 2005, 15:57
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Hi folks,

I'm just curious, what kind of nationalities are flying with SIA cargo, lots of nationals, americans, europeans,...?
What about the cockpit atmosphere and CRM? I had never the opportunity to talk to one of the SIA Cargo guys!

Thanks

greetings
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Old 22nd Aug 2005, 07:41
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ADIRS,

Extremely cosmopolitan mix of aircrew in SIA Cargo. Wouldn't like to quote where the majority are from but there are quite a few from Europe and S America with smaller numbers from just about everywhere else including Singapore. CRM etc. is no different to that in any other major airline, remember SIA Cargo is different in name only from SIA as all training, checking, simulating etc. etc. is done together with and by SIA crew. In addition most of the flying is done with mixed crews: cargo captain/mainline FO and vice versa and will most likely continue thus for many years.

millerscourt,

You do seem to have some kind of axe to grind about SIA Cargo. How can you state that a quick command or a move to mainline are non starters when even management haven't decided on the future direction of SIA Cargo? The major problem for them is a low amount of productive flying from SIA Cargo crew whilst having to pay them the same as mainline 744 pilots flying on average double the hours per month. This situation arose because of the need to raise the cargo pay three times in 18 months to attract suitable applicants. Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be a corresponding plan to match mainline productivity. There are a couple of very obvious ways to do this so watch this space. If nothing happens then SIA Cargo Captains will continue to bank an average $S18-20,000 per month with 4 month's profit share on top, for flying less than 40 hours per month.

Did I see in another thread you state there have been no DEC on -400 since 1997? I think the last DEC on the 400 was just before the SARS epidemic in 2002/3 and that onto the London base. I'm sure you are correct about 1997 being the last for Singapore base until the first cargo DEC arrived in early 2004. My apologies if it was not you that made the comment in the thread containing reference to Blue Eagle's base training.
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Old 22nd Aug 2005, 11:12
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SIA CARGO

B744F,

You seem to be in the know of SIA CARGO,

Wonder if you can shead some light on a few points.

I have the following:
9,500 hrs, 2500 + B767 F/O and regional jet command.

Am being offered an intervew for the 744 F .

Question is , they told me command possible if i am on the "local" contract. If SIA CARGO is in need of DEC, then why not promote from within? What is the requirements? for upgrade? What is the differance between contract and local terms?


Do you think they will merge the flying between cargo and mainline due productivity issues?

Any and all info gretly appreciated from anyone reading this..

Cheers
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Old 22nd Aug 2005, 13:04
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B744F Yes I meant non type rated joining as DEC on B744.That stopped around '97 until SQ Cargo recently

In answer to neilb767 i clearly stated that for SQ to take high hour experienced F/O's is a new thing for them and therefore " only time will tell whether they upgrade" For neil767 to sign a 5 year bond as a F/O when he is banking on an Upgrade sooner or even at all is in my opinion a big risk. Can he afford to live on a F/O Salary and for how long??

You say that SQ Cargo Pilots are earning the same as Mainline yet only flying 40 hrs per month. I cannot see how this is possible as far less allowances and far far less Productivity pay. If you only fly 40 hrs per month one is poor and that applies to Mainline as well!! Just look at your salary when you return from leave!!!

Perhaps some expat F/O in SQ Cargo can let us all know what the salary is on average each month???

PS B744F What you bank each month is not exactly all yours as you have to pay tax and for SQ Cargo Rent. Tax on first $160,000 is $16600 next $160,000 19%

Last edited by millerscourt; 22nd Aug 2005 at 13:16.
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Old 22nd Aug 2005, 13:36
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I went to the interview some weeks ago and it appears to me that you won't get an upgrade ever. And this is not only the fault of SQ but also of the CAAS. Because if you join an airline in Singapore as FO with a foreign licence, even if you have an ATPL, they will give you a Singapore CPL/IR. And if you want to be upgraded you will have to do the written ATPL all over again in Singapore with no help from SQ... to get the ATPL, so good luck...

If you join as a captain you won't have that problem because then they will give you directly the singapore ATPL equivallent.
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Old 22nd Aug 2005, 14:04
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max767 The Licence issue is not unsurmountable as SQ have upgraded a very very few expat F/O's who joined about 10/12 years ago. Most left but a few stayed and got commands. They all had low hours when they joined. One after his B777 Command resigned after 6 months and joined KAL!!

SQ can always get DEC's far easier than expat F/O's so is the will there to upgrade?? SQ will not care if you leave after serving your bond as you will have served their purpose. In a few years time their own training machine will have caught up and perhaps expat F/O's will no longer be required!!?? Just look at EK who are now taking DEC's .
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Old 22nd Aug 2005, 14:50
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They have a hard time to find expat FO's 'because' of their upgrade policy!!!! Cathay have no problems to find FO's because they upgrade them.
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Old 22nd Aug 2005, 15:01
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Anyone joining any Airline as a F/O that does not have a "set in stone" policy for Upgrades is asking for trouble. Not only that but just look at the resentment in EK and GF who will not cross fleet upgrades. So your career depends on what fleet you join and whether it is expanding or contracting and you see Junior F/O's to you getting upgraded just by being on the right type when they joined.
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Old 22nd Aug 2005, 17:07
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dear millerscourt,

would like to know your personal opinion on sq777 local command, versus sin cargo 744 local command...


presently 734command with approx. 8000tt/4000cmd

would truly appreciate your thoughts on this....
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Old 23rd Aug 2005, 01:11
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millerscourt,

See where you are coming from but possibly more allowances not less. Cargo receive $194 for each 24 hour period out of Singapore whereas mainline have to block on/off at the right times to score a meal allowance. Hence cargo generally better off except in Europe. Also cargo patterns tend to be long, as much as 15 days, so the cash tends to build up.

Basic pay the same for cargo captain as mainline unless previous experience on 400 in which case extra 7.5% paid.

The difference in PPA between 40 and 70 hours is just $1,650. Rental allowance is $3,000 but most guys seem to be able to find perfectly good, but older, apartments for a third of that, some of the singlies share whilst some others buy so they have something to sell when they leave. I believe mainline will have the same options when current leases run out.

Doesn't everyone pay tax in Singapore or is it just the cargo pilots? Also spending more time out of Sin means paying less tax under the NOR scheme.

Neilb767,

The problem in the short term is a big shortage of cargo FO's so upgrade very very unlikely. Currently many cadets are being assigned to SQ Cargo so in the longer term as they become more experienced the DEFO's may find upgrades are possible, but who knows. As someone else has said there is no written policy about this so tread with care.

Difference between local and expat terms are no school fees, no rent allowance and no $10,000 p.a. gratuity at end of contract (Cpt terms not sure of gratuity for FO) but if you obtain PR status you would then qualify for MPF.
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