Originally Posted by zen krempie (Post 11514451)

the Baltic based Mafias

Originally Posted by twentyfivehundred220 (Post 11509446)

I understand you will follow me anywhere. If you ever tried to get a job at airbaltic - too bad the unsuccessful assesment left such a huge impact to your ego. But hey - you wouldn't like flying here anyway, so maybe the company was right in not hiring for any position whatsoever.

Originally Posted by motardos (Post 11518775)

Is there a chance to get Tampere base in Finland without asking it? Is the salary the same for Tampere base?

Originally Posted by 45989 (Post 11500959)

Trustworthy?
I am not an insider but can't be a coincidence that in this forum there are negative feedbacks for every single airline in the Baltics, Heston, Getjet, Airbaltic, Smartlynx, Avion Express

Originally Posted by menekse (Post 11520445)

I saw an advert for Xfly, they ask 200hr TT and a type rating on CRJ
What's the catch there, do they ask to pay an overpriced TR to hire you? I think they are based in Estonia

Originally Posted by menekse (Post 11520445)

I saw an advert for Xfly, they ask 200hr TT and a type rating on CRJ
What's the catch there, do they ask to pay an overpriced TR to hire you? I think they are based in Estonia

Originally Posted by patituri (Post 11520953)

At least CRJ is a more popular TR, it worth to pay a bit more to land a better job offer later like Vista Jet which offers a commuting roster
Some AirBaltic F/O left the company after a few months of employment and they paid the bond for a TR which is not helpful

Originally Posted by batushka (Post 11516129)

I don't know if the people you attack with your different accounts had an assessment. I can speak for my case. When I was assessed I had more than 2000 hours on an proper CS 25 airliner with FMS and EFIS . That time market was still bad so I booked a sim session for a DA42 sim in Germany before the assessment. It didn't help at all. The assessment was full of tricks. Non standard ones. For the record I had a successful assessment few years ago and another one few months ago.
Describe please your assessment to see if we had the same one. Don't spare the details, it will make the difference. Because I believe that you, and people like you, had a special treatment. That special treatment was the reason to invite you at the first place despite you didn't meet the entry requirements. With your other accounts you admit that Let410, Beechcraft 1900, Js31, piston trainers, pilots were hired. These aircrafts are not CS25, FMS as per the requirements. Another user, wrote that he was fired just before the TR to be replaced with someone of your kind.
A failed assessments is not a big deal. I feel lucky that I was failed and got a better job later. What is annoying is to invite people that will be failed in favor of others who managed to be invited without meeting the requirements and would be hired no matter what. More annoying is to have here a person of that breed making lectures. With multiple accounts, something which reflects the fraudy ways you use

Originally Posted by twentyfivehundred220 (Post 11526764)

But why have you decided that I am using different accounts? A220 is my first type, so I actually had to google Let410, Beechcraft 1900, Js31 to understand your reference.
airBaltic is my first company, coming straight from their Pilot Academy, I'm relatively new to the industry, company and A220, so I just stumbled upon this forum and saw ppl talking nonsense about the company that I like a lot. It's got its flaws, but I mean, MAFIA? I think last year alone they've hired around 150(?) new pilots, and to believe they're all "friends" of someone in the office creating multiple accounts - that's quite a serious conspiracy.
Anyway - no offense to anyone, I hope you're really loving your jobs wherever you work.

Originally Posted by Intrance;[url=tel:11526415

11526415[/url]]Xfly pay (significantly) less than airBaltic, are in significant financial trouble and the CRJ is a bit of a dying breed in Europe. There are probably more A220s flying around Europe than CRJs. At Vista you would still need a new rating for pretty much everything in their fleet except the old CL850s.

If you want a helpful TR, get an A320 or B737 rating. Don't pay for a CRJ rating.

Originally Posted by twentyfivehundred220 (Post 11503096)

I've been flying at airBaltic for more than a year and I really enjoy a lot of parts of it, so here's a bit of an extended version of my experience:

In the realm of crew planning, BT has a diverse range of destinations, from nearby cities to far-flung gems like Dubai and the Canary Islands. It's like picking from a buffet every month when bidding for flight, but of course - you will not fly all of your favourite flights every day. The rule is to satisfy 60-70% of each pilots wishes, and for me works out pretty well. The more contentious thing our wet lease-out operations in Oslo, Düsseldorf, Zurich, and our very own base stations in Tampere, Tallinn and Vilnius. Many of our pilots choose to commute directly to these stations from their homes across Europe. I was just flying as a safety pilot for a new SFO's first line training flights - a very experienced captain from Finland, he said he will not even consider renting in Riga - he will commute to outstations. So it’s really up to you to pick your lifestyle and roster

Treatment colleagues, general mood:
Regardless of anything, those who are dissatisfied tend to be more vocal, while those who genuinely enjoy their experiences often prefer the tranquility of cruising at FL360, while sipping their coffee :) Which is a good thing, I guess, hence the reason this forum might lean toward negative opinions as a result. However, when it comes to life at our airline, BT, I'd like to emphasize that for me it's, in fact, quite pleasant. Communication here is transparent and flows both vertically and horizontally. The Chief Pilot's office is always open, encouraging an open dialogue. Adhering to standardised procedures, training, and simulator sessions is like a must in the company, so basically all are treated equally, and to be honest, for me this consistency makes it very transparent and comprehensible. In the mean time you ahve to know your stuff, be prepared, study, etc. Then again, any form of rude or aggressive behavior, whether directed towards cabin crew, operations, or colleagues is totally rejected. In my experience, I've seen cases where a few pilots were exceptionally rude or disrespectful, and the airline responded (in my opinion) appropriately. We have a lot of young captains who’ve been at airBaltic for several years, so the mood in the cockpit is the mood you choose to set :)

The CP upgrade is not just a claim, if you apply as an SFO you will have a chance to upgrade soon. Just do the math yourself - BT will have 50 aircraft soon, that means roughly around 250 captains, now we maybe have around 190 (+/- 10), AND they are working summer schedules of 80-90BH already. The other thing is - the Chief pilots have been very open about not wanting “Direct entry” Captains on the A220. So going through the SFO option basically is the fast track.

Apologies for the lengthy essay, but I wanted to provide a more balanced perspective amidst the prevailing negative sentiments, because I really like airBaltic from a lot pf perspective, and I think a lot of colleagues would agree.

Ad good luck with your assessment!

Originally Posted by XMV6 (Post 11532191)

Those figures are token from Airbaltic. Its a very good salary.

https://pilotcareer.org/index.php/wiki/air-baltic/First Officer:

€ 49.200 – 58.800 / year gross
Based on 80h / month and experience First Officers can expect a net salary of € 4.000 – 5.500 / month.
During the inital 300h the pay is € 1.200 net / month.

Captain:

€ 112.800 – 130.800 / year gross
Based on 80h / month and experience Captains can expect a net salary of € 7.000 – 8.000 / month.

Originally Posted by XMV6 (Post 11532446)

FO 2815 and Cpt 4600 ? Sorry, but I don't believe....

Originally Posted by uberfly (Post 11533162)

I dont agree on this. I lived there and I am regularly going there since 2008. It is definitely cheaper than any western EU nation such as Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and France. I never come up with anything twice expensive than western EU. Only utilities can be more expensive since it is much colder than many other countries. Rent is definitely one of the difference which is much cheaper than Western EU. Just to give some idea you can always use this site to compare.

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-livin...urg&city2=Riga

Originally Posted by XMV6 (Post 11533280)

ok, and what is income-tax in Latvia from gross salary ?

Originally Posted by XMV6 (Post 11532191)

During the inital 300h the pay is € 1.200 net / month.

Originally Posted by Luray (Post 11532749)

Expect to pay 1 to 1.5k with utilities for a simple furnished flat and 500 for food. Few years ago utility bills were 400-700 a month during winter. Riga is expensive. Food and medicine can be twice of what you pay in some western EU countries.

Originally Posted by lekker92 (Post 11533313)

Rent prices around city centre is well above 1000 for furnitured apartment. Maybe is a bit cheaper in Jugla or Imanta but who wants to live there? Cigarettes are more expensive in Latvia than in Germany or Switzerland. Grocery prices are higher than in Germany for the most of the products
Maybe you will get some decent prices in central market but you need to speak Russian. Yes, Russian, more than 30% of the population is Russian. Gas is more expensive than in Germany. Almost everywhere in Riga parking is regulated. Especially zones A and B are super expensive. Dinner for two is around 80 euros unless you go to Lido. Local girls never reach for their wallet
Long story short, from the 2815 euros,by the end of the month you will have 100-200 euros left in your account

Originally Posted by Luray (Post 11533378)

This sounds more realistic. Prices skyrocketed after they replaced Lats with Euro. I remember in 2009 I rented fancy studio flat in the center of old Riga for 150 lats and payed extra 20 for utilities. Beer was around 50 santimes (60 cents) in almost any bar. You could eat at Lido for less than 4 lats including drinks. City was crowded with tourists and it was a lot of fun.
Now if you walk around old Riga it looks like ghost town. No tourists no locals. Just endless lines of abandoned souvenir shops and restaurants. Lots of bums and junkies around central station. You can still find a bunk in a dorm for 300e around Moskovsky district but you'll need a car and secure parking after midnight as this neighborhood is not safe. Bear in mind that AB will not pay parking at Riga airport for FO's. But its ok, if you are an instagram pilot supported by parents you'll make it just fine.

Originally Posted by twentyfivehundred220 (Post 11526764)

But why have you decided that I am using different accounts? A220 is my first type, so I actually had to google Let410, Beechcraft 1900, Js31 to understand your reference.
airBaltic is my first company, coming straight from their Pilot Academy, I'm relatively new to the industry, company and A220, so I just stumbled upon this forum and saw ppl talking nonsense about the company that I like a lot. It's got its flaws, but I mean, MAFIA? I think last year alone they've hired around 150(?) new pilots, and to believe they're all "friends" of someone in the office creating multiple accounts - that's quite a serious conspiracy.
Anyway - no offense to anyone, I hope you're really loving your jobs wherever you work.

Originally Posted by lekker92 (Post 11532218)

First officer basic salary is 2815 and captains is 4600

Originally Posted by chris1311 (Post 11539063)

I attended the assessment and the numbers you state match with what I have been told by the chief pilot during the interview so i would not expect more ;-)

In case anyone is interested about DEFO Assessment:

2 Days in RIX (they offer cheap AB tickets and hotel rates)

day 1

1.)sim screen, da42 fix base, 15 minutes, all in rix, easy wx, no failures, no briefings or checklists, only easy raw data departure, vectored ils, GA, and another vectored ils - BY FAR the easiest i have ever seen

2.) interview: mainly questions about cold wx and adverse wx IN RIX SPECIFICALLY.

3.) Psychometric computer tests, 3 hours, the hardest ones I have seen around all the assessments I have been - by far. Use skytest or pilotassessments and go for the „difficult“ preset


day 2:

1.) interview chief pilot: very relaxed, nothing technical, just discussing about your cv and your plans, hopes and dreams. Chief pilot is a very nice person to talk to

2.) psychological interview : 1 hour chat face to face about strengths weaknesses etc etc - the usual stuff

3.) 300 psychological questions on iPad

All in all a nice atmosphere, considering the baltic mentality. The latter made me choose to not go there though.

Originally Posted by menekse (Post 11538989)

How do you know it is nonsense?
Are you telling us that there are no pilots in ab with previous experience only in Let 410, Beechcraft 1900 and Js31 which do not comply with the initial requirements of CS25, FMS, EFIS aircraft?
Cause @OKSUP was posting that Let410 and Beechcraft1900 pilots were hired cause on their CVs were saying that they feed stray cats or something which was enough to be invited regardless that they didn't meet the entry requirements
Or you are just posting lies like the commuting roster?

Originally Posted by Jabulani (Post 10516849)

Roster, Roster and Roster, think twice if you want your family to move to Riga, if you have other options, take them.

6 on, 2 off, 6 on, 1 off, 7 on

If you like it like this give it a try, and yes, there are big differences between rosters for locals and others

Originally Posted by uberfly (Post 10407527)

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.

Originally Posted by dodo14 (Post 10393164)

Originally Posted by motardos (Post 11541358)

They don't require a european passport but only a permit. As far as I checked the easiest way to get it is is to get a student visa, Latvian universities are open to non european students. I want to relocate permanently to EU too, but I still haven't take the final decision

Originally Posted by Luray;[url=tel:11541681

11541681]I have unrestricted permit to live and work in Latvia. Been selected by AB and passed assessment. After going trough OCC was fired without any explanations two days before sim.
Few days before they kicked me I had a long dialogue with AB security and they pressed me due to my passport that would restrict travel to one of their destinations.

Originally Posted by Luray (Post 11541681)

I have unrestricted permit to live and work in Latvia. Been selected by AB and passed assessment. After going trough OCC was fired without any explanations two days before sim.
Few days before they kicked me I had a long dialogue with AB security and they pressed me due to my passport that would restrict travel to one of their destinations.