Vietnam Airlines (info please)

[Dream Land]

A normal week has one or two days OFF(recently), so assuming five days of work:

Day 1. SGN-HKG-SGN
Day 2. SGN-PNH-VTE-HAN Layover in Hanoi (5 star hotel)
Day 3. HAN-VTE-PNH-SGN
Day 4. SGN-REP-SGN-HUI-SGN
Day 5. SGN-DAD-SGN-KUL-SGN
Day 6. OFF
Day 7. OFF

Generally all day flights, home at night.

[cucch69]

Wow.. That doesnt sound too bad at all. I work a 7on 7off here in the states and its pretty good.
Just weighing out my options...I met my wife in PNH and we would eventually like to get back there. Just not sure I could dodge the "when we havin kids" anymore, Then we wouldn't have the option of moving to the other side of the world.

Thanks for the insight

[Lost in Saigon]

cucch69,

You generally need a minimum of 500 hours on type and current within the last 6 months to get a contract.

[Dream Land]

Not exactly aware of the specifics but I have heard that any time in an A320 is now being considered, previous requirements waved.

[raklameen]

help please

Hi Friend,
can u plz help me with the HR contact nos at VNAC please? The one published on the website seems to be unwell. Are they also converting pilots ( the A320 guys) on to the B777s?
Would be obliged if u could help me. Thanks a ton. Happy Flying

[Dream Land]

Hi Friend,
can u plz help me with the HR contact nos at VNAC please? The one published on the website seems to be unwell. Are they also converting pilots ( the A320 guys) on to the B777s?
Would be obliged if u could help me. Thanks a ton. Happy Flying

Hello there, as I print this message there are only two agencies that you would want to work for on this contract. 1. Rishworth Aviation and 2. PARC Aviation, you can not work directly for Vietnam Airlines.

Good luck, D.L.

[raklameen]

hi again

Hi D.L
thanks a ton for the reply. But can you please help me regarding the upgrade to a B777? Have a lot of experience on the a320/21 fleet.
Thanks again & sorry to work u up

[Dream Land]

Not trying to be smart BUT, the two contractors are aware of any current information regarding your question, also, if it's not in writing, it's just BS anyway (and it never will be). The system Chief Pilot has indicated in meetings that upgrading to another fleet is possible, my guess is that a person would have to work a while in the fleet you have experience in, then, based on fitness reports and Vietnam Airlines' need for crews (along with a bunch-o-money), you'd be able to upgrade. Also, I don't think they are short captains on the 777, as it is, captains are operating in the left and right seats.

[ia1166]

The pay is always slightly better with Parc. Bupa is also better and cheaper to add any dependants i believe. You also get a very good group accident insurance for free which will cost you 140 a month from RAL. If you want o upgrade your insurance with RAL to BUPA it will cost 1800 a year. So the benefit is around 300 a month. PARC also offer a good LOL and Illness insurance at good rates which RAL do not. Also if you get in hot water here don't expect any help from RAL where the last few incidents here with PARC pilots, they have been admirably defended by PARC, while the RAL guys have been less well so. Also RAL will cut sepearate deals with everybody so there are lots of different deals with RAL guys. Some actually get more money, or bupa, where PARC is all the same.

The last upgrade package was this: 30K bond held by the contract company, a letter of guarantee from your bank will suffice if you own property. You are unpaid during training but you can offset this by using your rotation. You must pay 25K but you can offset this with your salary which meant guys working on FO salary for about 1 year after their line check, then full command salary. It's not a perfect world but in my view this isn't a bad deal and 4 guys took it. All very happy. The guys that didn't are still here in the RHS so go figure.

Life is ok here which is why you don't see people here on PPRuNe whinging on like you do in other areas. Roster disruption is a big problem but manageable. More money would be good as the rising costs here are hurting people. Very short of fos which is no doubt holding up any upgrades.

And i've never heard of a expat fleet change apart from atr to airbus and that took a lot of "negotiating (money)" and is a non starter for us mere mortals. (767 to 777 excepted of course)

[raklameen]

Wide Body

Hi D.L.
would u be in a position to tell me of any airline in asia/s.e.asia looking for non type rated (experienced) A320 pilots?
Any idea as to when the SQ induction for the A330-300s would commence?
Somehow i love the SQ group
Thanks a lot for your information

[Dream Land]

SQ group

No, not aware of any Airbus operator in SE Asia that accepts non-type rated pilots (yet). Vietnam Airlines now is lowering requirements but you must be type rated and current. As far as SQ, wouldn't Tiger be a good starting point?

[raklameen]

Well D.L , there comes a time when we all need a break from the current fleet , especially after spending a decade on it.
Tiger would be an extension of my current rating. No offence meant to this fantastic airline.
Any idea if EY would be coming out with an MFF policy( A320 to A330 or A320 to the A340)? or any1 ready to train on the 777s?

[TWN PPL]

I once was trying for the 777 two years ago. Had a meeting with the Director of training Capt. Nguyen Thai Trung. Don't know if he is still at that position. I had the same dilemma. Having flown Airbus and Boeing. With current 8,000 command on the 744. Even with his support, I still could not pass that 500hrs on type rule. Would have relished working and living in Ho Chi Minh City. Nice place to be.

[TheFlyingDJ]

Sim 1, Auto pilot off the entire session, minor failures and a variety of approaches.
Sim 2, Normal automation, Double HYD failure, Double ADR failure, Double FCU failure.

Does anyone know if these items are still on the sim checks held in saigon or singapore? Maybe more items to show skills?
I've read the earlier posts but just wondering if things might have changed.

Requirement lowering is still pending at caav afaik.

[I-Fly-River]

Fo A330

Hello guys,
saw the A330 posting for F/O on VN website. 6 on/2 off as per others. may I ask how is life for the A330 guys? and how much can we expect to get for F/O A330? thanks in advance. big help as considering move from current airline at the moment and weighing the options. thanks

[angelgabriel]

hi guys,am due to join vietnam soon,has any1 out there got any info on the rumoured pay increase for the 320 fleet ?

[Khaosai]

Hi,

looks like some DEC slots on the B777 possibly coming up.

Rgds.

[Anonymus6]

hi there,

sorry to change the subject a bit, but from a reliable source I have heard that Vietnam Airlines are very short on crew, I have also heard they are taking non type rated guys to train them and sign a bond with them. Any truth in these?

I belive they are receiving couple of A320 this year.

best regards

[TheFlyingDJ]

If that is true, I suppose they are locals, bcz expats even with a type need caav approval (currently pending).

If they are really short on crew, then it's just a matter of time that they are hiring expats low timers (good for a few fellow ppruners too!)

[captain_toga]

Does Vietnam upgrade expats on the 777? If so what kind of hours do they require and how long do you think you would have to wait in the company for the opportunity?

Will they continue to take expats for the foreseeable future?

thanks!