Longobard,

I’m still working through the contract right now, but the way I read it, you are guaranteed days off each week but there is no "Annual Leave" as those days are taken up by the 2 weeks off after every 6 weeks in Vietnam.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

THRidle

Guaranteed?
There are certain days off, but not really "guaranteed". Neither the off days nor the duties are guaranteed, because there are a lot of changes in schedule...
You will have at least 36 hours off after 7 days duty. You might have more than that, in average one off day every 4/5 to 7 days, very rarely you have two off days in a row. And a few stby's.

thanks a lot guys!
do you personally fell ok overthere?

He fells fine I am sure !!!!!!!!!!! :}

Negotiations
 

Hi guys,

anyone in VAC have more info about the contract negotiations?

Are they still trying to reduce the pay for expats? or have they come to

senses and are not looking into it anymore?

Thanks for your time.

longobard,
re, A330
The 6 & 2 roster is as you've guessed and it works well. During busier times sometimes (Tet) you may be asked to work beyond the 6 weeks, but additional days are then added to your 2 weeks off. They are pretty good about this and will not spiv you.
As for 2 days a week off, (as per the contract), you have to "flexible" about this. When the roster is published you will get one RDO every week with a stand-by day beside it. Most of the time you will work on the stand-by day. If there's an important volleyball game on or the weather is crook, you'll be called.
This rostering practice is not in accordance with the FOM, and the roster girl is quite inflexible on this. The agencies will not help you & going to the fleet mgr or C/P to complain about her is like going to your mother-in-law to complain about your wife.
Saigon is a great place to live, safe & cheap by western standards and the expat crewmembers are all great people.
Hope this helps.....rgds:ok:

Qanchor,

Are you on the A330 ? Could you let me know the destination the 330 fly's to.

Thanks in advance.

THRidle

G'day THRidle,
Was on the 330 there but have moved on. I believe they still have only 3 aircraft so the route structure is somewhat limited. When I left, the 330 operated several services daily between Saigon/Danang/Hanoi, every night to Kensai & Incheon and Narita on the weekend.
I think 2 or 3 more aircraft are coming next year, (don't bank on it until you can kick the tyres), the network will obviously expand, where to is anyones guess but Aust & Euro destinations have been mooted.
The 320 guys are experiencing some grief with the T & C's of their contracts at the moment but the 777 & 330 seems to be ok.
cheers 'n beers
:ok:

Thanks Mate.

Much appreciated.

Hi!

So, the route structure is certainly quite limited by the time. You only have domestic flights to Hanoi and Danang, then there are flights to Incheon, Osaka and Fukuoka. Maybe some special destinations. But most of the time we expat pilots will fly domestic, more rarely international than the local pilots. This is due to the payscale of the local pilots: Locals get some more per diems on international flights (so I was told and I can understand). So it is understood that they are preferred flying to these destinations.

Nevertheless: In March/April there will be two more aircraft (as they say) and further two more in October. They wish to get rid of the very old A333. So maybe by the end of next year there will be 6 A332 - or maybe still 7 aircraft with the additional A333.
Then the route structure might be extended by Australia, Taiwan and even Russia. Yet it is still rumours, so we will see, it is still a bit time to go until then.

And about the rostering ladies: Up to now I think they are very communicative, they fulfilled quite some of my requests and so I am willing to cope with their changes on short notice - no problem. No point to complain.

Whats the going rate for B777 skippers at VN? Monthly "Pay", ........ not inflated prices for the girls downtown!

Just what are the T&Cs for the 777?

Is it true that the new contracts are being offerred at about $9300 USD/Month for A320 Captains?

Does this mean that it is only a matter of time before the present contracts when they expire will be at the reduced rate? If not before?!?!?

It is very interesting that they tell you that they are loosing money when the flights out of Europe and Australia are all full from what I understand. The only thing I can think of with this is someone hedged fuel at the peak of the fuel price and they have egg on their face and they are now trying to make up for it. :uhoh:

Good luck guys.....they will tell you one thing and do something else by the sounds of things.

As of the story I got today - A320 contracts still going out (they are hiring)......

Class of 12 starting in FEB...

Just took a delivery of an A321 - 2 weeks ago.

Yes agree, here's an article from Vietnam News, anyone thinking of joining for 9,300.00 should know that everyone else is on 10,800.


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...PH/Article.jpg

What is even more intriguing is that when, a few months ago, Vietnam Airlines announced that they expected to make an overall profit this year, analysts questioned it. There was much bemusement. I guess even more now that the turnaround in fortunes from $5m loss to $14m profit came from in 6 monhts :hmm:

Just out of interest, whats the score regarding Licence. Am Applying for
ATR72 Capt. Regards.

no worries on that lic
its a piece of cake

I am awaiting a call as we speak but the contract details sent out to me last month (when I submitted my application) noted $8k for 320 F/O's.

I trust that when (and if) I get a call for screening I am not presented with this $7200 figure that has been floating around. I will not be accepting it if it is as, to me, that's dirty business to entice with one number, and then lay down another.

I as of yet, have not met anybody who have qualified or accepted a different contract than what you have quoted...........

No bait and switch here bud...............:ugh: