If you want to work in China..!!
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Road Rash;
Why couldn't you have posted that a few days ago? I just violated "don't offer any suggestions". As a thank you (and it saved them tens of thousands of dollars), it cost me 2 weeks vacation. LOOOOOL
Why couldn't you have posted that a few days ago? I just violated "don't offer any suggestions". As a thank you (and it saved them tens of thousands of dollars), it cost me 2 weeks vacation. LOOOOOL
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Sorry PROBEUSMC, don't post here often, as if my profile shows...
I hope it works out for you, their is some good info here and some bad stuff as well.
I find that every one has a different experience here China, some love it (marry a local girl)... and some just go get hookers...
FYI... don't post while drinking (as in my case tonight)...hahahha
Cheers,
RR
I hope it works out for you, their is some good info here and some bad stuff as well.
I find that every one has a different experience here China, some love it (marry a local girl)... and some just go get hookers...
FYI... don't post while drinking (as in my case tonight)...hahahha
Cheers,
RR
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Road Rash;
No worries, it was worth the 2 weeks vacation. I personally know better than to violate that rule, even back in the "world". Good deeds rarely go unpunished. You would think that I would learn someday, but it hasn't happened so far. Every couple of years I have to open my mouth and step on my #$@%&.
In Guangzhou
No worries, it was worth the 2 weeks vacation. I personally know better than to violate that rule, even back in the "world". Good deeds rarely go unpunished. You would think that I would learn someday, but it hasn't happened so far. Every couple of years I have to open my mouth and step on my #$@%&.
In Guangzhou
Join Date: Dec 2009
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A bit more information.......
I finally finished my Line Check and applied for my Work visa which means I can legally be PIC in China. 5.5 months. A long time. Lots of frustration, confusion. The people at Capitol have been very friendly, but they are all new so the process took much longer than it should have. I have heard Spring Air is even worse, and in fact 2 guys are coming to Capitol now from Spring. Not sure of the details. I also met two Umuricans and a Taiwanese pilot in dispatch working for Hainan Airlines. One worked there for over 2 years, the other two trying to finish line training. 7.5 months and not finished yet. 300 hours!!!! Capitol has been much easier thus far.
If the China job works out, it seems like a good deal. For many, it doesn't work out. The Hainan guys said all the other pilots they started with did not make it thru. They didn't give me the number that failed.
I really don't think I would recommend China for most pilots unless:
You don't have a job.
You can somehow keep your current job, and come here and try.
The chances of coming here thinking you have a job, and then being sent away, jobless, seem too great. I was a Hybrid of the 2nd group, I had 2 jobs that I could return to within a few months.
There are a lot of "goods", especially at Capitol, if it works out.
1. Money
2. Treated like a Royal guest, everyday, by everyone at work. I have never
been treated better in my life. Ever.
3. Flying is easy, no all nighters, mostly day trips. New jets, decent
maintenance. No 7 hour ATC delays into La Garbage, although PEK is
getting there rapidly.
4. Did I mention the money and great treatment?
Getting the job is the hard part, and for many I think the risk is too great, in my opinion. When you come here you will probably go non-current (6 months) before you get online. If you get canned, which is a very high probability, your ability to get another contract job is severely hindered by your non-current status on the jet.
Just my observations on what it took to get here. I think this is going to work out very well for me, but I think it is mostly dumb luck. It could have just as easily went the other way.
Good luck
I finally finished my Line Check and applied for my Work visa which means I can legally be PIC in China. 5.5 months. A long time. Lots of frustration, confusion. The people at Capitol have been very friendly, but they are all new so the process took much longer than it should have. I have heard Spring Air is even worse, and in fact 2 guys are coming to Capitol now from Spring. Not sure of the details. I also met two Umuricans and a Taiwanese pilot in dispatch working for Hainan Airlines. One worked there for over 2 years, the other two trying to finish line training. 7.5 months and not finished yet. 300 hours!!!! Capitol has been much easier thus far.
If the China job works out, it seems like a good deal. For many, it doesn't work out. The Hainan guys said all the other pilots they started with did not make it thru. They didn't give me the number that failed.
I really don't think I would recommend China for most pilots unless:
You don't have a job.
You can somehow keep your current job, and come here and try.
The chances of coming here thinking you have a job, and then being sent away, jobless, seem too great. I was a Hybrid of the 2nd group, I had 2 jobs that I could return to within a few months.
There are a lot of "goods", especially at Capitol, if it works out.
1. Money
2. Treated like a Royal guest, everyday, by everyone at work. I have never
been treated better in my life. Ever.
3. Flying is easy, no all nighters, mostly day trips. New jets, decent
maintenance. No 7 hour ATC delays into La Garbage, although PEK is
getting there rapidly.
4. Did I mention the money and great treatment?
Getting the job is the hard part, and for many I think the risk is too great, in my opinion. When you come here you will probably go non-current (6 months) before you get online. If you get canned, which is a very high probability, your ability to get another contract job is severely hindered by your non-current status on the jet.
Just my observations on what it took to get here. I think this is going to work out very well for me, but I think it is mostly dumb luck. It could have just as easily went the other way.
Good luck
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Air china european bases
Hello gents,
I am looking at a job with air china.
It would be based in europe, as cpt on the A330.
Is there somebody already having this contract that can give me some infos?
Any info and heads up would be greatly apreciated..
PS: i would go through risworth aviation
Flare
I am looking at a job with air china.
It would be based in europe, as cpt on the A330.
Is there somebody already having this contract that can give me some infos?
Any info and heads up would be greatly apreciated..
PS: i would go through risworth aviation
Flare
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We were allowed to do line training, but could not operate as PIC until we had "made the application" for the work visa. They still have my passport. I should have the visa in a few days.
Sorry but I did not write the rules, or interpret them. TIC (This Is China). I am just doing what I was told.
Sorry but I did not write the rules, or interpret them. TIC (This Is China). I am just doing what I was told.
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On Final
Hello,
Sorry to hear that you had such a hard time with your contract agency. Would you care to publish exactly what they did to change your opinion of them so drastically? You seemed really high on them when you started the post.
T
Sorry to hear that you had such a hard time with your contract agency. Would you care to publish exactly what they did to change your opinion of them so drastically? You seemed really high on them when you started the post.
T
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PROBEUSMC,
How long did Capital took to process your background/security check? I have been waiting at my home country for my background checks to complete and it has been 6 weeks and no news!
Is no news suppose to be good news in China? lol
Anyone know how long it usually takes and the process involved?
How long did Capital took to process your background/security check? I have been waiting at my home country for my background checks to complete and it has been 6 weeks and no news!
Is no news suppose to be good news in China? lol Anyone know how long it usually takes and the process involved?
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A320 Pilot:
I was told that the first step is to get your license and medical, which takes 1-2 weeks. That worked for us. After that, they can apply for the crew ID, which includes the background check. That is supposed to take another 3 weeks and I saw it take that long for the pilot 1 month ahead of us. It took us 4 months. That included a few weeks in which the local staff did not make the application, plus the CAAC coming down on all the airlines for a big safety audit.
The background check is not a no-brainer. They are going to check up on you. They actually call the FAA in the US, and I am sure they try to in other countries as well. It seems that the easier it is to check up on the, the better chance you have of passing. i.e. if you were working in your home country, for 1 airline in the last 10 years, the process is easy. If you are from a country with an unstable government, and you have been bouncing around the contract world for 10 years, it may not be so easy.
It is good your airline is doing this before you go. Air China does it that way as well. Most of the others do it after you come to China. You can't get into the the cockpit, even for line training, until you get your crew ID.
Big Disclaimer:
China is a big country. Each province is its own little country, and each district of the CAAC interprets the rules a bit different, from what I have heard. On top of that, each airline has a different working relationship with their local CAAC. What I said happened to us, may not be what happens to you at a different airline.
I was told that the first step is to get your license and medical, which takes 1-2 weeks. That worked for us. After that, they can apply for the crew ID, which includes the background check. That is supposed to take another 3 weeks and I saw it take that long for the pilot 1 month ahead of us. It took us 4 months. That included a few weeks in which the local staff did not make the application, plus the CAAC coming down on all the airlines for a big safety audit.
The background check is not a no-brainer. They are going to check up on you. They actually call the FAA in the US, and I am sure they try to in other countries as well. It seems that the easier it is to check up on the, the better chance you have of passing. i.e. if you were working in your home country, for 1 airline in the last 10 years, the process is easy. If you are from a country with an unstable government, and you have been bouncing around the contract world for 10 years, it may not be so easy.
It is good your airline is doing this before you go. Air China does it that way as well. Most of the others do it after you come to China. You can't get into the the cockpit, even for line training, until you get your crew ID.
Big Disclaimer:
China is a big country. Each province is its own little country, and each district of the CAAC interprets the rules a bit different, from what I have heard. On top of that, each airline has a different working relationship with their local CAAC. What I said happened to us, may not be what happens to you at a different airline.
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Thanks PROBEUSMC!
Really appreciated your insights into the process. I didn't realise it can take upto 4 months just for the background checks!
I will give my airline a call next week to see what's happening with it.
Really appreciated your insights into the process. I didn't realise it can take upto 4 months just for the background checks!
I will give my airline a call next week to see what's happening with it.
Join Date: Dec 2010
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flying in China
Like most of the residents in this thread I am a pilot working in China. Like what you've read so far, we are treat well by the airlines. however I wouldn't call it a career but a Jobs that pays.
We are like commodities and the agency are brokers, after the ink dries on the contract. brokers get paid and that's that, any problems don't count on the brokers their many concern is getting their commission and getting more commodities.
You maybe wondering why this is happening. Quite simple like many unexplainable phenomenas in China. The labor law requires that expat pilot cannot be employed directly by an airlines must be through an employment agency. (yes we are dangerous)
There are more agencies starting up in China shop around for a better deal they all provide excellent service
(you know what I mean).
PM if you require any background info on working in China.
We are like commodities and the agency are brokers, after the ink dries on the contract. brokers get paid and that's that, any problems don't count on the brokers their many concern is getting their commission and getting more commodities.
You maybe wondering why this is happening. Quite simple like many unexplainable phenomenas in China. The labor law requires that expat pilot cannot be employed directly by an airlines must be through an employment agency. (yes we are dangerous)
There are more agencies starting up in China shop around for a better deal they all provide excellent service
(you know what I mean).PM if you require any background info on working in China.
Retirement Age?
Guys,
I am 60 with plenty of PIC hours on the 737NG.
Some of the agencies stipulate "under 56" but others do not.
Do you know of any Chinese carriers who will take a 60 year old?
I am 60 with plenty of PIC hours on the 737NG.
Some of the agencies stipulate "under 56" but others do not.
Do you know of any Chinese carriers who will take a 60 year old?
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validation of your Australian license
A320 Pilot,
For UK and Australian candidate, you'd better contact your local CAA first befor Chinese airlines' requesting a CAAC validation for your license. FAA puts it clearly> Airmen Certification: Verify the Authenticity of a Foreign License, Rating, or Medical Certification
In CAAC, "background" will be OK as long as you have:
1.no criminal record
2.no incident/accident record plus recommendation letter endorsed by you current operator
Hope you did not skip any of them..
For UK and Australian candidate, you'd better contact your local CAA first befor Chinese airlines' requesting a CAAC validation for your license. FAA puts it clearly> Airmen Certification: Verify the Authenticity of a Foreign License, Rating, or Medical Certification
In CAAC, "background" will be OK as long as you have:
1.no criminal record
2.no incident/accident record plus recommendation letter endorsed by you current operator
Hope you did not skip any of them..
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Hi samsnead,
Thanks for the reply.
After waiting for 2 month, my security has been complete.
My company requested letter from current company after the background check, maybe they have initally overlooked. Might just be slight different procedures depending which CAAC region you're located.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for the reply.
After waiting for 2 month, my security has been complete.
My company requested letter from current company after the background check, maybe they have initally overlooked. Might just be slight different procedures depending which CAAC region you're located.Happy New Year!
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The Chinese also like original documents, and seem to like to keep the originals, at least at the one I work for. This is definitely a cause for concern, especially when it comes to documents like recommendations from past employers. Try to get more than one original before you come here, because you might lose it in the process and have difficulty replacing it in the future.
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My company only wanted the originial copy of the No Criminal Record. They were happy to accept my letter from previous employer and No accident letter from your CAA scanned copies.
But I do agree with PROBEUSMC, the Chinese prefer original signed paperwork with pretty stamps.
But I do agree with PROBEUSMC, the Chinese prefer original signed paperwork with pretty stamps.
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My company requested letter from current company after the background check, maybe they have initally overlooked.
Nothing changes (or veeerry slooowwwly):
5 years ago we(applicants) were asked to bring; logbooks, background checks, letters of recommendation, proof of license, etc. All 3 of us had all these things in hand, and sometimes even with pretty seals
.Then they started asking for the original College diploma, when that was furnished they asked for high school diplomas and certificates of EACH
year completed......At this point I told them I was going home!. Because I went to school in 7 different countries on 3 different continents and it would almost be impossible to have these documents (if they even existed!)and from 38 years ago no less. Hell some countries I lived in even changed their name since....
ok ok back to the point... When told that I was leaving, they said:" Is all right to stay these things are not importan.t"
Colocolo(still here in the middle kingdom)
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South African Passport
Hi all.
I am looking at applying for a job in China but have heard rumours that South African passport holders can not be employed as air crew in China. Has anyone experienced this and is there any way of working round it.
I do not qualify for any other passport so that route is out.
Many thanks.
I am looking at applying for a job in China but have heard rumours that South African passport holders can not be employed as air crew in China. Has anyone experienced this and is there any way of working round it.
I do not qualify for any other passport so that route is out.
Many thanks.