What is the situation in KAL
 

Hi,

anyone can shed some light about the situation now in KAL regarding the expats, specially F/O's on the B737NG.

Thanks :ok:

Question:
 

Do You have a job? Did you look into the past postings here? It is like it is.

If you have a job then do not risk it for KAL. No upgrade for F/O´s, no transit to other types as well. Land of morning calm..... nothing changes.

Fly safe and land happy

NG

No job for the moment, KAL is not a career company more a springboard, my question is regarding the actual situation for F/O's, is it a good company to fly for,are the people nice, of course we have to respect their way of life etc....

Thx :ok:

Well, according to my friends in KAL. you can take "NO" as a definite answer. Tried putting in my application couple of months back, only to be told to hold it off and glad I didn't do it based on the latest feedback on interviews and final check rides experiences.
Basically, most will fail the SIM check during interview round. And most will again fail during their final check ride with the authority, which apparently is manned by disgruntled ex-KAL captains. And the latest statistic, was that 2 guys were sent packing after investing 2-3 months of their time during line training. I do stand corrected by those of you who are in the know. And yes, upgrade for expat FO, would be a real wishful thought for years to come.
That's just too much to risk for anyone with stable job. Guess KAL won't be getting their numbers to cater for their ambitious expansion plan.

Thanks for the feedback, was it for the B737NG position ?

I hope they were paid during all that time spent in Korea.

I don't have any job for the moment so if I only have that option I'll give it a try feel free to tell us more about their bad experience, why they have been failed on the sim & line training etc...

:ok:

In that case there's really nothing for you to lose but to put in your application then. I don't have any personal experience, but to put it simply, if you wanna join KAL, just be prepared to pack your bag to be sent home when you are deemed unsuitable or fail your final check ride. To put it in perspective, my pals were pretty honest in saying that the chaps in KAL are not the ideal bunch that you wanna come work with and during the course of your training, you can expect test after test. But hey, if you have nothing on the plate, then go for it I'd say.
What had been posted so far about KAL are essentially what I was told, that the SIM evaluation is going to be drastically differring from individual to individual. Tough luck if you get the infamous nasty instructor, and walk in the park if you get the other. In case you're wondering, was told there are only 2 local instructors who are doing the assessments.
As for the latest, was basically told that whenever there's any "cold war" between management and the union, the one and absolute certainty is that the expat trainees will feel the heat by having check rides failed by the union connected ex Kal check airman.
With much of the feedback that I'd heard, I'm not prepared to join an establishment that still has the mentality of a 10year old when it comes to decision on a professional pilot's life. However, it's the Koreans' airline afterall, they sure have all the rights in doing anything they feel thrilled. On the other hand, I too have all the rights in not taking the plunge (which obviously is what the local boys want).
For your case, I say just give it a shot, with as much positive thinking at you can possibly churn yourself into.
All the best.

Thx my friend, was your friends paid from day 1 in KAL or only from 1st flight.

I have nothing to loose but before I have to be invited which is another story.

:ok:

The interview process and training course are tough. That has been discussed to death on this website. Foreign pilots are paid a training salary and per diem while on course. Courses are running from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 months depending on aircraft type. 777 seems to be longer with only one FFS available.

There has been some recent ideas of foreign pilots transfering types (ex: FO 737 to FO 777) as Korean needs to move senior FOs to the 737 fleet as Captain's. Also being reviewed is the current pay scales for foreign pilots with other carriers such as EK ramping up for more recruitment.

FYI

bd :cool:

Looks like private recruitment pitch is in vogue. Good luck to all. RK's crown may be tittering.

For what it's worth, KAL offer a fairly good commuting contract. Having said that, do not be taken in by all the " alluring " stuff you hear ( privilege travel, unrestricted DH to all KAL stations worldwide, free meal coupons, etc ). The bottom line is what happens when **** hits the fan. Someone wrote somewhere about a foreign sea captain and his XO being held in a slammer copping blame for an incident which was totally caused by a runaway Korean barge in the west sea of Korea. IT IS A TRUE INCIDENT and all the merry "oui guk jin" at KAL do better take heed!

Back to KAL, if I'm right everything begin with the screening, if you pass you begin the ground school if you pass you begin the line training and if you pass you are released, is that correct ? I guess the sim is before the ground school.

Thx :ok:

Captain in the slammer
 

Hello gentlemen, paulo marko kid you not. That incident really happened and should open your eyes to the corrupt and unjust legal system in Korea should you have a prang. Check out this link ;

Sikh Ship Captain Jailed Over South Korea Oil Spill | SikhNet

God help you should a pax get severely injured or died as a result of a hard landing, runway excursion or any unfortunate incident due to your or your f/o's " incorrect ' manoevre of the skyblue tube!

Almost menikos. The full flight sim follows all ground school and fixed based training sessions. Afterwards OE or Operational Experience and then a final line check.

Good luck with the process.


bd :cool:

Thx, it was told to me the high rate of failure on the sim is due to bad management of crosswind landings.

By the way how long it takes to complete everything before the sim check ?

:ok:

Was told by someone that the alteon sim instructors/checkers taught that the company only accepts the decrab during flare method in crosswind landings. Botch that and you're a goner!

Is there any other way for a large heavy jet with swept wings??
Please don't tell one flies such an aircraft all the way down final sideslipped.
"Botch that and you're a goner!"

Sikh Ship Captain Jailed Over South Korea Oil Spill | SikhNet
 

I went over this link and did a search on various websites on this subject...it is indeed a true incident.

Spoke to a ex-CASA guy and his take is that aviation in Korean falls under the purview of the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime affairs. As such, any aviation related incident involving expats can expect the same protracted legal maneuverings by the legal authorities to apportion blame to the foreigner. Three words........... a bit SCARY.

Out of curiosity, what is the average experience level of guys joining TRed on the NG left seat. I am coming up to their min reqs with about 4700 total. Wondering where I would stand with an age in the mid thirties.

Cheers.

Ratpoison
 

you said:

"Quote:
only accepts the decrab during flare method in crosswind landings. Botch that and you're a goner!

Is there any other way for a large heavy jet with swept wings??
Please don't tell one flies such an aircraft all the way down final sideslipped.
"Botch that and you're a goner!"

FYI I've been sideslipping the 777-300ER all the way on final, on moderate x winds with no problem whatsoever!
What's the big deal?:confused:

Back to the ground course, how long does it take to complete it in particular for the B737NG if it's type specific ?

Thx :ok: