Unpaid leave - wait it out or go East
 

Hi there,

Fairly new S/H Captain with a legacy carrier (last 40% of the seniority list), currently on unpaid leave.
Seems like hard times will follow, as the company was struggling before COVID-19.
No idea as for when I’ll be called back.
We have a young family and we don’t want to move.
Financially we are OK and can survive for over a year with me not working.
Seems like there are opportunities for L/H Non Type Rated f/o positions in the Far East on a commutable basis and some few DEC S/H positions (most require more PIC time on type than what I have).
I would probably hate commuting and the new employer is likely to require a bond agreement.
Mind you, I will probably return to my current employer the minute they call me.
Any advice?
Go East for a while or wait it out?

April fools come early? :E

Not entirely, if you look at the job boards.
They reply as well.

By the time you have applied, you passed the selection, passed the medical, they stamped your paperwork, you completed the typerating, the local authorities approved your license, passed line training, found suitable acco for the fam, paid and arranged international schools for the young ones, hopefully your current employer has putt you back online. Assuming you are from Europe / UK let’s hope short haul ops at least are starting at least by July.

might not be a bad thing to get your paperwork in though.

My bad, I did not look. Due to the reasons provided by S.G. above, I chose to wait until my employer make up their mind. Thought at the moment travel ban and 14 days quarantine on both sides make commuting rather troublesome.

Genuinely curious, which east you had in mind? Since on second thought, one can imagine a savvy businessman fishing for quality applicants who may become desperate.


Fingers crossed for everyone,

Thanks guys.
As for who is recruiting right now, there are a couple of agencies recruiting for big and smaller
players in Taiwan, Japan and India.

Agencies will give your as much rubbish as you want. Extremely unlikely anybody is hiring right now. Any positive feedback from airlines, not agencies?

Very little chance of starting anywhere in the Far East these days, even pilots whom completed their type ratings late Feb are stuck in their home countries due to the travel ban and the bat-eaters are not amused when you can't start your training on time. Stay put and ride out the storm..

This is spot on, thanks guys 👍

Guys in europe/us who have limited experience flying as expats have an interesting look at these (until a couple of months ago existing) jobs in Asia.
These companies are not exactly losing sleep hoping an expat pilot applies. Yes the hire(d) expats but to get the job it takes a lot of work, motivation and commitment. Even after this, more than a few fail or simply can’t cope.
Just to say it is NOT something to take lightly and be ready to go back home “the minute they call you”.
As it’s been said, not that you have any decisions to make anyway.
Best of luck to you, and to all of us!

This is affecting everyone globally. Why would you think there are jobs over that part of the world? Every airline I know of in the Far East is enforcing unpaid leave with huge uncertainty as to who will remain after this is over - just like every other country in the world. My best guess - several small time airlines will be absorbed by the bigger players and as a result, most companies will reduce contract conditions because the environment will once again favour the employer (just at a time when we all thought the pilots may enter a period of leverage with all the proposed expansions). If you look at the mainland Chinese carriers, they placed expat pilots on unpaid leave first (understandably so) - but if you think you'll have some semblance of stability uprooting your family to work as an expat in this part of the world then I urge you to think again.

If you are fortunate enough to last on unpaid leave for a year then I really don't see what your concern is. Expat packages are not what they used to be - but costs are!

I’d ignore the job adverts - the ones for the usual contenders would still be up there if a meteorite destroyed the earth , they seem to be standing orders.

Good inputs, guys.
I’m unfamiliar with this market (both geographically and going the “agencies route“).

Many operators these says also require applicants to provide a certificate from previous employer stating you are no longer employed and have no right for return. I think anyone employing now would be a little wary of committing time and resources into pilots and have them leave as soon as things return to normal.

@ 60N

The job market evaporated in early March.

Any current job advertisements were probably pre-paid which is why they are still published. The jobs being advertised no longer exist.

One would have thought so, but surprisingly I received almost instant responses, inviting me to continue with the process.
screening for June were mentioned.
As much as I find it interesting I chose not to continue that route for now.

You need to differentiate between an airline, agency, middle-man, and online dating service. For some it is logical and essential to keep advertising and replying, which should not come as a surprise.

South America being east of Australia for instance, I am still curious which East you had in mind, i.e. type of jobs you got responses from.

Let me guess:

Air Japan via Rishworth, EVA air via Rishworth and Vietjet via Rishworth.

My guess is that the first two will be quite awash with US and Taiwanese nationals respectively, who'd not see returning to mainland China as an option. The observation about agencies in Dimitri's post #7 applies of course.

The OP actually geo-located a bit up the thread, sorry for missing that.

There are no jobs in Asia , not sure why these unscrupulous Agencies advertise them, as with Europe they have nowhere to fly plus the Chinese carriers have 100s of foreigners waiting to return.