Silkair Singapore

[bluefalcon]

Good evening to all,
Could anyone post on the T&Cs for Silkair please.
Also a brief explanation on lifestyle, roster, and general atmosphere working there would be appreciated.
Thank you.

[airplanedriver]

Wasnt aware that they are hiring, any info on th current recruitment?

[rotatejunkie]

Where from mate?
If you're not from SG/Malaysia, im afraid you are wasting your time.
You'd probably have better luck with Tiger or Jetstar.

[bluefalcon]

Hi shampers, great response, thanks for your email and time.

[Iver]

shampers,

Would it be beneficial to have a 737NG type rating now that Silkair is transitioning to that type?

Also, are Silkair pilots offered the opportunity to move to Scoot, Singapore or Singapore Cargo at some point when openings arise (speaking more generally as opposed to expats who get hired by Silkair - perhaps movement of locals to Scoot or Singapore would create more openings for Silkair positions)? Is there a flow-through type of agreement for the locals?

Cheers

[gb777]

Thanks Shampers for your insight.
Do Silkair pilots benefit from staff travel on the mainline?
Is the maximum age 62 as well?
(Compared to Tiger 65)

[Iver]

Shampers,

Great overview. Three more questions if you don't mind:

• With the 737s arriving, will existing Airbus pilots (currently employed) need to sign a new training bond to cover the new training or would that only be for newhires
• Are most Airbus pilots happy/sad/ambivalent about having to convert over to the Boeing (i.e., happy to give up the sidestick for a yoke)
• Do you have any layovers in your route system or are they primarily out-and-back flying with few layovers

Cheers

[smiling monkey]

Shampers, are you referring to direct entry captains? I would have thought Silk Air get their F/Os through the Singapore Airlines cadet program, or directly from SQ since SQ currently have an excess of pilots?

[Gtr21]

shampers thank you for all the info, and its nice to see someone say nice about the airline they work for.
I was looking at the website and still they say there is no flight deck positions available, i presume it will change in the near future or when you guys get the new ac's and sorry a last question : is the website the best way to go to contact them ?

[Iver]

Cheers Shampers - you have been very helpful and responsive. Sounds like Silkair is a good situation for you (and that is rare on Pprune).

It will be interesting to see how Silkair and Scoot are staffed in the future as Singapore contracts and changes.

[etops777]

Silk will not be hiring directly onto B737 for the first
2 years on either seats. This is to ensure the culture of MI
stays intact. The hiring will be onto the bus. No one is sure of
when will the hiring resumes..the best practice is to register
your details online.

[bringbackthe80s]

Hi guys I am looking for an update on silkair, I understand they need A320 captains...?

Has anyone applied and had any feedback/went for a selection?

I might need to look for the next move soon, and Silkair in Singapore seems like a good option to me..

Thanks for your help

[bringbackthe80s]

p.s. if anyone has any info/suggestions for a capt. A320 job in the far east (China excluded) it would be great to hear your experiences

thanks again

[BECMG]

I really like visiting this place but I believe ground realities are different.On a recent trip I got talking to a middle aged local working at a store and asked whether she preferred Silk Air.She said to me that after the crash people don't prefer Silk Air.I know that sounds strange given that the crash happened such a long time ago.She also said she likes tiger but prefers Jetstar over it.She said life in Singapore is stressful but I think she meant expensive.I don't know if this is the local mood or an individual's opinion.I am not really so familiar with this region.

[wonderland]

Just did a stint out in Singapore, and from an expats point of view, I'd steer clear. You'd be surprise at how expensive everything is out there, and if you are white or deemed an expat, they'll try their best to milk you dry be it your land lord, car dealer, etc.

Plus the country is really sterile, not the "feel" of Asia you would expect and get from places such as Bangkok, Saigon, or Hong Kong. In a way it is good if you have a family as it is safe, but you would never want to resettle in Singapore if you have a family, the International schools cost way too much, getting a car too cost more than buying a Cessna 172.

But I'm just biased so take what I say with a pinch of salt. I'm still mad because I got charged $55.90 for 2 glasses of beer at a popular drinking establishment out there.

[wonderland]

BECMG is right, the singaporeans never really were fond of silkair, not because of the MI185 incident but probably because they were paying SQ prices and expecting SQ standards.

You'd hear alot of customers who booked fares and went totally berserk because they were thrown onto a silkair operated flight when they booked their tickets on the Singapore Airlines website.

And they have a mentality that if they'd have to book a flight from silkair, they'd rather do it on Jetstar, Airasia or Tigerair because at most it's a 3 hr flight and I'm not paying premium for that.

[airplanedriver]

Did a stint with Sing Cargo for 3 years, moved to greener pastures and now find myself back in the garden city for a new gig on the 320!
I would definitely agree 100% about the comments about Singapore on the whole, it's crazy really, some get the idea that it is a streamlined place and everything works smoothly, but the bureaucracy is just as it is in many parts of Asia, just with more style!! Of course it's very safe crime wise and certain conveniences are superb, but it's not all rosy as it's cracked up to be. With a family really, i too wouldn't choose Sin.

On the other hand, on a more positive note, if you're on a commuting contract, and u base your family in one of the cheaper, more vibrant city's in the region, it just might work nice. This is what I've done, a 2 bedder in the east, near very good amenities can be got for S$3k, and u manage for 20 day for yourself only, no family, it'll work quite well, just my two cents worth, cos for a commuting sort of lifestyle, Sin i must say is pretty OK, much better than Korea or China IMHO. Of course if your family is based far and the only option is to relocate along with them, then it's probably NO!

[CodyBlade]

Very sterile, no soul and pilots are treated as heavy equipment operators.

Extremely stratified society,always trying to prove to the world they are No.1 results in very stressful living.

1.Super rich [most super-cars per Km but top speed limit is 90kmh]
2.Rich [Merc C180 costs US$210K]
3.Poor [VW GOLF costs US$150k]

Nobody likes eachother and lots of bigotry.

The pheasants don't like the outsiders.

[Broomstick Flier]

Hi Shampers,

Thanks for the very informative posts. Looks you are having a good time with SilkAir. If you don't mind, could you give us an idea on days away/days home? Where are the usual layovers, if any? Or does the roster permits sleeping at homebase all days?

As a last question, any idea about the qualifications needed, for a FO position? Have not found this on the website.

Thanks!

[BANANASBANANAS]

I did 7 years in SIN on expat terms and thoroughly enjoyed it. The expats still there who are still on expat contracts still do enjoy it I think - and good luck to them.
But I think the chances of joining any airline in SIN now and getting housing allowance, child education allowance, annual leave ticket etc are between slim and nil.
Without those allowances you will just about survive if you compromise your living standards a little and if you have no children.
It is a very sterile, characterless place it is true. And that also has its advantages. It is clean, safe and has very low crime.
Overall, I am glad I joined when I did. I had a great time. I am glad I left when I did. I probably couldn't (and wouldn't want to) afford to join any airline in SIN right now. Great place to live - provided you have mega$ in your pocket.