sorry Dom, have to disagree with you.

The position of Captain involves taking RESPONSIBILITY for the flight (the aeroplane, crew and passengers), any decisions made and, effectively, being responsible for any mishaps/errors which occur. From a legal perspective this opens the individual up to, potentially, large penalties.

Achieving the position of Captain, requires demonstrating a higher standard than that required from the FO standard (REQUIRED). There is a substantial difference to the job requirements of a Captain (PIC) and the FO. There is already enough of a move in the industry to reduce the Captain's position, relevance and status.

Captain pay should reflect this extra burden and should be a LOT more than it is.

I didn't say they should be paid the same, I'm just quite comfortable with a pay structure that also reflects the F/O's roll in all of this, is not like they are there to get coffee.

But I agree with you on the fact that the pay should me more than it is, for both positions! I've been vocal about it over the years.

CREW contract
 

I just got this from Crew:

Thank you for your interest in CReW. Unfortunately upon ANA's review of your application, you were not one selected at this time for an interview. We will keep your application on file for 1 year. Should there be any other position you wish to pursue, please feel free to apply through our website at

Again, thank you for your interest in CREW. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Best Regards,
CREW Resources Worldwide - Recruitment

I don't know what went wrong, but I am very sad and disappointed. As far as I know I meet all the requirements for the position but it didn't make it, not even to the interview.

How long do I have to wait to reapply?

Sorry,

How many hours have you got and on what AC ?

Destinations are always subject to change. Right now I can think of SIN, BKK, TPE, HKG, DLC, PVG, and SGN.

Yes, all ANA 787's have Air Japan painted on them.

Latest rumor is AJX is getting the Perth flight after ANA opens it. Long flight, shorter layover for us, makes it advantageous to give it to us. But as always, I'm not holding my breath.

fab thanks again

Job stability
 

Guys what do you think of job security at ANA if there is another major worldwide (2007-08) recession??

the contract on offer is a 5 year contract with the option of cancellation with 90 days notice period, so the safest way to look at it, is this is a 3 month contract renewable over a 5 year period.

Having said that, some have been here for 18 years now.

At least you got the reply from them.
I applied in April this year and still haven't heard a word from this company.
:8
When did you apply?

Pilot Life in Japan
 

Stay in Spain and commute! You will end up not saving any money if you move to Tokyo! Even if you move to let's say Chiba, where you will be about halfway between the center of the city and Narita, It will be a little cheaper than Shinagawa for example, but a LOT more than Narita proper. The idea of taking this job is the flexibility of days off and be able to have some extra cash at the end of each month, if you spend all your salary just living it's simply not worth it to put up with the cultural nonsense you will have to endure daily!

I have an apartment in Narita by myself, and Narita is a lot cheaper than Chiba, and I spend north of 15,000USD a year between rent and utilities! An apartment in the city will be ridiculous money, with your family there with you, you will end up spending it all just living! Not worth it.

Just the transportation costs will be very high, you might think that ¥1,200 each way is not that much but it adds up, just transport from Chiba or Ueno roundtrip could easily add up to north of 180USD per month and that is without the occasional hotel room you will have to get the days that your showtime is too early to commute from the city! Costs just add up, besides there isn't a single pilot that lives in the city that hasn't pulled out the credit card and jumped in a Taxi for X or Y, Mi madre! That is a ¥40,000 taxi ride!

There are several pilots that are married to japanese ladies that I know that have tried it for a few years, out of those the ones that seem to make it work are the ones living in Narita, the rest that moved to the city with families end up moving back to the US or other places they were commuting from originally. A lot to consider.

Hello all,

First of all thank you for this very nice thread full of interesting information making it quite attractive.

I have a question, when you "back to back" your off + some Leave instead of making the 16/14, do you still get the 2 comunting days per month or you get only 1 on each side of your off period.

Not sure I am clear, but let's say for Jan-Feb month, you decide to spread your annual leave as 2 days per month, do you get :
- 18 commuting + 19-20 Leave + 21-30 Jan off + 31 Jan Commuting day + 1 Feb Commuting + 2-11 Feb Off + 12-13 Feb Leave + 14 Feb Commuting day
or
- 19 commuting + 20-21 Leave + 22-31 Off + 1-10 Off + 11-12 Leave + 13 Commuting

I know It may sound picky, but that's still 12 days /year difference.