Poita,

I intereviewed a couple weeks ago and they did ask me why I was choosing AJV over AJX. I responded that I chose AJV because I felt there would be more of an opportunity to upgrade (I was applying for F/O), and that even though it is not gauranteed, that the AJV guys seemed to be getting an extra day off. It seemed to me what they really wanted to know is if I was willing to take AJX also.

It might be a mute point since I was told that there is a possibility that AJV and AJX could be combined as far as flight operations is concerned. There are a lot of changes going on at AJV with the Naha hub. The interview was exactly as has been talked about on previous threads, and with the information given by the recruiter. You can PM me if you need any more detailed information.

Serenitynow

Poita, I think you would be best served if you told them you picked AJV on your app because you had to pick one. I would tell them that I my preference is the one that would get me into class the soonest. In the answer you gave, you make a lot of assumptions.

You said that you love the lifestyle and freedom of flying freight. That one statement alone would bring on more questions. What do you mean by freedom? You would have to explain exactly why you think cargo has more freedom. Freedom to do what? What if they merged the operations and you flew pax and cargo? Would you not be happy? Those are the types of follow up questions that you would be inviting.

Also, there is no extra day off at AJV from what I have heard. The days off are the same in both contracts now.
The statement about night flying is one that I wouldn't make unless asked. You will be flying at night no matter which way you go. AJX isn't all day ops. They do a lot of night flying.
Lastly, the route structure can change so I wouldn't put any emphasis on that either.

That's just my opinion and it may not be the best so take it for what it is. Think about it and good luck on your interview.

Hello Poita

It is important to stress that outside of the interview profiles and operational procedures, what we express here is only our opinion and neither of us (including the contract companies, they gather a lot of information through the line pilots and the interviewees,) has an insiders track into planning at ANA and it's affiliates but I believe that Piston 89 advice is very good because this company (ANA and affiliates) is going trough a transitional period that has too many variables to be able to predict. At what pace will the Japanese economy recover? What will their market share look like with Jal's restructuring? What will the slot availability at both Haneda and Narita look like when the construction is finished? Are we merging or not? One very big variable is the 787 not only at AJX route structure but also at AJV because the 787 program will also influence if AJV will operate a bigger freighter or not. How much day or night flying you will do at any company? the company themselves don't really know the answers to these questions, little alone any of us. All these variables will affect how these companies will look like up to a year from now that you will be expected to join the line, I would keep your answers non specific such as "I've always been interested on the experience of flying freight but I would really like to join this organization in any capacity the company considers that I would be more useful" and I would try to stay away of giving answers about specific current route structures and I would most definitely won't tell them you don't want to deal with the hassle of flying passengers since we don't really have any interaction with the passengers at all at AJX. About the faster upgrade at AJV, I'm curious how you came up to that conclusion and the interviewers will be curious as well because both companies are hiring at the same pace and although AJX is currently not hiring DEC's the word around the clubhouse is the they will start next year. Remember that we don't know how this companies will look like at the other end of the economical recession.

Good luck on the interview brother

Dominican,

I came up with the answer of possibly upgrading quicker on AJV just on the basis that AJV is hiring DEC's right now, and that they have current aircraft orders. Honestly, the answer was to show them that I had a desire to be a Captain and a desire to be at their company for a long time. I would be perfectly happy at both operations.

Serenitynow

89Pistons,

AJV does get an extra day off. AJX guys get 10, AJV get 10 + international blank day. It's just a matter of words but the result is AJX get 10, AJV get 11.

Thanks Fratemate. I'm unfamiliar with the International blank day. Is that added on to the consecutive days or mixed in between trips?

The additional day off for AJX has already been discussed by the company but in true fashion, things just have a way of taking a couple of months to be implemented.:ugh:

I see, in reality both companies have an active upgrade program and they are still receiving pax 76's also. I'm sure you will enjoy any of them as well, my compadres at the AJV side are a great group of guys:ok:

Thanks for the input folks. It's good to get other peoples perspective on some of these ones and I am going to change how I answer that question.

It's added to the consecutive days off so, assuming you're not taking any vacation days, in a month you'll get Off1 x 10 + BD2 x 1 on your roster, giving you 11 days off in a row. This is what happens in reality and does not necessarily reflect the exact wording of the contract. The threat of having the 'extra' day removed has been discussed previously in this thread but we know the Japanese of AJV are good people and wouldn't try to incite the trouble that would bring.

Poita, don't forget the freighter enjoys en-suite facilities, no passengers to have to deal with, no locked doors and security camera, no looking over your shoulder to see if you've upset any of the crew, food/drinks when you want them and not when the cabin crew have finished the service and no complaints from the payload when you land in a 'positive' way :). Okay, so none of this is admissable in the interview butI wish I'd discovered this job sooner :ok:

Jesus H, Frate. That even makes me wanna come over to the darkside:eek:

Heya folks. Just a question for the AJX'ers. Is it true that there is no jump seat policy in Japan even for paxing tech crew for a duty? Do they have the cockpit door closed and bolted before the first pax boards until the last pax disembarks?

If it could be welded shut, it would.

he drivers are allowed out to answer nature's calls. But not too often.;)

And the delightful attendants do serve a meal, once the fare paying pax have been served, this happens around 2.5 to 3 hours into the flight.

:ok::ok::}:} You r absof..ing right!!

AJX and AJV will merge next year so I guess the "which company" debate has been settled, see you boys in Okinawa.:ok:

Is there an oven simulator at the training center?:bored:

No jumpseat of any kind in Japan Poita:ugh:

Hi Guys,

I have recently been through the interview process for DEC at AJV with a :ok:and am just waiting for medical results. For all those who are headed down this road, a thorough read of this thread and the others out there is a good idea; everything that you need to know is there. Very relaxed process, very nice people, incredible experience. I am going through Parc and they definitely give you enough information on the interview process and sim eval. The exam is not difficult, and my technical question: "what is V1"... Make sure you know the sim profile. There seems to be some minor variations in what to do and when, listen carefully during the sim briefing.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to post the wealth of information on AJX/AJV and the whole process. With the exception of a few disenchanted folks, it is nice to see a thread that embodies the intent of this forum! Pilots helping Pilots - what a novel idea :D

Thank you! and I look forward to joining your ranks, sooner than later.

Well done Repeat , lets trust your medical seals the deal.

I see you are in Edmonton , are you planning a commute to Canada then.
I am considering the same , but the commute seems difficult( not many direct flights to Canada) Just curious in case you have seen something I have not.

Tks.
Cheers 4G

4G,

I am planning the commute from Calgary. The flight choices are somewhat limited on ANA, but they worked very well for me. I went through SFO for my interview, the connections in LAX work quite good as well. I hope to commute on Air Canada through Vancouver if that works, it saves about 3 hours on the total transit time. Parc has said that they prefer you to use ANA if you can, but are open and flexible to other options once you are on the line.
I was lucky enough to be upgraded to business on the flight home, and that made all the difference in the world. Arrived home rested, relaxed and ready to go. The service on ANA is second to none!

I have also read that ANA is considering flights to Canada: YVR, YYZ???

Either way, I am fully commited when (and if) the call comes with a ground school date!

Have you been through the process already?

Good luck on the decision 4G!

Hi Repeat
Thanks for the info . As of yet I am still sitting on the fence. Not happy in the sandpit and exploring options. Just the family/commuting thing I need to get my head around. I do have friends at ANA/AJX/AJV who are very happy. Most commute to OZ though.

Well good luck with the final result. Okinawa awaits;)

AJV Routes
 

Someone asked about AJV destinations:

Japan: Narita, Haneda (both Tokyo), Kansai (Osaka), Naha (Okinawa)

Asia: Taipei, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Incheon (Seoul)

USA: Honolulu

China: Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai (Pudong), Xiamen

A larger 'wet-lease' aircraft has taken over the Anchorage and Chicago runs.

A notice has come out from ANA that both AJV and AJX will merge by September 2010. Been with AJV since it started and AJX before that. Both operations very enjoyable. A roster with a mix of passenger and freight flying, and destinations, would be fine. Which is exactly how our rosters were prior to the split. Join either side, you won't be disappointed.

Press Release

Some details about the restructuring plan.