Singapore Airlines DEFO
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Derbyshire, England.
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Blunder Bus - With regard to SQ you A). Don't know what you are talking about and B). Know nothing of the inherent ramifications of an expat contract versus a Local contract. It is you who apparently doesn't learn.
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Perth Australia
Age: 80
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I was there in the early 1990s when there were a large number of Expat F/Os on expat contracts. Not on the seniority list so no command AT ALL. given very early the word that "NOT NEEDED, NOT WANTED".
Many fled, some converted to local conditions and on the "list" from that date, a few stayed until the end of their contract, BUT were not guaranteed the chance to go "local", not many stayed the time.
Some of those who stayed have done well, senior management in some cases.
You need to ADJUST to the way of SIA, i did time on the L-31 and the A-310, minor differences at times, good overall flying, fun training on both fleets, some of my trainees are up in Management which after 15-20 years so they should be.
It is not where you have come from, it can be where you are mostly happy, big shiny jets, generally acceptable then and i believe now as well.
Many fled, some converted to local conditions and on the "list" from that date, a few stayed until the end of their contract, BUT were not guaranteed the chance to go "local", not many stayed the time.
Some of those who stayed have done well, senior management in some cases.
You need to ADJUST to the way of SIA, i did time on the L-31 and the A-310, minor differences at times, good overall flying, fun training on both fleets, some of my trainees are up in Management which after 15-20 years so they should be.
It is not where you have come from, it can be where you are mostly happy, big shiny jets, generally acceptable then and i believe now as well.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Australia
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Email in early November from HR
Fill out 3 forms- licence & flying experience, pilot addendum, final interview CV summary.
When asked about sending salary terms and conditions for my viewing, was informed that it’s confidential information and will be supplied if successful. ( how do you know your really interested ?)
Flight and accomodation given for two nights but only on request to HR.
Flight was non upgradeable Economy.
Ground transport from airport to hotel is via a free shuttle from the airport ground transport desk.
Hotel is the Grand Mercure Roxy, and breakfast is not included with your room. There is a mall and supermarket across the road.
Late checkout is available till 1400 for no additional charge. ( depends on your Sim session time if successful in your interview in Day 1)
Day 1
Take a taxi for $15 each way to SIA training centre for 1130 on upper Changi road. At the gate you will swap your ID or passport for a security pass then ask for directions to Lobby C level 1 and wait.
You may meet other cadets, DESO or DEFO. You will then be called as a group for a document check. Licence, medical, logbook, educational certificates, birth certificate, passport copy, recommendations from current/ last company. Also to provide a visual acuity test as class one medical will not suffice. All originals With Copies.
Then you will be given the training bond form to view, tick and sign....
BEWARE for cadet and DESO expats ( non Singaporean) It’s 7 years and 200,000 Sing $
DEFO bond is 3 years expat or not and S$150000.
Then your numbered by application, so DEFO first then DESO, then cadets.
DESO’s & cadets are required to write an essay with a minimum of 50 words as to why they want to join SIA. DEFO’s will not do this.
You are then required to sit in the hallway on a chair, and wait to be called by the panel. The panel consisted of four men. We were told beforehand that three are management pilots and one is ground training.
They do not introduce themselves by name or their position but one takes the lead.
As I was DEFO They did not ask me anything technical or anything else ATPL related. No CRM or tell us about a time when .......
Very contrary to what I thought it would be.
They asked questions about me and my flying experience.
Being hired on local terms and conditions for permanent contract. (Of which were not provided.)This is especially for those with families (wives & children)
They are not shy and will tell you there is no housing, schooling or any other expat allowances. Although normal state schools are very good. Even on day one of employment standing at the airport with your bags, you will be finding your own accommodation. There is no accomodation assistance such as hotel or company housing to ease you into living here.
Why join SIA ?
Have you been to Singapore before?
What do you know about cost of living here?
What do you know about time to command here ?
What are your thoughts about that ?
Why leave your current airline ?
They may ask you to join on 737 with Silk now that they’re part of the group, but the question may be designed to illicit a response. Depends if you like Boeing or are willing to take whatever opportunity that gets you into SIA.
In recent view of the Lion Air incident and Air France 447, what would you have done differently ?
The Interview finished after 20 mins, with some closing questions for them.
They say you will be notified via email by 10am the following day to proceed to the sim centre at the same location ( SIA training centre) at roughly 1330 the very same day.
I was emailed three hours later.
DEFO Basic entry level salary monthly is $6000 Sing, this is before tax of which you pay and sort out at the end of the year. Time from induction to final line check is between 4 to 6 months as mentioned in the interview.
If you fly max hours, you will earn $8500 per month before tax.
BE AWARE of what your left with after taking into account personal, tax related, accomodation, and transportation costs etc.
Day 2
The sim is 777, and you will meet with HR, who will take you upstairs to meet one instructor and he will brief you on the sim assessment.
Everything is raw data. Depart via SID. Then HDG then direct to a position. ( LOFT) Some wx then deviation required. After deviation engine surge which then continued to become inextinguishable engine fire. Decision making exercise. Land via raw data ILS. No autopilot or auto throttle.
You will be notified to attend the medical on Friday( it’s always on Friday) Rescheduling flights and hotel will be taken care of.
Day 3
The CAA Medical is free for DESO, they pay online and have it reimbursed at the clinic.
DEFO will pay $236 sing , it’s NOT REIMBURSED..
They’ll let you know in time.
Fill out 3 forms- licence & flying experience, pilot addendum, final interview CV summary.
When asked about sending salary terms and conditions for my viewing, was informed that it’s confidential information and will be supplied if successful. ( how do you know your really interested ?)
Flight and accomodation given for two nights but only on request to HR.
Flight was non upgradeable Economy.
Ground transport from airport to hotel is via a free shuttle from the airport ground transport desk.
Hotel is the Grand Mercure Roxy, and breakfast is not included with your room. There is a mall and supermarket across the road.
Late checkout is available till 1400 for no additional charge. ( depends on your Sim session time if successful in your interview in Day 1)
Day 1
Take a taxi for $15 each way to SIA training centre for 1130 on upper Changi road. At the gate you will swap your ID or passport for a security pass then ask for directions to Lobby C level 1 and wait.
You may meet other cadets, DESO or DEFO. You will then be called as a group for a document check. Licence, medical, logbook, educational certificates, birth certificate, passport copy, recommendations from current/ last company. Also to provide a visual acuity test as class one medical will not suffice. All originals With Copies.
Then you will be given the training bond form to view, tick and sign....
BEWARE for cadet and DESO expats ( non Singaporean) It’s 7 years and 200,000 Sing $
DEFO bond is 3 years expat or not and S$150000.
Then your numbered by application, so DEFO first then DESO, then cadets.
DESO’s & cadets are required to write an essay with a minimum of 50 words as to why they want to join SIA. DEFO’s will not do this.
You are then required to sit in the hallway on a chair, and wait to be called by the panel. The panel consisted of four men. We were told beforehand that three are management pilots and one is ground training.
They do not introduce themselves by name or their position but one takes the lead.
As I was DEFO They did not ask me anything technical or anything else ATPL related. No CRM or tell us about a time when .......
Very contrary to what I thought it would be.
They asked questions about me and my flying experience.
Being hired on local terms and conditions for permanent contract. (Of which were not provided.)This is especially for those with families (wives & children)
They are not shy and will tell you there is no housing, schooling or any other expat allowances. Although normal state schools are very good. Even on day one of employment standing at the airport with your bags, you will be finding your own accommodation. There is no accomodation assistance such as hotel or company housing to ease you into living here.
Why join SIA ?
Have you been to Singapore before?
What do you know about cost of living here?
What do you know about time to command here ?
What are your thoughts about that ?
Why leave your current airline ?
They may ask you to join on 737 with Silk now that they’re part of the group, but the question may be designed to illicit a response. Depends if you like Boeing or are willing to take whatever opportunity that gets you into SIA.
In recent view of the Lion Air incident and Air France 447, what would you have done differently ?
The Interview finished after 20 mins, with some closing questions for them.
They say you will be notified via email by 10am the following day to proceed to the sim centre at the same location ( SIA training centre) at roughly 1330 the very same day.
I was emailed three hours later.
DEFO Basic entry level salary monthly is $6000 Sing, this is before tax of which you pay and sort out at the end of the year. Time from induction to final line check is between 4 to 6 months as mentioned in the interview.
If you fly max hours, you will earn $8500 per month before tax.
BE AWARE of what your left with after taking into account personal, tax related, accomodation, and transportation costs etc.
Day 2
The sim is 777, and you will meet with HR, who will take you upstairs to meet one instructor and he will brief you on the sim assessment.
Everything is raw data. Depart via SID. Then HDG then direct to a position. ( LOFT) Some wx then deviation required. After deviation engine surge which then continued to become inextinguishable engine fire. Decision making exercise. Land via raw data ILS. No autopilot or auto throttle.
You will be notified to attend the medical on Friday( it’s always on Friday) Rescheduling flights and hotel will be taken care of.
Day 3
The CAA Medical is free for DESO, they pay online and have it reimbursed at the clinic.
DEFO will pay $236 sing , it’s NOT REIMBURSED..
They’ll let you know in time.
Join Date: Mar 2009
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Unless one is really desperate for jet time, or has nowhere to go, the TnC's for DEFO seem pretty poor considering Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Plenty of better options around financially for expats from the looks of what has been posted above. Even the interview panel know this fact as posted above, and they even had the cheek to ask the candidate how will he cope. Smacks of true arrogance! I guess their cabin service is impeccable but when it comes to renumeration, it has a long way to go!
FK
FK
Join Date: Apr 2018
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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FK---pilots managers aren't a dumb bunch... All the terms and conditions are HR driven(the TnCs are really pathertic), the the pilot managers know very well that there really is no way anybody can up root to restart life in SIN with that salary. The hope is that they go thru the process and hope nobody comes.... airplanes get parked and go uncrewed... then and only then can they say HR screwed up and Flight Ops dictate the terms and conditions
Mach92_think you are wrong.... that scoot management FO does not earn 45000 sgd/month.... too little... he gets 145000 sgd/month... please check with him again...he only flies 10hrs/months and has 2 hard office days a week..... tuff gig... not paying the poor FO enuff
Mach92_think you are wrong.... that scoot management FO does not earn 45000 sgd/month.... too little... he gets 145000 sgd/month... please check with him again...he only flies 10hrs/months and has 2 hard office days a week..... tuff gig... not paying the poor FO enuff
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Dont forget you are dealing in a area where losing face is not a option, so a long wait before change in contracts. If HR is controlling the T&C of pilots, expect a escape goat if planes get grounded, HR will not be responsible..
Join Date: Jan 2012
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Dear All,
Was also contacted for a video interview. Any details about this first step ? DEFO
Merovingio The same ... I do have a good position right now and have a family. Should I make this jump ?
wlshwzd What was the outcome of all this ? Was surprised to read that not even one technical question was asked. Yet I do really appreciate all your inputs ! thx !
Was also contacted for a video interview. Any details about this first step ? DEFO
Merovingio The same ... I do have a good position right now and have a family. Should I make this jump ?
wlshwzd What was the outcome of all this ? Was surprised to read that not even one technical question was asked. Yet I do really appreciate all your inputs ! thx !
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Europe
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Dear All,
Was also contacted for a video interview. Any details about this first step ? DEFO
Merovingio The same ... I do have a good position right now and have a family. Should I make this jump ?
wlshwzd What was the outcome of all this ? Was surprised to read that not even one technical question was asked. Yet I do really appreciate all your inputs ! thx !
Was also contacted for a video interview. Any details about this first step ? DEFO
Merovingio The same ... I do have a good position right now and have a family. Should I make this jump ?
wlshwzd What was the outcome of all this ? Was surprised to read that not even one technical question was asked. Yet I do really appreciate all your inputs ! thx !
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Somewhere only we know
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Dear All,
Was also contacted for a video interview. Any details about this first step ? DEFO
Merovingio The same ... I do have a good position right now and have a family. Should I make this jump ?
wlshwzd What was the outcome of all this ? Was surprised to read that not even one technical question was asked. Yet I do really appreciate all your inputs ! thx !
Was also contacted for a video interview. Any details about this first step ? DEFO
Merovingio The same ... I do have a good position right now and have a family. Should I make this jump ?
wlshwzd What was the outcome of all this ? Was surprised to read that not even one technical question was asked. Yet I do really appreciate all your inputs ! thx !
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Aust
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JetJockey - SCAPEGOAT, not ESCAPE GOAT ...a scapegoat is an animal which is ritually burdened with the sins of others, then driven away. The concept first appears in Leviticus (Bible), in which a goat is designated to be cast into the desert to carry away the sins of the community.
Good luck with SQ
As mentioned above, they booted out all expats previously and they'll do it again.
Happy landings
Good luck with SQ
As mentioned above, they booted out all expats previously and they'll do it again.Happy landings
Join Date: Jan 2008
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they booted out all expats previously ---yes they did... all the guys on expat contracts were not renewed nor continued--- but they did help them get jobs
As for the foreign pilots(non Singaporean) pilots on local terms---- we are still here duly employed on local terms--some even in management.... so now what is it... expats or foreign?
It is however really a captain airline... if you are coming as DEFO and you are single.... pretty good long term gig.... Assessment for command is 5 years for check out productive date...and yes it is written in black and white
As for the foreign pilots(non Singaporean) pilots on local terms---- we are still here duly employed on local terms--some even in management.... so now what is it... expats or foreign?
It is however really a captain airline... if you are coming as DEFO and you are single.... pretty good long term gig.... Assessment for command is 5 years for check out productive date...and yes it is written in black and white
Join Date: Jun 2011
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I wish I had this chance when I was 25! Really good long term career in a fantastic city. Yes, it is not the expat contracts of 25 years ago, exactly like anywhere else in the world, but you get to fly the best iron in a super professional environment.
