There are many cultural idiosyncrasies and politics evolved with this job, there is also a risk in terms of the variable pass rate as we have discussed over a decade now on this thread! But it also seems that we are preaching to the choir!

Lets be honest, if cultural BS and pass rates weren't a factor at other gigs, Would you even be reading this thread?

Hi Guys,

Thanks to all of you who have been contributing to this great thread full of very useful information. I have a couple of questions to whoever will be able to help:

1) Is it possible to request a special flight to be able to commute home on the last day of duty? For example asking for a flight landing early morning to catch an early afternoon flight.
2) Are all layovers 24h or can it be longer?
3) How does the company feel about sick days being used while at home? Any need for a medical certificate if that happens? Any red flag if that happens 1 or 2 times per year?

Thanks and happy flying to all!!

What happens if you fail your captain selection or your upgrade course? How many chances are you given? If you fail are you fired or are their career FO's there?

for FO's upgrading, the policy is one gets 2 attempts at the upgrade, including the upgrade evaluation. After the 1st unsuccessful attempt, usually a 1 year wait is required before another go. After the second failed attempt, generally the FO will have the opportunity to continue on an FO contract. Policies here are, at times, somewhat fluid.

You keep quoting this number, Armani, but what evidence do you have that this is correct, because it is certainly at odds with what I have observed?

Very few pilots have joined as DECs in the last few years, especially since they required a JCAB ATPL. I haven't followed the progress of those in great detail and it may well be that a proportion did not get through but when we had DECs without a JCAB ATPL then nothing like 50% failed, in fact I'd be surprised if it was even 10%.

I'm not suggesting that people don't look carefully at all aspects of the job before leaping but stop trying to scaremonger with blatantly false information.

Nothing says "Professional pilot group" like a good'ol fashioned catfight on a pilot's bitchboard! LOL

Too much time in the Goldfish bowl that is Narita,

Haha, I don't know who you've been talking to but it evidently isn't me if you think I fit into any of those descriptions. I can't say that I dislike every aspect of the job because I don't but I'm pretty ambivalent about the whole thing. I'm not a hater of the job but I'm also not a lover. There are plenty of things that need to be improved and I've made my feelings known both verbally and in writing to the Company and I do not think things need to kept secret from any potential joiners etc. But let's have facts and proof, instead of unsubstantiated numbers. I have no desire to be part of the "Japanese elite" (whatever you may think that means) and definitely don't qualify for that. As for hobbies outside of aviation; I don't know why you think that matters but I have nothing to do with aviation when I go home and don't consider it a hobby. I may have done once but kids, sailing and certain sporting activities take up enough of my time without adding aviation to the mix. Maybe you're referring to my private G5 but I don't consider that a hobby, more of a necessity.

ALL of your posts have only ever been negative. That's fine if you feel that way but just because someone has a balanced view doesn't mean they are "drinking Kool Aid" (ridiculous expression). You said, "They seem to fail 50% of Direct entry captains". I have said I do not believe that is correct and asked you to support your statement. Just because I am at odds with your spurious statistics does not mean that I am some sort of Company stooge; it just means that I've never seen that sort of failure rate. I very much look forward to seeing your proof of your statement and backing up an opinion that is different to mine.

How many days a month are you guys typically overnighting in Narita vs layover away from base?

drop24, Out of a 16 day roster (taking 10 off + 2 commuting days + 2 vacation days) you will be about 8 nights in Narita give or take.

Sorry to interrupt your heated discussion gentlemen but I would like to ask all of you an "environment psychological" question...How do you all coupe with the risks associated to natural disasters like earthquakes, typhoons, radiation, contaminated foods, and so on?Do you feel on continuous threat? If not, do you consider it as a kind of psychological denial?

If you go through life worrying about all of that stuff, you will die an early death. It is what it is. Those types of things can happen almost anywhere in the world. When this last typhoon went through Kansai, I was in the hotel at the KIX airport. It was what it was. I rode it out while filming a lot of it. Then after it was gone, me and the f/o walked around looking at the sites and all the people trying to get out. We then retired to our rooms and relaxed while watching movies on our laptops.

You just can't let things you can't control affect your life.

I would like to second Fratemate.
Dont know what Armani has been drinking or smoking, but guess it ain't coolaid!
This is not the perfect job, but since very few of us can join Delta as senior Captains, this is close to the top.
14 days at home every month, decent to good money and not having to deal with the Chinese, that's not bad in my book.
For info, I came as JCAB DEC, its not that difficult. If You come with worldwide wide-body experience, its a matter of opening Your ears and shutting Your mouth, except for the obligatory Yes Sir and Ohh I see, then You will do fine.

Best regards
Heavydane

That is probably good advice anywhere in the world. Unfortunate that so few follow it ....

No. Does any country do that?