Korean Airlines hiring
 

Greetings to Expat KAL pilots, current or past:

I am looking for answers and informed opinions from those in-the-know who have the time and inclination. Any insight would be appreciated.

1. Given the proposed ICAO age-60 standard expected in NOV06, has KAL given any indication that they might raise the hiring age to beyond 60?—any views?

2. What, in general (or as specific as you wish to be) are the terms of the B744 expat captain's contract?

3. How do the days-off and commute-to-base arrangements work out?

4. Are there any hard-and-fast rules regarding back-to-backing of days off?

5. Is this a reasonable place to work in respect of training, flight operations management, flight deck colleagues (smiling faces?), layover hotels, per diems, deadhead travel, family travel, etc.?

6. Safety: How are things in Korean these days? Has there been an improvement over days gone by?

7. Recruiters: What recommendations can you make? I know that everyone and his grandmother recruits for Korean, but do Terms & Conditions vary widely between those offering contracts, or are they much of a muchness? Who would you prefer to work for?—anyone to avoid?

These are broad questions, I realize, but please feel free to provide as much or as little comment as you wish on the above or any other relevant topics, to aid me in decision making.

Thank you in advance.

O& NSB

Most importantly question#7

Steer well clear of IAC Pacific. I believe they steal from their employees. Have been run through the Vanuatu Supreme Court and found guilty of witholding money without lawful excuse. Apart from that they lie, cheat and are generally uncooperative. Several of their former employees have large (10,000+) amounts owed to them with little likelehood of recovery.

#1 Talk of increase (63?) but nothing concrete. Wait until after ICAO and USA decisions. Would anticipate a retention of those over 60 but not a recruiting thereof.

#2 Talk to the better contractors get a draft contract. (I am employed through Cambridge Communications and have no complaints)

#3 Extremely well. Days off start and finish at home. Commute on company time. Days off are normally unmolested once allocated.

#4 Technically a problem , but never seems to be.

#5 Light years ahead of where it was 10 years ago. Per diems a bit light on. Staff /family travel, in my experience excellent, but some have issues.

#6 As previous. Some way to go but light years ahead of past.

Several guys have been here over 10 years. Several others have been here before and returned/are returning for a second dose. Does that say anything?

Try it.

Maui

KAL Hiring
 

Maui:

Thanks for your reply - I will steer clear of IAC.

I had been told that Cambridge Comms Ltd is good; I have a phone number and a name, but no email or web address for them. Can you help?

Anyone have a link for Cambridge Communications????

Thanks

CAMBRIDGE COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED
1 Castle Street, Castletown, Isle of Man IM9 1LF, British Isles
Tel: +44 (0)1624 824 261 Fax: +44 (0)1624 829 261
Email: [email protected]

Hope that helps

captjns

Does anyone know if they are accepting classic captains as direct entry into the -400 or even the 330 or 777??

Unless you are typed on the -400 or 777 I'm afraid not.

KAL Hiring
 

T t B and captjns:

Thanks for the help; I'll drop Cambridge a line.

Has anyone out there had working experience with a KAL recruiting agency, GAP Aviation (out of Texas, I think)?

O& NSB

Please let me make it clear.

I referred to IAC Pacific

IAC Pacific is the company I took to court and IAC Pacific is the company to whom I was contracted at that time.

Glad to be of help

Maui

I am starting to accomplish the preliminaries with GAP. The are arrangin for interviews with captains at the end of October for a November 30 circa class date.

KAL Hiring
 

captjns

Would like to hear what your experience is with GAP as the process proceeds. Good luck.

Maui

No IAC Pacific!

Roger, copy...

Thanks

I have command time on B747-400 and Classic, although I haven't flown the B747 fo 4 years now. Is it worth me paying for an LPC/OPC on the -400 to renew my currrency even though I won't have flown one for nearly 5 years.... or is 5 years perceived by the agencies as just too long ?
I am currently a B757 Captain ..
Many thanks

I.D.

Interesting thread.

Can anyone shed light on the pay.

Do you pay tax in Korea?

Which European bases are ther on the A333?

Any pension, medical and dental plan?

Many Thanks

Payscale

If the contracting company is willing to issue a firm contract than paying for recurrent training on the -400 may be worth the investment.

I have had a couple of telephone conversations with Austin Pickens of GAP. He seems to be a stand up guy. GAP is setting up a interview with KAL for me the end of October for an end of November class date.

I received this about 6 months ago. Hope it helps.

KOREAN AIR
CAPTAINS B747-400

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Bases: LHR / CDG / FRA / AKL / SYD / BNE / LAX / YYZ YVR /JFK / SFO / ORD / ATL / HKG / KUL / BKK
Salary: US$12,000 tax paid per month ($12,160 without insurance) / $8,800 ($8,960) during training. $140 per hour over 75 hrs / month (paid off-shore)

Per Diem: US$2 to US$4 per hr / varies per destination

Days Off: 9 continuous days per month at nominated home
Base / plus commuting days (add 2 days leave = 11 continuous days per month)

Annual Leave: 2 days per month (24 days per annum) / taken monthly or up to 7 days together in any 1 month

Sick leave: 14 days per annum

Travel: Business class to/from home base each month

4 x confirmed economy/subload business class
roundtrip FOC per year for captain/spouse and
children (no upper age limit for captain’s children)

6 x On Line ZED Fare (90%) or 50% (confirmed) on KAL network for captain and family per year

Interline tickets as per KAL employees



Accommodation: Quality hotel accommodation and transport provided in ICN and throughout network.

Insurance: Excellent Loss of Income of GBP£520 per week for up to 2 years (Lloyds of London) paid after 14 days if unable to perform captain’s duties with KAL.

Personal Accident/Life Cover of GBP£52,000

Comprehensive world wide Medical (including Medivac) and Travel Insurance

Joining Bonus: $3,000 paid to captain after successful completion of line training / line check

Korean Tax: Captain’s Korean Tax paid by CCL (Korean tax credits apply in several countries)

Bank Transfer Fees: All bank transfer fees paid by CCL

Annual COL Increase: An annual Cost of Living increase, based on the
US index, will be paid to all captains every year that KAL are profitable (2.7% paid in 2005).

Early Resignation: Korean Air apply a US$15,000 penalty payment as an offset against training costs, to any captain who leaves voluntarily within the first 12 months of service. After the first year, 3 months written notice is required for contract termination.

Thanks a lot. Good info

Payscale :)

Thanks again. Where does one live in Seoul? rented apartment or Hotac on the company?

Where we stay in Korea:
http://incheon.regency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp