Air Japan (AJX) B767
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1)Could anyone give me an insight to the current success rate in landing a job as an FO here? I am willing to work hard, follow the rules and adapt to the local culture. I am aware this is a first generation glass cockpit and would need some getting used to coming from speed and altitude tapes.
Given the fact that you are already used to the Asian style training, I would say that your chances are higher than average....., it's not difficult really, you just have to learn to play their game. That's all really.
2)(Touchy question) I am a Singaporean of Chinese descendent, (english is my first language). Would this be an issue in terms of discrimination as going through the first 60 pages of this thread , I understand there aren't many(or none) crew here from south east asia. The purpose of my question is just to understand the culture and will everyone be given a fair shot.
We are a very diverse pilot group and although I've seen some folks being given a harder time than others, it seems to be personality driven and not due to ethnicity....., If you have the right attitude they seem to bend over backwards to try and help you......! Even with their rule of two shots only at command, we have a couple of cases where guys didn't make their upgrade evaluation twice but because they are such nice people (strangely enough, that's mostly the reason why they didn't pass their evaluation in the first place, it wasn't their flying, it was their passiveness and lack of command assertion) one of them is already a captain and I heard that the other will start his command evaluation again...., good for them! I really haven't seen anything in my time here that tells me that you will be given a harder time because of your ethnic background.
3)There was a part of the thread that mentions about almost every other guy on the upgrade program failing. Is the failure rate still high? Understand it's about 5 years to being offered an upgrade.
It's running at about 50% or so and the evaluation start around year 4.
Ps: Saw the press release that the A380s will be taking over the HNL runs come 2019... ):
The expansion rate of the universe and solar flares have more to do with the AJX pilot group than this...., literally!
Given the fact that you are already used to the Asian style training, I would say that your chances are higher than average....., it's not difficult really, you just have to learn to play their game. That's all really.
2)(Touchy question) I am a Singaporean of Chinese descendent, (english is my first language). Would this be an issue in terms of discrimination as going through the first 60 pages of this thread , I understand there aren't many(or none) crew here from south east asia. The purpose of my question is just to understand the culture and will everyone be given a fair shot.
We are a very diverse pilot group and although I've seen some folks being given a harder time than others, it seems to be personality driven and not due to ethnicity....., If you have the right attitude they seem to bend over backwards to try and help you......! Even with their rule of two shots only at command, we have a couple of cases where guys didn't make their upgrade evaluation twice but because they are such nice people (strangely enough, that's mostly the reason why they didn't pass their evaluation in the first place, it wasn't their flying, it was their passiveness and lack of command assertion) one of them is already a captain and I heard that the other will start his command evaluation again...., good for them! I really haven't seen anything in my time here that tells me that you will be given a harder time because of your ethnic background.
3)There was a part of the thread that mentions about almost every other guy on the upgrade program failing. Is the failure rate still high? Understand it's about 5 years to being offered an upgrade.
It's running at about 50% or so and the evaluation start around year 4.
Ps: Saw the press release that the A380s will be taking over the HNL runs come 2019... ):
The expansion rate of the universe and solar flares have more to do with the AJX pilot group than this...., literally!
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Thank you
Good Evening The Dominican,
Thank you for your reply.
I do want to submit my application at the soonest and I read here that CReW & PARC are the way to go. The only thing holding me back now is my BMI , which I read somewhere in pages 70-ish that the Japanese are strict about. Looks like I would need to shed some donuts.
Just to confirm, the time taken to obtain the JCAB ATPL is about 8 months?
Thank you for your reply.
I do want to submit my application at the soonest and I read here that CReW & PARC are the way to go. The only thing holding me back now is my BMI , which I read somewhere in pages 70-ish that the Japanese are strict about. Looks like I would need to shed some donuts.
Just to confirm, the time taken to obtain the JCAB ATPL is about 8 months?
Last edited by lookleftandenvy; 16th Nov 2016 at 09:03.
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It is true that AJX has very few Chinese pilots, in fact I can only think of one and he is Hong Kong Chinese, so similar to your situation. Obviously we'd never get mainland Chinese because they train with one airline in China and stay there for the duration. I can't imagine a Japanese airline being particularly warm to any mainland Chinese pilot but I do believe they would be much more inclined to look at someone like yourself who is Singaporean and, in my mind, a completely different kettle of fish. We do have a fair number of Korean pilots, both from Korea and American-Korean. I do appreciate the difference in attitude of the Japanese to those from Korea versus China but I do not think this exists with Singaporeans and I reckon you'd be given a fair chance.
If your BMI is above 28 then you'll need to get below that for the initial medical and, preferably down towards 25. Allegedly there is no limit in the JCAB regulations (although I've never actually looked) but that really doesn't matter, since the first medical is for AJX and they DO have a limit.
It will take you about 6 months to finish groundschool (plus all the associated courses), simulator training and get your type rating and ATPL. After your days off (normally 10) you'll then do 2 weeks of unnecessary airport 'training' in the classroom and then approximately 2 months of OJT/line training. It's a long slog and we all know it could be reduced to a more normal max of 3 months but it's their trainset (no matter how badly designed) so if you reckon you can let that stuff wash over you then submit an application. As I've said before; the worst they can do is say 'no'.
If your BMI is above 28 then you'll need to get below that for the initial medical and, preferably down towards 25. Allegedly there is no limit in the JCAB regulations (although I've never actually looked) but that really doesn't matter, since the first medical is for AJX and they DO have a limit.
It will take you about 6 months to finish groundschool (plus all the associated courses), simulator training and get your type rating and ATPL. After your days off (normally 10) you'll then do 2 weeks of unnecessary airport 'training' in the classroom and then approximately 2 months of OJT/line training. It's a long slog and we all know it could be reduced to a more normal max of 3 months but it's their trainset (no matter how badly designed) so if you reckon you can let that stuff wash over you then submit an application. As I've said before; the worst they can do is say 'no'.
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Thank you
Hello Fratemate,
Thank you very much for the insight!
Yes I will need to drop some pounds. If 28 bmi is AJX's glass ceiling.
Lastly, I was running through the sim check profile, noticed weights were all mentioned in LBS. So the unit of measurement for weight and fuel is all in pounds over there? Just looking at some threat and error management on my end for the prep ��
Thanks and happy landings
Thank you very much for the insight!
Yes I will need to drop some pounds. If 28 bmi is AJX's glass ceiling.
Lastly, I was running through the sim check profile, noticed weights were all mentioned in LBS. So the unit of measurement for weight and fuel is all in pounds over there? Just looking at some threat and error management on my end for the prep ��
Thanks and happy landings
Last edited by lookleftandenvy; 16th Nov 2016 at 09:05.
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bmi's
Do they consider a real BMI test from a University? I know of several individuals that are over their BMI requirement, but are nowhere near obese.
Is the goal to reduce muscle as well?
Is the goal to reduce muscle as well?
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Lastly, I was running through the sim check profile, noticed weights were all mentioned in LBS. So the unit of measurement for weight and fuel is all in pounds over there?
Do they consider a real BMI test from a University? I know of several individuals that are over their BMI requirement, but are nowhere near obese
As TD says, they'll do the test their way and really don't give two hoots who has alternative opinions about what they're doing right or wrong or why 'several individuals' really have no need to stay off the pies. Get below 28 or don't apply, it's not rocket science, or university science.
lookleft, bear with me on this response.
Reading between the lines, you are looking at making a move to get your command.
If this is correct, possibly, you should be looking at other options. As you pointed out, the success rate in the command eval process at AJX has been hanging around 50%.
You are looking at leaving a (I am assuming here) national carrier in your home country to become a contractor working in a foreign country, where the success rate is 50% and you have been bypassed by your current employer already. This implies a deficiency, which may well trip you up in AJX.
Think carefully of making a move just to get the command, look at all the possibilities and plan on worst case scenario. If that did occur, would you be happy at AJX.
If you are looking for a move to the left seat, better to go to a LCC in SE Asia, there are many around, get the command there and then look at contracting as an experienced captain in China or elsewhere.
not trying to be nasty but trying to get a realistic point of view across.
Reading between the lines, you are looking at making a move to get your command.
If this is correct, possibly, you should be looking at other options. As you pointed out, the success rate in the command eval process at AJX has been hanging around 50%.
You are looking at leaving a (I am assuming here) national carrier in your home country to become a contractor working in a foreign country, where the success rate is 50% and you have been bypassed by your current employer already. This implies a deficiency, which may well trip you up in AJX.
Think carefully of making a move just to get the command, look at all the possibilities and plan on worst case scenario. If that did occur, would you be happy at AJX.
If you are looking for a move to the left seat, better to go to a LCC in SE Asia, there are many around, get the command there and then look at contracting as an experienced captain in China or elsewhere.
not trying to be nasty but trying to get a realistic point of view across.
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Hello gsteraf,
Thank you very much for the advice. Yes I do agree that there are some serious considerations to be done. Obviously at this point in time , it's best I do nothing but lay out all options on the table.
Many thanks once again for the good intentions and if we ever meet, I believe an ice cold pint is in order ��
Happy landings! ��
Thank you very much for the advice. Yes I do agree that there are some serious considerations to be done. Obviously at this point in time , it's best I do nothing but lay out all options on the table.
Many thanks once again for the good intentions and if we ever meet, I believe an ice cold pint is in order ��
Happy landings! ��
Last edited by lookleftandenvy; 16th Nov 2016 at 09:06.
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Which path to follow until time comes?
Hi everybody.
First of all, thanks for all this hard work since 2005, giving us your time and experience putting lots of helpful information in this thread.
I’ll present here my situation and thoughts about paths to choose in my career in the future. I’m flying as a FO in Brazil right now on E190/5 (2000TT), with one of smallest jet salaries in the world. Here there aren’t lots of companies to choose. We have only 4 “majors” and the country is passing through a hard economic situation. My average is about 9k reais. Each dollar is about 3,20 nowadays, giving me astonishing USD 2,8k monthly
. Per diem nearly 500 USD a month. To complete the scenario, the taxes in Brazil are one of the highest in the world, reducing even more the amount. Life quality is far behind US, Europe or Japan.
I’m in contact with Japanese culture since younger (that works a lot for me) and one of my goals in life is work and live in Japan. My initial plan was reach my flying hours to apply on the ME, earn a CPT position and get a chance in Japan after that, with some luck, get the retirement there.
Starting my research about Air Japan, I saw that I could reach the minimums in 2 years. But I was punched in the face about the residency situation, small chances to get in only with the minimums requirements and one of the newest case about a fellow Brazilian here in the thread that was kicked off because Brazil was “too far away” for this commuting contract.
I read in posts years ago about the possibility of visas in the future. What’s the situation nowadays about it and your thoughts about the future? It’s only me and my wife (half Japanese, sansei generation without the nationality, her grands were Japanese). She already lived in Japan during 2 years, working there.
Studying hard it’s not a problem for me, since it’s a will living there and I’m not afraid about 8-9 months eating the books. But about upgrades? If I leave Brazil, hardly I’ll get a chance of a Fast Track to become a CPT here. So it’s an one way ticket for good. In your opinion, Air Japan is a good option for upgrades nowadays? The pacific economic block (Japan, US, Canada, etc.) could give a good perspective for aviation in Japan?
Is there another companies that offer work visa, allowing to live in Japan? I read about Skymark here, but as CPT.
I read about how good was the contract in the beginning, but the situation years later became disappointing. Nowadays and yours perspectives about the future, do you recommend Air Japan or other Japanese company to have a decent work quality x living?
Any other advices about what to do and ways about get a life with my wife overseas in Japan will help a lot.
I’m really sorry about this size and the questions. But I’m trying to get more information as I can to not step wrong and blow out everything, losing years to reach this objective.
Thanks again for all your time and work here. It’s helping a lot to choose what to do next.
Fly safe
First of all, thanks for all this hard work since 2005, giving us your time and experience putting lots of helpful information in this thread.
I’ll present here my situation and thoughts about paths to choose in my career in the future. I’m flying as a FO in Brazil right now on E190/5 (2000TT), with one of smallest jet salaries in the world. Here there aren’t lots of companies to choose. We have only 4 “majors” and the country is passing through a hard economic situation. My average is about 9k reais. Each dollar is about 3,20 nowadays, giving me astonishing USD 2,8k monthly
. Per diem nearly 500 USD a month. To complete the scenario, the taxes in Brazil are one of the highest in the world, reducing even more the amount. Life quality is far behind US, Europe or Japan.I’m in contact with Japanese culture since younger (that works a lot for me) and one of my goals in life is work and live in Japan. My initial plan was reach my flying hours to apply on the ME, earn a CPT position and get a chance in Japan after that, with some luck, get the retirement there.
Starting my research about Air Japan, I saw that I could reach the minimums in 2 years. But I was punched in the face about the residency situation, small chances to get in only with the minimums requirements and one of the newest case about a fellow Brazilian here in the thread that was kicked off because Brazil was “too far away” for this commuting contract.
I read in posts years ago about the possibility of visas in the future. What’s the situation nowadays about it and your thoughts about the future? It’s only me and my wife (half Japanese, sansei generation without the nationality, her grands were Japanese). She already lived in Japan during 2 years, working there.
Studying hard it’s not a problem for me, since it’s a will living there and I’m not afraid about 8-9 months eating the books. But about upgrades? If I leave Brazil, hardly I’ll get a chance of a Fast Track to become a CPT here. So it’s an one way ticket for good. In your opinion, Air Japan is a good option for upgrades nowadays? The pacific economic block (Japan, US, Canada, etc.) could give a good perspective for aviation in Japan?
Is there another companies that offer work visa, allowing to live in Japan? I read about Skymark here, but as CPT.
I read about how good was the contract in the beginning, but the situation years later became disappointing. Nowadays and yours perspectives about the future, do you recommend Air Japan or other Japanese company to have a decent work quality x living?
Any other advices about what to do and ways about get a life with my wife overseas in Japan will help a lot.
I’m really sorry about this size and the questions. But I’m trying to get more information as I can to not step wrong and blow out everything, losing years to reach this objective.
Thanks again for all your time and work here. It’s helping a lot to choose what to do next.
Fly safe
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Air Japan Contract
Hi everyone,
Just wondering if anyone out there is currently working for Air Japan and wouldn't mind sharing their experience on what it's like to work for. Thanks.
Just wondering if anyone out there is currently working for Air Japan and wouldn't mind sharing their experience on what it's like to work for. Thanks.
fandriver, I was going to try to provide a witty response to your question.
Unfortunately, due to the present scheduling, I am just too tired to come up with anything.
It's not a happy camp right now for many reasons.
Unfortunately, due to the present scheduling, I am just too tired to come up with anything.
It's not a happy camp right now for many reasons.
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JCAB limit for BMI is 30, I will post from the manual:
The applicant must not be obese to the extent that such obesity may interfere with the
performance of airman duties.
2. Disqualifying Conditions
Excessive obesity that may interfere with the performance of airman duties
3. Examination Procedures and Precautions
4. Evaluation Precautions
Obesity is one of the significant risk factors for arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular
disease. An applicant with severe obesity with body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30
must be examined for other risk factors of cardiovascular disease and evaluated for
qualification with consideration given to the risk of sudden incapacitation during
flight. Also, evaluation should be made to determine whether or not the condition
interferes with the controlling of the aircraft.
BMI is calculated according to the formula given below.
BMI = body weight (kg) / height (m)2
The applicant must not be obese to the extent that such obesity may interfere with the
performance of airman duties.
2. Disqualifying Conditions
Excessive obesity that may interfere with the performance of airman duties
3. Examination Procedures and Precautions
4. Evaluation Precautions
Obesity is one of the significant risk factors for arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular
disease. An applicant with severe obesity with body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30
must be examined for other risk factors of cardiovascular disease and evaluated for
qualification with consideration given to the risk of sudden incapacitation during
flight. Also, evaluation should be made to determine whether or not the condition
interferes with the controlling of the aircraft.
BMI is calculated according to the formula given below.
BMI = body weight (kg) / height (m)2
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fandriver, I was going to try to provide a witty response to your question.
Unfortunately, due to the present scheduling, I am just too tired to come up with anything.
It's not a happy camp right now for many reasons.
Unfortunately, due to the present scheduling, I am just too tired to come up with anything.
It's not a happy camp right now for many reasons.
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Sounds like you guys have had some new managers arrive who have decided to show everyone how things "should be done" and how the gaijin hired help should be treated with appropriate regard to their true status.
THAT always works out so well for everyone!
Best of luck with interesting times!
THAT always works out so well for everyone!
Best of luck with interesting times!
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I have read this thread with some interest over the last few years wondering if I should apply for a position.
I actually live in Japan and commute to operate for an airline in another country.
I am married to a Japanese Lady, my children are half Japanese and I love Japan and living in Japan. I speak and read a little of the Language.
The last question to ask myself before applying to any of the airlines in Japan is whether I could work for the Japanese.
The answer of course is NO, I could not work for a Japanese airline as a pilot, in fact I don't think I could work in any industry in any capacity if it were run by the Japanese
Good Luck guys, flying is an easy job really, pity they have to make it so difficult and miserable for the troops.
I actually live in Japan and commute to operate for an airline in another country.
I am married to a Japanese Lady, my children are half Japanese and I love Japan and living in Japan. I speak and read a little of the Language.
The last question to ask myself before applying to any of the airlines in Japan is whether I could work for the Japanese.
The answer of course is NO, I could not work for a Japanese airline as a pilot, in fact I don't think I could work in any industry in any capacity if it were run by the Japanese
Good Luck guys, flying is an easy job really, pity they have to make it so difficult and miserable for the troops.
Can you guys please elaborate on what is actually happening at AJX? My impression was that it was a great place to work. Never heard anything bad about it until now. Should I hold off applying?
in general, scheduling issues, mainly a recent change where schedulers appear to have become inflexible with certain aspects, eg first and last duty, thus meaning that some crews are having to burn a day off at home because they miss their commute flight home on the last work day or need to come back early to meet schedule requirements.
There is no contractual protection for this BUT the schedulers have managed to assist for the last 15 years, now suddenly it is a problem.
Duties and flights are becoming more fatiguing, a lot of pilots are complaining of being CONSTANTLY tired. New duty patterns seem to be aggravating this. It may not be on purpose but the schedulers seem unable to understand the fatigue problem.
Uncompetitive salary package, I'll say no more.
I'm sure others would be able to add or elaborate
When/if they fix it who knows! I fear it will take a drastic change in manning levels before any action is taken
There is no contractual protection for this BUT the schedulers have managed to assist for the last 15 years, now suddenly it is a problem.
Duties and flights are becoming more fatiguing, a lot of pilots are complaining of being CONSTANTLY tired. New duty patterns seem to be aggravating this. It may not be on purpose but the schedulers seem unable to understand the fatigue problem.
Uncompetitive salary package, I'll say no more.
I'm sure others would be able to add or elaborate
When/if they fix it who knows! I fear it will take a drastic change in manning levels before any action is taken
Thanks gtseraf,
Sounds like the classic "we are stretched for resources" syndrome. Which most airlines these days are experiencing. The recent drop in jet time requirements would support this. Never the less, normally these things get addressed eventually so it could be just a temporary issue.
The pay is an interesting one. Many say it's good but I'm still struggling to calculate to that. Take out all the allowances (which I'm assuming you need to cover the costs of working in Asia for 2 weeks) and you're left with the same or less as a narrow body FO in Australia. Seems hardly worth it!
Sounds like the classic "we are stretched for resources" syndrome. Which most airlines these days are experiencing. The recent drop in jet time requirements would support this. Never the less, normally these things get addressed eventually so it could be just a temporary issue.
The pay is an interesting one. Many say it's good but I'm still struggling to calculate to that. Take out all the allowances (which I'm assuming you need to cover the costs of working in Asia for 2 weeks) and you're left with the same or less as a narrow body FO in Australia. Seems hardly worth it!