PrivatAir
 

Hi guys,

First question,

Have an invite from PrivatAir to conduct first step of the recruitment process next week, which is a psychological test. Anyone know what type of test this is, is it similar to a DLR/compass testing?

Second question,

They are looking to hire pilots with Switzerland contracts meaning we have to pay our taxes in the country, anyone know how big the taxation rate is for non Swiss workers?

Where will you be living?

Not up to date but the old system was pay as you earn until you have a permit C or earn more than X...
Federal tax plus cantonal tax plus village/city tax. Depending where you live the differential was around 20% depending on the latter.
We had to pay church tax but if your village didn't have a church of your denomination then you could get a refund.( won't tell you where a mate spent the refund!)
Paid roughly 1/3rd in deductions in comparison to 1/2 in the UK.

The psychological/aptitude test is similar to DLR but much easier. It starts with logical thinking, maths, symbols, memory, all that kind. But never as extensive as DLR (or Swiss).

You will also have an interview with two senior captains.

Thanks guys, they are talking about bases in either Brazzaville or Pointe Noire in Congo with possible transfer in the future to europe base 737NG OPS if crew needed.

Check out this tax calculator for tax rates.

http://en.comparis.ch/steuern/steuervergleich/default.aspx

As you are not living in Switzerland I guess you need to find out where you will be taxed within Switzerland to determine what you pay. Tax varies from canton to canton, and even town to town. I would guess you will be taxed where the company has it's HQ??

Tax in Switzerland is not in bands like the Uk. It is increasing rate vs income graph.

Are the Privatair BBJ crews still flying a total of 4-5 scheduled routes for LH? What other airlines? Do the BBJs also get some ad-hoc charter to break-up the monotony a bit?

I've heard they start a new VIP contract in Africa, that's why they are recruiting.

If you declare yourself an atheist you don´t need to pay the church taxes

Maybe cheaper to pay Swiss Church taxes than a witch doctor though ? :ooh:

Hey guys,

does anybody knows, when the course for the FO´s at Privatair is supposed to start and any news about the T and C´s also in regard of Homebase (Africa??)

PTI
 

If you work the Lufthansa flights you can expect 4-5 flights a month. If you get a rotation in Brazzaville you might end up with 3-4 flights, as the Africa rotations sometimes get unexpectedly extended.
Good luck to you.

HI, do you know if they are opening an initial training course for the cabin crew soon?

HI there, do they take DEC's any more 737-NG, ? or are those days gone, thanks.

I guess if you get hired by Privatair now as a BBJ FO, you could upgrade to Captain in a few years on the Bombardier CS100. Looks like they will fly it across the pond from LCY if current plans hold:



PrivatAir (Geneva) has placed a firm order for five Bombardier CS100 airliners and has taken options on an additional five CS100 aircraft.
Based on the list price for the CS100 aircraft, the firm order contract is valued at approximately $309 million US, and could increase to $636 million US if the five options are exercised.

PrivatAir was founded more than 30 years ago and operates a large fleet of commercial and business aircraft to provide private charter and private airline services. Its specialized services include exclusively business class flights on behalf of several major network airlines. As a superb example of the versatility of the world’s only all-new aircraft in its segment, the CSeries aircraft acquired by PrivatAir will be delivered in an all-business class configuration.


http://worldairlinenews.files.wordpr...rlrw.jpg?w=606

Oh, are PrivatAir planning to operate out of LCY as well? Who for? Thank you for any info :-)

The "rumour" is that Privatair will support an LCY-based startup or fly it themselves using CS100s on premium service and challenge BA.

Here is the original story about the startup from December (again, not fully sure if Privatair will support the startup or offer the service itself):



New airline plans London-NY link

December 20 2011 at 10:44am


Bankers may be languishing in popularity polls but a new airline wants their business and is prepared to challenge British Airways for it once the financial crisis is over.

A British venture called Odyssey Airlines hopes to start non-stop all-business class flights from London City to New York and other locations using 10 newly-ordered Bombardier CSeries passenger jets, aviation industry sources told Reuters.

The disclosure lifts a mystery surrounding the identity of one of the buyers for a Canadian jet which aims to break into a market long dominated by Airbus and Boeing.

Train and plane maker Bombardier said in June it had sold two sets of 10 aircraft to customers that preferred to stay anonymous, one of which was an “unidentified European buyer” and the other was an already established airline. Bombardier declined any further comment.

The start-up directly targets BA which offers twice-daily all-business flights using Airbus A318 aircraft from London City, a small business airport near the capital's financial district which can handle only moderately-sized jetliners.

The idea is to capture demand for bankers and other professionals for transatlantic travel without a time-consuming journey across the capital to London's congested Heathrow. Using the future CSeries jet would also eliminate the need for a fuel stop in Ireland when travelling westbound to New York.

The new airline may hope to entice executive travellers away from other business jet schemes such as NetJets.

But its path is strewn with potential hazards and previous failures.
Several all-business airlines have been killed off by high costs and the difficulty niche airlines face in matching benefits offered by big players. US-based Maxjets filed for bankruptcy in 2007 and UK-based Silverjet collapsed in 2008.

“It is difficult for small companies to make money in this type of market. Business travellers usually belong to frequent flyer schemes and loyalty programmes are difficult to crack,” said John Feren, executive vice president of US lessor Aviation Capital Group, owned by insurer Pacific Life.
Analysts say that to succeed, new entrants into business travel must have an alliance with a major airline.

Even then, the number of previous casualties suggests the margin for error is small.

“If you find a niche that looks attractive, it just takes two seconds for somebody to come in like a freight train and usurp the market,” said Ray Neidl, Senior Aerospace and Airlines Analyst, Maxim Group investment bank in New York.

“It is a tough environment because of high oil prices, tight capital markets and all of the consolidation which has made the competition stronger.”


NON-STOP FLIGHTS

Odyssey Airlines is keeping a low profile, as is common for new entrants in the cut-throat travel industry, but at least two web addresses - www.odysseyairlines.com and www.odyair.com - have been reserved for “Future Odyssey Airlines International”.

The company was incorporated in the UK in September 2010 and its main director is Adam Scott, according to public UK records.

When contacted via an email address hosted on the company's web domain, a person identifying himself as Adam Scott replied from a personal account and denied all links with the project.

Reached later by telephone he denied any links with the airline industry and said he could not explain how he had received email via Odyssey Airlines' web domain.

A former Air France executive said to have been involved in the project also denied any involvement.

None of the sources agreed to be named because the project has yet to be launched. The CSeries is a major bet too for Bombardier. Its decision to enter the $100 billion-a-year jet market partially prompted Airbus and Boeing to revamp their best-selling narrowbody jets.

Bombardier's firm orders since then have been somewhat sluggish with 133 confirmed sales, a tenth of the combined total of the revamped alternatives. Industry analysts monitor the types of buyer on the backlog as well as the number of orders.

The CSeries is due to enter service in late 2013 and Odyssey would not be likely to start operations before 2014 or 2015, hoping Canada's new jet will change the competitive landscape.

Built from new lightweight materials, the CSeries aircraft could be attractive because it would be able to cross the Atlantic in one hop when carrying a small load of passengers.

When travelling westbound, BA's twice-daily flights have to stop in Ireland to refuel. That is because the A318, the smallest member of the Airbus fleet, lacks enough range to make the whole trip against prevailing headwinds. - Reuters

What's the latest with hiring at Privatair? Three questions:

1. Are all newhires getting shipped to the African operation or will some fly the European-based flights? Does Privatair hire for specific bases or can you pick your initial base?

2. Where have Privatair been sourcing their recent newhires? I have heard that a number of ex-Ryanair drivers have been hired (obviously the 737NG type and experience helps).

3. Lastly, do Privatair use the BBJs for adhoc charter work anymore or are they singularly focused on scheduled flying?

Cheers - PMs also welcome.

I am aware that some ex-FR drivers that the company 'disposed' off due to an ID issue :ugh: are flying for PrivatAir in the Congo. That's all I know of.

Looks like a 757 is 'going down' to Congo as well...

Photos: Boeing 757-236 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

Hello.
Somebody of you know about the overall condition in Congo?
Kind of activity,Flights,accomodation etc. .
Thank you

I hear a few e-mails were sent out by privatair today.......http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...s/confused.gif

Selections
 

Hey Guys,

had a mail about 1 week ago telling me i will be invited for an interview in the near future and the question to update my hours etc. Did any of you receive a similar e-mail and if so, do you already have a date set for the interview?

All the best!

Itv june
 

I have an interview in the beginning of June for a FO position on the 737 classic (Brazzaville)... Any tips or info?

Stay in barajas jetboy!!

Not trying to flame anyone or be disrespectful, but why would flying out of the Congo be appealing to anyone? Sounds dangerous to me - but I haven't been there. Perhaps some would view it as adventurous... I guess if you have no job (many Euro airlines have collapsed recently) or if you need experience on type (737), this opportunity could work for you.

Can anyone describe the positives (beyond adding 737 flight time) of flying for Privatair out of Brazzaville? Does the position offer great pay and safe accomodations?

Please enlighten us!!!!! :confused::confused::confused: Good luck to anyone in the process!

Africa is not for everyone. I wouldn't do it unless I was with my back against the wall.

Some guys swear it was the best experience of their life. I don't doubt their word. But it takes a certain type of person to flourish over there.

If you read through the advert you will see that all your AL is included in the 13 OFF as well..

Privatair Update Please
 

I am in need of some updated information. Questions for the Privatair pilots out there (or others in the know):

1. Given that the current fleet includes 6 BBJs (2 700s and 4 800s) on the scheduled side as well as 1 757 and 1 767-300 (if I am correct), are pilots typically hired into the BBJs are potentially promoted from within (i.e., from BBJ to eventually 757/767)? Or could a typed pilot be hired directly to the 757/767 if a spot open up?

2. Are pilots currently only being sourced for the Congo/African operation or are newhire pilots also assigned to the LH and Gulf Air routes?

3. With several new airplanes arriving over the next 4-5 years including the C-Series and 2 VIP 787s, is it likely that the C-Series Captain slots and the 787 slots will be offered internally vs. direct hires? Just trying to understand pilot expectations - so, if you are a BBJ FO, do you expect an opportunity to move to the 767 or even the 787 if a spot opens?

4. For those pilots flying the scheduled BBJ flights for LH and Gulf Air, how are the rosters/schedules? Not surprising, but seems like a lot of night flying - how many days off in a month on average for those pilots?

5. Lastly, do the BBJs fly any ad hoc charter? Or are they all accounted for on the scheduled side of the business? I assume the 767 flies charter.

Thank you for any updates. It is a very interesting operation and the addition of new aircraft like the C-Series and the VIP 787 should provide some good opportunities for pilots I would think. :ok::}

Base can not be chosen, for now only Brazaville available.
No senioritylist, so upgrade is a questionmark for all F/O.
757 for Brazaville is delayed until... still no slots confirmed and plane is not ready (seats etc).
Changing type is very rare; charter and VIP is almost not existing.

Company has major issues with taxes from what I understood; possible fraud accusations for the German part of the company (same management in reality)

Must be pretty desperate to consider; better options out there I would say.

Info comes from inside source.

i have some good friends working there and they all looking around for a new job. all i hear that it is not the same privatair as it used to be since latzis the greek pulled out himself, the company is in continuous dive.
every career step is connected with worst salary, working and tax conditions. the salary steps, benefits and the pilot grading system is far behind being transparent and fair. they lost all swiss and dutch leasing contracts. they still fly for lufthansa on second class and undesired routes but the big question is for how long?
some pilots flying in brazavile for ec air reporting health wise risky environment and substandard accommodations.
IMO it's wiser to start and invest energy in another company.
try sunexpress or some other b737 operators which are more stable, promising and transparent.
if you still like to try your luck with privatair make sure to ask the salary steps and approx. german tax amount in case they would force you to fly the german tailed aircraft which qualifies you to german tax.

Mashed Potatoes

No, The Germans can not oblige you to pay tax in Germany if your day to day base is not in Germany. European new rule. before you paid taxes in the country of the main office of your Airline.

Despegue, the new European Law is about SOCIAL SECURITY and has nothing to do with taxes. Taxes are as per double tax treaty between Germany and your country of residence.

Hey guys,

so I just found this thread and I think there are some things to be clarified,
cause when I read this all here, I think lots of stuff is just hearing saying and made up.
So first of all, things are not perfect in Privatair!
BUT, for my opinion, its still a good company!
In the last 2 years for my knowledge 3 Captains and 4 FO´s resigned. Thats it.
If this is a lot or not, everybody can decide by himself. There were some tax issues with some collegues, but if you can blame the company for that or your own tax advisor is also a different story.
Don´t get me wrong, I am not defending Privatair, but I am just saying, there are always 2 points of view.
Fact is that Privatar lost a couple of contracts and for now, they operate mainly for Lufthansa and ECAir. 1 BBJ goes to the middle east for another contract from spring 2013.
Privatair upgraded 8 First officers last year. Next January there will be 2-4 more and there will be a quite high demand for rated FO´s on the 737 and 757 coming up, as ECair is expanding quite a lot.
After like half a year flying in Congo, some FO´s got the chance just now to swap back to Europe, but actually only a couple took the offer, as the rest liked the operation down there a lot.
Saying this, I don´t think there are too many airlines in Europe right now hiring FO´s for a decent salary + there have never been lay offs in Privatairs history.

What's the latest news with Privatair? I appreciated Kestrell's post above but looking for any hiring news for 2013. Some questions:

- Will Privatair be hiring in the near term? Will all newhires therefore go to the Congo or will there be slots available in Europe?

- Has the fleet changed much? Is Privatair adding/removing airplanes in the near term (excludes the upcoming C-Series order)?

- What are the pilot domiciles (including in the Congo) today? In Europe, do pilots need to live in base or can they commute?

- Do Privatair still operate worldwide ad-hoc charter using the BBJs? Or do they only fly scheduled service now?

- Lastly, when is the Bombardier C-Series operation expected to start? Any news about that operation - still on track?


PMs also welcome. Cheers

Hello Iver,
here some answers, hope it helps:

- Will Privatair be hiring in the near term? Will all newhires therefore go to the Congo or will there be slots available in Europe?

For my knowledge only a handful FO´s will take the offer to go back to FRA from Congo. That means, they will hire some FO´s for Congo and some for FRA, when and how many no clue. But I guess in the next 3 months.. And to say it again, there is a reason, why only a handful FO´s go back as BZV is not too bad

- Has the fleet changed much? Is Privatair adding/removing airplanes in the near term (excludes the upcoming C-Series order)?
Fleet is for the moment: 3 BBJ2, 1 BBJ1, 2B737-300 and 1B767, 2B757, Guess the B737-300 and B757 fleet will grow
- What are the pilot domiciles (including in the Congo) today? In Europe, do pilots need to live in base or can they commute?
In Europe Pilots can live where they want.

- Do Privatair still operate worldwide ad-hoc charter using the BBJs? Or do they only fly scheduled service now?
Yes, they do

- Lastly, when is the Bombardier C-Series operation expected to start? Any news about that operation - still on track?
No news, 5 Firm orders and 5 Options

Hope that helps a bit ;-)

:)
 

I would like to apply to them but can't fill in the online app as I don't have a type rating with the required hours. Does anybody know if they ever would consider low hours pilots & to whom could I send my cv?

@cessnagirl-I have a rake of hours on the 737NG and cant get in trying for the last year so maybe that gives you an idea on wether they will take low hour cadet

DEC opportunities
 

Anyone with a clue about Private hiring DECs for any type or base? Current NG driver with 2k pic and some hours on B757, too, looking for cummuting type ops... cheers