Air Japan (AJX) B767

[Talon757]

My hope is that they will consider my airline time as x-country time?¿?¿

I'm afraid that's not the case. For my application to be accepted I had to wade through 26 years of logbook (USAF included) and fill in the X-Country time. It will need to be broken down into PIC, Solo, Night PIC, and Other just as requested on the Aeronautical Experience form. There's really no leeway in the requested format. I sorted out the PIC and SIC X-Country in my log and then figured out the rest for the Aeronautical Experience form. An electronic logbook is a GREAT help in doing that.

As long as you're going to have to wander through all those logbook entries anyway, it's probably not a bad plan to get a good electronic logbook and transfer the data. That will automatically take care of any math errors along the way. It will also make a nice clean presentation for the JCAB folks when they look at your book.

[737lpa]

I see...

However my understanding is that I only have to show 100 night time, and 250 x-country (besides the 6000TT and 3000 PIC on B738).

That I have in very old logbooks as it was also a requirement for the FAA ATPL.

What I haven´t broken down any longer is airline time, as its all x-country time, and I haven´t separated day or night.

I hope they don´t expect me to break down 5500 hours of B737 time between day and night because that would mean that I would have to check the sunrise and sunset time for everyday in the past 8 years.

Anyway, we will see.

RGRDS

[Fratemate]

I hope they don´t expect me to break down 5500 hours of B737 time between day and night because that would mean that I would have to check the sunrise and sunset time for everyday in the past 8 years.

I find it very strange that you have made no distinction between day and night flying. In all of my logbooks, including JAR, there has been a separate column for the two and I've used them appropriately. The cross country is a nonsense and we know that. Likewise, the instrument flying is just daft, but separating night and day flying is quite normal and, to be honest, you're the first person I've ever heard of who hasn't done so.

As far as cross country is concerned, I basically took out all the circuit bashing flights I'd done and everything else is cross country. I can't remember the limit to be deemed cross country but it's something silly, like 7km, so all airline flying is cross country (apart from base training). Luckily, I'd always chucked some numbers in the IF column, so was able to fill that box in easily but I know 99% of airline pilots don't usually record that info....until you get to Japan. But, as for night/day, you are going to have to get your finger out and develop a method for figuring it out. Don't worry though, it's only 5000 hours/1 year at RYR, so it could have been worse

Good luck. It is worth it if you make the effort and you get all the water you could ever wish for.....and noodles

[Fratemate]

There is too much variation to give hard and fast rules about the roster questions. The trips seem to change month by month but, as a rough guide:

-When you go out flying, how many days you stay out of TYO?

Very rarely you'll have a there-and-back trip. Usually you'll pack up and be gone for 4ish days. There are blocks that are longer and shorter but I think 4 is about average, away from NRT. Quite often you'll find yourself in KIX, rather than NRT and/or staying in OKA before going 'foreign' again. As an example of the variability, I've just done an overnight, the next night flown back to NRT via OKA, arriving in the early morning, therefore being away from NRT for 2 nights. An upcoming trip has me leaving NRT, working through HKG and KIX a fair bit and then returning to NRT 6 days later.

Dont' worry though, the beer will still be there when you get back.

-How long are rest periods during layovers?

Vary between min rest (arrive HKG in the morning and leave that evening) to 36 hours ish. Usually there's enough time to go shopping (PVG), go for a rub down (BKK) or socialise with your mate (ALL).

-When back to TYO, how many days off in a row?

Usually you'll only get one blank day but can still get 2.5 days in NRT. For instance, arrive early morning on Mon, blank day on Tue, leave NRT in the evening of Wed. However, you can arrive and leave at all sorts of times, so that blank day can be as little as 36 hours in NRT. You can, of course, be on standby and this is often added to a blank day. You're not 'off'' but you're in NRT for 48 hours+. Also, you can have no days off in NRT; arrive the morning of Mon and then leave on Tues morning. There's no rule that says they have to give you days off in between all trips, so long as you have the required days off in a month.

-How many legs a day? Short, long legs?

Again, too many trips to put hard and fast rules. Sometimes you'll do one leg, even a short one like NRT-ICN. Sometimes that leg will be longer, NRT-BKK. However, with the developing network of OKA as our hub, a LOT of trips will now go via OKA, so most days (nights) will involve two legs, e.g. ICN-OKA-HND

[737lpa]

I find it very strange that you have made no distinction between day and night flying. In all of my logbooks, including JAR, there has been a separate column for the two and I've used them appropriately

I will try my best to adapt my logbook and most importantly to adapt to Japanese ways and customs and forget the "why" question, but, please, don´t make feel the "strange" one here having to prove 100 hrs of night time and 200 of x-country after 6 years in RYR and 2 ATPL licences (JAR & FAA).

I respect the Japanese in their land and will abide by their rules, but I´ve discussed this matter with all my bodies and out of the few who keep their logbooks alive NONE of them separate x-country time or night flying for their airline years. Anyway I already started to figure it out and I should get there sometime by the end of the week... ...hopefully...

In other matters, and since you guys are already flying the line and have done nothing but help me since I posted about my intentions, I would like to let you know the latest from Parc in regards to this contract as I was updated today:

1.- No reason to pick AVJ or AVX anymore as, so they say, as we will be operating for both (PAX and CARGO) towards the end of the year.
2.- Starting in APRIL accomodation no longer paid for screening in Tokyo.
3.- No more 11 days off, but rather 10 plus annual leave if possible.
4.- If succesful at the screening (March), course will most likely be for Oct/Nov.
5.- Still looking for people with intentions to keep screening for the rest of the year.


RGRDS

[Fratemate]

Mate, what I'm trying to tell you is there's a difference between what Parc want to see, in order to forward your application, and what the Company wants to see before they put you into training for your ATPL. On day one you'll sit down and fill out a form with lots of different types of hours on it. They want to know what your day/night hours are, not that you've met the requirements to hold an ATPL. As an example of how retentive they can get; we had one FO who had flown for a major far-east airline on the 744. However, he could not prove he had the cross country flying in his logbook so was not put forward for his ATPL check. Instead he had to nip off and fly a Cessna around until he could prove he had the hours and is now back on course, a year worse off.

I also think the people you've spoken to regarding logging hours are in the minority, if they don't separate the two. A quick straw poll certainly indicates everyone here kept day and night hours separate, even before Japan and nobody, so far, has even seen a logbook where there's no capability to log them. Anyhow, it doesn't matter does it. You're sorting out your book and that's the important thing. Just be aware that they will check all the totals etc to ensure everything adds up, as, if they don't, JCAB has a hissy fit and the Company is then in the dwang.

Thanks for the latest from Parc. Things are s...l....o...w...l....y starting to happen with the merger etc, so we may get some solid news eventually, rather than the rumours doing the rounds at the moment. I do hope they keep recruiting and the muttering about having enough pilots between the 2 companies is not true.

MMmm, No.3 is not good news, if it happens. This has been a concern of mine for some time; that the terms and conditions will be brought down to AJX's, following the merger, rather than up to AJV's (11 days off). I'm pretty sure the AJVers of now will be able to argue successfully to maintain their contract but it doesn't look good for the new joiners. Let's hope the contract companies grow some and argue for AJV's conditions post merger for ALL pilots.

[mysci]

Fratemate

Thanks man,
looks like a good place to work...
especially for us fed up with lots of super-short legs ( as many as you can fit in a day) and long days...
Talk to you.
All the best...hope we can enjoy a "Sapporo" together...

[737lpa]

Hi 76ers´

Now that my interview is coming up in a few weeks I really need help with some very important TECHNICAL questions to be able to be as prepared as I can:

1.- How far is the closest bar from the hotel in NRT?

2.- How much does beer cost?

3.- Is there a dart board within 10 NM from the hotel?

4.- How friendly do cabin crew get with u guys?

5.- Out of those who get friendly how many are actual females?


As always thanks a lot for the info....

[The Dominican]

Y por que crees que nos gusta el trabajo? Aqui te esperamos

No male F/A's here

[737lpa]

Calla, calla.... Si mi mujer se entera de k sólo hay hembras me cancela la entrevista...

Let´s see how everything goes w/ the sim and all...

Don´t forget to report on the price of beer and walking distance to the pub..

See u..

[4PW's]

is beer ever expensive?

not sure what pub or how far from screening hotel.

distance to the 'izakaya' from mitsui garden hotel - 'bout two sips.

ana is a very well run operation.

good luck.

[crj705]

Just curious....

Now that they are running combined classes, are the new hires going to the apartments or staying in the hotel?

[737lpa]

My understanding is that during line operations we are responsible for paying the accomodation while in Tokyo (except for STBY´s). This, so I´ve read, is about 6 nights per month.

I´ve read that some of you prefer to rent an apartment, but for those of you who stay in hotels while off duty in Tokyo and therefore have to pay for it....:

1.- Which hotel do you stay in? (please be specific so I can look it up)

2.- When you guys mention the mitsui garden hotel which one are you referring to? (there are several in Tokyo)

3.- Is commuting to the crewroom provided for free? (shuttle bus)

4.- Is internet provided in the room? Free or for a fee?

5.- Is that the same hotel in which you do STBY´s?

6.- What type of room is it? (single, double, etc..)

7.- How much do they charge you per night when you are responsible fo paying?

8.- Is that the same hotel that you stay during the 6-8 months of initial training?

9.- Is the hotel conviniently located for someone who doesn´t have a car? (downtown, or in the suburbs..)

10.- Considering that the hotel becomes your home while in Tokyo and during blank days, would it be fair to say that everyone who stay in hotels stay at that same hotel, and therefore have company, or everyone stays in different hotels?

11.- Lastly, for those who choose to "live" in that hotel, would you say that is a good place to "live"? Comfortable? Good service?


Any of those questions answered will be corresponded with cold beer if succesful at the interview.... RESTRICCIONS APPLY

[The Yank]

CRJ
I don't know about future classes, but the March class will be in the apartment. The girls downstairs confirmed it

[The Dominican]

1.- Which hotel do you stay in? (please be specific so I can look it up)
After you finish training, most of the guys stay at the Excel Tokyu, Narita. a handful of the guys stay at the Garden in Narita as well

2.- When you guys mention the mitsui garden hotel which one are you referring to? (there are several in Tokyo)
During training, Kamata. After training, Narita

3.- Is commuting to the crewroom provided for free? (shuttle bus)
Yes, from both hotels in Narita there is shuttle service to the airport. Remember that even if you rent an apartment you can claim reimbursement for train fare to and from work as part of your contract package

4.- Is internet provided in the room? Free or for a fee?
Free

5.- Is that the same hotel in which you do STBY´s?
Yes

6.- What type of room is it? (single, double, etc..)
Single

7.- How much do they charge you per night when you are responsible fo paying?
5,700Y (excel) 6,300Y (garden)

8.- Is that the same hotel that you stay during the 6-8 months of initial training?
No, prior to the merger the AJV guys where staying in Kamata as I mentioned before and the AJX guys where assigned apartments in Shirokane Takanawa. I don't know what the combined class in March will get but I hope it is the apartments since they are very comfortable

9.- Is the hotel conviniently located for someone who doesn´t have a car? (downtown, or in the suburbs..)
During training, the accommodations are in the city and very easy to get around in train but the hotels in Narita are a bit far if you are planing to go to Tokyo for fun, it takes about 90 minutes to get to down town. Narita is a bit boring and besides a handful of places there is not much to do. If you plan to go to the city after you are on the line you will have to make it an "all nighter" since the trains stop ruining after midnight. Cab fare in the middle of the night from downtown back to Narita will run you $35,000Y

10.- Considering that the hotel becomes your home while in Tokyo and during blank days, would it be fair to say that everyone who stay in hotels stay at that same hotel, and therefore have company, or everyone stays in different hotels?
Everyone stays at the excel (most guys anyway's) you will get sick of having company

11.- Lastly, for those who choose to "live" in that hotel, would you say that is a good place to "live"? Comfortable? Good service?
It's not too bad really, it's just getting old after three years

[luahh]

Do you guys know the name of the hotel in Narita where people stay while doing OJT briefing and flights?
Thanks

[crj705]

Same one as stated above. Excel Hotel Tokyu, Narita.

[ishi59]

Hey Fratemate

The contract companies grow some????? How long have you been around?

Not a personal attack, my beef is with them not the pilots

Come on, these guys are there for one thing only, themselves. They have consistently shown they don't care about the pilots, rolling over like well trained little puppies at the command of ANA/AJV/AJX.

The contract pilots are their little bitches and will be screwed at the drop of a hat. Look at what Parc has done with it's medical cover. Also seeing that they will not pay accomodation allowances on Japan for interviews.


CHEAP!!!!

[737lpa]

Dominicano,

Thanks a lot for the detailed answers. Beer will be heading your way very soon (hopefully)

I just received the profiles to study them.

Allow me to squeeze some more info from your experience with ANA.

About the commuting:

1.- When using their business class confirmed ticket, do you get to pick the time, carrier and routing or you just receive what they give you?.

2.- Does the commuting have to be on Star Alliance carriers?

3.- If commuting on ANA do you get upgraded to first if seats are available? (like KAL)

4.- When commuting to work, do you have to arrive in TYO a full day in advance or can you arrive early on the same day to start flying at night?

5.- When commuting to home do they roster you in a way that you finish early so that you can start travelling home on that same day?

6.- In your case with 10 days + 2 from A/L (total of 12 off), how many days do u actually get at home? 10 or 11?

7.- How do they manage around christmas and new years? Is there a point system, seniority based, luck?

8.- Have you ever been offered a short listed month (part time 50% or 75%) like they say in the application package?

9.- Can you get unpaid leave for unforeseen circumstances (death, births, serious illnesses, etc...)?

10.- Lastly, is it fair to say that the rostering department is on the helping side?

Thanks a lot for everything.

Tu inestimable ayuda no tiene precio

[The Dominican]

1.- When using their business class confirmed ticket, do you get to pick the time, carrier and routing or you just receive what they give you?.
The short answer is yes! as long as you follow the preference, IE ANA, then Star Alliance and then other carriers. If there is no other Star alliance carrier that serves your destination then they will book you in a non partner carrier but that is the only exception
2.- Does the commuting have to be on Star Alliance carriers?
See above

3.- If commuting on ANA do you get upgraded to first if seats are available? (like KAL)
When commuting on business class tickets it is confirmed (not an upgrade) If commuting on Zed tickets there is no upgrade even if the airplane is empty

4.- When commuting to work, do you have to arrive in TYO a full day in advance or can you arrive early on the same day to start flying at night?
The company encourages to arrive the day before and if commuting on confirmed business class tickets they will not reserve you a seat to arrive the same day of your duty, now some guys are doing it on Zed tickets (arriving the same day to start your duty in the evening) but that works for some that might not have many time zones to cross and many options to get to work (remember zed is space available) but commuting from Spain, crossing many time zones to get to work and then start a duty for a 7-9 hour flight? well, lets just say that you will discourage yourself from doing it after just a couple of times

5.- When commuting to home do they roster you in a way that you finish early so that you can start traveling home on that same day?
They do not guarantee that that will be the case, but they do it for you all the time. In the three years that I have been here, I have commuted every time on my last duty day

6.- In your case with 10 days + 2 from A/L (total of 12 off), how many days do u actually get at home? 10 or 11?
I get ten, because I don't count the day that I arrive or leave as a day off

7.- How do they manage around Christmas and new years? Is there a point system, seniority based, luck?
There is a point system, and it works pretty well since Christmas is not really that important to the Japanese crew members and the western guys can pretty much get it off every time but on the other hand you can count with working New Years, specially if you are junior (IE have little points accumulated) Now, bid what you want and don't assume you will not get it, people bid for different reasons and you will never know. I've gotten Christmas off every year and New years twice

8.- Have you ever been offered a short listed month (part time 50% or 75%) like they say in the application package?
They did for a few months after the economy took a dump but with the merger of the two companies I speculate that it won't be available in the next few months, It seems that we will start getting busy again since there are 20 more hours in my March roster compared with February. Part time contracts are only available after you complete your first contract

9.- Can you get unpaid leave for unforeseen circumstances (death, births, serious illnesses, etc...)?
I have to say that they are very helpful in terms of personal problems, for what I have seen so far (and experience myself with an operation that my wife had to undergo) they will bend over backwards to try to accommodate you as long as it is not last minute (the Japanese don't like last minute plan changes) Now there is another side to that coin, show up and complete your roster as assigned, that is all they are asking for. If you are an individual that is always using sick calls to arrange your life style, it is always waiting until the last minute to commute on zed tickets and misses your duty often, if you are an individual that is always trying to get specific trips and is always making demands (don't roster me for early shows, don't roster me to fly with other captains, ect.) then you burden the scheduler and your fellow pilots because somebody will have to pick up the slack, does that makes sense? Just show up for your duty as assign and when you need time off for personal reason, it will be there

10.- Lastly, is it fair to say that the rostering department is on the helping side?
Absolutely, they are. You do your part and they will do theirs


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