Air Baltic information

[q400_driver]

Originally Posted by Daddy Fantastic

Hows AB doing with their DEC on the Q400 with upgrades to A220 within 2 years according to latest adverts?

They are moving along according to seniority. We started this year with about 60 captains on Q400, now about 15 have moved on to CS, so you could say they are moving on rather quickly, in the mean time some FO's are being upgraded to the left seat as well (on Q400)

Originally Posted by Daddy Fantastic

Any scheduling and roster improvements or new bidding system in the pipeline or already active?

BT will not be a fixed roster company, not in the near future at least while there are 3 different types in operation, if that's what you're asking. And yes, the rosters are still not very commuter friendly.
We use jeppesen bidding system and it seems to give people what they want in most cases.

[captplaystation]

Last pilot meeting brought upgraded promise of written guarantee 18months from Q400 line check to A220 Capt , joining as Q400 Capt . . . assuming other criteria are met for total hrs etc , and option of 5 4 5 3 roster. I would say it is as good a time as any to join as Q400 Capt if qualified. https://www.airbaltic.com/pilots/?ut...SAAEgKr_vD_BwE

[captplaystation]

3 737's left at end of 2018, at least 5 of remaining 8 planned to be gone this year, so, I would guess not. There was a course of new 737 Capts towards the end of last year, but I would think that would be enough to cover the permanent guys jumping over to A220.

Better to contact HR Dept direct rather than an agency if you want the real story.

Current 737 Contractors have been offered an option to fly Q400 for 18mths after finishing on Boeing, then onto A220 as Capt. Very few will accept, but, as a longer term offer it is not so bad.

[Jabulani]

My experience with Air Baltic, they lie to you whatever they promise, it will not happen, do not believe anything concerning commuting friendly roster, they do not exist.
Management hates the pilotes, they told them "not to complain and be happy to have a job at all",
Dont fool yourself and sign a contract if you have a family, you will have no chance to see them.
People not living in RIX are always ending with a late duty and start again early.
Expect Max duty and minimum rest. Thats what they do not tell you before you sign a contract.
They will promise you "we are working on 20 on 10 off" but they say that since 2010 already! Do NOT believe it, it will never happen!!!

[captplaystation]

The offer to transition from Q400 to A220 is a written one . And they have decided to offer 5 4 5 3 roster initially to new joiners because there aren't enough of them on the Q400.

They are well aware of the difficulty in attracting and retaining folk, at least they have decided to tackle it.

[Jabulani]

Originally Posted by captplaystation

The offer to transition from Q400 to A220 is a written one . And they have decided to offer 5 4 5 3 roster initially to new joiners because there aren't enough of them on the Q400.

They are well aware of the difficulty in attracting and retaining folk, at least they have decided to tackle it.

Sorry, but they are not aware of the difficulty in attracting people. Some poor fools will sign that contract and quickly find out that the promised roster "is in progress but not active yet". You can see the roster in earlier posts, I made the same experience. Complaining about rosters like 6/2/6/1/7 made it even worse. Fatigue Risk Management exists only on the paper, they tell people "make sure that you have enough sleep we will not change the roster, its legal". Expect to work up to 7 days with a change from early to late, night and back to late check-in.
Totally different rosters for the local guys of course.

[Intrance]

Have been told the same by friends working there, that it seems to be just another scheme to get people in, but that the actual rosters are quite terrible. I trust these people more than I'd trust the recruitment promises, so just be a bit wary would be my advice to people considering it. Get everything on paper.

[Jabulani]

Todays new job opening for F/O on Dash reads like this:

Conditions for the job application:

• The successful candidates should be self-motivated, committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility, and willing to relocate to Baltic States for the contract duration period

No further questions about commuting options for new crew members.....

[captplaystation]

That is because they don't, and never had, difficulty attracting FO's. The commuting offer was for new Q400 Commanders , as is the A220 offer, to get them in the door.

Dash FO's, if they stay the course, can anticipate Dash Command, followed by the same A220 offer after 18mths LHS on the Crash8 .

[Cptnimma]

Any idea whether the 5/4, 5/3 is mentioned in the work contract and what the plan is with that when people move to the A220?

[captplaystation]

I would anticipate not, it will merely be an option on the Jepp bidding, open , initially, only to new entrants on LHS on Dash.

I would imagine, unless it becomes available to all, unlikely, as we are told it uses more resources, that the option will vanish concurrent with your time on the Dash, but the above is merely my speculation on both points.

[dodo14]

Applying for Cadet Pilot

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.

[Jabulani]

What do you expect from a company in which the management tells the pilots "not to complain and be happy to have a job at all".....

[trancada]

Can you feel confident to apply for DEC Q400, even if you have plenty of hours on AIRBUS 320 as F/O?

[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.

[thatscool]

Guys,

I am expecting an interview in 2 weeks, would You advise me what to expect?

Any ideas about what kind of technical querstions are they asking?

Thanks for any hint in advance!

[AERO75]

Originally Posted by thatscool

Guys,

I am expecting an interview in 2 weeks, would You advise me what to expect?

Any ideas about what kind of technical querstions are they asking?

Thanks for any hint in advance!

Assessment was a real nice experience for me. Expect two days, technichal questions were fair and should not be a problem if prepared. People at air baltic and Riga really nice. Simulator a bit challenging, but manageable. Expect raw data hold, Ils, Ga, Eng fail, Vor/Dme approach.
After this short interviews.
Got result shortly after (think there was also a short) skype interview. Personally I really liked the atmosphere and the people. Due to changed circumstances, I decided to turn down the offer. Good Luck.

[Jabulani]

Good decision, you could not believe a single word of all the things they promise you. Expect up to 7 days in a row and single off days. Do not plan any vacation, you will not know if its approved until 2 days before it starts, if you have a family do not expect to see them because you will end late on your last day and start early on your first day after the usual two days off, it will kill your social life.

[Flyer007]

Originally Posted by Jabulani

Good decision, you could not believe a single word of all the things they promise you. Expect up to 7 days in a row and single off days. Do not plan any vacation, you will not know if its approved until 2 days before it starts, if you have a family do not expect to see them because you will end late on your last day and start early on your first day after the usual two days off, it will kill your social life.

To Jabulany:

Would you stop spreading here your anger please, just because you have not got something that you expected or the things that you never been promised. All of your comments is an obvious emotions , and nothing else , just misleading information
Airbaltic is not the best, but definitely is not the worst company indeed, overall it is a decent company with decent people . If it does not suit you, or your expectations simply just leave it and find the one that you would like to work for...

[Hape]

Selection Process and Preparation

Dear Colleagues,

I have an invitation vor the first Step of the recruiting process with airBaltic.
Iˋd like to prepare myself to these stepps...what/ where is the best way to do this?
There is a quite bit off different companies which offer the prep support.
Do you have any hints or experience for me?
The Stepps are.:

1. Online „Tripod IQ Test“ (how to prepare since there are different types of IQ tests)
2. HR. And Tech questions (Maybe sample questions to judge how deep in ATPL questions i have to Jump)
3. Sim Session...which Sim and what to expect?
4. Psych. what to expect and how to prepare
5. I red something about an „Skype Interview“...

Appreciate your feedbacks and thanks in advance.
Best Regards Hape