Air Japan (AJX) B767
Join Date: Jul 2011
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- Do you guys know if they count part 121 f/o time towards "PIC inder supervision?
- Longreach Aviation China in their benefits sections for this position, lists "up to 14 days off", how exactly would that work? Would those 14 days off include commuting days?
I know I can ask longreachchina, just looking for the insider's opinion.
Thank you
- Longreach Aviation China in their benefits sections for this position, lists "up to 14 days off", how exactly would that work? Would those 14 days off include commuting days?
I know I can ask longreachchina, just looking for the insider's opinion.
Thank you
Join Date: Oct 2006
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- Do you guys know if they count part 121 f/o time towards "PIC inder supervision?
They haven't in the past, but somebody posted that now they are accepting it. I would seek confirmation from the contract companies on that matter since it is a change in policy if true..., I can't confirm it because I don't really know.
- Longreach Aviation China in their benefits sections for this position, lists "up to 14 days off", how exactly would that work? Would those 14 days off include commuting days?
I have to recommend again to read the thread..., this has been discussed over and over again....!
10 days off+ 2 commuting days and you also have the option to add 2 vacation days per month..., that makes it a stretch of 14 days in a row but that includes commuting days.
They haven't in the past, but somebody posted that now they are accepting it. I would seek confirmation from the contract companies on that matter since it is a change in policy if true..., I can't confirm it because I don't really know.
- Longreach Aviation China in their benefits sections for this position, lists "up to 14 days off", how exactly would that work? Would those 14 days off include commuting days?
I have to recommend again to read the thread..., this has been discussed over and over again....!
10 days off+ 2 commuting days and you also have the option to add 2 vacation days per month..., that makes it a stretch of 14 days in a row but that includes commuting days.
Join Date: Feb 2015
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DIESELENGINE,
I'd not worry too much in regards to PICUS, as the PIC requirement can be on any type of aircraft. No need for Jet CMD.....
As far as the days off go,
The AJX contract gives 10 days off per month. Additionally, they also give us 2 commuting days. The yearly leave entitlement is 24 days per year. They will allow you to use these days as you see fit. If you choose to use 2 days per month, it will then add up to your 14 day block as advertised.
AJX, so far has been able to remain quite flexible with allowing the pilots to choose their days off. They are quite happy to allow us to create large blocks of time off, and there are a number of guys who also work more on a week on/off basis. Long may it last, as this is the greatest aspect of the job, and I think they are likely aware that they may face quite an exodus should the status quo be changed.
Essentially, we come to work and AJX gets their productivity. In return, we can live anywhere in the world, and take the time off of our choosing.
If I've missed anything of worthy detail, I'm sure Dom or one of the Guys will fill in the blanks.
FW.
I'd not worry too much in regards to PICUS, as the PIC requirement can be on any type of aircraft. No need for Jet CMD.....
As far as the days off go,
The AJX contract gives 10 days off per month. Additionally, they also give us 2 commuting days. The yearly leave entitlement is 24 days per year. They will allow you to use these days as you see fit. If you choose to use 2 days per month, it will then add up to your 14 day block as advertised.
AJX, so far has been able to remain quite flexible with allowing the pilots to choose their days off. They are quite happy to allow us to create large blocks of time off, and there are a number of guys who also work more on a week on/off basis. Long may it last, as this is the greatest aspect of the job, and I think they are likely aware that they may face quite an exodus should the status quo be changed.
Essentially, we come to work and AJX gets their productivity. In return, we can live anywhere in the world, and take the time off of our choosing.
If I've missed anything of worthy detail, I'm sure Dom or one of the Guys will fill in the blanks.
FW.
Join Date: Jul 2011
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Appreciate the reply fellas, I know it probably has been discussed before, but you've just saved me like 50 min of my time, and I would do the same for you! 
- Anybody knows if they make you sign another 5 year contract after upgrade? key word being "make", or can you just sort of leisurely stroll off on your own little marry way after getting typed as PIC?
- Anybody knows if they make you sign another 5 year contract after upgrade? key word being "make", or can you just sort of leisurely stroll off on your own little marry way after getting typed as PIC?
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Not sure if you could say they "make" you do anything. However, you are offered a new contract to sign during or before the upgrade process. Mine came before and some have come during. I guess if you didn't sign it then maybe they would just stop the upgrade process. I mean, after all, why would they waste their time on you if you don't intend to stay for any meaningful length of time? But I do believe you can sign a 3 or 5 year contract when you renew.
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As far as second contracts go, or Upgrade Contract for that matter, you can decide if you would prefer 3 or 5 years. The main difference is the structure of the completion bonus.
FW
FW
Join Date: Aug 2014
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Hey all,
I have just completed my screening in Tokyo. I was told it would take approximately 1 month to hear back and to expect a class date in July. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread.
I have just completed my screening in Tokyo. I was told it would take approximately 1 month to hear back and to expect a class date in July. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread.
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Ok EFC so now can you please pay back in kindness and write here exactly what the questions in the interview, tech paper and what you had in the sim.
Many will be for ever grateful
Many will be for ever grateful
Join Date: Aug 2014
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Overall a very positive experience. Everyone at the company went out of their way to make you feel comfortable and relax as much as possible. On the interview day they sit you in a room to knock out the tech written straight away. All of the gouges I've read are spot on, know how to calculate hydroplaning speeds, review runway illusions i.e. how does a runway appear when landing in the rain, no big weight shift calculations. Very straightforward, and if you've read the couple of gouges on here you will be more than prepared. After that they get you started on the 567 question MMPI. True/False psychological evaluation that is used in your overall medical results. You have thru the course of the evening to complete it. You and the other candidate are then brought into a room and introduced to the panel of interviewers, for me it was 3 captains and 2 HR. Be sure to walk up front and shake all of their hands initially. They start off by asking you your impression of Japan thus far and go into a comprehensive review of what to expect in the Sim as well as an opportunity to ask any question at all, don't be shy here if you have any lingering questions that aren't clear in the Sim packet you received months earlier.
After a quick break they call one of you back to begin the oral interview portion. First off they ask for a brief introduction of yourself, primarily regarding your aviation background thus far, followed by why Air Japan, do you know anyone that works here, to what degree does your family support this choice, how will you deal with the lengthy training, what did you do to prepare for this interview . Some questions they will tailor to your background, for instance I have a lot of instructor time so instead of asking me what would I do if I was struggling in training they asked me how I would deal with a student that was having difficulties, and what I felt was the most important aspect of instructing. For the more technical questions review jepp plate notations, when can you not begin an approach, what aspects are takeoff limiting(both aircraft configuration as well as runway/performance limiters), review approach lighting and runway lighting specifically distances and colors, beyond basic V speed knowledge you should review what margin above stall the speeds give you, and finally lost comm procedures and light guns. They are very open about being aware of their heavy accents, so don't be afraid to ask them to repeat or clarify a question and as a courtesy to them be sure to slow down and speak clearly. In the end the impression I got was they were more concerned with how you conduct yourself and how well you can communicate with others and articulate your ideas than 100% technical precision. So relax! I felt like the HR portion went smoothly and I felt 50/50 on the technical, and I got the thumbs up!
The Sim was completely 110% by the book. Absolutely no surprises there. Start coupled on the ils, vmc conditions, set up for autoland. All you have to do is watch it do its thing, note pitch and power, when to flare, then engage reverse thrust until 60kts, disengage autobrakes and set parking brake on the runway. Next they snap you back for a practice takeoff and visual pattern. After that the testing begins. Normal takeoff to visual approach CAVOK, normal t/o to full VOR OVC 006, V1 cut to single engine ils OVC 300. All by the book. They want you to act as pic meaning if you don't call for it, it won't happen. Know the Sim profiles in your sleep, pay attention to the pitch and power chart supplied to you in the Sim packet (they are big on known pitch and power settings), and fly stable approaches. As a note, don't complain that the Sim is "sensitive" and if the flight director appears to be lagging, or giving you opposite guidance during single engine ops check your ball, odds are your feet are being lazy and you aren't keeping coordinated. I know it's just the intructor in me but remember the flight director is not a primary instrument!
Everything is over around midnight and you take a taxi to your hotel. At some point in the night you will receive an email from the staffing agency liason with your results. If you have passed you will have one day off, then meet the following day for the medical screening. After that you just sit and wait patiently for about a month for the medical results and your class date, which is what I am currently doing.
Sorry about the formatting here guys, about halfway in I realized I probably should be typing this on my laptop and not my phone.
After a quick break they call one of you back to begin the oral interview portion. First off they ask for a brief introduction of yourself, primarily regarding your aviation background thus far, followed by why Air Japan, do you know anyone that works here, to what degree does your family support this choice, how will you deal with the lengthy training, what did you do to prepare for this interview . Some questions they will tailor to your background, for instance I have a lot of instructor time so instead of asking me what would I do if I was struggling in training they asked me how I would deal with a student that was having difficulties, and what I felt was the most important aspect of instructing. For the more technical questions review jepp plate notations, when can you not begin an approach, what aspects are takeoff limiting(both aircraft configuration as well as runway/performance limiters), review approach lighting and runway lighting specifically distances and colors, beyond basic V speed knowledge you should review what margin above stall the speeds give you, and finally lost comm procedures and light guns. They are very open about being aware of their heavy accents, so don't be afraid to ask them to repeat or clarify a question and as a courtesy to them be sure to slow down and speak clearly. In the end the impression I got was they were more concerned with how you conduct yourself and how well you can communicate with others and articulate your ideas than 100% technical precision. So relax! I felt like the HR portion went smoothly and I felt 50/50 on the technical, and I got the thumbs up!
The Sim was completely 110% by the book. Absolutely no surprises there. Start coupled on the ils, vmc conditions, set up for autoland. All you have to do is watch it do its thing, note pitch and power, when to flare, then engage reverse thrust until 60kts, disengage autobrakes and set parking brake on the runway. Next they snap you back for a practice takeoff and visual pattern. After that the testing begins. Normal takeoff to visual approach CAVOK, normal t/o to full VOR OVC 006, V1 cut to single engine ils OVC 300. All by the book. They want you to act as pic meaning if you don't call for it, it won't happen. Know the Sim profiles in your sleep, pay attention to the pitch and power chart supplied to you in the Sim packet (they are big on known pitch and power settings), and fly stable approaches. As a note, don't complain that the Sim is "sensitive" and if the flight director appears to be lagging, or giving you opposite guidance during single engine ops check your ball, odds are your feet are being lazy and you aren't keeping coordinated. I know it's just the intructor in me but remember the flight director is not a primary instrument!
Everything is over around midnight and you take a taxi to your hotel. At some point in the night you will receive an email from the staffing agency liason with your results. If you have passed you will have one day off, then meet the following day for the medical screening. After that you just sit and wait patiently for about a month for the medical results and your class date, which is what I am currently doing.
Sorry about the formatting here guys, about halfway in I realized I probably should be typing this on my laptop and not my phone.
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Doubts on the commuting scheme
Hi Guys!
Thanks all posters for the info, I've been reading post since start but I'm still about a quarter into it only.
Would anyone be able to tell me if AJX allows the 10 days off per month to be put back to back - resulting in 20 consecutive off every 2 months instead of 10 every month? I've seen many people saying they are flexible with your days off and holidays but haven't seen anyone stating if it's possible to get the days off back to back - probably i just haven't reached that part of the thead yet.
Cheers
Thanks all posters for the info, I've been reading post since start but I'm still about a quarter into it only.
Would anyone be able to tell me if AJX allows the 10 days off per month to be put back to back - resulting in 20 consecutive off every 2 months instead of 10 every month? I've seen many people saying they are flexible with your days off and holidays but haven't seen anyone stating if it's possible to get the days off back to back - probably i just haven't reached that part of the thead yet.
Cheers
Join Date: Aug 2013
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Yes you can and some do it all the time. It's actually 24 days (10 off plus 2 commuting days) plus you can tack on vacation days to it, if you want. You get the 2 commuting days regardless of wether you commute or not. For example in my case, I mix and match all the time. Sometimes I take 12, sometimes 14, sometimes 16, 24,28 and so on.
Join Date: Nov 2010
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Hi there.
I've tried to read the post, what an evening I had
I have to thank you guys for the deep and precise inside info you all shared here. Much appreciated.
I've got a clear picture about roster, living in there, hotels, training, requirements, medical and BMIs... Am I forgetting something?
My question is, looks like starting in 2005 almost everyone was doing well there. Then around 2011-2012 some bad comments about commuting, tickets... At which point are we now? What's the feeling of the people working there? We all know most companies have ups and downs but, where are you now?
Second thing, I read about end of service benefit (18k $) but what about the "pension fund contribution of 600$/month"? Is that a money that you can get after completing the 5 years service? 100%? Part of it?
As I read in the post most of you guys are from USA, AUS, NZL, etc. Not that far for commuting from/to Japan. Any idea about how the european guys are commuting in terms of schedules, companies or destinations?
Last one. How it looks for a 30 years old 737 pilot to be called for an interview? 4000+ hrs on the 737NG as a FO.
Thanks in advance guys.
Safe flights.
I've tried to read the post, what an evening I had
I have to thank you guys for the deep and precise inside info you all shared here. Much appreciated. I've got a clear picture about roster, living in there, hotels, training, requirements, medical and BMIs... Am I forgetting something?
My question is, looks like starting in 2005 almost everyone was doing well there. Then around 2011-2012 some bad comments about commuting, tickets... At which point are we now? What's the feeling of the people working there? We all know most companies have ups and downs but, where are you now?
Second thing, I read about end of service benefit (18k $) but what about the "pension fund contribution of 600$/month"? Is that a money that you can get after completing the 5 years service? 100%? Part of it?
As I read in the post most of you guys are from USA, AUS, NZL, etc. Not that far for commuting from/to Japan. Any idea about how the european guys are commuting in terms of schedules, companies or destinations?
Last one. How it looks for a 30 years old 737 pilot to be called for an interview? 4000+ hrs on the 737NG as a FO.
Thanks in advance guys.
Safe flights.
Join Date: May 2001
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Archer,
To my knowledge there have been very few recent complaints about commuting tickets. AJX basically use ANA, Star Alliance airlines, others in that order. This sometimes means an ANA flight to North America or Europe then a domestic flight. Rather than using a One World airline direct for example. I think this caused some angst initially but it is mainly sorted out now and they are being a little more flexible.
Access to the pension fund depends on what contract company you use and where your citizenship is. For example if you are a US citizen and go through CREW then I don't think you can access your 401K until a certain age. If you're from the UK and did 5 years with CREW then I believe you can get access to you pension money after some paperwork is done.
We have plenty of guys commuting from Europe. Uk, Denmark, Spain, Italy. I think they are mostly happy with the commuting deal.
I would think your experience on the 737 is more than enough for a gig here.
Hope that helps.
To my knowledge there have been very few recent complaints about commuting tickets. AJX basically use ANA, Star Alliance airlines, others in that order. This sometimes means an ANA flight to North America or Europe then a domestic flight. Rather than using a One World airline direct for example. I think this caused some angst initially but it is mainly sorted out now and they are being a little more flexible.
Access to the pension fund depends on what contract company you use and where your citizenship is. For example if you are a US citizen and go through CREW then I don't think you can access your 401K until a certain age. If you're from the UK and did 5 years with CREW then I believe you can get access to you pension money after some paperwork is done.
We have plenty of guys commuting from Europe. Uk, Denmark, Spain, Italy. I think they are mostly happy with the commuting deal.
I would think your experience on the 737 is more than enough for a gig here.
Hope that helps.
Join Date: Nov 2010
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Absolutely;
Yeah it helps, much appreciated!
I wonder if the Spanish guys down there read this, could be interesting to see how they manage to commute, planning from Barcelona here.
Thanks guys!
Yeah it helps, much appreciated!
I wonder if the Spanish guys down there read this, could be interesting to see how they manage to commute, planning from Barcelona here.
Thanks guys!
Join Date: Nov 2010
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Fratemate;
Thank you for the info, looks nice.
Will the company put you in a flight to HND and make you travel from there to NRT (train, bus, taxi?) if the ticket prices are cheaper or will them try to keep you flying to NRT as much as possible?
I understand that NRT is where your base, and probably hotel etc, will be.
Thanks!
Thank you for the info, looks nice.
Will the company put you in a flight to HND and make you travel from there to NRT (train, bus, taxi?) if the ticket prices are cheaper or will them try to keep you flying to NRT as much as possible?
I understand that NRT is where your base, and probably hotel etc, will be.
Thanks!
