Air Japan (AJX) B767

[The Dominican]

The 401k is a big deal. Huge tax/retirement advantage over PARC.

Anyone have any information on who the CREW uses for the 401k? And what funds are available?

No not really, the tax advantages are the same regardless of what retirement account method you choose. Also the money dedicated for retirement is the same with any of the 4 contract companies that employ pilots in this contract.

The main difference between the two most popular contract companies is medical insurance (better with CREW if you live in the US) and the unemployment insurance (better with PARC, regardless of where you live) I think that Frate already explained very well the compensation packages, the money at the end of the pay slip is the same when placed by any of the 4 contract companies

[3646flyer]

Regarding commuting, I was thinking about trying to get a visa in Taiwan and living there if hired. It seems like with such a short commute that it may be better to take the cash instead of the business class tickets??? Ideally I would like to live in Japan, but I read earlier in the thread that it would be difficult without a sponsor. Either way, it looks like I would be able to take advantage of US tax free money to the limit allowed by the IRS since I would be outside the USA. Any info would be helpful.

[The Dominican]

Hello Mach

I'm curious as to why you say that the 401K plan is a huge tax advantage over other retirement plans as I understand, the tax benefits are the same for any retirement plan, I understand that you like the structure of the 401K plan and that it works for you, I just don't see as to why would it be a huge advantage tax wise, can you explain.

[The Dominican]

You get the same tax advantages from many other type of retirement options. It is always good to consult with a retirement specialist, but thanks for your perspective.

[The Dominican]

3646flyer, check your PM's

[oldhasbeen]

Call Parc or Crew and ask them

[Utrinque]

Any Ex FR drivers?

Anybody gone for the Air Japan DEC B767 recently - regardless of how far through the process you are I would be interested in your thoughts chaps.

PM away ...

[MerAir80]

Questions about AJX

Hi guys,
I'm really thinking about applying to AJX so I've spent many hours reading the older posts, but I didn't find anything specific about the early steps.
So can any of you tell me how it goes after replying to the headhunter? Is there a selection phase (if so, how's it structured)? How long will I wait to get an answer from the Company?
What's the reason for such a long training period?

And the last one:I didn't see any post about the radiation problem, Fukushima, the connected risks, how safe is the area of Narita and Tokio in general. I don't know if I missed those posts.

Thank you in advance.

Cheers

[The Dominican]

So can any of you tell me how it goes after replying to the headhunter? Is there a selection phase (if so, how's it structured)? How long will I wait to get an answer from the Company?

The short answer to all these questions is that we don't know the inner workings of the selection process is something they guard very closely and don't share with any of us, the time frame doesn't seem to follow any pattern either, me for example, I went from filling out the application to being in Tokyo for the interview within the space of one week, others don't hear back from them for months. There have been cases of folks that go through the entire process and pass both the interview and medical, then don't hear from the company for months just to end up getting the "thanks but no thanks" email
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but none of us can really give you an answer.

What's the reason for such a long training period?

Well this has been discussed several times on this thread, but part of it is the company culture and their relationship with the JCAB, it is all very, How can I say it? Scripted! You get a lot of time off during training, and the syllabus is given way too much time allotted to each particular subject, you will get a whole day in ground school for a couple of subjects that you end up covering in a couple of hours during computer based self training, it is just by very design meant to drag on. Once in sim training, it is very repetitious and they will give you endless sim sessions to repeat the same maneuver over and over again, the hardest part is to stay motivated. I don't particularly think the training here is difficult, but it is very scripted up to the point of the timing of talking to ATC during a particular maneuver, and calling for the checklist and even the time frame to complete such checklist, once you figure out how they want it scripted, is not really difficult at all, the people that seem to have problems during training are the ones that fight the script and the ones that get frustrated because they are being corrected for things that for most westerners would seem unimportant, but that they put emphasis on. It is a marathon, not a sprint, figure out the way they want it done and please them in the minutia that you might think it is irrelevant and you will be fine. Finally just enjoy your time off in Tokyo, I for one wasn't in too much of a hurry to get in the cockpit

And the last one:I didn't see any post about the radiation problem, Fukushima, the connected risks, how safe is the area of Narita and Tokio in general. I don't know if I missed those posts.

The government and the international agencies that are tracking this, have registered the same levels of background radiation in the metropolitan area from a couple of months after the disaster and until the present day, as they did before the disaster. If radiation is a concern for you, you need to be aware that you are exposed to 25 to 30 times the amount of radiation per hour while flying that you are while standing in your average size metropolitan area.

[meguro]

FUKUSHIMA PRIMED FOR WORLD WIDE DISASTER

Tokyo Soil Samples Would Be Considered Nuclear Waste In The US | Fairewinds Energy Education

[The Dominican]

And yet, you are not leaving such a dangerous situation, you are a brave man

[PoinDextir]

Wow, talk about a dead thread!!!!

Lets liven it up a bit with some new news.

4 additional guys leaving leaving in next couple of months. More to follow.

1 leaves next week and 3 just put in resignations.

All going back to major airlines in the USA. Appears they have all realized their worst day at a major back home was FAR better than their best day at this place!

Also, Qantas now supplying pilots to Air Japan to ease their staffing needs. If anyone wonders why the company hasn't looked the LEAST bit nervous about all the resignations, it is because apparently they have offered Qantas guys a deal by which they will train in Sydney for the 6 month duration of the programme.

Anyone hoping for any improvements at all at this company can keep dreaming.

-DEX

[jrmyl]

Dex,

So when are you leaving?

[PoinDextir]

Pretty soon actually! Thanks for asking.

-DEX

[Pilot65]

About air japan

I got the letter about invitation to air japan from parc. And I applied. They sent some details about conditions. But some of them are not clear which the salary during training period like 6 or 7 months. And I heard that the life is much expensive in Tokyo. So I do not know exactly the net salary that I will take.

[The Dominican]

@pilot65: This has been discussed within this thread time and time again, I understand the thread is massive and many things way back when are irrelevant now but it might be worth you're while to go back at least a year or so and read all the posts, there is a lot of information there, specially related to life on the line, the quality of life while at work has decreased dramatically, certainly not the enjoyable gig it used to be

First, training is not 6 or 7 months, it is 8 to 9 months including line training. Salary during training is your advertised base salary plus per diem, all other allowances don't start until you are released on the line.

[conch]

Are they still doing the ATPL written test during the screening?
It is not mentioned in the screening information, just sim/interview on the first day, then medical on the second day.

[The Dominican]

conch Are they still doing the ATPL written test during the screening?
It is not mentioned in the screening information, just sim/interview on the first day, then medical on the second day.

As far as I know, there has been no change in the interview process, the written is still part of it

[WJAPilot]

Have they Done any DEC interviews lately - I know there was an effort to build up some of the FO hiring... wondering if anyone has any word.

[gtseraf]

AFAIK they are interviewing for DEC's and F/O's