BobbyJ, I'm not certain what the magic numbers are. I had 9045 hrs and typed on the 757/767, DC-10, L-1011, and 737 but couldn't tell you which was the deciding factor. I do know there are folks who have been picked up with straight CRJ as well. It is an exercise in patience, that's for certain. Looking for a possible phone call for the November class now.

Hey,

I would like hope to hear from someone working at AJX/AJV in regards to:

1) Do you have an "Active Captain Upgrade Program"?

Yes

2) How many FO's Pr.year is currently being upgraded?

Varies but I would say about three (per company)

3) How long does it take from DOH to to start the upgrade program

Right now is at about the 4 year mark

4) Has ANA ever talked about transitioning to another aircraft, or will the 767 be
around for the next 10-15 years?

Come here expecting to fly the 76 and you won't be disappointed


5) In regards to the 777 taking over the NRT-HNL route from Jan 2010, do you
feel that ANA will keep renewing your contracts, or do you think what happened
To JALways will happen to you?

ANA and JAL are two very different companies but the simple truth is that it is the nature of contract work, one day they need you and the next day they don't. But my personal impression is that it won't happen

Any response will be greatly appreciated,
Thank you

JAL disposing of their contract crew is related to their Government backed loan. If they didn't make the cuts, the didn't get the money and when you're in that situation the focus is likely to be on the foreign/contract staff.

For CRJ experience; The company is carrying a severe problem child that came from CRJ's, so that effects their inclinations in hiring. Strange logic, "CRJ guy is a problem, no more CRJ guys, no more problems":ugh:

Good luck to all.

In the past three years that this person you bring up has been here they have hired many pilots with nothing but regional jet times, the most recent one that I know off has been in training for only three months.
Besides, if they would eliminate the A/C types that the "problem childs" have flown before they would only have Antonov's left:hmm:

Dominican, Point taken. Have ANA hired anyone form left seat of CRJ to left seat of B6?
I think that game is up thanks to Leisure suit........

Good luck all.

They have actually, six months after him they hired me and another AJV captain hired six months after me. About that game being up, it is all cyclical and it all depends on supply and demand, when this contract started about 8 years ago they hired a handful of guys that where flying the BAE 146 in Oz as both DEC's and F/O's, that my friend is most definitely a Regional Jet and some of those guys are RTC's today. I agree that for the time being the hiring of regional pilots as DEC's have stopped but due to supply and demand issues, there are simply too many experienced pilots out there looking for a job. Don't get me wrong I'm not defending the guy, I particularly couldn't care less but looking at it without pride nor prejudice, do the Japanese really consider him a "severe problem child" as you described him? he passed his training without any retakes and he passed his OJT with good remarks from all his instructors, he hasn't missed a day at work due to sick calls or he hasn't missed a commute to work, he hasn't gotten a single FOQA report and you can't really say that what it's been said is related to his operation of the aircraft, can you? I contest that management actually considers him a productive pilot, I've flown with the guy three times and he is a safe operator. Do you really think that ANA is going to make a management decision on hiring trends because a couple of chief pursers don't like a particular individual? Or stop hiring from a particular A/C type to filtrate personality trades? Nah, that is more gossipy entertainment than anything else and the Japanese are a little more pragmatic than that.

...........not to mention the "respect" this guy deserves!:eek: ...pass me another chocolate biscuit:eek:

hotel/apartment stay during training?
 

In on of the other forums, I read that AJX (or was it AJV) gives the pilots a small apartment during training. Can anyone confirm or clarify. thnx.

AJX provides a very nice apartment with a small kitchen and the location is very good. AJV provides only a hotel not sure if it had a refrigerator or not. For the time in training the Condo was a very nice place to stay and they even will provide a additional apartment when your family comes to visit.

Koelemon, Thanks. I was thinking exactly about the family aspect. With an apartment, one can have the family come more than once while during training. I'm sure it will be tight if you have a couple of kids but possible?

Is another option to continue to pay for the extra apartment where the company leaves off?

Anyhow, I think training duration (or should I say the wifees disaproval of the duration) is what holds some folks back from applying.

This contract (or any other for that matter) would be impossible to sustain not only during the training period but also throughout the duration of the contract without the total commitment of your better half, remember that she will become effectively a single parent for 60% of the month and if she cannot handle the toilet clogging while you are 6,000 miles away, don't even bother applying

Yes you can have the family stay longer. My family stayed 2 weeks. AJX paid for 1 week and I paid the same rate for week 2. I think it was around $90.00 per night much less expensive than any hotel in the area. If you do stay in one room it is tight quarters, if you have kids, but doable. They will provide you with a mattress to put on the floor for the kids, you just have to pick it up every morning so you can walk around. Another AJX guy had younger children that were not in school. They all stayed in the same room for much of his training. He stayed at the training center later and also used the table in the lobby and the Starbucks to study.

My family came out for a second visit and we all stayed in the one room. (Wife and 3 boys) We did OK and I used the Starbucks as a study area. There are a couple of playgrounds in the area around the condo for the kids to play at and a enclosed cage to play catch. My boys packed their Razors and baseball gloves. We then went to Narita and we had 2 rooms at the AJX rate together but you need to arrange this in advance. The hotel in NRT has a pool (swim caps required), Tennis court, gym, a fish pond to feed fish and a crew cafe that your family can eat at also.

As for the family/wife concerned about the long training, not sure what to tell you. I will say it is not easy but Skype is a lifesaver. I did get a 4 week break between GS and SIM because of the delay of the JCAB check rides getting scheduled but this will be taken care of by this fall because 2 ANA guys are getting approved to do the check rides in house so don't plan on a break like I was lucky enough to have.

Hope this helps.

Dom..,

Your absolutely right. The wife must be onboard. My current gig takes me away the same amount of time so the monthly deal is not the problem, its the six month chunk. Mainly because of the kids.

Koelemon,

Very helpful post. You basically answered questions that were to come in future posts. Appreciate it.

Its a great contract, definitely worth working toward.

What engines do the AJV 767's have?

AJV
 

Not sure if its breaking news but the AJV contract is cancelled　by　Japan Post, as I predicted in a previous mail, the Air Japan (ANA) Ship is sinking just like Jalways. The losses experienced at ANA (Air Japan) will be the next　Jalways as time continues and the airline economy continues to take a dive. Remember contract jobs will be the first one to be eliminated....Just keeping it real for the rest!!!. :ok::ok::ok:

Anyone have any more info on this? Is this true?

Official
 

Yes the Japan Post is official.....its in the news in Japan. I am sure your contratct company will confirm it.

As the news for Air Japan (AJX), well time will show. Does not look to stellar given the economic environment....

:ugh::ugh::ugh:

Japan Post Service to end tie-up with ANA : Business : DAILY YOMIURI ONLINE (The Daily Yomiuri)

Japan Post Service to end tie-up with ANA
The Yomiuri Shimbun

Japan Post Service Co. likely will end its air cargo agreement with All Nippon Airways due to an apparent lack of growth in the international shipping business, The Yomiuri Shimbun learned Saturday.

Japan Post Service, which is a part of the Japan Post Group, plans to sell ANA all of its stock in ANA & JP Express Co., a joint venture established with ANA before Japan Post was privatized. Japan Post Service, which holds 33.3 percent of shares in the company, likely will start negotiating with ANA soon.

Although Japan Post Service regarded international shipping as a growth area when it was privatized in 2007, the company apparently has decided to exit the business for now.

In addition to shrinking domestic postal service business, the company has not seen growth in international services in the nearly two years since its privatization in October 2007.

ANA & JP Express was established in February 2006 with 80 million yen in capital. The other major holders of its stock are ANA with 51.7 percent, Nippon Express with 10 percent and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines with 5 percent. The company operates freight services between Japan and South Korea and other countries.

In an attempt to increase international freight operations of the joint venture, Japan Post had promoted comprehensive tie-up negotiations with TNT Express, a major Netherlands-based international shipping company. However, the negotiations broke down in June 2006.

(Aug. 9, 2009)

I don't read anything there that says that AJV is going away. There have been rumors of this happening for months now and this was one of the things that had to happen if AJV and AJX were to re-merge. Also note this from the ANA financial report:

"Domestic cargo volumes dropped overall year-on-year, however home parcel delivery services using flights centred on Okinawa held steady. Although international volumes also fell overall, demand began to gradually return from March this year, with shipments to China, Taipei and Seoul actually outperforming the same term of the previous year."



Storpikk, do you just wish ill will on people for kicks? You sure are taking a lot of liberty of telling people they are out of jobs based on a news report of a stock sell that was expected. There were cargo flights before AJV and I am pretty sure ANA isn't getting out of the cargo business.

CRJ
 

Hey CRJ, I dont wish bad on anyone, its not a personal attack. But I suggest with due respect you pull your head out of the sand, dont get to comfortable. The hammer may hit your ass, after all you are on a contract and not part of the team. But hope the best for all of you guys at AJX