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Air Japan (AJX) B767

Old 18th Apr 2015, 05:29
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Next thing you are going to tell me is that you don't wear pilot hats
I always wear my hat, even when I'm flying and will continue to do so until 1st May, when I'm permitted to remove it

fly around in STAR WARS painted planes
We are not worthy, since only the Japanese pilots (and some Koreans) have The Force. We are only allowed to pilot the black and white one......I think it's meant to be a panda but it looks more like a dairy cow.

only 2 out of the last 5 guys got threw the command evaluation last week
You're more in 'the know' than me (which doesn't say too much). 2, eh? Surprised there's that many
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Old 19th Apr 2015, 22:36
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Originally Posted by Fratemate
Welcome to Japan

Further your imagination with the joy of the weekly updates, where China seems to delight in issuing changes just for the fun of it and we get to sit there switching over bits of toilet paper. For the Japanese it's even worse; they highlight their charts like kids colouring books and then they have to do more drawing with the weekly changes

We don't have iPads, we have Apids (ANA/AJX Pilot Intelligence Devices)....I kid you not. They do look remarkably similar to the iPad Air and we have the Jepp app installed. Most of us have done the groundschool and simulator 'training' necessary to use the Apid but we are waiting for the crusty old men in the Ministry to give us the go-ahead for trials in the aircraft. Obviously, during this 'trial' we will also carry our other manuals. It sounds like no-one else has ever used them in actual flight, so we must be the trailblazers and that's the reason for all the delays and nonsense in using them . IF the JCAB finds the Apids are an acceptable replacement for the abacus and quills we might be allowed to use them all the time and get rid of all the paper that clutters up our flight bags. As Dom says, the prediction is Mar 2016 but I'm not holding my breath. We've had Apids for over 2 years already, so read into that what you will with the forward-thinking, modern, JCAB

Same at NCA... We have 4 huge books of Jepps and weekly updates that make you want to slash your wrists! 2 years with iPads and the only thing we don't have to carry is the OM, which is so confusing, that you have to use written cliff notes to get the info needed. The JCAB has the a strangle hold on the aviation industry and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Oh the fun!
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Old 20th Apr 2015, 01:06
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jepps

Are jepp charts supplied to the individual or is a personal supply required?
I use jepp view at present and print my own charts and have back up on ipad app for reference if I have an out of date chart. Is that sorta the same principle being used but referencing the AIPad or whatever that is called?
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Old 20th Apr 2015, 02:53
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As Dom said, we get issued with our own set of Jepps that we must update and carry, i.e. a load of bits of paper that weigh a tonne. We have the JeppFD-Pro app on our iPads but at the moment we are not allowed to use our iPads on the flight deck once the flight deck door is closed. We have conducted groundschool 'training' on the use of the app and have 'trained' on it in the sim but we now wait for the JCAB to approve a trial for use in the aircraft, as we obviously cannot use the evidence of other states because the FAA etc clearly cannot be trusted to do these things correctly During the trial we will still have to carry, and keep updated, the paper Jepps. Hopefully the trial will be a success and we will then be allowed to be like normal pilots and carry just the iPad (and enjoy the bonfire of Jepp paper). The trial will be a trial because it not only has to convince the JCAB that we won't blow up because we've turned on an electronic device on the flight deck but we also have to convince the Japanese pilots that it is possible to read and use charts that aren't covered in multi-coloured highlights .
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Old 20th Apr 2015, 07:27
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Cheers for the info guys
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Old 21st Apr 2015, 00:32
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Capt Coco fly around in STAR WARS painted planes....!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g70eqOT0LPU

That is just pure geek porn
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Old 21st Apr 2015, 12:40
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Yes, apparently only two out of the five passed the evaluations this time around. They are apparently going to be headed to the sims very quickly as well. I have heard by the end of this month.

But on a good note, all 4 of us upgrade trainees passed the checks. So there are now 4 new captains at AJX.
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Old 21st Apr 2015, 20:38
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But on a good note, all 4 of us upgrade trainees passed the checks. So there are now 4 new captains at AJX.
Felicidades capitán.......!

Looking forward to raise your gear......
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Old 22nd Apr 2015, 13:58
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Congrats Jeremy well done mate.
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Old 22nd Apr 2015, 16:44
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jrmyl

Yes, apparently only two out of the five passed the evaluations this time around. They are apparently going to be headed to the sims very quickly as well. I have heard by the end of this month.

Not sure if it's true jrmyl, but it seems it's earlier than end of this month, someone said they saw them in the sim on Monday (20th Apr) already, starting their command training!!! About the quickest turn around time from 'command committee meeting' to sim training I have ever heard of, but good for them. Good luck boys. Apparently they will be all finished in the sim in the first week of May already.

Not sure of what flow on affects this will have on all the future command courses, but it looks good for everyone coming up.
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Old 24th Apr 2015, 11:30
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Thanks for the congrats. Our sim training was just about 3 weeks long so first week of May would be about right. I also heard that the next group of evals should be starting soon as well.
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Old 25th Apr 2015, 15:05
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Recently got word that I passed the medical screening, now standing by for class date assignment. Is it safe to assume that the "screening" is complete, or has anyone heard of applicants given the thanks but no thanks even after completing everything?

Also, what is the dress code at the training center? I met a fellow while I was at the interview that was midway thru training and he was in a suit. Is this the standard for all training? Coming from the states I am accustomed to a pretty relaxed business casual atmosphere.
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Old 26th Apr 2015, 02:22
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has anyone heard of applicants given the thanks but no thanks even after completing everything?
Never heard of anything like that happening before, so I reckon you're pretty safe Obviously some people get through the selection process and decide they'd rather stay at home or take up a different offer but I've never heard of anyone passing everything and then not getting offered a job.

Also, what is the dress code at the training center?
It is not prescribed but it is certainly not the relaxed style you might be used to Some people wear a semi-pilot type of 'uniform'; in other words, dark trousers, white shirt and black tie (normally their clothes from their previous airline)......obviously minus all the gold trimmings of the normal day wear. Some people wear smart trousers (definitely NEVER jeans) and a shirt/short-sleeved shirt with a tie. There are classes available for Americans on how to knot a tie and wean them off clip-ons Even in the height of Summer it was normal to see ties being worn although, doubtless, someone will spring up any second now and say they didn't wear a tie their whole time. The guys you saw in suits may have been on day one of the course, when I've only ever seen suits being worn. As I say, nothing is laid down but you can take your cue from the way the Japanese dress because I think that is reasonable to think what they would expect from someone joining their operation. In the office they will nearly always be dressed in trousers, shirt and tie........although I did once see a rebel in the office who'd undone his top button and relaxed the tie. I never saw him the next day but there was a new pile of soil in the grass outside

Come on Dom, you love this subject
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Old 26th Apr 2015, 05:44
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[QUOTE=Fratemate;8956207]Never heard of anything like that happening before, so I reckon you're pretty safe

It is not prescribed but it is certainly not the relaxed style you might be used to

Appreciate the info, it has been a very long process and would hate to get the rug pulled out at this point.

As a grown man, I have never been able to use a clip on tie. I was mainly curious if I needed to step up my suit game.
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Old 26th Apr 2015, 06:08
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EFC, congrats on the news.

You will find the whole experience in Japan somewhat different to previous lives.

Be prepared to do things differently and be aware, from day 1 what is acceptable and not acceptable behaviour. Things in Japan are a lot more formal than what we are used to in the West.

When you arrive, introduce yourself to the guys on course ahead of you and try to get as much info on the course as possible from them, they will definitely help to prevent the odd cultural faux pas.


It's pretty straightforward, so nothing to be alarmed about. Just learn the rules quickly and play the game, that's the easiest way.

There's lots of support for the guys and, in general, we all look after each other.

Good luck with it all and enjoy the experience.
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Old 26th Apr 2015, 23:49
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I hope things have changed since the 2009-2010 time frame when this was a highly desired contract, but back then there was many pilots who passed the screening and medical, but were never offered a course.( Including couple of my friends).
Some had to wait 5-8 months for a course date and some never got one, just an email saying you have not been selected.
Of course times are different now and they seem to have a shortage of quality candidates, so I do not know what the current situation is.


Also in the past during the hot summer months the office and training department do take the tie off( there will be a letter on the wall explaining this policy (Japanese only, of course)), so they can justify setting the A/C to a cool 28 C at the offices.


Hope it works out for you, welcome.
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Old 27th Apr 2015, 06:02
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Originally Posted by 767 Autopilot
I hope things have changed since the 2009-2010 time frame when this was a highly desired contract, but back then there was many pilots who passed the screening and medical, but were never offered a course.( Including couple of my friends).
Some had to wait 5-8 months for a course date and some never got one, just an email saying you have not been selected.
Of course times are different now and they seem to have a shortage of quality candidates, so I do not know what the current situation is.


Also in the past during the hot summer months the office and training department do take the tie off( there will be a letter on the wall explaining this policy (Japanese only, of course)), so they can justify setting the A/C to a cool 28 C at the offices.


Hope it works out for you, welcome.
Thanks for the input. I will try to not assume you are inferring that I am a low quality candidate.
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Old 27th Apr 2015, 08:56
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step # 1

never assume
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Old 27th Apr 2015, 12:21
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Just making a general statement.


I do not know you and do not know your qualifications. I never said anything about you.
Remember that the most important thing about this job and training is your attitude. Does not matter how good you are, if your attitude is not a fit to the company, they will get rid of you.
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Old 2nd May 2015, 07:47
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Hi all,

Firstly, thanks for the informative post, much appreciated and most helpful.

I am considering applying to AJX and have a couple of questions, that I don't believe have been answered after reading the last several years' worth of posts:

1. My wife is keen to work out of Asia and has the potential to get a job in several countries. Compared to commuting from Australia, I hope this might enable us to see more of each other due to the shorter commute. Tokyo is not high on her list of options for the reasons mentioned previously in this thread and a couple of others.

a) If you have a day off in NRT, say with an early finish the previous day and late start the following day, is there any problem with you leaving Japan provided you are back in time for duty?

b) If she has a choice of cities, we were thinking it could be worthwhile going for one with a greater number of overnights, and I could just stay at 'home'. As such, does anyone have any advice on this, i.e. is it likely/possible and if so, what cities have a greater number of overnights, understanding that schedules/routes etc are subject to change?

Obviously I understand this is a commuting contract and you can only bank on your 10 days + 2 (+2), but if it could work, why not give it a go?

2. I notice that CReW states that you would have access to staff travel after 6 months of service. Can anyone advise whether this 6 months would start post check to line or after commencement of training?

Thanks very much in advance.
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