Can someone translate this to non git-speak.

To vivek67,

1.There are not so many type-rated 330 CAP available in the market.

2.Yes, people are leaving 330. Some to middle east, some to Vietjet(yes, not only 320 pilots, now even 330 pilots are heading to Vietjet).

3.Some local pilots will retire in a year or 2.

4.350 is coming next year, and all local pilots in 330 want to fly the fancy 350.

IMHO, do not join 330 in VNA, for the roster is terrible in 330 now.
8.5 hours flight time(more than 10 hours duty time) to Australia, with only 2 pilots, and yes, it is overnight flight.
7 hours flight time(again, more than 10 hours duty time) from SGN to HAN, then HAN to Japan, again with only 2 pilots, and yes, it is overnight flight again.

Every month you will have 4-5 those terrible flights, and it does not stop here, because you still have to fly so many domestic turn around flight.

It will be even worse in 2015, because when 350 arrives, many local 330 pilots will be transferred to 350. You, as an expat, are the only one left to fly those terrible overnight flights.

to theXfactor:

Forgive me please, because English is not my native language.

It means, you people from EURO/USA/AUS with white skin, are taking advantage of those poor Vietnamese girls.

I hope this is clear enough.

It's probably the other way around :}

Vietnam Airlines Screening
 

Hello All,

After 7 years in China, time to try something else..ha.

I have read through the many lose threads about Vietnam Airlines but no so much info out there it seems.

I am looking to interview soon at VA and need some information regarding the screening process on the A330. I heard 3 days for everything? Sim Check basic Air Bus? I know the salary is way low but i think they will have to raise it soon with the new aircraft orders.

Any other info would be greatly appreciated..!

Happy Flights,

Downdraft

VNA screening
 

Hi,

Keep me informed as I am also interested. Which agency are you applying through. Also if you think they are going to increase the salary, don't you think you should wait.

Vietnam Airlines
 

Hello Vivek,

I am looking at DPI for Vietnam Airlines but am still on the fence. In China we are all given a "Me Too" deal in out contracts, means after you sign and later down the road the pay goes up for new contracts, you also get the increase.

My understand at Vietnam Airlines, its not the same, once you sign you are Locked in for the duration of your contract and pay level.

Now I at looking at the situation with Vietnam Airlines, I heard some pilots are leaving and others are not coming for new A330 positions. With new aircraft on the way, lack of pilots, I feel its good to wait as long as possible for the pay to go up.

That would suck to sign on a 5 Year contract and 3 months later the pay goes up to match the current market...ouch..!

Anyone that has any current information about the situation at Vietnam Airlines, please chime in, would be great to hear from you...!!!

Happy Flights,

On Final

A330
 

Multiple problems in my humble opinion.

- Correct, not aware of the "me to" contract clause in fact there are discrepancies between contracts, Instructor pay for example, medical benefits, O/T (Parc are being forced to accept what Rishworth proposed in this regard)

- 330 Capts are starting to work as hard as 320 Capt's (hard!), this will only get worse as local Capts go to the A350 or jump over to VietJet (much better local terms).

- once the A350s all arrive (forecast 2018) you may be offered a slot on the New bird, but it will then cost you..not cheap! Nobody knows true cost, but I have elaborated on FO to Capt or 320 to 330 costs before on this forum, which are easily verifiable.

So it may not be the 5 yr contract you might be hoping for, unless prepared to spend a bit of money..

Salary wise, whilst Vietnam might be a bit cheaper than, say China, the salaries have remained static since 2008 and prices locally & globally have gone up during that time..:ugh:

An increase of 15-20% would easily fix pilot retention and recruitment problems, certainly cheaper than parking planes, which by the looks of things, should hit them over Tet (lunar New Year) going forward (summer) to new aicraft deliveries.

Hold off a little if you can. Hopefully the bean counters will have an epiphany:ok:

Vietnam Airlines Screening
 

Hello Dihedral and all.

Thanks much for the data, I am putting everything on hold at this point. The parts which are hard to stomach for a current A330 Capt is the 27 days "No Pay", no excuse for that.

Also the 1 to 4 months pay of 7K to 8K what is that all about? For now its just too low to do the deal. Also there are no "Me Too Clause" and if you sign for 5 years, you own it, even if in 6 months the pay goes up.

I heard its a good place to work in general but its mainly money as well. Lost that loving feeling to fly jets..haha.

I wish you and everyone good luck and a Happy New Year..!!

Happy Flight,

On Final

No pay..
 

27 days no pay.. Indeed:=

No pay for 27 days is a deal breaker!

Not Allowed to resign..
 

for those of you considering Vietnam Airlines, do yourself a favor & wait awhile.
Over 30 local pilots have requested to resign...unfortunately the newspapers, as usual only get half the story, it's not just a salary thing for them, but working conditions and how they have been treated over the years...
Same applies to the expats...2015 is going to be an interesting year..

English - VietNamNet News

That makes sense Dihedral. I just left the Cambodia Angkor Air which as you may know is mainly crewed by Local VNA crew on short contract.
CAA appear to be losing work and under pressure from 3 Competitor's now. I hear they are supposed to be recruiting more expat's from outside.
Maybe they need the local crew's back in VNA. Certainly some of the VNA Capts from over here left to VJC recently after there contract was up.

Your right Kwaiyai!
 

This seems to be latest plan to deal with crew shortages..

"VNA has advised that it is seeking volunteers from all fleets to go to an 8x2 roster pattern or higher (eg 8x1, 10x2, 10x1) as soon as possible, to help with the shortage of crews over the next 6 months"

As previously discussed, hold off, until pay during first 28 days is reinstated and they bump pay to something realistic in 2015..

For all those insterested in VNA:"Please just wait and see!"

2015 is a disaster to VNA!
1.787 and 350 are sure to come. (The first 350 is coming around mid in 2015)
2.So many expat and local pilots are leaving every month.

VNA has already raised the salary for local guys starting from 2015. Its not a big rise, so local guys are still running away from VNA to VJet. For expat, the salary has been fixed for 7 years already. 2015 is a good time for VNA to provide a better package. Actually, if there is no salary increase for expat in 2015, then do not expect there will be any salary increase for the next 5 years, at least.

Vietnamese, they think differently.
Yes, a 15%~20% increase in salary for expat is a nice (actually, a must) solution. But they do not think this way. They think:"Hey...if you expat are willing to stay for this salary, why bother to increase it? Pilots keep leaving? That is fine, we will hire new guys."
You see....VNA knows 2015 is gonna be a disaster, but they do nothing to stop expat from running. And now they come up with this stupid solution:"request expat to fly at least 8/2 pattern, instead of the standard 6/2 pattern". Can you believe this?
People are leaving because the schedule is so tiresome, and thier solution is:"Hey dear expat, could you please fly more to help with the pilot shortage?"

Please just wait and see.
VNA needs to provide a better package. There is no other solution. The thing is VNA has to see some aircrafts sitting on the ground because of pilot shortage, and they can really understand that provide a better package for expat is the only possible solution.
Please just wait and see.
The pilot shortage in VNA is a huge issue starting from 2015. So do not be afraid that you won't be able to join VNA after they increasing salary for expat. The pilot shortage is too big.
Please just wait and see.

I once responded to one of the Agencies , asking if they would work free for a month and reduced pay for 3-6 months being fully current and qualified . As expected , never got a response .

That must be an airbus issue mostly/only because I have several colleagues who've applied for the FO/CA side for the Boeing… all well qualified, and have not been offered an interview. Not sure what to make of that….

K

No not just an Airbus thing KaptLt.
 

VNA has been in growth mode for a number of years, but they plan on a last minute basis, 2 years ago they were getting rid of expats ( as if unaware of 787/350 coming), now that the new planes are coming it is panic stations, as both local and expats bail for better conditions.
So if 777 guys/gals haven't been called it's because they are overwhelmed, with pilot attrition, 2 new aircraft models to introduce and heavy competition both on the domestic front, with their JV in Cambodia and from the Gulf Carriers..
At the risk of being controversial, by the time one makes it to 777 Capt, that pilot is a pretty experienced/valuable resource, not like a newbie 500hr Capt on a 320/737, so why would well qualified 777 crew apply for a job that doesn't pay you for the first month, offers reduced salary for the next 3 and then offers a generally uncompetitive salary.. On Pprune there are many discussions/rants about declining Terms and Conditions, but seems to me that pilots play into the hands of industry management, by leaving a job to come for conditions such as is currently on offer..
Airline execs talk and attend aviation shows and conferences, they are not stupid.:ugh:
Just a thought!

BW2000
 

100% correct.. Wait & see what is on offer..
From US carries to Gulf Carriers to HK, to mainland China to SE Asia there is a need for pilots.. Don't believe me just go to Flight Global Jobs etc..
Don't come for a contract that has gotten worse than when introduced in 2008, at least then you got paid from the start, now no pay and reduced salary for a few months ( heard some sort of bond thing, for type rated guys, :mad:).
Even the local guys are jumping ship for better conditions...
If you wait, something, will have to be done... You apply and accept current offer, you only reinforce management thinking...

Yes, "Vietnamese always plan on a last minute basis". This is 100% truth.
This is not only an issue for VNA, this is an issue for the whole Vietnam.

I personally have been stayed in VN for 5 years, and many expat over 10 years. We may have different opinions about working and living in VN, but every expat would agree that "There is no plan at all in VN, in every aspect".

Just take a look at the TSN airport.
The capacity of TSN airport is way behind the increasing number of flights and aircrafts. It is so obvious from at least 3 years ago that they need a much bigger airport, and what they do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. The only solution they come up with is:"xxx, stand by for pushback due to traffice taxi in/out." You have to wait for pushback for 10 minutes or more in such a airport, not because its as busy as Hong Kong airport, but because of its very bad design and very limited capacity.

Man.....
Starting from 2015, VNA really needs to provide a better package for expat. Otherwise, its just a matter of time, some aircrafts are gonna be grounded because of pilot shortage. Rumor has it that, when the lunar new year comes in next month, there will not be enought pilots to fly all those extra flights.
BTW, VNA is gonna change its FOM pretty soon, so a local FO with only 2500 hours will be qualified for command upgrade.
What a great plan!