Skymark Airlines Japan
 

Hi All,

I'm interested in Skymark and was wondering what the course entailed to qualify. I don't have a Japanese ATPL. Is there anybody out there who can enlighten me?

1. Does the course last 6-8 months?
2. Do they have their own Checking and Training system or all checks done by JCAB?

The reason I ask, is that I've heard too many stories of pilots falling foul of the JCAB system and being terminated. That's one risk one has to consider.

Thanks

MBA

Flew with an ex-Skymark guy the other day.

Boss(he may be gone now) was a jerk who didn't like the pilots.
Boss really liked the F/A's and mixed it up with them.
F/A's had really short skirts.
Pilots had to pay for the coffee.

That's all I know.

training time and JCAB
 

MBA747

About 6 months short course for JCAB 737NG typed and experienced pilots...add 2-3 months if non JCAB....this is pretty much the same for all Jaoanese carriers

All new joiners at Skymark (JCAB rated or not) do an initial JCAB sim and route check...subsequent annual sim and route checks are in house....but, JCAB may show up to observe any required company check...in which case, expect to fail. or be pleasantly surprised with a pass ...(company checkers have to be seen to be strict in front of JCAB)...for a fail you get 2 months re training (on 2/3 pay) with a JCAB sim and route check
For subsequent checkride failures they will study your history with the company before deciding on re-training...that history will include performance checks but will be more weghted to sick days, co-pilot, ground instructor and scheduler reports (everyone reports on everyone here...they make the Stasi look like boy scouts)

JCAB also "observe" , from the jumpseat, 10 - 15 company flights a month...no pass or fail on these...but the Japanese write, and file, reports on anything and everything...these are studied by the next guy who comes to check/observe you (both JCAB and company)....they like to come prepared and will spend the same effort studying your history as you do, for your checkride
This is why more people fail the initial...unknown quantity, if in doubt, fail

It's all hit and miss with JCAB and company checkers...they all do as they please, no consistancy, even with the same checker...a percentage HAS to fail and even if you do a good job, the lottery picks the winners

As a side note, Skymark's most senior gaijin (with the company since day one) who knows the system, keeps his head down, is currently being "re-educated"....he has a couple of JCAB checks to look forward to next month...his crime? JCAB observation of annual company sim check

The course is long and boring, but not difficult...most guys say the 9 months in training was the most fun they have in Japan...once on line you work hard, (6 on / 1 off / 6 on / 1 off / etc) between your commuting

As pointed out in many of the other threads about jobs in Japan/China, if you keep your head down, treat the natives with respect (even if it's not always forthcoming from their side), stay out of company politics and you manage to keep on the good side with JCAB...then, maybe OK
It doesn't matter how much they have spent on your training/tickets:/housing/etc, they'll drop you in a heartbeat if you give them reason to

I do believe that contract pilots in Japan do not suffer quite so many hiccups as those in China (re honouring the contract). Most of the hard luck stories here, relate more to lying agency reps than blatant company dishonesty...although contract pilots here are viewed as a disposable resource

their old boss Nishikubo was a real jerk.
1. He would change the pay from USD to JPY unannounced (or vice versa) when the exchange rate became inconvenient.
2. He terminated a Captain because he asked for a replacement F/A when one of the F/As was sick and lost her voice. Nishikubo himself showed up to tell him to fly regardless. When he refused, he was told to pack up and go home as his contract was terminated. (Skymark lost the lawsuit, thank god)
3. He sold all company stock moments before the stock prices took a quantum hit.

Thankfully he's gone, but I worry that corporate culture (particularly in Japan) never dies out.

True......, but it also tends to adopt the culture of the company taking over...., aparently (according to friends working there) company culture seems to be getting better since the takeover of the stock by ANA and partners.

Same apparently with All Nippon. Depending on the size numbers on the course, the company will always fail two or more pilots on the final sim check no matter that in reality they passed. It is a cultural thing to impress the Regulator. The result being two unfortunates could have been the best on the course but have now lost six months of their career when they could have happily employed with another operator. A sick system:ugh:

Does Skymark have ID travel agreements with other carriers?

Can anyone give any insight to the interview and Sim for initial screening?

Good Morning,

I Up this thread as I'm more and more interested about Skymark.
Is there any new info about it since last year ?
I'm interested in going through Rishworth BTW

Hello Ladies/Gents,

Looking for some insider info on Skymark, like roster, mood in the company (esp. towards gaijins), pay after tax, etc.

Also as being only Airbus rated (i know that Peach is hiring, but being based in Haneda would suit me and my family better), how was the transition, if anyone could shed a light?

Thanks and kind regards,

drvr