Air Baltic information

[uberfly]

I dont agree on this. I lived there and I am regularly going there since 2008. It is definitely cheaper than any western EU nation such as Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and France. I never come up with anything twice expensive than western EU. Only utilities can be more expensive since it is much colder than many other countries. Rent is definitely one of the difference which is much cheaper than Western EU. Just to give some idea you can always use this site to compare.

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-livin...urg&city2=Riga

[XMV6]

ok, and what is income-tax in Latvia from gross salary ?

[lekker92]

Originally Posted by uberfly

I dont agree on this. I lived there and I am regularly going there since 2008. It is definitely cheaper than any western EU nation such as Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and France. I never come up with anything twice expensive than western EU. Only utilities can be more expensive since it is much colder than many other countries. Rent is definitely one of the difference which is much cheaper than Western EU. Just to give some idea you can always use this site to compare.

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-livin...urg&city2=Riga

Rent prices around city centre is well above 1000 for furnitured apartment. Maybe is a bit cheaper in Jugla or Imanta but who wants to live there? Cigarettes are more expensive in Latvia than in Germany or Switzerland. Grocery prices are higher than in Germany for the most of the products
Maybe you will get some decent prices in central market but you need to speak Russian. Yes, Russian, more than 30% of the population is Russian. Gas is more expensive than in Germany. Almost everywhere in Riga parking is regulated. Especially zones A and B are super expensive. Dinner for two is around 80 euros unless you go to Lido. Local girls never reach for their wallet
Long story short, from the 2815 euros,by the end of the month you will have 100-200 euros left in your account

[lekker92]

Originally Posted by XMV6

ok, and what is income-tax in Latvia from gross salary ?

In your bank account you will see the net, who cares what the gross is

[motardos]

Originally Posted by XMV6

During the inital 300h the pay is € 1.200 net / month.

Originally Posted by Luray

Expect to pay 1 to 1.5k with utilities for a simple furnished flat and 500 for food. Few years ago utility bills were 400-700 a month during winter. Riga is expensive. Food and medicine can be twice of what you pay in some western EU countries.

Sounds like for the first six first months you will need to sleep in the car

[Luray]

Originally Posted by lekker92

Rent prices around city centre is well above 1000 for furnitured apartment. Maybe is a bit cheaper in Jugla or Imanta but who wants to live there? Cigarettes are more expensive in Latvia than in Germany or Switzerland. Grocery prices are higher than in Germany for the most of the products
Maybe you will get some decent prices in central market but you need to speak Russian. Yes, Russian, more than 30% of the population is Russian. Gas is more expensive than in Germany. Almost everywhere in Riga parking is regulated. Especially zones A and B are super expensive. Dinner for two is around 80 euros unless you go to Lido. Local girls never reach for their wallet
Long story short, from the 2815 euros,by the end of the month you will have 100-200 euros left in your account

This sounds more realistic. Prices skyrocketed after they replaced Lats with Euro. I remember in 2009 I rented fancy studio flat in the center of old Riga for 150 lats and payed extra 20 for utilities. Beer was around 50 santimes (60 cents) in almost any bar. You could eat at Lido for less than 4 lats including drinks. City was crowded with tourists and it was a lot of fun.
Now if you walk around old Riga it looks like ghost town. No tourists no locals. Just endless lines of abandoned souvenir shops and restaurants. Lots of bums and junkies around central station. You can still find a bunk in a dorm for 300e around Moskovsky district but you'll need a car and secure parking after midnight as this neighborhood is not safe. Bear in mind that AB will not pay parking at Riga airport for FO's. But its ok, if you are an instagram pilot supported by parents you'll make it just fine.

[lekker92]

Originally Posted by Luray

This sounds more realistic. Prices skyrocketed after they replaced Lats with Euro. I remember in 2009 I rented fancy studio flat in the center of old Riga for 150 lats and payed extra 20 for utilities. Beer was around 50 santimes (60 cents) in almost any bar. You could eat at Lido for less than 4 lats including drinks. City was crowded with tourists and it was a lot of fun.
Now if you walk around old Riga it looks like ghost town. No tourists no locals. Just endless lines of abandoned souvenir shops and restaurants. Lots of bums and junkies around central station. You can still find a bunk in a dorm for 300e around Moskovsky district but you'll need a car and secure parking after midnight as this neighborhood is not safe. Bear in mind that AB will not pay parking at Riga airport for FO's. But its ok, if you are an instagram pilot supported by parents you'll make it just fine.

I hear stories about how lively this town was. Hard to believe that this ghost town used to be a fun place.Latvia didn’t recover from Covid era. It’s getting worse and worse since then.Inflation still going up, war in Ukraine made even worse and people prefer to stay home with the company of Phenibut ( Soviet xanax).
Bums and junkies are everywhere, especially out of Maxima and Rimi, I always give them my empty bottles , they are super happy to get the 10 cents from every bottle putting in the recycle bin. Locals are leaving Riga for the countryside where is more affordable and many of them go to work in Poland. I don’t think that there are many real jobs here, the people who have the money are the “New Russians”, that’s the wealthy Russians that moved here lately as it was easy to get papers and almost everyone speaks Russian. The rest are just working all day to pay the rent and bills
I dated some girls here, and though we were pretty much the same age, they treated me like I was a sugar daddy. Nothing pleasant left here

[Luray]

Its been fun place till 2014ish. Every Saturday we used to do bar hopping till early dawn and it was very affordable. Then gradually it all declined to a present state.Can't say it was all because of covid since 2018 was already troubled year for local business because of tax reforms. Back then AB was also different, I think they paid around 7k lats for captains and it was a lot of money. But as I remember it was nearly impossible to get in, you had to know someone from inside.

[menekse]

Originally Posted by twentyfivehundred220

But why have you decided that I am using different accounts? A220 is my first type, so I actually had to google Let410, Beechcraft 1900, Js31 to understand your reference.
airBaltic is my first company, coming straight from their Pilot Academy, I'm relatively new to the industry, company and A220, so I just stumbled upon this forum and saw ppl talking nonsense about the company that I like a lot. It's got its flaws, but I mean, MAFIA? I think last year alone they've hired around 150(?) new pilots, and to believe they're all "friends" of someone in the office creating multiple accounts - that's quite a serious conspiracy.
Anyway - no offense to anyone, I hope you're really loving your jobs wherever you work.

How do you know it is nonsense?
Are you telling us that there are no pilots in ab with previous experience only in Let 410, Beechcraft 1900 and Js31 which do not comply with the initial requirements of CS25, FMS, EFIS aircraft?
Cause @OKSUP was posting that Let410 and Beechcraft1900 pilots were hired cause on their CVs were saying that they feed stray cats or something which was enough to be invited regardless that they didn't meet the entry requirements
Or you are just posting lies like the commuting roster?

[chris1311]

Salary

Originally Posted by lekker92

First officer basic salary is 2815 and captains is 4600

I attended the assessment and the numbers you state match with what I have been told by the chief pilot during the interview so i would not expect more ;-)

In case anyone is interested about DEFO Assessment:

2 Days in RIX (they offer cheap AB tickets and hotel rates)

day 1

1.)sim screen, da42 fix base, 15 minutes, all in rix, easy wx, no failures, no briefings or checklists, only easy raw data departure, vectored ils, GA, and another vectored ils - BY FAR the easiest i have ever seen

2.) interview: mainly questions about cold wx and adverse wx IN RIX SPECIFICALLY.

3.) Psychometric computer tests, 3 hours, the hardest ones I have seen around all the assessments I have been - by far. Use skytest or pilotassessments and go for the „difficult“ preset


day 2:

1.) interview chief pilot: very relaxed, nothing technical, just discussing about your cv and your plans, hopes and dreams. Chief pilot is a very nice person to talk to

2.) psychological interview : 1 hour chat face to face about strengths weaknesses etc etc - the usual stuff

3.) 300 psychological questions on iPad

All in all a nice atmosphere, considering the baltic mentality. The latter made me choose to not go there though.

[TheEdge]

Riga is the worst ****hole of the 3 baltic countries, avoid at all costs.

[lekker92]

Originally Posted by chris1311

I attended the assessment and the numbers you state match with what I have been told by the chief pilot during the interview so i would not expect more ;-)

In case anyone is interested about DEFO Assessment:

2 Days in RIX (they offer cheap AB tickets and hotel rates)

day 1

1.)sim screen, da42 fix base, 15 minutes, all in rix, easy wx, no failures, no briefings or checklists, only easy raw data departure, vectored ils, GA, and another vectored ils - BY FAR the easiest i have ever seen

2.) interview: mainly questions about cold wx and adverse wx IN RIX SPECIFICALLY.

3.) Psychometric computer tests, 3 hours, the hardest ones I have seen around all the assessments I have been - by far. Use skytest or pilotassessments and go for the „difficult“ preset


day 2:

1.) interview chief pilot: very relaxed, nothing technical, just discussing about your cv and your plans, hopes and dreams. Chief pilot is a very nice person to talk to

2.) psychological interview : 1 hour chat face to face about strengths weaknesses etc etc - the usual stuff

3.) 300 psychological questions on iPad

All in all a nice atmosphere, considering the baltic mentality. The latter made me choose to not go there though.

Good you mentioned the assessment, a useful post for those trying to gather info instead of gossiping in forums.
In my perspective, the most tricky part is the 3 years bond that realistically can't pay if you get a better job offer. With that salary you can barely survive in Riga if you are single, with a family it can be challenging. And you will be stuck in this situation for 3 years hopping the market will still offer opportunities when the bond ends

Originally Posted by menekse

How do you know it is nonsense?
Are you telling us that there are no pilots in ab with previous experience only in Let 410, Beechcraft 1900 and Js31 which do not comply with the initial requirements of CS25, FMS, EFIS aircraft?
Cause @OKSUP was posting that Let410 and Beechcraft1900 pilots were hired cause on their CVs were saying that they feed stray cats or something which was enough to be invited regardless that they didn't meet the entry requirements
Or you are just posting lies like the commuting roster?

You can add to Beech1900 and Let pilots also some pilots hired as DEFO with experience as FI who were not ab academy graduates. Your cynicism makes you sound like a d#%k but otherwise you are right

[chris1311]

Commuting Roster

Regarding some people talking about commuting rosters and other people bashing on them.

I wanted to drop my 2 cents on that

Most Airlines hiring at the moment do not offer a designated COMMUTING contract.

HOWEVER,

Depending where you live, almost all contracts are „commutable“. If you get 4 days off between Rotations for an european Airline and you live in the backcountry of argentina it will most probably not be a commutable contract for you whilst somebody living 6 hours away by car is happily commuting.

Back to Air Baltic and some informations i received during my talk with the chief pilot of AB:

If you get hired as Senior First Officer you may choose between a 5on 4 off 5 on 3 off pattern or a random roster. (5/4/5/3 roster equals 80% part time by the way so there will be less pay)

For me the 5/4/5/3 roster would be perfectly commutable.

If you are NOT SFO, you will be more or less stuck with the random roster due to seniority.

If you stuck to the random roster, then you still have the bidding system so you can bid and get rotations based on your off-day needs. On the flip side: You will most likely be flying the less requested routes - less requested for a reason, presumably….

So if you live in europe, are based on a well connected airport and live close to a well connected airport, i would bet 80% of airlines have a „commutable“ roster….

So maybe not push so hard on people saying that certain airlines have commuting/commutable rosters.

[dirk85]

How in the world is 5/4/5/3 a part time contract? And the standard 100% roster in well established companies.
That is more than enough days on duty to squeeze the maximum hours

[motardos]

Originally Posted by Jabulani

Roster, Roster and Roster, think twice if you want your family to move to Riga, if you have other options, take them.

6 on, 2 off, 6 on, 1 off, 7 on

If you like it like this give it a try, and yes, there are big differences between rosters for locals and others

Does this apply only during summer or it is the same during winter? The annual leave is 20 days?

[motardos]

Originally Posted by uberfly

Pilot market already at bottom for years. 1140 Euros gross is disrespect to this profession. You can simply earn double of this money being bartender or waitress in most of the West European countries. I am not comparing or complaining but just sad about this conditions.

That's for the first 300 hours, at least according to XMV6. After that it is 2815

[motardos]

Originally Posted by dodo14

I would like to ask for advice and opinions from everyone related..
just to let everyone know, I don’t mind paying to fly (pay for my own flying course), I don’t mind relocating to another country.
im interested to apply for cadet pilot for this airline.
Any chances for non-european like me?
if i were accepted into the academy, how it is the life?
Anymore feedback and opinion related to this, i would highly thanks for it.

They don't require a european passport but only a permit. As far as I checked the easiest way to get it is is to get a student visa, Latvian universities are open to non european students. I want to relocate permanently to EU too, but I still haven't take the final decision

[Luray]

Originally Posted by motardos

They don't require a european passport but only a permit. As far as I checked the easiest way to get it is is to get a student visa, Latvian universities are open to non european students. I want to relocate permanently to EU too, but I still haven't take the final decision

I have unrestricted permit to live and work in Latvia. Been selected by AB and passed assessment. After going trough OCC was fired without any explanations two days before sim.
Few days before they kicked me I had a long dialogue with AB security and they pressed me due to my passport that would restrict travel to one of their destinations.

[patituri]

Originally Posted by Luray;[url=tel:[phone]

11541681]I have unrestricted permit to live and work in Latvia. Been selected by AB and passed assessment. After going trough OCC was fired without any explanations two days before sim.
Few days before they kicked me I had a long dialogue with AB security and they pressed me due to my passport that would restrict travel to one of their destinations.

I am sorry that they treated you like that. I hope you didn’t resign your previous airline. You can never be sure why kick someone out, they didn’t hire back some pilots that were flying the A220 for AB till 2020 firings. They had to be assessed again and were failed. Surprisingly, that period some Flight Instructors from ab academy were given an A220 TR and were updated to First Officers without any airline experience. A pilot that later had a runway excursion had his TR in late 2020, after experienced pilots were sent home.
There are some pilots with non EU passports currently flying with ab, that’s why I am telling you that you can never be sure why they kick someone out. They actually did that also to rated pilots with EU passports
I don’t think they mind loosing pilots, for those leaving on their will they get serious money from the bonds

[motardos]

Originally Posted by Luray

I have unrestricted permit to live and work in Latvia. Been selected by AB and passed assessment. After going trough OCC was fired without any explanations two days before sim.
Few days before they kicked me I had a long dialogue with AB security and they pressed me due to my passport that would restrict travel to one of their destinations.

I am sorry for that.
I was motivated after watching videos like this

You Tube