Air Japan (AJX) B767
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Japan / Thailand
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Are there any US Expats that are considering going to one of the legacies?
1. My primary concern is time at home. While it is nice to have 12 days off in a row (more if vacation is used), almost 2 of those days are lost in the commute, and my usefulness at home for the first 2 days back home are limited due to jetlag. UA's contract has 12 days minimum at home. While I will be commuting 4 or 5 times a month, those will likely be days spent at home in my bed. A US legacy will,hands down, give you more time at home.
2. Pay. AJX pays well, however, UA's new contract pays more over the long term. Based on the projected pay scales, I will make the same base pay as what I make here after 10 years, assuming I make guarantee and stay on the 737. If I make more than guarantee or get on larger equipment, my break even will be faster. After upgrading at UA, my base pay will be significantly more than what I make at AJX. It is very possible that the pay at AJX will be increased but by how much and when is anyone's guess. It is also possible that UA's will go down....It's all a guessing game.
3. Retirement. UA is a hands down winner with 16% B fund. I'm pretty much maxed out at $1000 per month at AJX.
4. Schedules: Its very nice to be able to get your days off at AJX, however, the schedules when you are working are very fatiguing and I am more exhausted here that I was when I was flying at a US regional. While they have been improving, the way the routes are structured make it impossible to have decent scheduling. I was originally hired to fly only PAX and am now flying almost exclusively cargo and the trend is more and more cargo.
5. Work environment: With a few exceptions, the AJX guys are great to fly with. Management however, is a different story. Over the last few years, the office has become very difficult to work with and they seem happier to have it that way. I would expect that to be pretty much the same at UA, but at least you have some avenue of recourse when wronged. You are pretty much at the company's mercy at AJX.
6. Contracting Company: Parc was great in the beginning but has done a 180 over the last 2 years. My health insurance will not cover me in the US and Parc has said it is not possible for them to get US coverage since they are not a US company. Despite the fact that IAC pilots do have coverage and they are not a US company. Their attempt to change the disability cover earlier this year was pretty much the straw that broke the camel's back.
7. Long term stability: Most of the industry mergers have been completed and things seem to have stabilised in the US. Should things go sour, one can always go back to the contracting world, but if things don't work out at AJX, your options are a bit more limited. Having recall rights at a US major gives someone in the contract world a type of stability that I do not have. Will AJX be around in 5 years, almost certain.....10 years, probably....20? who knows. Contracts can and have been cancelled on short notice here. We are the "temporary" help at AJX.
Despite all of the above, if I were single and looking for an adventure, I would recommend coming and staying here. However, in my instance, I am looking at money and time off. Over the long run, there is no question that going to a US legacy offers more of both with the years I have left.
Last edited by crj705; 31st Aug 2013 at 17:16.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Over the Pacific mostly
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You are young enough to afford that gamble, because if it doesn't workout as you said, you can always have time to do something else. But for those of us that have been in the majors merry ground a couple of times..., well, lets just say that the whole "there is nothing but blue skies ahead" pretty picture that is being painted
Last edited by The Dominican; 31st Aug 2013 at 17:51.
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 日本
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Any one have any issues with getting reimbursed for their airfare out to NRT for the interview? Just a little leery to put out that kind of cash up front.
In my mind it would be easier if the agencies sorted out the tickets for you but then again, what do I know about bulk buying being cheaper and the wonders of eTickets
Let your ticket leeriness be the least of your concerns
Join Date: Nov 2008
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I hope all who were present for the tornadoes are well!
So far, this year's crop of winds have been a non-event and apart from a bit of weather deviation on a couple of routes there's been no adverse effect on either flying or non-flying activities. There's a baby one floating around the Sea Of Japan at the moment but he barely had enough energy to cause a few lightning bolts.Last year we had a pretty good number and OKA got hit a couple of times, causing us to take to the bar instead of aviating but, so far, they haven't got their game together. It's early in the season, so give them time
Edited to add: I've just seen on the news the tornadoes you were talking about and apologise. Yes, they are tornadoes and not typhoons. Not as good as those ones that smash Texas etc to bits but certainly unusual
Last edited by Fratemate; 3rd Sep 2013 at 10:13.
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Fratemate
I think you'll find typhoons = cyclones (the equator N/S thing)!
Tornadoes are tornadoes anywhere....although by local names at times.
I don't think ANYWHERE in the world has the consistency - nor destructive power - of the tornadoes that seem a regular occurance in the American south.
Cheers all.
I think you'll find typhoons = cyclones (the equator N/S thing)!
Tornadoes are tornadoes anywhere....although by local names at times.
I don't think ANYWHERE in the world has the consistency - nor destructive power - of the tornadoes that seem a regular occurance in the American south.
Cheers all.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Scandinavia
Age: 46
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Just send my doc's in, currently under review by AJX.
I am just over the minimum requirements with regards to total experience, current MD80 PIC. What is the experience of those hired recently? The recruiter claims that they will gladly accept my fairly little total time as long as I come from a good training environment.
Feels like a good option compared to many other places, especially being on the street....
I am just over the minimum requirements with regards to total experience, current MD80 PIC. What is the experience of those hired recently? The recruiter claims that they will gladly accept my fairly little total time as long as I come from a good training environment.
Feels like a good option compared to many other places, especially being on the street....
Join Date: Sep 2013
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minimu requirement for JCAB ATPL?
Hi, I'm A-330 F/O with TT just over 3,000h(2700h turbo jet).
My 120h PIC time logged during IR training, and it met the requirement for current ATPL. (I have 1,000h PICUS)
I'm not sure this PIC time acceptable for JCAB ATPL?
Also I don't have 100h PIC X- country, PICUS only.
Can I transfer to Japanese ATPL with my log?
PIC 120(IR training time with PPL), PICUS 1,000h, total 3,000h.
Anybody advise me please, thank you.
My 120h PIC time logged during IR training, and it met the requirement for current ATPL. (I have 1,000h PICUS)
I'm not sure this PIC time acceptable for JCAB ATPL?
Also I don't have 100h PIC X- country, PICUS only.
Can I transfer to Japanese ATPL with my log?
PIC 120(IR training time with PPL), PICUS 1,000h, total 3,000h.
Anybody advise me please, thank you.
Join Date: Oct 2006
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The recruiter claims that they will gladly accept my fairly little total time as long as I come from a good training environment
As a side note: This trend is something new, they have historically hired experienced folks for the right seat (some actually met the minimums for captain and were offered F/O slots) so the upgrade program has been running at about the 3-4 year mark, with a lower level of experience joining the company, I don't think that it is realistic to expect to be upgraded within your first contract..! This of course is my opinion only, I don't have any inside info about where this ship is headed, I'm just feeding coal to the boilers......
I'm not sure this PIC time acceptable for JCAB ATPL?
Haven said that, since they are changing their hiring minimums it seems, we don't really know what their current and future stance is related to PICUS, I suggest to contact the contract companies and ask...! Same advise as before, apply and see what happens
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Asia
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You're going to need to 100 PIC xcounty end of story. One pilot had to go off and get it done before he could resume training. CAB found a few log book anomalies a few years ago, so they're a bit more careful now.
Japanese are not flexible with anything....at all
Shoganai that's the way it is
A minute late and a dollar short is just another hard cheese story you'll have to accept, but at least you know
Shoganai that's the way it is
A minute late and a dollar short is just another hard cheese story you'll have to accept, but at least you know
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Scandinavia
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It seems that this is the hiring trend lately, there have been several folks hired with lesser experience level than in the past. My guess is that they want individuals that will want to stay for a while. Apply and see what happens...!
Join Date: Feb 2005
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I'll be there at the end of this month (9/29-10/2) for a screening, I'll pass along any feedback when I get back!
Looks like the Tokyo inn is still the hotel of choice for candidates. Anyone going to be around interested in grabbing dinner or a beer?
Join Date: Feb 2007
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I'll be there at the end of this month (9/29-10/2) for a screening, I'll pass along any feedback when I get back!
Good Luck! I do not know yet which date I'm going. Too bad I missed out on the beer opportunity!
Join Date: Sep 2010
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Expenses while working...
Hello girls and guys!!
I am considering sending in my application whit parc, I read a lot of posted pages but did not come across some details that I am looking for..
( everything else very well covered, thanks a lot!! )
1- will 44$ per diem while on training cover nice 3 meals per day (nothing fancy)?
2- how much $ do you girls and guys spend while on duty in Japan, 50-ish $ per day, is that enough (plus the hotel)?
3- when you ask for the block days off back on back 10+10 you get only one commuting day on each side of the block? is that right...? you lose one day of commuting for each month?
4- when they book you the C class ticket home, do you get good connections, not losing a lot of time, for the EUroland guys, just to save money (cheaper ticket=a lot of time lost on connections)
If someone would like to give me some info I am looking for would appreciate it!
I am considering sending in my application whit parc, I read a lot of posted pages but did not come across some details that I am looking for..
( everything else very well covered, thanks a lot!! )
1- will 44$ per diem while on training cover nice 3 meals per day (nothing fancy)?
2- how much $ do you girls and guys spend while on duty in Japan, 50-ish $ per day, is that enough (plus the hotel)?
3- when you ask for the block days off back on back 10+10 you get only one commuting day on each side of the block? is that right...? you lose one day of commuting for each month?
4- when they book you the C class ticket home, do you get good connections, not losing a lot of time, for the EUroland guys, just to save money (cheaper ticket=a lot of time lost on connections)
If someone would like to give me some info I am looking for would appreciate it!