A-Net contract starting Nov 2005
Join Date: May 2004
Location: USA
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If you are on a commuting contract, but still live in Japan for more than a certain number of days, you will be responsible for Japanese tax, pension and health insurance. Tax usually starts at 22%.
For those based out of Kansai Int. you can get an ok apartment or small house for cheaper than Nth Osaka. This is decent for Japanese size, you will never have a place like you can get at home. However it is too far to commute to Itami. For those needing to live near Itami, apartments, also known as shoeboxes, are very very expensive.
A no key money apartment is usually sharing, or a sublet. Both of which are generally against the terms of the rental agreement and illegal.
How close do the A-net guys have to be to Itami?
For those based out of Kansai Int. you can get an ok apartment or small house for cheaper than Nth Osaka. This is decent for Japanese size, you will never have a place like you can get at home. However it is too far to commute to Itami. For those needing to live near Itami, apartments, also known as shoeboxes, are very very expensive.
A no key money apartment is usually sharing, or a sublet. Both of which are generally against the terms of the rental agreement and illegal.
How close do the A-net guys have to be to Itami?
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Canada
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For the guys there I understand that you get a commuting allowance. However do they also pay for your subway commuting back and forth to work. I know alot of companies that do that in Japan
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
Far & near vision, using an eyesight chart for the distance testing (done using monocular vision, ie. each eye separately) asking you to point where the break in the circle is eg. 12 o'clock, 3 0'clock, 8 o'clock. The largest "horseshoes" are at the top, the smallest on the bottom row.
Near vision is done using the same shapes, but from a book.
Eyeball pressure tests on each eye, using a puff of air onto the eye.
Colour blindness testing, using the Ishihara method.
Field of vision - one eye at a time - using a white light on a white concave dish. There are 3 or 4 different sized lights used, starting with one about the size of this 0, and the last one about the size of this .
Blind spot testing, using the same white dish and a light.
Convergence and divergence tests.
Physical eye examination, which might include using those drops that dilate the pupil to check the back of the retina.
I think that's about it.
Near vision is done using the same shapes, but from a book.
Eyeball pressure tests on each eye, using a puff of air onto the eye.
Colour blindness testing, using the Ishihara method.
Field of vision - one eye at a time - using a white light on a white concave dish. There are 3 or 4 different sized lights used, starting with one about the size of this 0, and the last one about the size of this .
Blind spot testing, using the same white dish and a light.
Convergence and divergence tests.
Physical eye examination, which might include using those drops that dilate the pupil to check the back of the retina.
I think that's about it.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: F370
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Hydro: A-Net pays only the basic commuting allowance and living allowance (total US$3000/month). How you spend that is up to you. Beginning this month they are also paying a supplement of US$30/night away from base in Japan (we are doing about 10-12 overnights per month).
NZLear: There is no prescribed time distance to Itami, but most guys live in the Toyonaka/Ikeda/Mino-O areas, all less than about 45 minutes door to door.
Taxes: A-Net pilots are resident in Japan, and pay Japanese taxes. I don't know about HACS/US taxes. You only become resident in Japan after getting your work visa (completing OJT -about 6 months), so you don't pay Japanese taxes until after that. You should pay taxes for the country you are resident in until that time. Also, you only have to pay national taxes for the remainder of the first calendar year that you become resident (hence some different tax rates). Subsequent years you have to pay national and municipal taxes.
We don't pay Japanese health insurance. We have private insurance through the contracting companies. Be careful of Japanese hospitals!
Medical: In the pre-screening (New York) I did a stress test and echocardiogram only because of a "heart condition" (disrythmia), as well as the tests Chilli mentioned. The JCAB check (about month 4 of the contract) is easier, and did not require a stress test, only an EKG. Nor was there any psych stuff.
Early Departure: I believe all future contracts will have specific penalties built in. You are expected to stay for 3 years.
Hope that helps.
Joe
NZLear: There is no prescribed time distance to Itami, but most guys live in the Toyonaka/Ikeda/Mino-O areas, all less than about 45 minutes door to door.
Taxes: A-Net pilots are resident in Japan, and pay Japanese taxes. I don't know about HACS/US taxes. You only become resident in Japan after getting your work visa (completing OJT -about 6 months), so you don't pay Japanese taxes until after that. You should pay taxes for the country you are resident in until that time. Also, you only have to pay national taxes for the remainder of the first calendar year that you become resident (hence some different tax rates). Subsequent years you have to pay national and municipal taxes.
We don't pay Japanese health insurance. We have private insurance through the contracting companies. Be careful of Japanese hospitals!
Medical: In the pre-screening (New York) I did a stress test and echocardiogram only because of a "heart condition" (disrythmia), as well as the tests Chilli mentioned. The JCAB check (about month 4 of the contract) is easier, and did not require a stress test, only an EKG. Nor was there any psych stuff.
Early Departure: I believe all future contracts will have specific penalties built in. You are expected to stay for 3 years.
Hope that helps.
Joe
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Sounds good thanks for the info.
I am not interested in leaving but would like to have some kind of clue what the penalty would be if something at home happened and I had to get out
I am not interested in leaving but would like to have some kind of clue what the penalty would be if something at home happened and I had to get out
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: UTC +7 thru +9
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Anyone can tell?
Gent's,
My 1st questions:
The Living allowances and Commuting assistance,is it we gonna get after done the 8 months training?
2nd questions :
When your 1st basic received?
Thnkng you in advanced,
m_t
My 1st questions:
The Living allowances and Commuting assistance,is it we gonna get after done the 8 months training?
2nd questions :
When your 1st basic received?
Thnkng you in advanced,
m_t
Join Date: May 2005
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MT,
During training including OJT (approx the first 6 months) you will be paid 80% of salary (about $4800 for captains), plus a per diem of $50 per night in a hotel.
On completion of training (landing in Japan with work visa) you will be paid "full salary" (Parc withholds 20% for taxes, so no change actually), plus $2000 living and $1000 commuting allowances. A per diem supplement of $30/night away is planned to begin this month.
There actually isn't much difference between the two when you look at cash in hand (more free cash during training).
J
During training including OJT (approx the first 6 months) you will be paid 80% of salary (about $4800 for captains), plus a per diem of $50 per night in a hotel.
On completion of training (landing in Japan with work visa) you will be paid "full salary" (Parc withholds 20% for taxes, so no change actually), plus $2000 living and $1000 commuting allowances. A per diem supplement of $30/night away is planned to begin this month.
There actually isn't much difference between the two when you look at cash in hand (more free cash during training).
J
Join Date: Oct 2005
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No more $30/night per diem. At least if your with PARC. The contract amendment with the per diems that they sent us for approval included a few other suprise and unwanted changes that PARC tried to sneak in there without telling us.
BG
BG
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Hi all. I have been on this contract for over a year and this is some of the stuff I have found.
APARTMENTS - You can get a nice apartment for just under 80,000 yen right on up. A lot of guys live in Minoo and pay about that. It seems that every group of guys that comes online with this contract are able to get better, and better deals on apartments. There definately are nice places available that don't involve key money or deposits. One guy has a 65 square meter 2 bedroom, fully furnished place 17 minute walk to the airport for 80,000 yen. No deposit...nothing. Free highspeed internet to boot, (courtesy of an unsuspecting neighbour). Something that many guys negotiate with landlords is the paying of the key money on a montly basis. That is, you 300,000 yen or whatever is paid over 2 or 3 years or whatever the lease is. Takes a little of the sting out of it I think.
CONTRACT ISSUES - HACS has a 3 month notification requirement to leave early. If you don't give 3 months, I believe it is $15,000 USD penalty. PARC, up until now had no clause. This led some to believe you could leave any time. Now PARC has sent letters to most who have quit early saying that legal action is pending and that they seek a SUBSTANTIAL amount of money.
FIRST OFFICER CONDITIONS - ALL the first officers here are very, very experienced, but unfortunately it is Japan and they are not allowed to fly all the time. With the new captains coming who are not type rated, it will mean that many FOs will not actually "manipulate" the controls much at all. This, very understandably, has led to low morale amongst some of the fo's. Before you come as an fo, please try to get more info.
I think it is a good job overall. Japan is an interesting country and there are many nice people here. But make SURE you get some more info before accepting it. There are many great guys here who have good attitudes, but somehow morale is in the toilet right now.
APARTMENTS - You can get a nice apartment for just under 80,000 yen right on up. A lot of guys live in Minoo and pay about that. It seems that every group of guys that comes online with this contract are able to get better, and better deals on apartments. There definately are nice places available that don't involve key money or deposits. One guy has a 65 square meter 2 bedroom, fully furnished place 17 minute walk to the airport for 80,000 yen. No deposit...nothing. Free highspeed internet to boot, (courtesy of an unsuspecting neighbour). Something that many guys negotiate with landlords is the paying of the key money on a montly basis. That is, you 300,000 yen or whatever is paid over 2 or 3 years or whatever the lease is. Takes a little of the sting out of it I think.
CONTRACT ISSUES - HACS has a 3 month notification requirement to leave early. If you don't give 3 months, I believe it is $15,000 USD penalty. PARC, up until now had no clause. This led some to believe you could leave any time. Now PARC has sent letters to most who have quit early saying that legal action is pending and that they seek a SUBSTANTIAL amount of money.
FIRST OFFICER CONDITIONS - ALL the first officers here are very, very experienced, but unfortunately it is Japan and they are not allowed to fly all the time. With the new captains coming who are not type rated, it will mean that many FOs will not actually "manipulate" the controls much at all. This, very understandably, has led to low morale amongst some of the fo's. Before you come as an fo, please try to get more info.
I think it is a good job overall. Japan is an interesting country and there are many nice people here. But make SURE you get some more info before accepting it. There are many great guys here who have good attitudes, but somehow morale is in the toilet right now.
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Lost of License Insurance,just incase
OC,
You guys not covered with the lost of license insurance aren't you,my question is do you have your own or any suggestion concerning this?
Thanks very much,
m_t
You guys not covered with the lost of license insurance aren't you,my question is do you have your own or any suggestion concerning this?
Thanks very much,
m_t
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
You can get a nice apartment for just under 80,000 yen right on up.
"..on up" - in other words 80,000 yen and up, will open up a world of accommodation opportunities.
But as with ANY rental market, the more you're willing to pay, the better you can expect.
If you have a wife, don't expect to rent for less than about USD2,500 - and even then she is going to feel the squeeze, if she isn't Asian.
If you've got kids who are used to living a "normal" western lifestyle, you'll need to look at forking out at least USD3k per month just for a "normal" house (which will, in fact, be considerably smaller than what you've been used to).
LEAVING EARLY - If you feel that the contractor has promised you something, but that your expectations were not met, then I would challenge ANY attempt(s) by them to try to recover costs from you.
FIRST OFFICERS - As foreign F/O's (sorry...f/o's) expect to be treated with the same respect as toilet paper.
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Do you think with people leaving for other jobs and the current state of the market, if an F/O works really hard there will be a chance for upgrade in the company. If the previous experiance of that f/o is quite high
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Japan
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If you sign a contract as a Co-pilot (cuz there aint such things as FOs in Japan). You will finish your contract as a Co-pilot. Then, you might get an upgrade if you sign for another term. There has been no upgrades here yet. But the first guys finish their contract next year, and we will see what the company will offer.
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Well all the f/os here are very experienced. They have 4000-6000 hours, lots on the Dash 8, lots of previous command experience and a couple of years with the company. Yet they're hiring guys with 3000 hours who've never seen the inside of a dash 8 to be captains. Does that answer your question Hydro?