SIA Cargo
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SIA Cargo
Important information required. Thanks in advance
1-Is there a bidding system for routes, days off, spending time in destination etc..
2-Can you fly part-time?,
3-Which are the routes that after completing a way and return to base least affect you in terms of jet lag, ?
4-What is it with stby time, how far away can you be from airport, time, etc,?
5-How many days do you spend in a given destination, is it minimum rest? could you choose to spend more or less time at destination,
6-can they allocate you days off at destination ports?
7-Are there any go and return in the same day routes with the 747?
8-Do you feel in general a bit wasted with cargo schedule, or does the airline provide you with decent rest times and days off.
Now for some time at the flightdeck
1- what is your general satisfaction from handling the 747, do you feel as if the SOPs let you handle alot of manual flying. Or is it very strict?
2-Do any of your destination airports allow some nice visual approaches, or any other circumstance that makes it out of the ordinary 12 mile (or further) established on final approach?
3-for f/o´s : Whats your GENERAL impression of skippers in SIA, tough, easygoing, rather demanding, friendly ?
4-Hows the general mood in a long haul flights, is it relaxed, are you going to be on the mouth by others if you take out say a magazine or reading book?
5-What is the expected time for command, do F/os command on these 5 year contracts?
6-Apart from once a year free ticket, is there also concessionary travel on SIA flights, jumpseat and all?
Any extra info you would say
Bluefalcon
1-Is there a bidding system for routes, days off, spending time in destination etc..
2-Can you fly part-time?,
3-Which are the routes that after completing a way and return to base least affect you in terms of jet lag, ?
4-What is it with stby time, how far away can you be from airport, time, etc,?
5-How many days do you spend in a given destination, is it minimum rest? could you choose to spend more or less time at destination,
6-can they allocate you days off at destination ports?
7-Are there any go and return in the same day routes with the 747?
8-Do you feel in general a bit wasted with cargo schedule, or does the airline provide you with decent rest times and days off.
Now for some time at the flightdeck
1- what is your general satisfaction from handling the 747, do you feel as if the SOPs let you handle alot of manual flying. Or is it very strict?
2-Do any of your destination airports allow some nice visual approaches, or any other circumstance that makes it out of the ordinary 12 mile (or further) established on final approach?
3-for f/o´s : Whats your GENERAL impression of skippers in SIA, tough, easygoing, rather demanding, friendly ?
4-Hows the general mood in a long haul flights, is it relaxed, are you going to be on the mouth by others if you take out say a magazine or reading book?
5-What is the expected time for command, do F/os command on these 5 year contracts?
6-Apart from once a year free ticket, is there also concessionary travel on SIA flights, jumpseat and all?
Any extra info you would say
Bluefalcon
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Blue Falcon here goes,
1-Is there a bidding system for routes, days off, spending time in destination etc..
Not really- you can make one bid every three months for days off or a certain trip. If you get it it can still be and is changed at the last minute
2-Can you fly part-time?,
No
3-Which are the routes that after completing a way and return to base least affect you in terms of jet lag, ?
Personal really. Obviously a Hong Kong or Pudong and back carry no jet lag. I dont know if you are aware but we do trips between 1-3 weeks long often literally around the world. I find the culmative jetlag a killer
4-What is it with stby time, how far away can you be from airport, time, etc,?
1 hour. you do one or two stints of standby a year. You are on standby for 18hrs somedays
5-How many days do you spend in a given destination, is it minimum rest? could you choose to spend more or less time at destination,
varies.One of our trips has a 4 night layover in Chicago. Often three nights in LA. India and China 24 hrs( dependant on where you arrive from)
6-can they allocate you days off at destination ports
No
7-Are there any go and return in the same day routes with the 747?
No. We used to do Osaka and Pudong with double crew there and back. No longer thankfully.
8-Do you feel in general a bit wasted with cargo schedule, or does the airline provide you with decent rest times and days off.
Time off varies dependant on time of year. I just had a 17 day trip followed by 14 days off( Not vacation)
1- what is your general satisfaction from handling the 747, do you feel as if the SOPs let you handle alot of manual flying. Or is it very strict?
Sops are fine. Fly manually as much as you like if the other guy is happy. However flying a 747 long haul you dont do much 'flying'. If you want hands on stuff fly a 737.
2-Do any of your destination airports allow some nice visual approaches, or any other circumstance that makes it out of the ordinary 12 mile (or further) established on final approach?
Usually into busy int airports ILS to ILS. Sharjah one exception I can think of. Usually a nice VOR/Visual approach
3-for f/o´s : Whats your GENERAL impression of skippers in SIA, tough, easygoing, rather demanding, friendly ?
Most skippers in SIA Cargo are expats. Professional relaxed. No probs
4-Hows the general mood in a long haul flights, is it relaxed, are you going to be on the mouth by others if you take out say a magazine or reading book?
Mood is fine. Books mags etc no problem.Double crew flights you spend half in the bunk- Do what you want
5-What is the expected time for command, do F/os command on these 5 year contracts?
Dont come here for a command. Lots of experienced FO,s on the way out for this reason. Apparently things are going to change but dont bank on it
-Apart from once a year free ticket, is there also concessionary travel on SIA flights, jumpseat and all?
Staff travel is garbage. No jumpseats. Apparently we will soon be able to fly on the freighter as pax..dont bank on it
Cheers
TFG
1-Is there a bidding system for routes, days off, spending time in destination etc..
Not really- you can make one bid every three months for days off or a certain trip. If you get it it can still be and is changed at the last minute
2-Can you fly part-time?,
No
3-Which are the routes that after completing a way and return to base least affect you in terms of jet lag, ?
Personal really. Obviously a Hong Kong or Pudong and back carry no jet lag. I dont know if you are aware but we do trips between 1-3 weeks long often literally around the world. I find the culmative jetlag a killer
4-What is it with stby time, how far away can you be from airport, time, etc,?
1 hour. you do one or two stints of standby a year. You are on standby for 18hrs somedays
5-How many days do you spend in a given destination, is it minimum rest? could you choose to spend more or less time at destination,
varies.One of our trips has a 4 night layover in Chicago. Often three nights in LA. India and China 24 hrs( dependant on where you arrive from)
6-can they allocate you days off at destination ports
No
7-Are there any go and return in the same day routes with the 747?
No. We used to do Osaka and Pudong with double crew there and back. No longer thankfully.
8-Do you feel in general a bit wasted with cargo schedule, or does the airline provide you with decent rest times and days off.
Time off varies dependant on time of year. I just had a 17 day trip followed by 14 days off( Not vacation)
1- what is your general satisfaction from handling the 747, do you feel as if the SOPs let you handle alot of manual flying. Or is it very strict?
Sops are fine. Fly manually as much as you like if the other guy is happy. However flying a 747 long haul you dont do much 'flying'. If you want hands on stuff fly a 737.
2-Do any of your destination airports allow some nice visual approaches, or any other circumstance that makes it out of the ordinary 12 mile (or further) established on final approach?
Usually into busy int airports ILS to ILS. Sharjah one exception I can think of. Usually a nice VOR/Visual approach
3-for f/o´s : Whats your GENERAL impression of skippers in SIA, tough, easygoing, rather demanding, friendly ?
Most skippers in SIA Cargo are expats. Professional relaxed. No probs
4-Hows the general mood in a long haul flights, is it relaxed, are you going to be on the mouth by others if you take out say a magazine or reading book?
Mood is fine. Books mags etc no problem.Double crew flights you spend half in the bunk- Do what you want
5-What is the expected time for command, do F/os command on these 5 year contracts?
Dont come here for a command. Lots of experienced FO,s on the way out for this reason. Apparently things are going to change but dont bank on it
-Apart from once a year free ticket, is there also concessionary travel on SIA flights, jumpseat and all?
Staff travel is garbage. No jumpseats. Apparently we will soon be able to fly on the freighter as pax..dont bank on it
Cheers
TFG
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Gunman, greatly appreciated the info, thanks for ur time.
I might be interested in either joining sia cargo or BA DEP on longhaul b747, which might you recommend for some 747 experience and overall experience( it would only be for some years). Im european on a charter 737 with nearly 3000 hrs. Also it would be counting on the extreme luck of gettin in any of these, so far i have the dep with ba interview in some weeks, but just for ur advice on the matter..
Regrds,
BF.
I might be interested in either joining sia cargo or BA DEP on longhaul b747, which might you recommend for some 747 experience and overall experience( it would only be for some years). Im european on a charter 737 with nearly 3000 hrs. Also it would be counting on the extreme luck of gettin in any of these, so far i have the dep with ba interview in some weeks, but just for ur advice on the matter..
Regrds,
BF.
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Go for BA -it's a permanent contract, whereas SIA Cargo will be for 5 years (renewable). BA has a seniority system for upgrades, SIA Cargo will employ DEC's as and when necessary. Also consider Cargolux,TNT and GSS, if it's 747 experience you are looking for.
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Bluefalcon,
Dependant upon your age DEP at BA is going to be a good option if you are maximum late 30's. Look at the BA DEP threads. Probably 9-12 years short haul command.15yrs + long haul comand. SIA cargo-no command. If you are young enough I would recommend SIA cargo for 5 years experience. Despite all the moans its good money, good destinations great aircraft,good hotels,good people. HOWEVER-see my post above
Cheers
TFG
Dependant upon your age DEP at BA is going to be a good option if you are maximum late 30's. Look at the BA DEP threads. Probably 9-12 years short haul command.15yrs + long haul comand. SIA cargo-no command. If you are young enough I would recommend SIA cargo for 5 years experience. Despite all the moans its good money, good destinations great aircraft,good hotels,good people. HOWEVER-see my post above
Cheers
TFG
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Do not come here with hope of getting command. The people at 4th floor may promise you "chance to upgrade", a promise is still a promise! The queue could be long, consider there're hundreds of local F/Os with greater experience than you.
Furthermore, I assume you're NOT rated on the 744. Be prepared for fork out a bank guarantee anything from S$50-$70K.
It may be good to come here for the 744 rating & experience. And then seek your command else where!
Good luck!
Furthermore, I assume you're NOT rated on the 744. Be prepared for fork out a bank guarantee anything from S$50-$70K.
It may be good to come here for the 744 rating & experience. And then seek your command else where!
Good luck!
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... but afaik SIAC is no longer looking for F/Os. Until the end of this year there is a surplus of pilots for this position even with some (or several) resignations.
Anyway it's a good job, based on some statements above ...
Anyway it's a good job, based on some statements above ...
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There are several SIA Cargo threads buried away in Prune. But to summarise:
DEC, Average option if it suits your personal circumstances. If you plan on commuting it can add to the stress levels as the amount of delay and disruption can badly impact your OFF days and, thereby, your travel plans to get back to your family.
Housing and Education allowance are inadequate and falling further behind actual costs. Company shows no indication of providing a realistic increase and ALPAS Cargo dont appear interested in addressing expat only issues. Expats in ALPA S have no voting rights - draw your own conclusions. Only 32 days Annual Leave and staff travel is non existant.
As an F/O I would not recommend SIA Cargo. There is no guarantee whatsoever of a command and to even be considered you will have to go onto a local contract (for 2 years) and give up Housing and Education allowances. Remember - All this, just to be 'considered'. That gives the company total control over your life - which is exactly how they want it of course. Advice for any F/O considering SIA Cargo - Go to the sandpit. Quicker command, more money.
On the good side, well, Singapore is clean and efficient, the Fleet Level management guys are fine and do what they can to make life bearable. The aircraft are great and the base check scenario has been the same since Pontious was a pilot. Profit share has been good for the past couple of years but has invariably had to be used to subsidise Housing and Education costs.
Mrs Bananas likes Singapore and I like the actual flying so we will probably hang around a bit longer. Very demoralising to see some of the guys I joined with already digging their escape tunnels though.
DEC, Average option if it suits your personal circumstances. If you plan on commuting it can add to the stress levels as the amount of delay and disruption can badly impact your OFF days and, thereby, your travel plans to get back to your family.
Housing and Education allowance are inadequate and falling further behind actual costs. Company shows no indication of providing a realistic increase and ALPAS Cargo dont appear interested in addressing expat only issues. Expats in ALPA S have no voting rights - draw your own conclusions. Only 32 days Annual Leave and staff travel is non existant.
As an F/O I would not recommend SIA Cargo. There is no guarantee whatsoever of a command and to even be considered you will have to go onto a local contract (for 2 years) and give up Housing and Education allowances. Remember - All this, just to be 'considered'. That gives the company total control over your life - which is exactly how they want it of course. Advice for any F/O considering SIA Cargo - Go to the sandpit. Quicker command, more money.
On the good side, well, Singapore is clean and efficient, the Fleet Level management guys are fine and do what they can to make life bearable. The aircraft are great and the base check scenario has been the same since Pontious was a pilot. Profit share has been good for the past couple of years but has invariably had to be used to subsidise Housing and Education costs.
Mrs Bananas likes Singapore and I like the actual flying so we will probably hang around a bit longer. Very demoralising to see some of the guys I joined with already digging their escape tunnels though.
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Bananasx2
Interested to hear you probably intend to hang around a bit longer. Just remind everyone how much you would have to pay SQ if you left now and when exactly are you free to leave without any bondage payments?
Interested to hear you probably intend to hang around a bit longer. Just remind everyone how much you would have to pay SQ if you left now and when exactly are you free to leave without any bondage payments?
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In round figures, Sin$75k ($56k of which is already held as a bank guarantee of course) and about 2 years I think.
A few guys are imminent to resign with just those figures so it hasn't put them off.
Having said that, I wouldn't rule out signing another contract - assuming we are still wanted of course.
A few guys are imminent to resign with just those figures so it hasn't put them off.
Having said that, I wouldn't rule out signing another contract - assuming we are still wanted of course.
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Reno07
Bank Guarantee is just part of the much larger Bond. You have to stay 5 years from final line check but is pro rata if you leave earlier hence Bananas is saying it would cost him S$75k to leave now.
I can off the top of my head only think of 4 Captains who did this in all the years I was with SQ
1) A340 Captain who joined EK in a Management Training position. Author of the infamous E Mail to his mates telling them DEC positions were on the way with EK. He was correct, just a few years ahead of his time!
2) Another ex SAA Captain who won a green card to the US which was too good an opportunity to miss having a South African passport.
3) A B777 Captain left to fly a private B777 in Beirut.
4) A B744 Captain left to join KAL as it was based in New York
All of the above considered it worthwhile to pay the money and leave but not a decision to be taken lightly so be sure you really know and are prepared to stay the course or face the financial consequences if you leave early.
Bank Guarantee is just part of the much larger Bond. You have to stay 5 years from final line check but is pro rata if you leave earlier hence Bananas is saying it would cost him S$75k to leave now.
I can off the top of my head only think of 4 Captains who did this in all the years I was with SQ
1) A340 Captain who joined EK in a Management Training position. Author of the infamous E Mail to his mates telling them DEC positions were on the way with EK. He was correct, just a few years ahead of his time!
2) Another ex SAA Captain who won a green card to the US which was too good an opportunity to miss having a South African passport.
3) A B777 Captain left to fly a private B777 in Beirut.
4) A B744 Captain left to join KAL as it was based in New York
All of the above considered it worthwhile to pay the money and leave but not a decision to be taken lightly so be sure you really know and are prepared to stay the course or face the financial consequences if you leave early.
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It probably would be a harder decision to leave SQ, rather than SIA Cargo, as SQ has more leave, better overall package and a more stable roster.
We had one chap who recently joined SIA Cargo aged 60 from SQ - he resigned half way round his first COP.
Actual bond is Sin$142K, decreasing linearly each month to zero, 5 years after completion of final line check. You have to put $56K up as a bank guarantee within your first month of joining. Most banks charge about $5K for administering the guarantee and you pay all the charges at set up.
We had one chap who recently joined SIA Cargo aged 60 from SQ - he resigned half way round his first COP.
Actual bond is Sin$142K, decreasing linearly each month to zero, 5 years after completion of final line check. You have to put $56K up as a bank guarantee within your first month of joining. Most banks charge about $5K for administering the guarantee and you pay all the charges at set up.
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Training Bond
Thanks for the replies. Is there a training bond if you are already typed on the B744? Do you have to be current on the a/c to avoid the bond. Or is it a case of supply and demand?
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Everything is negotiable but these guys play a good poker hand.
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Reno07
re Bond. I think it would depend how long ago you were on the B744 and whether the CAAS insist on you doing some circuits. If so then you will be bonded for sure. If no circuits required then you could probably get away without being bonded as in my day even those who were B744 rated still did almost the same ground and sim course as non rated but did not have do the circuits and were not bonded.
re Bond. I think it would depend how long ago you were on the B744 and whether the CAAS insist on you doing some circuits. If so then you will be bonded for sure. If no circuits required then you could probably get away without being bonded as in my day even those who were B744 rated still did almost the same ground and sim course as non rated but did not have do the circuits and were not bonded.
