Tianjin Airlines

[whitepimp]

hello guys, hope everyone is well

Im thinking about applying for the Capt position on A320 4 on 4 off pattern with wasinc or any other contractor. Money and time off sounds ok.

Does this airline actually produce this roster(sounds too good to be true) and do they pay you for the month your off?What is it like working for these guys? Besides the smoke and pollution which i can deal with etc is the job secure because im scared off the horror stories off medicals, sims,CAAC atpl and intial training being at a high risk off failure? Is there anybody that has lasted for more then 5 years in this company?

Any info is much appreciated

Pimp

[lifeafteraviation]

Did you read the thread?

Especially read the OP and my posts.

Ignore FCOM-5 since he is Chinese and working for the airline. So he admitted in a previous public post (so I don't go afoul of forum rules).

By far most of the pilots at Tianjin have been there less than two years. Currently they are losing pilots about as fast as they can hire them. Lots of false promises and breaking the contract.

[whitepimp]

thanks for the info LAAviation..sounds like what i expected

[USMCProbe]

I worked for their sister airline and we trained all of their initial cadre of airbus pilots.

My experience was the same. Despite massive recruiting, training, and hiring, the number of expats over time stayed about the same. Sometimes it would go up, stay there, but then several would leave for one reason or another.

Only go there if you have a job to go back to.

[guacamaya]

Tianjin Orlando june 2014 roadshow

Hi there, I will participate in this interview in Orlando next week. Is there anybody who has experience with this kind of interview? I would really appreciate any advice on how it works. They told me there will be a training session in the morning and then a sim check the same night. Is that all? What could be sim check about, just manual handling or a full checkride like an LPC?

[lifeafteraviation]

It's not an interview. It's a recruitment drive. Even if they "hire" you...and they likely will (unless you crash the sim), you must still complete the screening and testing in China. The vast majority don't get past it.

Medical is an issue. You must be in very good health. Overweight can cause a few issues with the medical. You can still pass overweight as long as you are in good health overall. It's a very thorough exam.

The recruiters will attempt to size you up without telling you. They often reject people for silly idiosyncrasies that just rub them wrong. They are very superstitious also. Do some research on Chinese culture.

Good luck though.

[whitepimp]

Sounds the Chinese Airlines and there contractors need to have a look in the Mirror. What a waste off a region of decent work

[dutchsquard]

There is a lot of great information in this thread, thanks to everyone who has contributed constructively.

I have lived, worked, and travelled through many countries in, say, transition. Spent a lot of the 90's in Eastern Europe, Estonia, and Russia. I found that at times it can be difficult and other time fantastic. Now, I have never been to Asia, which seems to be a different beast. However, the money is tempting me, and I am up for an adventure.

So after the recruitment sim what happens? You go to China for a medical or do they do it in America? You need a CAAC ATPL or is ICAO sufficient? I have read that you write a CAAC exam that is in poor english, does the company provide in class preparation or this or is it done by your contract company? How is the exam? I am not too worried about the medical, I am in good health and live an active lifestyle.

If you make it through recruitment why is training 4-6 months on a plane you are already type rated? What is the training process? Why do candidates wash out?

How do you get set up with an apartment across the planet? When I moved for work previously it was all set up for me. How do you find a roommate if this is the route you want to go?

I have contacted VOR holdings, and Vector Pacific but most of the information is pretty vague.

When working the contract with 110 vacation days a year, how often are you making overtime? The $200USD over 80 per calendar month.

I understand that working for Tianjin can be a bit of a show, I roll with the punches pretty well and am really looking for the best way to make some cake to put away. Canadian airlines are bending over backward to keep their money far away from their pilots.

I am also looking at other contracts outside of China, but China seems to be offering the most money, which is really my only motivation. Hey, I'm being honest. I want to go, stay for 6 years, then get a job at Wal-Mart.

[lifeafteraviation]

I am up for an adventure.

It is certainly an adventure and I wouldn't say don't try it.

So after the recruitment sim what happens? You go to China for a medical or do they do it in America? You need a CAAC ATPL or is ICAO sufficient? I have read that you write a CAAC exam that is in poor english, does the company provide in class preparation or this or is it done by your contract company? How is the exam? I am not too worried about the medical, I am in good health and live an active lifestyle.

You must obtain a CAAC ATPL but it will be done after employment and arranged by the airline. The written is done prior to recruitment and you are allowed to retake if you fail. Many people fail the first time due to the reasons you mentioned. Preparation is up to you but your recruiter may have some practice material for you to use. Medical is thorough.

If you make it through recruitment why is training 4-6 months on a plane you are already type rated? What is the training process? Why do candidates wash out?

It's a good question. The Chinese are inefficient in the extreme when it comes to training and testing pilots...this is why they need you. The training process is pretty much non existent so pilots wash out because they don't really know what's expected of them or why they may be performing badly. Much of the evaluation is highly subjective so it depends on the instructor you may have. Again, the Chinese are superstitious and often find subtle faults in strange places that get blown out of proportion.

How do you get set up with an apartment across the planet? When I moved for work previously it was all set up for me. How do you find a roommate if this is the route you want to go?

You have one month of a nice hotel paid by the airline to find a place. There are other expat pilots who will help you if you ask. This is not that difficult and there are some nice places to live. The trick is that you might not know where you will be based right away and most landlords require 3 to 6 months advance rent plus a security deposit and you won't have been paid yet. You must have plenty of cash on hand prior to going to China.

When working the contract with 110 vacation days a year, how often are you making overtime? The $200USD over 80 per calendar month.

This is dependent largely on your base. There are plenty of options for overtime if you want it.

I understand that working for Tianjin can be a bit of a show, I roll with the punches pretty well and am really looking for the best way to make some cake to put away. Canadian airlines are bending over backward to keep their money far away from their pilots.

I understand. You will make good money. You need to be flexible, tolerant, and open minded to survive.

I am also looking at other contracts outside of China, but China seems to be offering the most money, which is really my only motivation. Hey, I'm being honest. I want to go, stay for 6 years, then get a job at Wal-Mart.

If you can last six years you are in a very small minority but some people do it. It's rewarding in many ways but there is a sacrifice.

Read my previous posts if you haven't already.

[safelife]

Ni hao ma,

could someone update us on the current situation in Tianjin Airlines? A larger european airline offers its pilots to fly for Tianjin for a year or two, on the A320.
This thread seems a little E190 and US boys-focussed, some insight from the Airbus side of things would help. Current bases on offer, length of trips/layovers at outstations, general mood of folks flying there.
We would retain our seniority and could return in case things don't work out as expected, so our situation is somewhat different to those leaving other jobs to join.

Thanks!

[safelife]

Anyone, anything?

[Capt Phillips]

Any updated for Tianjin ?

Hi guys! Any news about Tianjin? Have they been upgrading between fleets?Any info would be helpful bacause I am about to send my application to them. Tks