Norwegian Long Haul
 

What is happening at Nowegian Long Haul? Several friends have applied but heard nothing. Have they paused recruitment for some reason?

NLH is feeling the heat from US airline labor unions protesting its "dubious" Norway/Ireland legal structure and pilot hiring practices... Probably put a damper on expansion plans into the US market... Aircraft acquisition talks with Boeing (more 787-9s) have been suspended. Lots of questions.

Last i heard we had around 90 pilots awaiting 787 training, recent delays to the delivery schedule and tech issues have reduced the number of training sectors available, hence the use of the 787 on short haul routes this past month.

US labor unions, especially pilot unions have a tendency to be "paper tigers", they make a lot of noise, but to no avail. :ugh:

I wouldn't say that - the AA union got the Kingston 737 captain reinstated without even a loss in seniority!

It all comes down to whether the US authorities decide where the most money lies: the revenue of US airlines without the Norwegian competition or the Boeing sales to Norwegian. They'll protect whichever will gain the most money. Law has little to do with it.

Yes, U.S. labor unions are not paper tigers, they are very connected politically and are very experienced and willing lobbyists.

It's just a shame powerful airline unions don't exist in Europe.

Aluminium shuffler
 

I'm inclined to agree with you on this, but it looks like a close call, I gather Norwegian have hired lobbyist to push their case in the US. My own view is that it's slightly positive that the application (route licence) under open skies has not yet been rejected. I suspect that this is a legal minefield, if they reject an operator who holds a EU state AOC then i suspect there will be a big question mark over whether the AOC should have been issued at all? simply rejecting the application because union or airline pressure on both sides of the Atlantic will not be sufficient.

There is no question about safety or indeed quality, the use of crews based out of Bangkok & Thai cabin crew is easily resolved and that seems to be the core issue, many airlines use overseas based cabin crew in part because of the logistics of off days plus language skills.

I would think the DoT are keen to find a way out on this that does not involve saying NO to Norwegian, but at the same time addresses the unions concerns, the easiest way given that Norwegian now has US based cabin crew is to ensure that only US or EU based nationals operate these services, pilots are a bigger problem in part because they would need to hold an EASA licence to fly on a EU AOC so hiring a few Americans might not be a quick fix.

Of course if the USA was a little more liberated on foreign ownership rights then Norwegian could set up a US subsidiary company.

+ large in service fleet of Boeing aircraft, firm orders for MAX are 100 +100 options, firm orders for 787 are now around 17 current NG fleet is 88 with a sizeable number to come before the MAX in 2017.

+excellent product reviews despite all the 787 reliability issues

+ Irish AOC, rejecting the application will be akin to saying to Ireland that your a flag of connivence


- Complicated business structure
- Thai cabin crew or non EU cabin crew
- Bangkok based pilots who are EU national or EASA licence holders

Count down is on for LGW US flights

LNIDA, I think it could go either way, but have no more information than I read on here. I think it all comes down to who has the greatest influence with the authorities; the US airlines saying no or Boeing saying yes. AS I said, the law will have little to do with the decision, but will be manipulated to justify the decision - NLH have the EI AOC, so they meet the legislative requirements and under Open Skies, have to be let in. Then again, as you point out, the IAA could be accused of being a flag of convenience and safety concerns used to justify a refusal. Like you say, it'd be a diplomatic issue, but frankly I don't think the IAA will have much clout. And one has to wonder why so many Italian, Spanish and even Russian airlines are jumping onto the EI register if it isn't making their life easier and cheaper for regulatory, compliance and operational issues...

Looks like they are trying to open a base in JFK :

Company : OSM Aviation
Contract type : Full Time
Aircraft type : Boeing 787
Job location : NEW YORK
Job published date : 2014-05-23
Job expiry date : 2014-05-31
Monthly salary :
Back to view jobs
Job Description
The Long Haul Revolution Continues! OSM Aviation is seeking Captains and First Officers for Norwegian’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners based out of JFK.

Minimum Requirements Captains:
• JAA/EASA License
• EASA class 1 medical
• US citizenship or US Green Card
• 5000 hours total time
• 2000 PIC hours on any Boeing aircraft
• 500 hours on B777, B767 or B747-400
• Current B777, B767/B757, B747-400 or B737 type rating
• Under 61 years old at date of application
• Non type rated B777/787 pilots need to provide a training
cost bond for three years, decreasing by 1/3 each year

Click here to apply and see the original job posting!

Contact :
Website : www.osm.no
Phone : NONE
Fax : NONE

Kind of interesting that they still want the EASA license but US based. Not too many US pilots with heavy. Boeing time with European licenses. A few, I suppose, but not very many.

www.osm.no OSM MARITIME GROUP now with OSM AVIATION...

This is where Björn Kjös comes from, and he needs to be stopped.

As for the Irish CAA, never trust an Irishman (personal experience).

Stop them now,!
 

Alum Sflr
So you think the aa Kingston cpt deserves a second chance.
You are wrong , he and his company needs serious retraining.!
With regards to Nørdwegian et al. : Stop them at all cost.
United We Stand.

BluSdUp, that's not what I said at all. I suggest you have a skim through the Kingston thread if you think I agree with how things turned out. I merely said on here that I disagree with the comment that the US unions are paper tigers; they appear to have a lot more bite than the EU unions

787 Bangkok
 

Does anyone has tax information about the 787 bangkok bases job and what they earn net?
I noticed that some bangkok based pilots live in Europe and start their duty in Scandi instead of Bangkok.
But, if you do this, will you still be paying tax in Thailand? Or do you need to pay the tax in the country you actually live in?

I think the answer to that question is somewhat more lengthy than can be answered within these forums.

There are as many options as there are different permutations of personal circumstances.

You may either be guided by a good accountant on how to stay legal, or by "bush knowledge" on "alternative methods of compliance (or not)".

FR_A, I suspect the situation will be worse for tax than in FR, which is where I guess you are comparing to at the moment, because the EU has a single taxation agreement that I suspect doesn't apply to Thailand. SO, being based in Bangkok, but living in Cork, you'd be liable for you home social charges and, if the Irish tax system is like the UK's, then income taxes too (though probably at a reduced rate). That's why commuting contracts are not as good as the initial salary looks - they're often in USD, which is currently low against the Euro or Sterling, and even though so many of them are tax fee in the ME or Asia, you will still be liable for EU taxes unless you move out there.

thanks for the info!

Just for information, with the Chinese contracts the advertised salary is net. Your company pays 40% tax for you and you get a tax paid certificate. There is a double tax agreement, with the UK anyway, and China. It leaves you,legally, just national insurance to pay.

ARKPILOT,

So you think the US unions are paper tigers. How would you like it if someone tried to take away your job? I happen to work as a pilot for Southwest Airlines and our union is pulling out all the stops. This is war! and I will be damned if I or any other US airline pilot will allow the likes of Norwegian Air into the USA.

Vladmrlennin,

I completely understand where your coming from. If only we showed a little more of this attitude here in Europe we wouldn't be in the disgusting mess we're in now.

Lets face it people Mr Kjos made his name in screwing the Merchant Navy, of which I have connections. He's doing exactly the same with aviation now. He is manipulating the open skies agreement. Smiling assassin.

Suggestion. Perhaps he should just employ European cabin crew and pilots on full time, legit contracts and stop taking the pi**. I wonder how much $$$ he's spending on us lobbyists and commercials?

Just because civil aviation is turning into a virus here in Europe,
Dont expect our American brothers and sisters to accept it.