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Air Japan (AJX) B767

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Old 8th Nov 2016, 04:10
  #2521 (permalink)  
 
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yep, the salary is not really competitive. The attraction for some is the potential to be a wide body captain within 4 to 5 years. Yippee! After that the package becomes less competitive over time.

one is flying a very old technology aeroplane and the schedules, at present are pretty awful.

days off are pretty good but it can be very demanding being away from home for so long (let's not even talk about the initial training period)

It could be a very good contract with some changes, whether these ever happen, time will tell.
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Old 8th Nov 2016, 18:26
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Sounds like the classic "we are stretched for resources" syndrome.
The sad story is that we are not stretched at all.....! We have the majority of captains here flying 55-58 hours/month.....! We certainly have good manning numbers..., (for now, many people looking at options) All this discontent is self inflicted by simply not having a clue of how to make efficient rosters.....!

Like one of the managers told me when I mentioned paring software...., "We haven't found a software that adjusts to our operation" in one of the most technologically advanced countries on earth that is...!

The contact as per the T&C's has fallen WAY behind..........., not even close to being competitive.....!

Last edited by The Dominican; 8th Nov 2016 at 20:32.
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Old 9th Nov 2016, 01:09
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Sealear, maybe the same complaints are being made because they are the same problems across the industry.

Over the years Flight Operations management in most airlines has been shifted from being pilots to non-flying types. There seems to be a total disregard for the human aspect of the operation, with emphasis being firmly on making maximum profit for the company with minimum expense. Crew are seen as a disposable resource which becomes more expensive with longevity, so work them hard and replace them with cheaper, more malleable staff as soon as possible. Experience pah!

The race to the bottom is well on its way.
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Old 9th Nov 2016, 07:09
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Just asking for curiosity here as I thought Air Japan had a good contract, so its clear I was wrong maybe.

Which other airline would offer more competitive contracts for an FO? Would you say Korean? Or are there others not really mentioned online?

Probably best contracts look like they're in China though everyone here is against the move, but the money seems good for Captains of course, though it's illegal to hire expat FOs. Probably once the chinese FO's upgrade it will be illegal to hire expat Captains too.
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Old 9th Nov 2016, 07:27
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lostinspace

the contract is not all bad, lately things have been happening which are pushing the total package towards the bad side.

A few changes, not only money, some of the changes won't cost much and they'll have a good, if not great contract.

For a young f/o looking to get a widebody command, it's not a bad option.

Unfortunately, the long term prospects are poor. So, if you want to come here, get the command and go elsewhere it may be an option.

The best, in my opinion, get into a major carrier, enjoy the ride, even if time to command is longer, the overall package and protections over the length of your career will be much better.
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Old 9th Nov 2016, 12:51
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For a young f/o looking to get a widebody command, it's not a bad option.

Unfortunately, the long term prospects are poor.
You are calling for an objective response Sealer? The chances of command are at 50%..., it goes up or down a few points depending on what group is put through but that is a fact! There is an active upgrade program, that's true and it is better than many places, of course! But if you come here thinking that it is a given that you will upgrade because we do have an active upgrade program...., half of the F/O's would disagree.

They have gone back on their agreement to implement the scheduling guidelines...., these guidelines were put in place (by the total agreement of the company at the time) because they recognized that they were needed and now they want to do away with them even though we have enough coverage...., that's a fact! That you don't find the objectivity on that is irrelevant.

The trend has been steadily declining...., it looks more and more like we will be an all freighter operation with constant day to night changes within the same paring and it looks more and more that we will be operating the 767 for at least another decade.

The ability to choose our days off is great...., YES! But even the long standing policy of bringing you back to base early on your last day is not being honored..., and that reduces a day off...., and what is pissing everybody off is that they don't really need to change it, we are NOT restricted on manpower with many crews being underutilized. All they need to do really is up the T&C's and USE SCHEDULING SOFTWARE AND PARING GENERATORS, period. This alone would take care of 90% of the scheduling issues with the commute and the preferential scheduling of a handful of motherless ***** that are constantly playing the system..., this is creating a real discontent on a pilot group that, on a large scale, was quite happy to make AJX a career job...!

It is as simple as that really......!
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Old 10th Nov 2016, 05:10
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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!
I would be interested to see your calculations. Are you allowing for tax?
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Old 31st Dec 2016, 07:45
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Whether you like it or not the demonstrators in Japan who protested the radiation at Fukushima were quickly marked as domestic terrorists after new laws passed. Each year acceptable levels of radiation are surpassed and a new standard is agreed upon. This is reality that you won't change.

When AJX staff puts an effort into asking the pilot group to complete an anonymous survey to help with pilot recruitment and several use it as an opportunity to post on Facebook every negative detail of their experience; more restrictions are imposed. When others abuse what's permitted through customs and then randomly get caught; more restrictions are imposed. When pilots report for duty intoxicated; more restrictions are imposed.

In the last month our group has been advised to delete all AJX affiliations on Facebook, anticipate a hand wand search and physical pat down with visual inspection of bags each time checking into dispatch or transiting aircraft at our cargo facility hub in Okinawa and finally, the DO now has the duty to individually monitor the health status of each pilot so as to not pose a danger to others in the cockpit.

If you're considering employment here remember your actions affect the entire operation. The methods of leadership might not always be understood but it doesn't take much effort or social skills to adjust and thrive in this environment. Try learning a little Japanese, show your host through words and action your appreciation for their culture, and try making bonds of friendship with the local staff. If you can't do this you'll be phased-out and in the process make everyone's life more difficult.
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Old 1st Jan 2017, 08:32
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Cpt Crusoe, you are correct, each individual's actions will impact the group. We have seen many new "rules" being introduced to prevent repeats of recent naughtiness by certain individuals, yet there seems to be little effort to punish the individuals.

By all means, follow the advice provided above, BUT, do not allow them to abuse the contract terms and various agreements we have all worked so hard to achieve over the past 15 years or so of operation.
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Old 1st Jan 2017, 22:31
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Whether you like it or not the demonstrators in Japan who protested the radiation at Fukushima were quickly marked as domestic terrorists after new laws passed. Each year acceptable levels of radiation are surpassed and a new standard is agreed upon. This is reality that you won't change.

What has this got to do with the thread?

When AJX staff puts an effort into asking the pilot group to complete an anonymous survey to help with pilot recruitment and several use it as an opportunity to post on Facebook every negative detail of their experience; more restrictions are imposed. When others abuse what's permitted through customs and then randomly get caught; more restrictions are imposed. When pilots report for duty intoxicated; more restrictions are imposed.

'What is your point? Are you willing to suggest another course of action?

In the last month our group has been advised to delete all AJX affiliations on Facebook, anticipate a hand wand search and physical pat down with visual inspection of bags each time checking into dispatch or transiting aircraft at our cargo facility hub in Okinawa and finally, the DO now has the duty to individually monitor the health status of each pilot so as to not pose a danger to others in the cockpit.

'What is so strange about that? Most airlines in the world made significant changes to operations as a result. AJX/ANA would be irresponsible if they didn't.'
The OKA hub had been existing in a security void for years, that's now being addreseed, progress, not punishment is the likely development.
Having a DO responsible is a radical development in Japan, even getting anyone responsible for almost anything is near impossible.

If you're considering employment here remember your actions affect the entire operation. The methods of leadership might not always be understood but it doesn't take much effort or social skills to adjust and thrive in this environment. Try learning a little Japanese, show your host through words and action your appreciation for their culture, and try making bonds of friendship with the local staff. If you can't do this you'll be phased-out and in the process make everyone's life more difficult.

'There's a difference between ANA culture and Japanese culture, it would be advantageous to appreciate that difference. Is the suggestion here, that by not having friends in the office and speaking Japanese, you get "phased out"? Too funny.
Historically, whenever the crews got too friendly with the office staff, the office staff got fired.
Sorry if your life is difficult, you seem to swing from phrases of "thriving", to having a difficult life? Allow me to point out to you; your time at AJX is governed by a group of suited samurai's in Shiodome, not the office girl your your amusing with a "domo arigato"

The guys that AJX respected, walked when management started their current path to oblivion.

Gambate kudasai
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Old 4th Jan 2017, 22:59
  #2531 (permalink)  
 
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judging by the sick calls and roster disruption lately, I'd say YES and trending would be a mild word to describe it.
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Old 6th Jan 2017, 17:16
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I notice the Jet requirement has been reduced to 500 hrs, they must be struggling to entice guys. Is morale still trending South?
is it "transport" jet or just jet time ?
Did you see that on Crew's site ?
thx
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Old 8th Jan 2017, 00:36
  #2533 (permalink)  
 
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How about just send an email to the recruitment department for Crew and ask them? That is the only way you will ever get an answer. That is why they are there after all.
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Old 10th Jan 2017, 14:57
  #2534 (permalink)  
 
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Gentlemen,

Sorry for bringing this to the B767 thread, but i thought opening a new one wouldn't be worth it (at least for now).

Do you have any news on crewing the shiny new A320/321s? Are they planning on hiring expats on the Airbus fleet in the near future?

Your insights are highly appreciated!

Kind regards,

booze
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Old 10th Jan 2017, 21:43
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No they are not.
Only option if you must fly A320's in Japan is Peach, Jetstar Japan or Vanilla.
Pay is not very good though.
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Old 11th Jan 2017, 06:47
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Thanks.

Hopefully they'll start soon.

Just remembering an article couple of years back either on ATW or Flight International about a crisis coming in 2018-2020 when a whole bunch of local skippers are retiring with the Japanese youth not really interested in becoming professional pilots.

Cheers.
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Old 11th Jan 2017, 08:43
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Do you have any news on crewing the shiny new A320/321s? Are they planning on hiring expats on the Airbus fleet in the near future?
Hopefully they'll start soon.
I know we should never say 'never' but the chances of AJX getting the Airbus as so slim that it's not worth trying to calculate. Look at the aircraft mix and you'll soon realise that IF (note the size of that IF) we do get a type change then it'll almost certainly be the 787. Nobody knows when or how or what will be involved in the introduction of the type and the contract companies are as much use as chocolate fireguards regarding information on our futures but I'm willing to bet quite a few beers that Airbus does not feature in the AJX plans.
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Old 11th Jan 2017, 09:03
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I think he means let's hope they start hiring foreigners in ANA mainline soon - on the airbus..
Again, never say never.
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Old 11th Jan 2017, 09:27
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Guys....., say "no" to drugs...., it greatly affects your ability to distinguish reality....!

Said it before and I'll say it again, come to AJX for the commuting conditions and the ability to pick your days off..., come with the expectation to fly the 767 for the duration of your tenure. If you come with those expectations..., the job will work for you.

If your goal is to fly ANY other type..., apply to where they are currently flying that type.

The "stories" about another type have been circulating around here for over a decade now.
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Old 11th Jan 2017, 10:49
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Sorry Guys, i meant mainline ANA, not AJX.
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