Tianjin Airlines

[RjAgCR]

If i ever consider to apply to Tianjin Airlines, which is the best way to go..through an agency or directly with the airline?

Never used an agency before so thats why i am asking...can anyone suggest a good agency if this is the best way to go?

Thanks for the replies!

Rj

[lifeafteraviation]

I would contact a few different recruiters and then ask them serious questions about the contract after reading my previous posts on the last page...

Go with the one that tells you the truth...or at least gets the closest.

[RjAgCR]

lifeafteraviation

Thanks for your reply, I would like to know your opinion on APAS (Asia Pacific Aviation Services) and/or VOR Holdings if you have any on them...this is all very new to me and would like to gather as much info as I can before making a life changing decision....I really appreciate your help.

Rj

[lifeafteraviation]

There is a separate section in these forums on recruiters you can read. Most people have very different experiences. Best to go with someone you like.

[Rayoflight]

Try Parc or Pilotmovers. The second one has more personnel in China.

[USMCProbe]

Sorry I have never heard of Pilotmovers, ever, or met a pilot on contract in China with them. I would recommend Parc or Wasinc. APAS is affiliated with a couple of the HNA group airlines. Probably some of their pilots (locals). I would skip the as well.

[PAR31]

Well I am one of them, with Pilotmovers, and I am going through the process with them at the moment.
So far no complain and very professional staff following me during the process. Nice to talk with Pilot when you need help from them as they are all Pilot employed in China.
Good luck to every one.....

[RjAgCR]

Flight lines TJA

Hi,

Would anyone here currently flying for TJA on the E190 care to share what a normal line would be based at Tianjin....was wondering how many nights out (if any) and if there are any turn arounds flights at all? and of course how many hours are you currently flying on the E jet!!

Thanks for the replies,

Rj

[lifeafteraviation]

I suppose it depends on the contract and more importantly, what base you're at.

In some of the bases there are very few if any overnights and the schedules are ok.

Based in Tianjin there are a lot of overnights in sub standard hotels and generally the airline will try to squeeze as much flying into your schedule as the CAAC will legally allow. Because you are rarely on time you will almost always fly even more than that.

Typically you would go out for 3 to 5 nights at a time and then fly a couple long days from home base. Vacation is important here because this plane will keep you insanely busy.

[RjAgCR]

lifeafteraviation

Thanks for your reply, it is go info.

I am more interested in the contract that gives you 110 days off and with this contract what would be the base that gives you the best quality of live..?

Also interested to know how those off days work? whats the max you could take in a row...

Rj

[lifeafteraviation]

whats the max you could take in a row.

It's been a bit fuzzy lately and also a bone of contention since they are subject to approval by management and are frequently denied.

[aime]

Chinese ogrinaztnion

As a US citizen you are supposed to report income from anywhere in the world to the IRS. Does not mean that you will be taxed however as people have different situations etc.

Working in China works for some. Things happen in slow motion especially as far as paper work goes. Everything else is "about" and subject to change at a nano second's notice so be very very very flexible. It's disorganized most everywhere but people are friendly.

Eventually you get used to it or you bail out.

If you walk off your Chinese job -do not finish your contract - you will probably never work in China again as you will need a release letter from your employer to get a subsequent work visa.

Good luck!

[pilotss2001]

"In case you ever wanted to work in China again"...

"In case you ever wanted to work in China again"...


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHA!

[Aerobaticeagle]

Commuting and schedule

Is there any significant improvement on schedule and in particular on the commuting?

Any updated info is appreciated, thank you

I am looking for a job and some friends told me the commuting half month is working

[Northern_Driver]

These things are not so black and white. For example, I can imagine European/US based 190-commuter captain thinking about this opportunity to make some serious money. Here in Europe you can make 100 grand a year, but after tax and house payments thats nothing. You can live on it, but thats it.

People adjust diffrently to different places on earth. For some China is a nightmare and I am sure for some a good opportunity to make money and retire.

What I would like to hear is the positive things for working there. Anybody? And I dont mean cheap beer

[lifeafteraviation]

But cheap beer there is plenty...Chinese beer will give you a headache and Chinese liquor will make you sick. Overall the cost of living is similar to the USA.

The best part of the job is vacation but the new contract gives less and less. Vacations are denied and often rescinded. Many pilots are forced to work during planned vacations and aren't even allowed to take the vacation they've accumulated.

The commuting schedules are better but after expenses you aren't making as much money and they will fly you very hard in the two weeks per calendar month that you are on duty...as much as 80 hours. There is no sick leave allowed so if you call in sick (even fatigued after flying six hours already) they will take a vacation day from you.

There are so many limitations to vacation that if you don't plan on living almost full time in China don't bother to come.

Pretty much everything else is a sacrifice of lifestyle so don't expect to hear any upside other than the money...which is inarguably very good. But at what cost?

I also don't recommend permanently giving up your job back home because many (yes many) pilots fail out of training after getting on payroll and moving to China...the risks are high. Failures are most often for trivial things that have little to do with your ability as a captain.

[RjAgCR]

Can anyone on the 110 days off contract explain how those days off work?! Do you get 11 consecutive days off per month during 10 months or how does it really work?

[lifeafteraviation]

Can anyone on the 110 days off contract explain how those days off work?! Do you get 11 consecutive days off per month during 10 months or how does it really work

?

Yes that's pretty much it. You can take the 11 days back to back over two calendar months and get 22 in a row or take any 11 days in a calendar month. You can't take any vacation during months when you have a training event due which is twice per year.

Other caveats exist due to the company policy that no more than 50 percent of the foreign pilot group is allowed to take vacation at the same time and vacations are often denied altogether during peak summer and winter months. Some pilots are finding that they are being denied vacation or having their vacation cancelled after it was previously approved and are not even able to take the full 110 days over the course of the year.

Also, you are not allowed to take vacation during initial or transition training and the lost vacation doesn't accrue so you never get it back. Initial training for current and rated new hire pilots takes from 4 to 8 months (usually about 6). Transition training seems to take about 6 to 8 months (there is no transition to the A320 ever). So if you go don't expect to come home for the first six months or so and don't expect to get more than around 50 vacation days in the first year.

[FCOM-5]

TJA Recruitment - up to standarts

River (eng. name), the guy in charge of the TJA recruitment is doing a pretty good job there and the recruitment looks like still a bit old fashion, but they are good in managing and communicating the different steps.


As TJA are part of the HNA Group, they are paring up with their group recruitment at HNA-OVERSEAS.com


Life in Tianjin is not too bad, however pollution in DEC-JAN-FEB-MAR can be tuff though.

[lifeafteraviation]

Tianjin is the armpit of China...slightly better than some other places but mostly nothing there. Working in Tianjin will shorten your life by five years at least.