Where to now? (Widebody)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: in the middle of nowhere
Age: 45
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I am in a similar situation. I made it to the left seat of a CL 604 with relatively low hours(2500),and I am 33. Good employer,great roster and good money ,but being a baby captain and flying ~200 hours a year in the business world ,I feel that my chances of getting a job in the future on an airplane > 20 ton (not to mention WB) are fading away...
Thought of options,but except Qatar nothing comes in mind.
Any suggestions?
Thought of options,but except Qatar nothing comes in mind.
Any suggestions?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Switzerland, Singapore
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lfbb, compared to the "rich northern countries" in the west and in the east, Brasil is still very cheap. Please compare levels of prices, taxes and cost of living. Especially northern Asia (Japan and Korea) is extremly expensive, you cannot imagine how expensive it is. If you want to keep your life style (i.e. eating and living the way you used to at home) increases the cost exponentially (i.e. if you are eating and living like a local you save a lot).
I suggest, before making any move or even before sending any application, go spend you next holiday in one of your countries of your choice. Try to get in touch with expats from your home country before and visit them. Do some serious research.
After that, if you still are convinced, do the right move.
(age 46, capt on A340, considered to be very young in my job, 11 000 hrs TT, with 8500 hrs command, most of it on regionals, 3000 A320, 500hrs widebody)
I suggest, before making any move or even before sending any application, go spend you next holiday in one of your countries of your choice. Try to get in touch with expats from your home country before and visit them. Do some serious research.
After that, if you still are convinced, do the right move.
(age 46, capt on A340, considered to be very young in my job, 11 000 hrs TT, with 8500 hrs command, most of it on regionals, 3000 A320, 500hrs widebody)
Last edited by Dani; 27th Jan 2012 at 07:35.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Brasil
Age: 46
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Same Situation..
Hello!,
I´m in the same situation, Flying NB in Brazil, 34yrs old, 500hs as PIC in 737NG. I Have same expections as you, to live in another country, another culture, another people, flying heaviest machines, but... when i look back, and try to view my payment in US$, like US$ 10.000 Free Tax(My last payment was more than R$ 17,000 free, and 1 US$ = R$ 1,77), i have to spend some nights thinking about doing the right thing.
Maybe it´s time to increase my experience, and look at the future in another time, why not wait a little..? EK was my dream, BUT nowadays isn´t more, my fiancee was a F/A in Etihad for 2yrs, and she doesn´t agree with the idea of turn back to Middle-East.
Why not wait a little?? KE it´s Commuting Contract.. you have to let your family outside Korea, and it´s not easy to live in Australia, New Zealand or another nice country more than a tourist visa permit, while you´re flying across the world in KE, and be stressed by their pilots!.
Think about.. i´m in the same situation, and i decided to wait a little more, maybe close to world cup, if something interesting happens...
I´m in the same situation, Flying NB in Brazil, 34yrs old, 500hs as PIC in 737NG. I Have same expections as you, to live in another country, another culture, another people, flying heaviest machines, but... when i look back, and try to view my payment in US$, like US$ 10.000 Free Tax(My last payment was more than R$ 17,000 free, and 1 US$ = R$ 1,77), i have to spend some nights thinking about doing the right thing.
Maybe it´s time to increase my experience, and look at the future in another time, why not wait a little..? EK was my dream, BUT nowadays isn´t more, my fiancee was a F/A in Etihad for 2yrs, and she doesn´t agree with the idea of turn back to Middle-East.
Why not wait a little?? KE it´s Commuting Contract.. you have to let your family outside Korea, and it´s not easy to live in Australia, New Zealand or another nice country more than a tourist visa permit, while you´re flying across the world in KE, and be stressed by their pilots!.
Think about.. i´m in the same situation, and i decided to wait a little more, maybe close to world cup, if something interesting happens...
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: West side
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Forget Japan, even JL pilots are losing jobs and going to KE in dozens.
If you're considering KE, have a serious thought. The union is taking the company to court due to interpretation of contract clause and it is not impossible to see big change this year. No pay raise in foreseeable future as too many pilots still applying, the locals are not welcoming, with 500 PIC, and no exposure of how to deal with the locals here, I think it's suicidal for your OE even if you're lucky to get pass recruitment SIM check.
I was in KE for long time, and am now in China, just to make the most out of my not too many remaining years of flying, they pay well compared to KAL, but you have to bear with many other different issues, like unhealthy local food, terrible manners (both Korea and China very similar in their lack of manners), very costly good western food and polluted air.
After you clock enough hours, and make enough trips to China and Korea to judge by yourself whether it's suitable for you and your family, then perhaps decide from there.
If you're considering KE, have a serious thought. The union is taking the company to court due to interpretation of contract clause and it is not impossible to see big change this year. No pay raise in foreseeable future as too many pilots still applying, the locals are not welcoming, with 500 PIC, and no exposure of how to deal with the locals here, I think it's suicidal for your OE even if you're lucky to get pass recruitment SIM check.
I was in KE for long time, and am now in China, just to make the most out of my not too many remaining years of flying, they pay well compared to KAL, but you have to bear with many other different issues, like unhealthy local food, terrible manners (both Korea and China very similar in their lack of manners), very costly good western food and polluted air.
After you clock enough hours, and make enough trips to China and Korea to judge by yourself whether it's suitable for you and your family, then perhaps decide from there.
From what I hear about Korean and Asiana the locals don't exactly welcome you!! There are 2 different standards there as well, guess which one you fit into to!!
Stay where you are until 1000 hrs.
Take a holiday to SE Asia and see for yourself after the 1000 hrs.
The grass ain't always greener on the other side.......
Stay where you are until 1000 hrs.
Take a holiday to SE Asia and see for yourself after the 1000 hrs.
The grass ain't always greener on the other side.......
Air Macau might be worth a look as a stepping stone. A320 operator with no widebodies but you're well positioned to look for advancement in China, Hong Kong, Korea or SE Asia. They have some Portugese speaking pilots.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Over the Pacific mostly
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Forget Japan, even JL pilots are losing jobs and going to KE in dozens.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Switzerland, Singapore
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yes but aviation happens in the big city. If you want to commute to the nice cities take into account a few hours drive every day through traffic jams, not so good neighborhoods or bad roads.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ***
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Living in Japan as a Brazilian? Man, it's hard for an Itailian to live in Germany...
Don't make yourself unhappy! Or your family. Check the country of your choice very carefully. Some things you will hate about a new place will only surface after a longer time.
Don't make yourself unhappy! Or your family. Check the country of your choice very carefully. Some things you will hate about a new place will only surface after a longer time.
Join Date: May 2001
Location: A few degrees South
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How is it possible having five hundred hours as Captain on a A320, and not be overwhelmed by emails from major carriers offering you direct command on a widebody? And how did you make captain on that 320 with that attitude? Beats me.
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: uk
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"...drug dealers all around, can not trust the police, politicians steel all you tax money and things are soooo expensive that even with the good salaries payed by TAM it is just enough to have a good life but nothing beyond that. So the problem is not my current job but the the country I live in... "
Well, steer clear of the UK and most of the EU too then.
Well, steer clear of the UK and most of the EU too then.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Portugal
Age: 43
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Europe is a paradise. And that is the reality. Beach and sun don't make a country the best to live. And Brasil has a lot of problems. Our politicians are early learners compared to the Brazilian politicians, when you talk about corruption. Criminality in Brasil is a big problem, a very big problem..... I have a lot of layovers in Brasil and the more I do, the more I value Europe. Even with the economic problems we are going through...
lfbb: I really understand you. I think most of people here don't understand how high the prices are in São Paulo, the traffic jams, you need two cars to go to work. I know most of Europe and most of Brasil(my grandmother is brazilian). To have the same quality of life in São Paulo as I have in Europe, I would have to spent more than double in São Paulo. Brasil has a lot of good things too. But I know for sure, I wouldn't like to raise my children over there. If I were you..I would forget command and go for Emirates or Etihad. The conditions are very good. I know a few pilots over there and all are very very happy.
lfbb: I really understand you. I think most of people here don't understand how high the prices are in São Paulo, the traffic jams, you need two cars to go to work. I know most of Europe and most of Brasil(my grandmother is brazilian). To have the same quality of life in São Paulo as I have in Europe, I would have to spent more than double in São Paulo. Brasil has a lot of good things too. But I know for sure, I wouldn't like to raise my children over there. If I were you..I would forget command and go for Emirates or Etihad. The conditions are very good. I know a few pilots over there and all are very very happy.