Air Japan (AJX) B767

[The Yank]

Devine wind,

Deleting your old post will not help you (it's never helped your half a$$ed arguments in the past)... Most of us that have been on this forum long enough know that nothing but bullsh*t and misinformation spout from your keyboard.

We know that you despise AJX now move on.

Anyone can go back an look at the conversation (or at least the bits you could not delete). About # 840 on...

[Fratemate]

I have been in Japan much longer than you

So have most Japanese but the vast majority of them are unqualified to talk with any knowledge on the pros and cons of AJX. Much like yourself.

I also never stated that I am an expert on any airline

And yet you have done nothing but spout inexpert opinion about AJX since the day you started on Pprune and continue to do so based on no knowledge whatsoever.

Thinking you're clever by getting rid of your previous bull**** does absolutely nothing to increase your already woeful credibility but confirms that even you realise you talk absolute crap when it comes to AJX. The Yank has summarised it perfectly:

Deleting your old post will not help you (it's never helped your half a$$ed arguments in the past)... Most of us that have been on this forum long enough know that nothing but bullsh*t and misinformation spout from your keyboard.

[The Dominican]

This message is hidden because Devine Wind is on your ignore list.

Credibility was lost long ago......!

Don't feed the troll.....!

[gcpilot8]

You guys are way too sensitive. LOL

It is not about being too sensitive. Most of threads on pprune is filled with BS more than factual information- like you. On the contrary, this particular thread has more factual information than personal opinions and rants thanks to the regular pilots on this forum who take their time out to provide information to the naive with expecting nothing in return! Kudos to these people on this thread.

We all would like to keep this thread the way it is -clean and full of facts with no fillers. So, kindly GTFO and find some other thread to troll around!

[737lpa]

I never made it thru the initial application phase at AJX when I tried a few years back for the NTR CPT, but I must admit that I love this thread.

It's so genuine that it should have its own web address!

[bob777]

Initial application

Tell me about the initial application. I'm been working on it for the last six months trying to sort it out and make all ends meet...mission impossible.

[The Dominican]

Your chances of getting some help will increase dramatically if you are specific.....!

[bob777]

I'm very interested in AJX as my wife is a Japanese citizen . I applied trough Crew I have excellent referee Japanese nationals ex JAL and I'm presently working a for a major Star Alliance Airline. No issues if not for the fact that it seems my already battered career will receive one more blow due to idiotic/protectionist regulations. I have substantial long haul experience. I'm still within the age limit for a bit more than one year. Still the application for someone that flew in different environment with different logbooks and rules on how to log flight time seem impossible. I resorted to review all my log books and re log the last year in a new one starting with figures that added up would match the requirement...still in the process. Any suggestion will be appreciated as I'm more more and more keen by the day...

[The Dominican]

Two things....., they won't do a forensic analysis of your logbooks, we have pilots here from all corners of the globe and all of us had to spend some time doing homework with our logbooks, but 6 months??? It took me a few days to sort out the hours as they wanted them and I sure as hell wasn't going to rewrite a new logbook with 3 decades worth of flying not sure what you are doing but it seems to me that you are overthinking it...! Just figure out the hours they want that typically we don't register, like separating night and day PIC and SIC hours for example and make sure the math is correct, that's it, they will only really examine the last ten pages or so.

Now, about your eligibility to hold a Japanese resident card through your wife's citizenship and your plans to actually move to Japan...., this is something that I would not mention during the interview. This is a commuting contract for a reason, we don't actually work for AJX, we work for the contract companies and we come into Japan just to crew a flight exclusively on international flights. That is why we are not liable for Japanese taxes and the company doesn't have to contribute with the social expenses that otherwise they would have to pay if we were to be employees with residence in Japan. That's why they absolutely refuse to sponsor any of us for residency in Japan.

[bob777]

Thanks man.. I'm been kind of taking it slowly waiting to see what happens here where I'm presently but I'm growing more and more pessimistic so I will definitely speed up.
No intention to obtain residency as I need to commute anyway. But my wife could stay permanently in Japan which would be fantastic for us.

[sonicguy]

Can you commute easily from Honolulu?

[Fratemate]

Can you commute easily from Honolulu?

Yes. AJX operate two flights per day to HNL (NRT and HND). In addition, there are several US carriers who fly the route and are on the AJX ZED list, if that's your preferred means of commuting. JAL are obviously the competition but they seem to have a constant stream of aircraft going there, so that would increase your options.

There are probably about ten AJX pilots who commute from HNL and I've not heard of any problems with the journey from them.

[EFC_]

Hello gentlemen,

Long time reader, first time poster. I have been interested in diving into the commuter contract pilot life for quite some time(particularly for Air Japan)and was wondering what is the likelihood of a regional FO getting selected for screening these days? 5,000 TT 3,500 turbine SIC.

Thanks for any insight

[gtseraf]

Capt. upgrade process

was recently talking to someone who was interested in joining AJX as an F/O. He was expecting to have an opportunity to upgrade to capt. in the first 5 year contract.

In the past AJX F/O's have, with the exception of 1 or 2, had the opportunity to upgrade in the first 5 year contract. A while ago the company was telling interviewees that they would upgrade in 3 years, which was pretty accurate.

The company has consistently been upgrading 12 per year, since 2005. This year, they cancelled 1 course and did 8 upgrades. From next year, the story is they will resume 12 per year.

Having a look at the present F/O pool, there are around 85 F/O's with a few more in the training process. Going on past performance, at 12 per year, this would mean that any F/O joining now would have to wait 7 or more years to commence the upgrade process.

Of course, we work in a dynamic environment and anything could change. If these changes occur, we are normally the last to know.

[Fratemate]

what is the likelihood of a regional FO getting selected for screening these days?

EFC,

I'm assuming when you say 'regional' that you're taking CRJs. If this is the case then the chances are still good. Many of the US pilots and recent FOs are ex-regional drivers (mostly CRJs) and I've certainly not heard of anything to say the Company has stopped recruiting them. The only bit of advice I would give is don't hang around too much longer if you are serious about applying for the job. Rumour has it that 'they' are after the magic number of 240 pilots for AJX. We're standing at around 210 at the moment and that doesn't include the courses in ground school etc. They've gone pretty hard over the last year and there are lots more new faces on the block, so I would think that recruitment and training will slow down again in the not-too-distant future as we reach that critical (to someone) number of 240. After that, I hear, then it'll just be recruiting to cover attrition (which is not high).

GT,

You're right and I think the contract companies should stop telling people they'll upgrade in the first contract. I think in the future that it is very unlikely anyone will upgrade in the first 5 years. Of course, this is not want future joiners want to hear but far better they come here with realistic expectations. Having said all that, if you've come from something like a CRJ and are complaining about a widebody command taking 7 years then I think you need to take a good, hard look at the real world. In light of a couple of recent cases I reckon the 'not in the first contract' limit would also give AJX a good chance to say, 'thanks for coming and good luck with future jobs' while handing someone their final pay check and getting rid of a pilot who they don't really want to keep but are almost forced to by virtue of the fact that they invested in sticking the person in the left seat. The same goes for the pilot too, of course.

[jrmyl]

And to add to the above info about upgrades. I will start the upgrade evaluation process next month. I have been here 4 1/2 years. So if things were to go well, I should be completing the upgrade about 1 month into my 5th year.

So maybe new joiners will be able to upgrade in the first contract and maybe not?

[The Yank]

And to add fuel to the rumour fire. I have now been told by 4 management guys that 8 upgrades a year will be the new norm.

But from previous experience they seem to have little more info than a line pilot.

Oh but did you hear! I am on the 787 course next week! .

[EFC_]

Thanks for the info Fratemate. I'm currently on the mighty E145, and I teach a sim course for the CRJ on the side for beer money. Going to tuck into the app today to make the Sept 1 cutoff.

[The Dominican]

The only fact here is that none of us ( most certainly including management) knows where this ship is headed...!

Rumors are always a way of life at AJX...., I'm still waiting for that ORD base I was told about during training 8 years ago

[jrmyl]

You didn't hear, Dom? The ORD 777 base opens next month. I can't wait to not have to spend nights in the excel.