Air Japan
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EPIRB...
The Medical
1. Stress ECG...15 min walk/jog
2. EEG...45 mins & 350 pages of brain waves
3. Chest X-Ray...Standard
4. Blood Test&Urine...3-4 Tubes HIV to Drugs
5. Eye Test...3 examinations
6. Visit the Shrink...Don't tell lies
7. ENT...Standard
8. The doc's examination...interseting...so I am told
All the above done over two days in Sydney
Get past that lot and you will be on the way to the moon.
The Medical
1. Stress ECG...15 min walk/jog
2. EEG...45 mins & 350 pages of brain waves
3. Chest X-Ray...Standard
4. Blood Test&Urine...3-4 Tubes HIV to Drugs
5. Eye Test...3 examinations
6. Visit the Shrink...Don't tell lies
7. ENT...Standard
8. The doc's examination...interseting...so I am told
All the above done over two days in Sydney
Get past that lot and you will be on the way to the moon.
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For those who had wished for an improved package offer I would have said this will not happen. However, small signs of change may be in the wind.
Notice the commuting allowance in the latest HACS ad in The Australian. The USD$1000 has been increased to USD$1400. I note that PARC has not increased their offer.
Talking to a friend of a friend, some of the guys under training in Japan have been finding it difficult and expensive to get their families up to Tokyo for a visit as per the contract. Perhaps this may lead to an improved offer ?
I am still searching for tax information. Can anyone put me in touch with a reputable and experienced advisor/accountant in Australia. Email me if you prefer.
[email protected]
Notice the commuting allowance in the latest HACS ad in The Australian. The USD$1000 has been increased to USD$1400. I note that PARC has not increased their offer.
Talking to a friend of a friend, some of the guys under training in Japan have been finding it difficult and expensive to get their families up to Tokyo for a visit as per the contract. Perhaps this may lead to an improved offer ?
I am still searching for tax information. Can anyone put me in touch with a reputable and experienced advisor/accountant in Australia. Email me if you prefer.
[email protected]
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I see most of the discussion has involved travel to and from Australia. Had anyone out there checked the options available for Kiwis? (To Christchurch) Parc have a screening arranged in AKL later this year so there may be a few from Kiwiland interested.
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There have been quite a few queries regarding the tax arrangements for contact pilots.
Very briefly my understanding of the situation is that under self deeming the tax office may conduct an audit on you personally at any time to check the accuracy of your accounts. This audit is conducted with reference to your particular set of circumstances and is not necessarily formula driven. In other words just because you self deem yourself as non resident for tax purposes on the hearsay of others does not necessarily make it so.
Some things to note before declaring yourself non resident for tax purposes are,
1. Your overall situation will be taken into account. Does your family reside in Australia? Do you maintain a house (residence) in Australia? Do you maintain bank accounts, drivers licences etc?
2. Do you intend to return to Australia? Do you maintain a superannuation account? If your contract is for a fixed period with no clause for renewal then you may be considered as only temporarily non resident and liable for tax. Where is your salary deposited? Is there a reciprocal tax agreement with Japan?
3. Length of time outside the country by itself is irrelevant for ascertaining non residency. It is only a guide to tax liability after deeming for non residency, ie. just because you may spend 183 days outside the country doesn't make you non resident.
4. Finally just because you deem yourself non resident doesn't mean the tax department agrees with you. If you do this and then return to the country say in one or three years and the tax department does an audit you may well find yourself with a tax bill and penalties.
Very briefly my understanding of the situation is that under self deeming the tax office may conduct an audit on you personally at any time to check the accuracy of your accounts. This audit is conducted with reference to your particular set of circumstances and is not necessarily formula driven. In other words just because you self deem yourself as non resident for tax purposes on the hearsay of others does not necessarily make it so.
Some things to note before declaring yourself non resident for tax purposes are,
1. Your overall situation will be taken into account. Does your family reside in Australia? Do you maintain a house (residence) in Australia? Do you maintain bank accounts, drivers licences etc?
2. Do you intend to return to Australia? Do you maintain a superannuation account? If your contract is for a fixed period with no clause for renewal then you may be considered as only temporarily non resident and liable for tax. Where is your salary deposited? Is there a reciprocal tax agreement with Japan?
3. Length of time outside the country by itself is irrelevant for ascertaining non residency. It is only a guide to tax liability after deeming for non residency, ie. just because you may spend 183 days outside the country doesn't make you non resident.
4. Finally just because you deem yourself non resident doesn't mean the tax department agrees with you. If you do this and then return to the country say in one or three years and the tax department does an audit you may well find yourself with a tax bill and penalties.
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2XL...The HACS Travel allowance has always been USD$1400 which is made up of 1000 for travel and 400 for accomadation. Parc offers the same amount but sets it out as 1000 and 400 not a total package of 1400 like Hacs.
Does that make sense? In other words the same.
For those who are unsure of what the accomadation allowance covers...it pays for your time in Japan on unassigned days. While you are there on a day on, you don't pay for accomadation.
Regarding visiting families...I have heard quite the opposite, no problems getting the families up there, just forget about the study.
Conflicting stories there 2XL, but you will always get that in this game.
Does that make sense? In other words the same.
For those who are unsure of what the accomadation allowance covers...it pays for your time in Japan on unassigned days. While you are there on a day on, you don't pay for accomadation.
Regarding visiting families...I have heard quite the opposite, no problems getting the families up there, just forget about the study.
Conflicting stories there 2XL, but you will always get that in this game.
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EWS cheers re the update. Perhaps it was that the pilots were having to pay a little more for the tickets to get their families up to Japan for a visit ? I guess they were at short notice where as the Air Japan pilots could attempt to plan/buy tickets in advance and try for a better fare ? Air Japan/PARC is paying for the family tickets anyway, simply an observation of sorts.
I see what you mean re the USD$1400 !
How do you interpret the allowances ? If you do not actually stay away from base, you get no allowance pay for your flying day ? Or you get the minimum allowance pay anyway ?
Further to EPIRB's question is there a BMI level that candidates should be working towards?
[ 05 September 2001: Message edited by: 2XL ]
I see what you mean re the USD$1400 !
How do you interpret the allowances ? If you do not actually stay away from base, you get no allowance pay for your flying day ? Or you get the minimum allowance pay anyway ?
Further to EPIRB's question is there a BMI level that candidates should be working towards?
[ 05 September 2001: Message edited by: 2XL ]
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
EPIRB, yes there is a color vision test using the Ishihara (I mean who ELSE would the Japanese use!!) colour test reading tne numbers from a book, as well as the jet of air shot into the open eye, some co-ordination tests, near and far vision, reading small print from a book (circles with breaks in varying positions) in a dark room, and a few others.
eyes wide shut also forgot to mention the usual hearing (audiometric) test, done in a soundproof cabinet.
Blood tests (fasting) check EVERYTHING in addition to HIV/AIDS, drugs, alcohol, cholestrol, red and white blood cell count, liver function, sugar, etc, etc.
BMI is calculated at the initial, and every renewal. At the initial check, I would GUESS (and I repeat only GUESS) that the max allowance over optimum BMI would be no more than 15%.
Chest X-rays are an annual event - nothing like added doses of unneeded radiation!!
Oh yes, the initial also includes a grip test.
If you can think of any other tests NOT mentioned here, then they probably ARE included - it's just that you do so bloody many, you forget!!
And the medical's the EASY part!
Still reckon they're paying enough??
Remember one last thing - you're going to be LOCKED in to this contract for 5 YEARS, and while you are employed by one of the Japanese airlines, none of the others will look at you (no poaching, by mutual agreement) until you have completed your current contract, AND left their employ... a period of 3 months has been quoted. So having that JCAB licence won't get you a shoe-in anywhere else in Japan, if you quit early.
[ 05 September 2001: Message edited by: Kaptin M ]
eyes wide shut also forgot to mention the usual hearing (audiometric) test, done in a soundproof cabinet.
Blood tests (fasting) check EVERYTHING in addition to HIV/AIDS, drugs, alcohol, cholestrol, red and white blood cell count, liver function, sugar, etc, etc.
BMI is calculated at the initial, and every renewal. At the initial check, I would GUESS (and I repeat only GUESS) that the max allowance over optimum BMI would be no more than 15%.
Chest X-rays are an annual event - nothing like added doses of unneeded radiation!!
Oh yes, the initial also includes a grip test.
If you can think of any other tests NOT mentioned here, then they probably ARE included - it's just that you do so bloody many, you forget!!
And the medical's the EASY part!
Still reckon they're paying enough??
Remember one last thing - you're going to be LOCKED in to this contract for 5 YEARS, and while you are employed by one of the Japanese airlines, none of the others will look at you (no poaching, by mutual agreement) until you have completed your current contract, AND left their employ... a period of 3 months has been quoted. So having that JCAB licence won't get you a shoe-in anywhere else in Japan, if you quit early.
[ 05 September 2001: Message edited by: Kaptin M ]
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EPIRB...Yes they do conduct a colour vision test. From what I have heard they do like you to fall into their Height/Weight range. I am not sure if they look at BMI specifically.
As Kaptin M said, the blood test basically covers everything, didn't have the time to write them all.
Would'nt it be a good idea to go for a blood test and get the works to see if anything was out of the norm, and try and put it right!!! Say cholesteral for example.
2XL...re your allowance question...sorry I dont understand?
As Kaptin M said, the blood test basically covers everything, didn't have the time to write them all.
Would'nt it be a good idea to go for a blood test and get the works to see if anything was out of the norm, and try and put it right!!! Say cholesteral for example.
2XL...re your allowance question...sorry I dont understand?
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EWS - Re allowances I refer to the Per Diem (Operations) Allowances. It refers to Staying hours so I presume this means that you are away from base. My question then is if you operated say Osaka-Korea-Osaka would you receive any "allowances" ??
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EPRIB...Looking at how strict the medical is, I would say that colour blindness would be a fail. Talk to Parc or HACS.
2XL...A staying allowance would be like an overnight allowance. It would have to be a fixed amount based upon which country the overnight was in, or, some airlines will offer a hourly rate, or, a block amount,eg
X$'s for 6hrs, X$'s for 12hrs and so on.
If you operated Osaka-Korea-Osaka and finish you are not overnighting.
Per diem's (daily allowance)however are an amount which one might recieve just to go to work. I guess you could get a per diem and an overnight allowance,but that would be decribed in their contract.
2XL...A staying allowance would be like an overnight allowance. It would have to be a fixed amount based upon which country the overnight was in, or, some airlines will offer a hourly rate, or, a block amount,eg
X$'s for 6hrs, X$'s for 12hrs and so on.
If you operated Osaka-Korea-Osaka and finish you are not overnighting.
Per diem's (daily allowance)however are an amount which one might recieve just to go to work. I guess you could get a per diem and an overnight allowance,but that would be decribed in their contract.
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For those who are thinking that 8 days (min) at home each month with the family is a bit rough consider the following.
I had a frank conversation with one of my Qantas 747 chums today. It would appear that these long-haul boys only get about 8 days at home each month anyway.
So, perhaps this Air Japan commute represents a reasonable opportunity at "quality" time at home ?
I had a frank conversation with one of my Qantas 747 chums today. It would appear that these long-haul boys only get about 8 days at home each month anyway.
So, perhaps this Air Japan commute represents a reasonable opportunity at "quality" time at home ?
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2XL,
Mate 8 days at home a month is way below the norm. My current contract states that I must get a min of 8 days at home a month, but on average it is somewhere between 12 and 16.
Commuting might suit you, but if you want a new job, and living in Oz is not a priority, there are better deals around than this one at the moment. Have you thought of EK or KA? Both are giving quick commands, fly new equipment, and are expanding. These companies will also offer you a lot more face time with family if you have one.
This is obviously a very personal decision, as everyone has different needs and wants, but what you must realise is that there are other options out there, and that you need not lock yourself away for 5yrs with 8 days off at home a month if you are not really sure its your cup of tea. For me the deal would have to be something more like month on, month off before I could justify it.
I 'd be very interested to find a Qantas pilot that worked that hard, as none of the ones I know do (maybe with the exception of the 767 guys who get stuck with the domestic stuff).
I am sure that someting will work out for you, good luck.
Madcat.
Mate 8 days at home a month is way below the norm. My current contract states that I must get a min of 8 days at home a month, but on average it is somewhere between 12 and 16.
Commuting might suit you, but if you want a new job, and living in Oz is not a priority, there are better deals around than this one at the moment. Have you thought of EK or KA? Both are giving quick commands, fly new equipment, and are expanding. These companies will also offer you a lot more face time with family if you have one.
This is obviously a very personal decision, as everyone has different needs and wants, but what you must realise is that there are other options out there, and that you need not lock yourself away for 5yrs with 8 days off at home a month if you are not really sure its your cup of tea. For me the deal would have to be something more like month on, month off before I could justify it.
I 'd be very interested to find a Qantas pilot that worked that hard, as none of the ones I know do (maybe with the exception of the 767 guys who get stuck with the domestic stuff).
I am sure that someting will work out for you, good luck.
Madcat.
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As I guess most of you know, 8 days off gaurnteed consec. is a minimum, with 10 days off minimum per month. Even though it is not in black and white I believe they are trying to achieve more days off in a row. This may or may not happen. If it did that would be a bonus. It will take a while for things to settle in with a new Airline. If the conditions of this contract suit the individual then go for it, if not, sure look around. Each contract has its good and bad points. Swings and Roundabouts!!!
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Madcat and EWS I agree with both of you. As with the QF drivers I share the view that 8 days consecutive per month in OZ will be the minimum. The contract is in very early stages, and they have BIG plans. Who knows there might even be BIGGER a/c on the horizon as well.(777, 747).
As the optimist I take the view that Air Japan will do its utmost to look after those who are committed. Word from Tokyo suggests that many of the pilots have never been treated so well. Respect is the word I hear.
The ANC 747 freight guys are getting far more time at home than they anticipated when signing their contracts. The airlines are getting skillful, cost effective crews who are getting the hours in the sky in reasonably quick time. As a result the airline can afford to give them reasonable time at home - win, win situation really.
As the optimist I take the view that Air Japan will do its utmost to look after those who are committed. Word from Tokyo suggests that many of the pilots have never been treated so well. Respect is the word I hear.
The ANC 747 freight guys are getting far more time at home than they anticipated when signing their contracts. The airlines are getting skillful, cost effective crews who are getting the hours in the sky in reasonably quick time. As a result the airline can afford to give them reasonable time at home - win, win situation really.
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I have read this board over the past few weeks.
I have applied for this job with PARC.
PHNL based. The money is not that great compared to the Majors here, but then they are not hiring.
Wife & I have a condo in Honolulu about 10 min from PHNL.
What do you see as a problem (other than money) for a "Yank"?
All info will be helpful, as I'd like to go into this with open eyes.
DO you have any intel on beter gigs?
I have applied for this job with PARC.
PHNL based. The money is not that great compared to the Majors here, but then they are not hiring.
Wife & I have a condo in Honolulu about 10 min from PHNL.
What do you see as a problem (other than money) for a "Yank"?
All info will be helpful, as I'd like to go into this with open eyes.
DO you have any intel on beter gigs?
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I rarely post on this forum but feel the necessity to comment. I have been informed by a reliable source that successful applicants will be required to arrive in Kansai on a tourist visa to then operate the next day on the Gen Dec. This is being done by **** so as to negate the requirement for a work visa which in turn saves them having to pay the payroll tax under Japanese law. This ploy has been used before and it is easily caught on by any half decent immigration system, of which the Japanese is state of the art. You can bet your last pair of jocks that the immigration and taxation computers are cross referenced so where does that leave you? Check the wording of the contract- reads something akin to "any tax will be the sole concern of the employee". So when the Japanese authorities meet you at immigration in Kansai after you have spent a wonderful 8 days at home, what questions do you think will be running through your head?How about the issue of avoidance of Japanese tax? Is it against the law in Japan? What do you think? Guess who is going to wash their hands of you - go back to the fine print in the contract.
Make you stop and think - or do you need more?
Commuting arrangements ( ie read lack there of) are a joke, there is no other way to describe such other than has been adequately explained in previous posts.
Accomodation arrangements are a joke, and you will be spending 22 days of every month in a box.
Money is good, but for what? Is this how you want to live in a standard hotel room ( usually 25-28 sq mtrs in Japan)with your laundry hanging from the lamp shades to dry because you sure as hell won't want to be paying $28 for every shirt laundered.
I know the allure of a big a/c has a hypnotic effect - helps you to gloss over the little imperfections in the contract like the 12 month notice requirement should you decide to leave (MINUS your 500/month that they have taken from your stash) so you now have a JAA ATPL but no one wants to hire you because you have not honoured your 5 year term with your previous employer.Japanese are funny like that. Even if you do your 5 years there are few jobs for non Japanese JAA ATPL holders. Don't beleive me then ask the 5 guys who were just let go by Skymark about 4 months ago, none of them are working in Japan - 767 type rated, route endorsed, Jap medical, ATPL etc all in the bag. Guess it isn't as sort after commodity that all say it is.
Let's not forget the fate of WAC. Does history repeat?
Compare it to the Skymark contract. Raise any questions?
Finally, it is only a 767 - a great truck but old and slowly getting antiquated and, more importantly, difficult to transition from to newer types - just check the lack of ads for type qualified 767 guys.
I know what I am talking about. I am a 767 Captain on his 11th year of contracts and this one has worms.
Good luck !
Make you stop and think - or do you need more?
Commuting arrangements ( ie read lack there of) are a joke, there is no other way to describe such other than has been adequately explained in previous posts.
Accomodation arrangements are a joke, and you will be spending 22 days of every month in a box.
Money is good, but for what? Is this how you want to live in a standard hotel room ( usually 25-28 sq mtrs in Japan)with your laundry hanging from the lamp shades to dry because you sure as hell won't want to be paying $28 for every shirt laundered.
I know the allure of a big a/c has a hypnotic effect - helps you to gloss over the little imperfections in the contract like the 12 month notice requirement should you decide to leave (MINUS your 500/month that they have taken from your stash) so you now have a JAA ATPL but no one wants to hire you because you have not honoured your 5 year term with your previous employer.Japanese are funny like that. Even if you do your 5 years there are few jobs for non Japanese JAA ATPL holders. Don't beleive me then ask the 5 guys who were just let go by Skymark about 4 months ago, none of them are working in Japan - 767 type rated, route endorsed, Jap medical, ATPL etc all in the bag. Guess it isn't as sort after commodity that all say it is.
Let's not forget the fate of WAC. Does history repeat?
Compare it to the Skymark contract. Raise any questions?
Finally, it is only a 767 - a great truck but old and slowly getting antiquated and, more importantly, difficult to transition from to newer types - just check the lack of ads for type qualified 767 guys.
I know what I am talking about. I am a 767 Captain on his 11th year of contracts and this one has worms.
Good luck !
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Devil you raise some interesting points. Could you email me at [email protected]
The point re Skymark is that while the cash appeared better, they are releasing pilots already so perhaps reward can be relative to security ? We shall see in time I guess.
The point re Skymark is that while the cash appeared better, they are releasing pilots already so perhaps reward can be relative to security ? We shall see in time I guess.