Air Japan (AJX) B767

[BasilBrush3301]

Hi,

Thanks for all of the info in the thread.
Was just wondering which contract is the best overall for a New Zealander at the moment? Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks 👍🏻

[gtseraf]

Basil, if you look at the reply just before your question, CREW appears to be the best option for contract company at this stage.

[BasilBrush3301]

Thanks gtseraf.

I did read that post and CREW appears to be the best option.
I was just wondering if any of the other contracts were preferred specifically by New Zealanders, and if so, why?

Thanks

[gtseraf]

ok, no worries.

[mark one eyeball]

I hear rumour ANA management about to close down gaijin jobs in air japan

[gtseraf]

anything is possible at this stage

[mark one eyeball]

Best to jump a sinking ship early

[gtseraf]

that sounds like advice from someone who is very happy to see an operation shut down. In times like this, most ships are sinking, so jumping now could be a futile exercise. To be brutally realistic, a contract operation is always at risk, AJX has run for a long time and has proven to be very rewarding for both company and most pilots involved. One would hope, for the sake of the pilots still there and those who would like to join, that it does not close down permanently.

A more realistic scenario is a temporary shut down of some operations for a while, then a ramp up when things improve.

[mark one eyeball]

I recall not so long ago JALways got rid off those hard working gaijins in a second of the downturn

[gtseraf]

Mark One, you appear to be quite excited about the possibility. Please take your exuberance elsewhere, There are a lot of people who are in a world of hurt financially right now and others looking at, possibly, desperate times ahead. Now is the time we need to be looking at positives and supporting each other, not sniping.

BTW, I have been contacted by many people who want to jump ship to these very Japanese operations, this illustrates how bad things are worldwide.

[Absolutely]

Mark One, thanks for the sound advice of jumping the sinking ship early. I'll do that tomorrow and join another airline!

[The Dominican]

Originally Posted by mark one eyeball

Best to jump a sinking ship early

The whole industry is in shambles and the bottom is nowhere in sight now because after the pandemic is under control, then comes the inevitable recession that might be even worse than the pandemic.

My point with this is that I wouldn't be so happy about the difficult situation of other pilot groups, you don't know if this downturn will come knocking at your door!

[mark one eyeball]

I guess parc will be the first to jump ship, they look after themselves well
lucky for anyone not with them
good luck!

[Absolutely]

Originally Posted by mark one eyeball

I guess parc will be the first to jump ship, they look after themselves well
lucky for anyone not with them
good luck!

Why pray tell would a contract company jump ship?

[Buttscratcher]

Hey Dom, gtseraf, and all.
Hope you guys are all ok over there.
I guess commuting back home is out of the question for a while.

I'm not looking for a job, but I thought I'd ask how this is affecting Japan Aviation and life in general.
Looking online, there's no real info on how much frequency JAL and ANA have lost.
Qantas, for example, has cancelled all international flying, and is down to about 30% domestic.
Australian State boarders are closed, and Pubs, Restaurants shutdown, and outside gatherings are limited to 2 people.
What's the story over there?

Stay safe guys

[The Dominican]

Originally Posted by Buttscratcher

Hey Dom, gtseraf, and all.
Hope you guys are all ok over there.
I guess commuting back home is out of the question for a while.

I'm not looking for a job, but I thought I'd ask how this is affecting Japan Aviation and life in general.
Looking online, there's no real info on how much frequency JAL and ANA have lost.
Qantas, for example, has cancelled all international flying, and is down to about 30% domestic.
Australian State boarders are closed, and Pubs, Restaurants shutdown, and outside gatherings are limited to 2 people.
What's the story over there?

Stay safe guys

More of the same, many international cancellations but the domestic side of things has continued although there is a little reduction there as well. The cargo side of things has continued fairly strong but we are confined to quarters when we overnight, many folks requested leave on April as did I but I'm stuck in Japan since many flights and destinations got cancelled so I had to stay, I hope that I'll be able to get back home later on, let's see.

For May we don't know but the fact that there hasn't been further reductions is encouraging, ANA is in a better position than most economically so they will ride the storm ok.

[Buttscratcher]

Thanks Dom. Are you expecting any 'lockdowns' in Tokyo?

[mijbil]

Good day Dominican and to the other regular contributors to this thread. As advised, I have gone through them right back to the beginning in 2006 when you, D, were considering ANA. Clearly it's been a good run since then for you and others. Back on March 19th you posted this

Originally Posted by The Dominican

The shield of invincibility with this contract is simply not there, the whole reassurance that the company "will keep hiring" is based on hope more than financial reality.

The effects of this long term are still unknown, for the first time on all the years that I've been here I'm getting the feeling that unless the pandemic doesn't begin to subside in the next couple of months this could very well be the end of AJX.

Obviously, everyone's crystal ball is a bit cloudy these days. Are you still thinking that it's game over three weeks after that post? I had thought of applying to ANA before this whole circus began, and was trimming down my 'fat bastard index' (BMI) to below 29. The ad is still up on Crew, CAE/Parc, Longreach, and Rishworth. The guys from my old company who are there now told me to go with Crew these days.
This will reverse itself and even if it does not come back to Dec 2019 levels for travel, there will (I think) still be a worldwide pilot shortage. I know that here in North America the flying schools are certainly not as full as they used to be (the next generation) and even prior to this massive downturn, the regionals and small operators were feeling the pinch. What is your guess for the future at AJX ? Are the Japanese going to keep you guys on, knowing that it will pass or at least offer some sort of 'layoff' - however that might work for a contractor? Thanks for the reply.

[The Dominican]

Originally Posted by Buttscratcher

Thanks Dom. Are you expecting any 'lockdowns' in Tokyo?

Yes, apparently the Prime Minister will speak today and it is expected that he will order just that, I'm on my way to the supermarket to try and stock up on what I need. That will have further impact on the job here, as to how long, we don't know.

[The Dominican]

Originally Posted by mijbil

What is your guess for the future at AJX ? Are the Japanese going to keep you guys on, knowing that it will pass or at least offer some sort of 'layoff' - however that might work for a contractor? Thanks for the reply.

I wish I could tell you an answer, any answer positive or negative. At this point we just don't know.

The cases of Coronavirus have increased dramatically here in Japan on the last week or so, we are expecting a lockdown to be announced today and if that happens, well that would throw a big wrench into the machine at AJX.