Skymark Interview and Sim
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Planet Earth
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I did the Skymark thing and would caution anyone about entering into any training bond, the training is lousy, it's a self study course basically, the flight sims were well organized, everything else is on your own.
12 months to do an FO check in a 737NG, really? (Yes, about 30-40 % of your flights are as FO)
The pay for me was $10,500 per month while in training, plenty to live on considering that Skymark paid for transportation, but just before I left, the housing accommodations changed from a fully serviced individual accommodation, to a company owned hotel where pilots had to furnish their own dishes.
If you aren't prepared to stand up and bow to your instructor each day, I wouldn't recommend this gig, also while I was in training, they changed our contract, instead of getting a ticket each month to any destination world wide, we had to indicate a home city only. And don't even think about complaining about anything to the smiling assassins.
Living in Japan was a blast though, miss it a lot.
12 months to do an FO check in a 737NG, really? (Yes, about 30-40 % of your flights are as FO)
The pay for me was $10,500 per month while in training, plenty to live on considering that Skymark paid for transportation, but just before I left, the housing accommodations changed from a fully serviced individual accommodation, to a company owned hotel where pilots had to furnish their own dishes.
If you aren't prepared to stand up and bow to your instructor each day, I wouldn't recommend this gig, also while I was in training, they changed our contract, instead of getting a ticket each month to any destination world wide, we had to indicate a home city only. And don't even think about complaining about anything to the smiling assassins.
Living in Japan was a blast though, miss it a lot.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Far East
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Ditto on advising to stay away - Especially if they are making you sign a training bond. There is a reason for this, as most people cannot even make it through the first contract. Attrition and failure's there are abnormally high, and this should serve a big RED FLAG. I recommend any self-respecting individual to stay away, unless money is what drives you (but even then, most people end up deciding that no amount of money is worth putting up with all the BS of that place): No coffee allowed in the cockpit, FOQA's used as punishment, crappy hotels, slave-like schedules, cheapest ticket to your home regardless of how many connections, constant changing of the rules, difficult checks including recurrent check ride's, and the list goes on and on. One BS after another month after month. Been there done that and now never again. That place is a cancer where only the sick thrive.
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Has anyone done the interview for the A330 or A380 and where was the base(s) offered?
Experience levels high and typed rated pilots only?
Lots of talk about NRT/Haneda , Tokyo but is Kyoto and other bases available for A330 or only B737?
A380's and A330's coming on time? Are most crew being type rated to Airbus or expats?
Lots of Q's I know...
Thanks in advance
FFRATS
Experience levels high and typed rated pilots only?
Lots of talk about NRT/Haneda , Tokyo but is Kyoto and other bases available for A330 or only B737?
A380's and A330's coming on time? Are most crew being type rated to Airbus or expats?
Lots of Q's I know...
Thanks in advance
FFRATS
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Skymark A380
Hello Gents,
I have been looking over some of the posts regarding Skymark and it all is kind of pointing in a general direction.
1. Cheap
2. Low pay
3. High Attrition rate
4. Not a pleasant Work Environment
5. Stay away
That seems to be one side and I was wondering if anyone could comment about the good things to work at Skymark?
I am finishing up in China next year and looking at Skymark but always try to move slowly before I jump..hehe.
Your comments are appreciated.
Thanks,
On Final
I have been looking over some of the posts regarding Skymark and it all is kind of pointing in a general direction.
1. Cheap
2. Low pay
3. High Attrition rate
4. Not a pleasant Work Environment
5. Stay away
That seems to be one side and I was wondering if anyone could comment about the good things to work at Skymark?
I am finishing up in China next year and looking at Skymark but always try to move slowly before I jump..hehe.
Your comments are appreciated.
Thanks,
On Final
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Far East
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1. Cheap
2. Low pay*
3. High Attrition rate
4. Not a pleasant Work Environment
5. Stay away
*Unless you sell your day's off for $1000/day. Keep in mind that you will work like a slave and you will work hard for every penny of that $1000/day at a cost to your health and your time away from your family. Another benefit is that your taxes are paid for in Japan (carrying over to your country of residence) and that you are a Bona-Fide Resident with employment/resident status in Japan. In the end though, you'll realize that even with these benefits, it's not worth it.
Otherwise, you pretty much nailed it.
2. Low pay*
3. High Attrition rate
4. Not a pleasant Work Environment
5. Stay away
*Unless you sell your day's off for $1000/day. Keep in mind that you will work like a slave and you will work hard for every penny of that $1000/day at a cost to your health and your time away from your family. Another benefit is that your taxes are paid for in Japan (carrying over to your country of residence) and that you are a Bona-Fide Resident with employment/resident status in Japan. In the end though, you'll realize that even with these benefits, it's not worth it.
Otherwise, you pretty much nailed it.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Far East
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No, Skymark does not hire expat FO's. Right now, they have 2 sources of copilots: 300 hour Japanese pilot's who just received/converted their Multi-Engine/Instrument/Commercial into a JCAB license; or the 40 or so ex-JAL copilot's that were fired from JAL because they were un-upgradeable. They will soon be starting an Ab-Initio Cadet program as well. It's a #$% job enough as it is as a Captain, I can't even imagine how horrible it would be to be an FO there.
On a side note, you don't really want to be an FO in Japan unless you are working with an established company like AJX or NCA where they have an expat upgrade program. FO's in Japan usually consists of PM duty about 99% of the time, having to do a lot ground-duty (FO's at Skymark have to do one year of ground duty prior to starting training and do about 4 months of Flight Attendant/Check-In duty prior to upgrading as a Captain - the CEO's way of saying "FU, you are my bitch" to the pilot group), not to mention endless unpaid Sim support for Captain training, de-briefings by the Captain after every flight on what you did wrong and what he didn't like, etc.
On a side note, you don't really want to be an FO in Japan unless you are working with an established company like AJX or NCA where they have an expat upgrade program. FO's in Japan usually consists of PM duty about 99% of the time, having to do a lot ground-duty (FO's at Skymark have to do one year of ground duty prior to starting training and do about 4 months of Flight Attendant/Check-In duty prior to upgrading as a Captain - the CEO's way of saying "FU, you are my bitch" to the pilot group), not to mention endless unpaid Sim support for Captain training, de-briefings by the Captain after every flight on what you did wrong and what he didn't like, etc.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: canada
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living in Japan
Lots of useful info here re Skymark. Merci Beaucoup!
Regarding accommodation:
Has anyone considered just staying in a hotel on days off?
I met an ANA 747 pilot staying in a hotel in Narita (right beside the Hilton) and he claimed it was much simpler than renting. Have heard of others doing same in Addis Ababa and Istanbul.
Not sure if it would work in Japan? Does sound simpler than rental contracts etc. Just land, shuttle to clean hotel, eat, drink, sleep and back to work.
Regarding accommodation:
Has anyone considered just staying in a hotel on days off?
I met an ANA 747 pilot staying in a hotel in Narita (right beside the Hilton) and he claimed it was much simpler than renting. Have heard of others doing same in Addis Ababa and Istanbul.
Not sure if it would work in Japan? Does sound simpler than rental contracts etc. Just land, shuttle to clean hotel, eat, drink, sleep and back to work.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Over the Pacific mostly
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Has anyone considered just staying in a hotel on days off?
I met an ANA 747 pilot staying in a hotel in Narita (right beside the Hilton) and he claimed it was much simpler than renting. Have heard of others doing same in Addis Ababa and Istanbul.
Not sure if it would work in Japan? Does sound simpler than rental contracts etc. Just land, shuttle to clean hotel, eat, drink, sleep and back to work.
I met an ANA 747 pilot staying in a hotel in Narita (right beside the Hilton) and he claimed it was much simpler than renting. Have heard of others doing same in Addis Ababa and Istanbul.
Not sure if it would work in Japan? Does sound simpler than rental contracts etc. Just land, shuttle to clean hotel, eat, drink, sleep and back to work.
About living in the hotel.....! Some guys do stay in the hotel long term and the hotel accommodates the pilots pretty well with late check in and check out! But staying at the hotel on the long term will get old, I stayed at the hotel for my first three years here and I have been at my apartment for four years plus, the apartment is the way to go.
it is expensive to set up at the beginning and you will have to buy furniture and appliances, but this will be the best money you will ever spend, your outlook and quality of life while at work will improve ten fold.....! Just not to have to listen to AA&UAL cabin attendants bitching about scheduling and how they told them off during breakfast is well worth the money. Believe me, after a while at the hotel you will start filling out applications to the post office and renewing your subscription to "Guns & Ammo" magazine
just trying to find your bag in that room the hotel provides to keep your stuff after you check out is enough to drive you mad....!
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Skymark Contract
Hi Guys,
Assuming that one who would not mind putting up with all the BS that Sky has to offer, any idea the chances of the contract being renewed?
Oh and yes, regarding the housing allowance offered, is it directly banked into personal account? If not, will there be an option for that?
Looking forward for some great advice as I can no longer bear the summer heat in the sandpit! and Japan could be an option for now
Assuming that one who would not mind putting up with all the BS that Sky has to offer, any idea the chances of the contract being renewed?
Oh and yes, regarding the housing allowance offered, is it directly banked into personal account? If not, will there be an option for that?
Looking forward for some great advice as I can no longer bear the summer heat in the sandpit! and Japan could be an option for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Some clarity regarding renumeration pcm:
Basic $8000usd
Perdiem $1500usd/150,000Y
Housing $2500usd/250,000Y
Tckt $500usd (EY tckt home/ J if 3 mths consec @ 80hrs)
Total $12,500usd all paid to your bank account
How you spend it regarding accomodation is up to you.
SKymark purchase your tickt but they will waste your days off by booking a flight that leaves on day one perhaps in the evening and departing on your last day at godawful early hours to get back the day before first duty.Also these flights may not be direct but more likely 2 sector legs.
This means your days off get eroded , hence why you can request 40 days on 20 off rather than 10 monthly.
The fun begins on the second contract where basic drops to 7k/usd but you get a training pay addition of 2k/usd = $9k/usd + housing +perdiem = Total $13,500/usd
Days off increase to 12 consecutive
Leave increases to 12 (10 first contract)
So adding 2 days to monthly 12 = 14 consec off days/mth , other combinations are allowed for those who dont wish to waste commuting days every month.
I only spend 7 night per month in Tokyo , the rest is in hotels at company expense down route.
An apartment share is therefore a practical solution as you rarely see your sharer if ever.You get the full accom allowance whatever you choose to do.
Once on line the flying is varied with visual , vor , gnss , ils , lda's and straight forward , overall enjoyable. Max sectors in a day 4 , mostly 2-3.
Very short of Capt so selling leave/days off is common.
You will get 10 days back leave after training which basically is yours to sell for $1000/day , everybody does , think of it as a reward for getting through the lengthy training.
Hope this helps.
Basic $8000usd
Perdiem $1500usd/150,000Y
Housing $2500usd/250,000Y
Tckt $500usd (EY tckt home/ J if 3 mths consec @ 80hrs)
Total $12,500usd all paid to your bank account
How you spend it regarding accomodation is up to you.
SKymark purchase your tickt but they will waste your days off by booking a flight that leaves on day one perhaps in the evening and departing on your last day at godawful early hours to get back the day before first duty.Also these flights may not be direct but more likely 2 sector legs.
This means your days off get eroded , hence why you can request 40 days on 20 off rather than 10 monthly.
The fun begins on the second contract where basic drops to 7k/usd but you get a training pay addition of 2k/usd = $9k/usd + housing +perdiem = Total $13,500/usd
Days off increase to 12 consecutive
Leave increases to 12 (10 first contract)
So adding 2 days to monthly 12 = 14 consec off days/mth , other combinations are allowed for those who dont wish to waste commuting days every month.
I only spend 7 night per month in Tokyo , the rest is in hotels at company expense down route.
An apartment share is therefore a practical solution as you rarely see your sharer if ever.You get the full accom allowance whatever you choose to do.
Once on line the flying is varied with visual , vor , gnss , ils , lda's and straight forward , overall enjoyable. Max sectors in a day 4 , mostly 2-3.
Very short of Capt so selling leave/days off is common.
You will get 10 days back leave after training which basically is yours to sell for $1000/day , everybody does , think of it as a reward for getting through the lengthy training.
Hope this helps.
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Sorry , error........
Annual leave 1st contract 20 days
2nd contract 24 days
Can be used any way you like or sell it back to them .
You can choose the travel allowance of $500usd/mth or let them provide you a ticket price/quote usually from expedia which they will pay for or you but your own ticket and they give you the price of the tckt they found which leaves you to make up the difference on the tckt you find as yours will nearly always be more expensive if you go on direct flights to save your time off.
Annual leave 1st contract 20 days
2nd contract 24 days
Can be used any way you like or sell it back to them .
You can choose the travel allowance of $500usd/mth or let them provide you a ticket price/quote usually from expedia which they will pay for or you but your own ticket and they give you the price of the tckt they found which leaves you to make up the difference on the tckt you find as yours will nearly always be more expensive if you go on direct flights to save your time off.
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Yes , they need crews due to large number of retiring local ex JAL /JAS ANA Capt who came here after those companies declared bankruptcy.
Also a few expat contractors have left recently.Quite a few transfers from B738 to A330 and A380.
Not sure what the nett gain in Capt numbers is over the last year but in the last 6 mths I would estimate 15-20 contractors have joined the line.
Ex China+M.East flyers say it beats hands down........ lifestyle over cash.
Also a few expat contractors have left recently.Quite a few transfers from B738 to A330 and A380.
Not sure what the nett gain in Capt numbers is over the last year but in the last 6 mths I would estimate 15-20 contractors have joined the line.
Ex China+M.East flyers say it beats hands down........ lifestyle over cash.
Join Date: Jun 2003
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"Ex China+M.East flyers say it beats hands down........ lifestyle over cash."
really, lifestyle is an improvement, like what for example?
that's good to hear some positive views, Thx!
really, lifestyle is an improvement, like what for example?
that's good to hear some positive views, Thx!