Eva Air present working conditions
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Working in Asia is not anything like working for a western carrier.
First of all, you are an Ex-Pat, so you will be treated as a second class citizen. Be prepared to be discriminated against, and in Asian culture they don't even attempt to hide the discrimination.
Training is typical asian mentality, which is punitive. Their philosophy is that if you are punished, you will learn. Training is a very negative experience. Be prepared to be belittled, yelled at and constantly threatened.
Check rides and any sim session, as well as line flights in which a management, check pilot or Instructor is on board is a pass/fail check flight which can end your job immediately.
Management including the Chief Pilot, Check Pilots and Instructors are to be treated as Gods walking the earth, and they will expect it. Get on the bad side of any of these types and expect your QOL to deteriorate quickly.
You don't bid schedules, you have a roster, which is to say your flying is assigned. Be prepared for schedules which are brutal by western standards.
Visiting Asia on vacation and actually living and working there are two different things.
My advise is to get a good job with a US major and enjoy your travel privileges and go there often, as a tourist.
First of all, you are an Ex-Pat, so you will be treated as a second class citizen. Be prepared to be discriminated against, and in Asian culture they don't even attempt to hide the discrimination.
Training is typical asian mentality, which is punitive. Their philosophy is that if you are punished, you will learn. Training is a very negative experience. Be prepared to be belittled, yelled at and constantly threatened.
Check rides and any sim session, as well as line flights in which a management, check pilot or Instructor is on board is a pass/fail check flight which can end your job immediately.
Management including the Chief Pilot, Check Pilots and Instructors are to be treated as Gods walking the earth, and they will expect it. Get on the bad side of any of these types and expect your QOL to deteriorate quickly.
You don't bid schedules, you have a roster, which is to say your flying is assigned. Be prepared for schedules which are brutal by western standards.
Visiting Asia on vacation and actually living and working there are two different things.
My advise is to get a good job with a US major and enjoy your travel privileges and go there often, as a tourist.
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Sin city
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Commuting contract breaks down
Pilots no longer able to commute as your commute back home is subject to load condition, that means you will get bumped off any minute in this peak travel season and limited flight frequency by EVA. Dont even mention business class, and family travel benefits, hahaha.
So, plan your life base on staying in the Nankantraz everyday.
So, plan your life base on staying in the Nankantraz everyday.
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: fl
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
These are the latest working conditions
- Pilots are thinking about striking due to low wages that have been behind inflation for several years. Rumors are salary will increase maximum 10% and year-end bonus of 6 months basic salary (approx 1 month full salary).
EVA Air pilots threaten to strike
- Taiwanese pilots blame expats for low salaries, so they are trying to stop EVA from recruiting more foreign pilots, the irony is, that many Taiwanese pilots are trying to enter the US market and some with dual citizenship have already left while trying to pull more Taiwanese pilots into the US.
- Lots of expats are already in line to join several other carriers in the Middle East or the US. Some Malaysians already left for HKG-based carriers without finishing their 3-year contract.
- Eva still finding short-term solutions with unemployed thai pělots and some other countries to replace the ones leaving, while management is calling some senior Capts to check whether they have an estimate of pilots that are willing to leave next year for manpower planning purposes
All this means that management's focus is on replacing pilots and not improving working conditions.
- Pilots are thinking about striking due to low wages that have been behind inflation for several years. Rumors are salary will increase maximum 10% and year-end bonus of 6 months basic salary (approx 1 month full salary).
EVA Air pilots threaten to strike
- Taiwanese pilots blame expats for low salaries, so they are trying to stop EVA from recruiting more foreign pilots, the irony is, that many Taiwanese pilots are trying to enter the US market and some with dual citizenship have already left while trying to pull more Taiwanese pilots into the US.
- Lots of expats are already in line to join several other carriers in the Middle East or the US. Some Malaysians already left for HKG-based carriers without finishing their 3-year contract.
- Eva still finding short-term solutions with unemployed thai pělots and some other countries to replace the ones leaving, while management is calling some senior Capts to check whether they have an estimate of pilots that are willing to leave next year for manpower planning purposes
All this means that management's focus is on replacing pilots and not improving working conditions.
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Europe
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flights on the EVA Air network are free. They provide a subsidy for flights to connect to their network of $10'000 NT. Accommodation is provided at their Pilot Dorm during the interview.
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: Johannesburg
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: dubai
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hahaha.. still have pilots interested in this **** hole company ? dont ever go near them
they can only go after those unemployed pilots. if you are jobless go ahead . never leave another job for them
they can only go after those unemployed pilots. if you are jobless go ahead . never leave another job for them
Taiwan's EVA Air pilots vote in favor of right to strike
900 EVA Air pilots voted in favor of strike, only 10 opposed
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5082675
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Sin city
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are always a “Lao Wai”
The expat will have to renew working contract every 3-4 years, and this will be subject to everything on the good terms. (You are seem not giving troubles both in company and outside, you score all your checks, and etc..) yes, the eyes are watching you, everyday, everywhere.
Plus, you will be enjoying all the hatred and contempt as a “Lao Wai” in the cockpit, and you will never be one of them.
Plus, you will be enjoying all the hatred and contempt as a “Lao Wai” in the cockpit, and you will never be one of them.
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Prague
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good Afternoon Everyone,
Any updates about current EVA Air working condition?
I am currently an European Jet Pilot (FO) in a company with terrible working condition (B2B without normal labour contract, no any life-medical-licence loss insurance, 2500€-3500€ NET maximum per month, no any paid leave etc.), so I am looking for some opportunity to improve a little bit my working condition and maybe jump into the widebody aircraft. I really love Asia so I would not mind to live in Taiwan.
I would like to ask some of You having knowledge about the present working condition there:
1. Is it possible to commute (They promise 8 consecutive days off per month)?
2. How about salary right now and for how many hours per month?
3. They provide accomodation - Do pilots have to pay for it?
4. How is the atmosphere now? I know about the strikes and not a too good attitude towards expats. Is this a really big problem right now?
5. Any chances for getting widebody aircraft? What are their needs right now?
6. Can I treat EVA as a stable company and be sure with them about not losing my job due to any stupid reasons? Stability is the only one advantage of my current employer.
7. What can I expect on the assessment? Is it hard? Any pass rate?
8. How can I prepare for their recruitment process? Any tips from which sources I can get knowledge they need and on what I should be focused the most?
Thank You for Your all replies.
Have a Good Day!
Any updates about current EVA Air working condition?
I am currently an European Jet Pilot (FO) in a company with terrible working condition (B2B without normal labour contract, no any life-medical-licence loss insurance, 2500€-3500€ NET maximum per month, no any paid leave etc.), so I am looking for some opportunity to improve a little bit my working condition and maybe jump into the widebody aircraft. I really love Asia so I would not mind to live in Taiwan.
I would like to ask some of You having knowledge about the present working condition there:
1. Is it possible to commute (They promise 8 consecutive days off per month)?
2. How about salary right now and for how many hours per month?
3. They provide accomodation - Do pilots have to pay for it?
4. How is the atmosphere now? I know about the strikes and not a too good attitude towards expats. Is this a really big problem right now?
5. Any chances for getting widebody aircraft? What are their needs right now?
6. Can I treat EVA as a stable company and be sure with them about not losing my job due to any stupid reasons? Stability is the only one advantage of my current employer.
7. What can I expect on the assessment? Is it hard? Any pass rate?
8. How can I prepare for their recruitment process? Any tips from which sources I can get knowledge they need and on what I should be focused the most?
Thank You for Your all replies.
Have a Good Day!
Last edited by EUJetPilot; 22nd Feb 2024 at 16:28. Reason: minor language mistakes
If you're joining from another company (you said you're already flying wide body in the USA), then the first thing you have to bear in mind is that EVA follows a strict seniority system. There is no way they will take you in as a direct entry, regardless of any previous background. You will inevitably join as junior FO.
Years ago, I joined EVA Air because I needed 1000 hrs widebody, in order to apply for a job in the ME. I did my research and talked to several people before making the move, so I knew what I was getting myself into. After I had the hours (about 20 months later), I quit, and "the rest is history".
It worked out fine for me, I got what I wanted, so I don't complain. EVA is, what it is.
That being said: it was a tough time. Learning your manuals off by heart, getting humiliated by instructors, being hated and disrespected by check-in staff and by cabin crew, putting up with non-existent communication inside the cockpit, and going through totally pathetic ground school training (that included a twenty minute "self-defence" course, in Chinese, by some kickbox-dude). When sitting together with other expat-colleagues in a pub (locals don't want to be with you and after a while, you don't want to be with them either), you get the feeling that everyone is unhappy and all you ever chat about is "which company will you go to next?"
You live inside a run-down dorm, where you have a furnished studio with WiFi and a gym. It's convenient, because you only take the elevator down to the briefing room-area. You won't be spending too many nights there per month anyway, so it's alright. But it's not the same as a home. If you want to live in a flat somewhere, you can do that, but you will pay for it yourself. You also have free health insurance, but all that means is you may visit the EVA-medical center on the first floor of your dorm, where nobody speaks proper English and they hand you a handful of anti-biotics against your flu, your upset stomach or your back pain. If you get ill during a layover, woe to you, as you'll find yourself waiting on the corridor of a low-budget hospital between junkies and people with gunshot wounds.
On the positive side, layovers are usually long enough (you'll be doing a lot of North Pacific crossings to the USA). Rosters are really stable. The time that you spend in Nankaan doesn't cost you much, so though your salary is pretty low, so are your expenses. You do get your consecutive OFFs, you travel for free onboard EVA Air, and together with pretty good staff travel agreements, commuting works out quite well. Unlike in the PRC, the internet is unrestricted, so you can freely access youtube and google. Plenty of cafes and convenience stores around your accommodation, taxis are cheap, and the area is safe for walking (though filthy). There is even a mall about 15 minutes walk away, but don't expect it to be like in Dubai. Taiwanese people outside EVA are usually friendly, but mostly don't speak any English. They have their own culture and don't care much for yours.
If you do decide to come here for your personal reasons, fair enough. Things don't change much here, so life just drags on as you do your day-by-day routine. Therefore you must have some kind of personal goal ahead of you, or else you'll go into a personal crisis eventually. If you like the Far East, as you say: good. You're gonna get plenty of it.
Years ago, I joined EVA Air because I needed 1000 hrs widebody, in order to apply for a job in the ME. I did my research and talked to several people before making the move, so I knew what I was getting myself into. After I had the hours (about 20 months later), I quit, and "the rest is history".
It worked out fine for me, I got what I wanted, so I don't complain. EVA is, what it is.
That being said: it was a tough time. Learning your manuals off by heart, getting humiliated by instructors, being hated and disrespected by check-in staff and by cabin crew, putting up with non-existent communication inside the cockpit, and going through totally pathetic ground school training (that included a twenty minute "self-defence" course, in Chinese, by some kickbox-dude). When sitting together with other expat-colleagues in a pub (locals don't want to be with you and after a while, you don't want to be with them either), you get the feeling that everyone is unhappy and all you ever chat about is "which company will you go to next?"
You live inside a run-down dorm, where you have a furnished studio with WiFi and a gym. It's convenient, because you only take the elevator down to the briefing room-area. You won't be spending too many nights there per month anyway, so it's alright. But it's not the same as a home. If you want to live in a flat somewhere, you can do that, but you will pay for it yourself. You also have free health insurance, but all that means is you may visit the EVA-medical center on the first floor of your dorm, where nobody speaks proper English and they hand you a handful of anti-biotics against your flu, your upset stomach or your back pain. If you get ill during a layover, woe to you, as you'll find yourself waiting on the corridor of a low-budget hospital between junkies and people with gunshot wounds.
On the positive side, layovers are usually long enough (you'll be doing a lot of North Pacific crossings to the USA). Rosters are really stable. The time that you spend in Nankaan doesn't cost you much, so though your salary is pretty low, so are your expenses. You do get your consecutive OFFs, you travel for free onboard EVA Air, and together with pretty good staff travel agreements, commuting works out quite well. Unlike in the PRC, the internet is unrestricted, so you can freely access youtube and google. Plenty of cafes and convenience stores around your accommodation, taxis are cheap, and the area is safe for walking (though filthy). There is even a mall about 15 minutes walk away, but don't expect it to be like in Dubai. Taiwanese people outside EVA are usually friendly, but mostly don't speak any English. They have their own culture and don't care much for yours.
If you do decide to come here for your personal reasons, fair enough. Things don't change much here, so life just drags on as you do your day-by-day routine. Therefore you must have some kind of personal goal ahead of you, or else you'll go into a personal crisis eventually. If you like the Far East, as you say: good. You're gonna get plenty of it.
Last edited by Matra 4EB; 15th Mar 2024 at 10:31.
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: fl
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EVA is not good for long term, low salaries for the job you are doing, miserable CRM with cabin crews, they make themselves look "busy" with pax service and tell you to wait for your meal as if they are cooking it, only to put it in the microwave for 1 minute and then walking with the tray to the cockpit taking another minute and that's it, you won't get any additional food but any time you go back for a walk they are all eating passenger meals. there is 0 show of respect towards the flight crew and they could care less about sharing something with the pilots.
Now that I fly for another carrier somewhere else, i can tell that the food onboard was trashy, low quality, flavorless and greasy food, all dishes are Taiwanese style seasoning which is quite bad so after your first year you will not eat onboard because nothing is appetizing. Also the cabin crew interaction is awesome here, they serve us first, they always share food from the cabin, they seat and talk with us, a totally different atmosphere. Besides that, in EVA if you are not a captain, the captains, most of them will treat you as a 250 commercial pilot with 0 experience, i guess this comes from them flying with MPLs.
Eva is good for getting the type rating, living the long haul life for a while and commute if you live within their network. You train yourself in Eva and the IPs job is to check you are studying and doing things accordingly to their expectations, it is not like somebody is going to teach you, nope. It is not good if you have a family or plan to have one, because rents are high, they only cover part, school prices are even higher, it is not good for making money for retirement, unless you live the chinese way which is not eating during layovers and bringing 1$ instant noodles to save money for retirement.
we are a big group of pilots that left last year and this year there are more pilots leaving. even the taiwanese are looking for options in other carriers, that speaks loud of the bad work management is doing.
Now that I fly for another carrier somewhere else, i can tell that the food onboard was trashy, low quality, flavorless and greasy food, all dishes are Taiwanese style seasoning which is quite bad so after your first year you will not eat onboard because nothing is appetizing. Also the cabin crew interaction is awesome here, they serve us first, they always share food from the cabin, they seat and talk with us, a totally different atmosphere. Besides that, in EVA if you are not a captain, the captains, most of them will treat you as a 250 commercial pilot with 0 experience, i guess this comes from them flying with MPLs.
Eva is good for getting the type rating, living the long haul life for a while and commute if you live within their network. You train yourself in Eva and the IPs job is to check you are studying and doing things accordingly to their expectations, it is not like somebody is going to teach you, nope. It is not good if you have a family or plan to have one, because rents are high, they only cover part, school prices are even higher, it is not good for making money for retirement, unless you live the chinese way which is not eating during layovers and bringing 1$ instant noodles to save money for retirement.
we are a big group of pilots that left last year and this year there are more pilots leaving. even the taiwanese are looking for options in other carriers, that speaks loud of the bad work management is doing.
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: New York
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
is EVA still safe to fly as a passenger? I'm not a pilot but reading this thread the comments about punitive safety culture and low cockpit morale got me worried..I would be on a 777-300ER route too
