f9brian

I'm starting this thread since Asiana is starting to hire and maybe we can get people interested in Asiana or anyone there at Asiana that can answer questions. I am starting ground school there in October and would like any info about the details of the company and the do's and dont's of the company and what living in Korea is like.

JetMonkey

Don't know anything about Asiana, tell us what you know. Did you go contract? If so, with who, terms? Or did you get hired straight with them. What are the mins, what equip, starting pay, do they allow commuting? etc...

Good luck!

f9brian

I went through Rishworth, but Parc offers as well. They want 5000 total jet and only 500 PIC for the 320. No commuting, made it clear during the screening that this is a Seoul based contract. It's actually near the Gimpo airport which is 45 mins. from Seoul. Nice enough area, from the 5 days I was there. They provide a 2-3 bedroom apt. not too far from the airport. Request the info from Rishworth or Parc. I know of 7 guys going there in Sept. for screenings and they are also looking for 747 FO's. Let me know if you need anything else.

f9brian

cactusmike

I was hired for that contract (737 Captain) back in 1994. I wound up not going but I spent an enjoyable week in Seoul going though the process.

If it is like it was back then you will fly unproductive pairings and you will only get the 8 days off they promise you. In Asia you have to be at work. You don't have to work hard, you just have to put in the "face" time. You will fly with F/Os who will try to kill you by doing strange things with the aircraft. One Captain I talked with said he has to take the aircraft away from the F/Os on a regular basis and that was because he let the F/Os fly. Most other Captains didn't let them fly. Now I am sure that in the almost 15 years since then the standards have gone up. But the rote learning is still there and God forbid you get a surprise out on the line. Linear thinking is the norm.

Let us know how it goes. I would like to think that things have improved in the last decade and a half. BTW, back then my contract was to be with PARC, the salary was 6800/month with the apartment, 1500/month per diem and 250/month transportation allowance (all in US dollars). What is it now?

f9brian

Hey Cactus Mike. Wow that didn't sound fun! Hopefully they have changed, although I don't know of any US guys on the Airbus. I'm hoping to meet some via this board. I was very impressed with the whole process; they seemed professional, reputable and seemed to be organized. I know a few years back they all went on strike for 2 months, and maybe there's some bad feelings from that. I've only managed to talk with a 777 US guy flying for Asiana, and he likes it, but he's got a 2 on/ 2 off. They still have the 8 days but every other month is 8 consecutive days off. After 6 months you get 2 1/2 vacation days which you can add to the beginning or end of the 8 consecutive days. Right now the plan is for the wife and kids to stay in the States until the kids get out school. They'll fly out (Asiana gives you 8 positive space tickets and 18 ID90/year), so hopefully we can see each other every other month. Then they'll stay over the summer and we'll see how it goes. I did get a chance to look at 3 different schedules, and it didn't look bad. I mean it's only 8 days off, but you're back at base most of the time. There's a few 4 leg days, but most are out and back. Looked like about 3-4 ron's a month. Pay is the same from Rishworth + Apt. and then Asiana pays another $3500 for allowances and then 300-400 per diem. It totals around $11K. What are you doing now? Are you in the States?

JetMonkey

Well, if there not doing any commuting contracts then that takes me out. Thanks for the replys anyway.

Good luck.

cactusmike

Brian - I stayed at America West (now US Airways) but I am looking to move on. Good luck with the move. I think it will be fine and you will have an enjoyable time, it's just that the culture is so different than the States and you must adapt to that. Memorize the profiles, fly the way they want you to and you will succeed. That is what I have been told by those who are expats.

The out and backs are what is crazy about the schedule. I would rather have 4 leg days and get 5 or more hours per day than do two 1 hour legs, which is what they had on the 737. I want to get my 20 hours or so per week done in 3 or 4 days, not 5. But that is not the way they see it so that's what you have. The consecutive days is a plus, I think they have had to adapt the schedule to the market. There are far more guys willing to fly a commuter style contract than an in-country contract. It does sound like Asiana has made some positive changes. Good luck and keep us posted.

f9brian

Figured out who you worked for after I pressed submit Cactus Mike! Just did a PHX turn and am in DFW for the night. As we were taxiing to 25R my FO commented on what a raw deal you're getting from your counterparts. Anyways, best of luck to you. I'll keep posting on here to give others info on Asiana before and during my move over there. Asiana's screening a few of the F9 guys next month, so I think if enough of us get over there, maybe we can talk them into some sort of trip trading or something. Thanks for the post!

f9brian

Nothing more to add, except it's down to 5 F9 guys going next week for screening. My sim partner at my screening last month just got an Oct. 21st start date for ground school, same as mine. Heard they are looking for 20 expat A320 Captains and are having a hard time getting them, probably because of the living in Seoul. I don't understand why not though. It's a nice city, great living accomadations, and it's safe. Great place to bring the family. I guess being 1/2 Korean, I feel comfortable there. Anyways, it's a great contract, I feel. Hopefully more US guys head over and test the waters.

cactusmike

Good luck, Brian.