Air Japan (AJX) B767
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Colombia
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Airjapan or kal ?
Dear Dominican, I'm a colombian 767 captain flying for LAN. I will go to take both screenings on July. I just want to ask you, if it is true that Korean instructors don't try well expats, and flying in Japan is a better option. thanks for the advise [email protected]
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tokyo
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AJX, the new company formed out of the comination of ANA and JP express and AJX (PAX), has reflected at their shrinking staffing levels and appalling recruiting rate and has released a revised policy statement relating to days off, laundry, duty times, currency fluctuation policy, commute policy and days off allocation policy.
Someone else may wish to summarize it better, but it's all bad.
1. You cannot arrive in Japan on the day you start work for safety reasons and this will "strictly" be enforced. You can however, fly all night for AJX arrive in the morning at a destinataion, stay anywhere from 8 to 12 hours and then fly back the same night. If you live in Europe. the USA or Australia, you will be leaving home a day earlier so as you can utilize you commute day by sitting on your butt in Japan for about 36 hours. Don't forget you're paying for the hotel.
When all is said and done, we lose a day, get given two commute days, both of which we can't use.
The extra commute days that we gain or lose however you see it are subjext to AJX's business model. Which means when the rest of the guys leave they can't do it!
2. We lose $500 per month, but we get Free LAUNDRY!
3. Now if you happen to be sick after July 1st, you have to go visit their AJX doctor and he may not.....'Concur'
4. AJX will be streamlining the days off to allocate them months in advance, so you can forget your plans and your life.
5. On your last day of work you "will be available for duty"
6. I haven't even touched on the comedy of the exchange rate!
7. And they finish off with:
We trust that you will find these changes to your satisfaction and we thank you for your understanding and patience during the last few months while Air Japan were working on these changes.
Kind regards
I find their propsals a cheap trick and an awful attempt at a childish con, it's more dissappointing than anything. Bye bye hello Kitty Land.
Someone else may wish to summarize it better, but it's all bad.
1. You cannot arrive in Japan on the day you start work for safety reasons and this will "strictly" be enforced. You can however, fly all night for AJX arrive in the morning at a destinataion, stay anywhere from 8 to 12 hours and then fly back the same night. If you live in Europe. the USA or Australia, you will be leaving home a day earlier so as you can utilize you commute day by sitting on your butt in Japan for about 36 hours. Don't forget you're paying for the hotel.
When all is said and done, we lose a day, get given two commute days, both of which we can't use.
The extra commute days that we gain or lose however you see it are subjext to AJX's business model. Which means when the rest of the guys leave they can't do it!
2. We lose $500 per month, but we get Free LAUNDRY!
3. Now if you happen to be sick after July 1st, you have to go visit their AJX doctor and he may not.....'Concur'
4. AJX will be streamlining the days off to allocate them months in advance, so you can forget your plans and your life.
5. On your last day of work you "will be available for duty"
6. I haven't even touched on the comedy of the exchange rate!
7. And they finish off with:
We trust that you will find these changes to your satisfaction and we thank you for your understanding and patience during the last few months while Air Japan were working on these changes.
Kind regards
I find their propsals a cheap trick and an awful attempt at a childish con, it's more dissappointing than anything. Bye bye hello Kitty Land.
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Japan
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Very succinct Meguro though you did forget to mention that there is now water in a brand new fridge in our prison cell at Okinawa! It is also worth mentioning that we have as a pilot group taken a >20% pay cut over the last 24 months, a fact that both the contract companies and the Japanese are happy to forget.
China is very probably a more honest, better paid, more attractive proposition than Japan, not only that it is growing and doesn't shake every day!
China is very probably a more honest, better paid, more attractive proposition than Japan, not only that it is growing and doesn't shake every day!
Join Date: May 2002
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I must say that all though I am not surprised with the 'new and improved' working conditions, I am very disappointed.
While the rest of the industry seems to be making improvements to pilot's T&C's(in some cases very small improvements) AJX have decided to go a new direction by keeping pay the same... or worse, with less flexibly and more control in all aspects.
With the exchange rate of the USD and the inflation in the US/EU/AUS the contract has decrease in value to the point that I could not recommend it to anyone anymore. It's a real shame because it was a very nice place to work.
Pilot intakes over the last year have decrease dramatically and with the new working conditions I cannot see that changing. I can only guess that the real intention of the company is to wind this experiment down to eventually close the company down.
Oh well, I guess time to dust off the CV once again.
While the rest of the industry seems to be making improvements to pilot's T&C's(in some cases very small improvements) AJX have decided to go a new direction by keeping pay the same... or worse, with less flexibly and more control in all aspects.
With the exchange rate of the USD and the inflation in the US/EU/AUS the contract has decrease in value to the point that I could not recommend it to anyone anymore. It's a real shame because it was a very nice place to work.
Pilot intakes over the last year have decrease dramatically and with the new working conditions I cannot see that changing. I can only guess that the real intention of the company is to wind this experiment down to eventually close the company down.
Oh well, I guess time to dust off the CV once again.
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Another point for any prospective F/O applicants is the fact that the command upgrade programme has slowed down. This will mean that a large number of F/O's in the company will not see the upgrade in their first contract, something PROMISED by AJX and the contract companies.
Be careful of any such promises being made, they seem to be hellbent on chasing the foreigners away.
Be careful of any such promises being made, they seem to be hellbent on chasing the foreigners away.
Join Date: May 2009
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Kept pay the same The Yank says. All the freighter pilots have taken a 5% pay cut in money no longer being paid to them. For everybody who lives outside the US of A the insidious backward creep of the greenback has meant a real loss of earnings in excess of 20% so in fact we have over the last two years lost a quarter of our salary, now call me a bluff old traditionalist but 25% is a pay cut in my book?
Join Date: Nov 2008
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As many of my posts will attest, I've been quite pro-AJV/AJX in my comments. I know in the last year or so these comments have become progressively more negative, as the blundering assholes in the Office run around like headless chickens and fail to achieve anything meaningful (apart from re-organising the desks ) but this latest change to our conditions has firmly put me now in the 'stay away' camp.
They've introduced 2 commuting days but then said you cannot commute on the last day of work and have to be at work the day before your roster starts. Result: bugger all, in fact less than that as you now have 2 extra nights to pay for in the hotel.
They've introduced an 'exchange rate protection' on 50% of the per diem. Big deal. What's happened to the money we've lost in the interim i.e. since Aug 2008 (when the 'acceptable' rate is set)? Back pay to then? No. We saw the same with the hotel allowances and the fact that we've been underpaid since Aug 2008. So excuse me if I don't get the banners out and start waving because that massively generous 'protection' of 50% of the per diem is going to work out at about $150/month. Wow, how will I invest it all.....I know, it'll pay for the extra nights in the hotel. Result: no gain.
Free uniform laundry. I can almost guarantee they've done this as it costs more in admin to separate us from ANA Mainline, who get there's done free. But, hey, $20 per month......can't sneeze at that can you
For Australians there's been a salary loss of approximately 43% due to the high Oz $ and crap US $. A similar high loss has been experienced by the European pilots. During that time the Yen has remained very strong against the US $ and AJX has simply reaped the benefits. Likewise, WE have been instrumental in increasing the cargo profit by 500%, while being subject to the consequences of combining AJV & AJX, while the profits of doing so are enjoyed by the Company. I have no problem at all with profiting through combining synergies and us doing our job well. I DO have a HUGE problem when I am then paying for so they can show an even steeper increase on their pretty graphs. They've had to keep the cargo boys on the slightly higher pay for the last 3 months as they couldn't get their act together and sort out passenger 'training' (I use that in the loosest possible terms) but, come I July, we all become absolutely one (unhappy) family and not only do I not get a salary increase but I lose $500/month. SO, well done AJX, you have absolutely failed 100% to address the huge issue that we've been telling you for ages.
The only positive in all of this is it has allowed some 'fence sitters' in the Company to have the decision to leave made a lot easier. I think we're up to 5 at the moment but, come July when a lot of the AJV contracts come up, I'm sure there will be others. It is sad that these guys are going because they are good people and a pleasure to work with. I would rather they didn't go but this will be the only thing the 'managers' at AJX will listen to.
In closing, I will categorically state that you should STAY AWAY. This is NOT an attempt to further our cause by ensuring nobody joins so they have to listen but this is advice to stop you being hugely disappointed by the spin being offered by the agencies (to be fair, as a reaction to the demands of the Company):
There has been no salary increase for a LONG time. There is no protection for the crap US$. The Yen is very strong = expensive to stay and 'live' in Japan. The allowances do not cover the expenses you will pay, especially as there will be more time in the NRT hotels as they combine pax and cargo rosters. The days off changes have made absolutely no difference and there are better contracts out there now. As Ishi said, as an FO you can almost guarantee you will not get upgraded on your first contract (they may 'assess' you but getting the 4 stripes will, almost certainly, not happen within the 5 years). And you get to do all of this while the Japanese Government lies to you about radiation levels and the effects on food, water etc
I knew I was going to hate this Monday morning
) but this latest change to our conditions has firmly put me now in the 'stay away' camp. They've introduced 2 commuting days but then said you cannot commute on the last day of work and have to be at work the day before your roster starts. Result: bugger all, in fact less than that as you now have 2 extra nights to pay for in the hotel.
They've introduced an 'exchange rate protection' on 50% of the per diem. Big deal. What's happened to the money we've lost in the interim i.e. since Aug 2008 (when the 'acceptable' rate is set)? Back pay to then? No. We saw the same with the hotel allowances and the fact that we've been underpaid since Aug 2008. So excuse me if I don't get the banners out and start waving because that massively generous 'protection' of 50% of the per diem is going to work out at about $150/month. Wow, how will I invest it all.....I know, it'll pay for the extra nights in the hotel. Result: no gain.
Free uniform laundry. I can almost guarantee they've done this as it costs more in admin to separate us from ANA Mainline, who get there's done free. But, hey, $20 per month......can't sneeze at that can you
For Australians there's been a salary loss of approximately 43% due to the high Oz $ and crap US $. A similar high loss has been experienced by the European pilots. During that time the Yen has remained very strong against the US $ and AJX has simply reaped the benefits. Likewise, WE have been instrumental in increasing the cargo profit by 500%, while being subject to the consequences of combining AJV & AJX, while the profits of doing so are enjoyed by the Company. I have no problem at all with profiting through combining synergies and us doing our job well. I DO have a HUGE problem when I am then paying for so they can show an even steeper increase on their pretty graphs. They've had to keep the cargo boys on the slightly higher pay for the last 3 months as they couldn't get their act together and sort out passenger 'training' (I use that in the loosest possible terms) but, come I July, we all become absolutely one (unhappy) family and not only do I not get a salary increase but I lose $500/month. SO, well done AJX, you have absolutely failed 100% to address the huge issue that we've been telling you for ages.
The only positive in all of this is it has allowed some 'fence sitters' in the Company to have the decision to leave made a lot easier. I think we're up to 5 at the moment but, come July when a lot of the AJV contracts come up, I'm sure there will be others. It is sad that these guys are going because they are good people and a pleasure to work with. I would rather they didn't go but this will be the only thing the 'managers' at AJX will listen to.
In closing, I will categorically state that you should STAY AWAY. This is NOT an attempt to further our cause by ensuring nobody joins so they have to listen but this is advice to stop you being hugely disappointed by the spin being offered by the agencies (to be fair, as a reaction to the demands of the Company):
There has been no salary increase for a LONG time. There is no protection for the crap US$. The Yen is very strong = expensive to stay and 'live' in Japan. The allowances do not cover the expenses you will pay, especially as there will be more time in the NRT hotels as they combine pax and cargo rosters. The days off changes have made absolutely no difference and there are better contracts out there now. As Ishi said, as an FO you can almost guarantee you will not get upgraded on your first contract (they may 'assess' you but getting the 4 stripes will, almost certainly, not happen within the 5 years). And you get to do all of this while the Japanese Government lies to you about radiation levels and the effects on food, water etc
I knew I was going to hate this Monday morning
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Gotta Say...
I would be doing my fellow aviators a dis-service if I did not echo their sentiments.....STAY FAR FAR AWAY from this place. Just when you think things cannot get any worse, the Japanese never fail to out do themselves! They're a bunch of idiots steering a rudderless ship at this point and there be icebergs ahead!
-Dex
-Dex
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Still problems, crew walking, ANA not renewing some contracts, promised upgrades evaporating.
Moronic memos being issued about being Fair!
Pay cut takes effect July 1st. Chronic sickness about to spread through the ranks.
Same same you might say, in any case stay away unless you have a lifeboat or you're in the water anyway, which in any case something is better then nothing.
Moronic memos being issued about being Fair!
Pay cut takes effect July 1st. Chronic sickness about to spread through the ranks.
Same same you might say, in any case stay away unless you have a lifeboat or you're in the water anyway, which in any case something is better then nothing.
Join Date: Sep 2009
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I realize this thread has taken many twists and turns.......
It seems that the morale at ANA has taken a turn for the worse...
---I'm trying to understand the "new" commuting contract... It sounds like they have given two extra days off to commute, but you now have to show up for duty atleast a day early? Is that correct? For someone coming from the USA (east coast) does that have much of an effect on the "normal" commute? I'd assume that getting there a day early would be the norm anyways?? If I ever pulled the trigger and got hired I'd contemplate a Seattle commute, how many days could I expect to be home with the commute and all.....
--Also, for those that have accepted the job, especially if furloughed with no other options in this job climate... How is the being away from wife and kid for 3 weeks at a time? I know different strokes for different folks, but for me I think I'd be excited for the new job with international destinations, new a/c etc...But I'd be afraid that as the first or second year went by I'd be more and more disgruntled at the time away...anyone having any hard times accepting that with no other job prospects, the time away may be the norm for a very long time?
--How's the hiring prospects at ANA? Are they hurting for applicants still? Any rumors of downsizing at all? Besides the online app. I have very easy access to drop by Honolulu to persoanlly drop of my stuff. I'd hope this would be a good thing and increase any chance to get hired??
--Finally, training...Is family still able to come out atleast once? Or more....the 6 months of training is probably one of my biggest fears of being away unless the family can visit once or twice..
Thanks,
I realize alot of this is covered somewhere in this thread, but it's been awhile since any posts....
It seems that the morale at ANA has taken a turn for the worse...
---I'm trying to understand the "new" commuting contract... It sounds like they have given two extra days off to commute, but you now have to show up for duty atleast a day early? Is that correct? For someone coming from the USA (east coast) does that have much of an effect on the "normal" commute? I'd assume that getting there a day early would be the norm anyways?? If I ever pulled the trigger and got hired I'd contemplate a Seattle commute, how many days could I expect to be home with the commute and all.....
--Also, for those that have accepted the job, especially if furloughed with no other options in this job climate... How is the being away from wife and kid for 3 weeks at a time? I know different strokes for different folks, but for me I think I'd be excited for the new job with international destinations, new a/c etc...But I'd be afraid that as the first or second year went by I'd be more and more disgruntled at the time away...anyone having any hard times accepting that with no other job prospects, the time away may be the norm for a very long time?
--How's the hiring prospects at ANA? Are they hurting for applicants still? Any rumors of downsizing at all? Besides the online app. I have very easy access to drop by Honolulu to persoanlly drop of my stuff. I'd hope this would be a good thing and increase any chance to get hired??
--Finally, training...Is family still able to come out atleast once? Or more....the 6 months of training is probably one of my biggest fears of being away unless the family can visit once or twice..
Thanks,
I realize alot of this is covered somewhere in this thread, but it's been awhile since any posts....
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It sounds like they have given two extra days off to commute, but you now have to show up for duty atleast a day early? Is that correct? For someone coming from the USA (east coast) does that have much of an effect on the "normal" commute? I'd assume that getting there a day early would be the norm anyways??
how many days could I expect to be home with the commute and all.....
--Also, for those that have accepted the job, especially if furloughed with no other options in this job climate... How is the being away from wife and kid for 3 weeks at a time? I know different strokes for different folks, but for me I think I'd be excited for the new job with international destinations, new a/c etc...But I'd be afraid that as the first or second year went by I'd be more and more disgruntled at the time away...anyone having any hard times accepting that with no other job prospects, the time away may be the norm for a very long time?
--How's the hiring prospects at ANA?
Are they hurting for applicants still?
Any rumors of downsizing at all?
Besides the online app. I have very easy access to drop by Honolulu to persoanlly drop of my stuff. I'd hope this would be a good thing and increase any chance to get hired??
--Finally, training...Is family still able to come out atleast once? Or more....the 6 months of training is probably one of my biggest fears of being away unless the family can visit once or twice..
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Great info thanks Dominican.....
That new commuting policy seems like a better deal for the USA guys.. (I'm sure there was a cost though....airlines don't usually improve the lives of the pilots withjout taking something in return!)
I know a guy who commutes from the East Coast (US)...He normally would leave on a Monday to start a trip on Wed. Basically losing a day or two at home. So now he gets to leave on Wed. That is better for him I would think...
18 days away and 12 at home is a bit more acceptable than 21-22 days away and 8-9 at home..... I did the 121 thing for about 5 years, but there is a huge difference being gone 4-5 days vs. 18-20...That's the only part I'm trying to wrap my head around....
I've got 7000+ and have been in some form of turbine for the last 11 years so hopefully that will be something they might take a look at?
Thanks again
That new commuting policy seems like a better deal for the USA guys.. (I'm sure there was a cost though....airlines don't usually improve the lives of the pilots withjout taking something in return!)
I know a guy who commutes from the East Coast (US)...He normally would leave on a Monday to start a trip on Wed. Basically losing a day or two at home. So now he gets to leave on Wed. That is better for him I would think...
18 days away and 12 at home is a bit more acceptable than 21-22 days away and 8-9 at home..... I did the 121 thing for about 5 years, but there is a huge difference being gone 4-5 days vs. 18-20...That's the only part I'm trying to wrap my head around....
I've got 7000+ and have been in some form of turbine for the last 11 years so hopefully that will be something they might take a look at?
Thanks again
