Sorry, spoke to soon. EK is in AKL next week talking to our guys over two days.

Pass on Air India - they like timid hindus....Jet and the other Indian flyers are full of hard drinking Sikhs that enjoy life - you'll be better off with those guys around than the clean cut vegetarian as your co-worker.

-LAFF

Was he based in SEA, and looked like Danny DeVito's balding brother? If so, I hope it works out for him - he's a really good dude and deserves better than what he's ended up with.

Ya spin the wheel & take your chances (Good luck to all of us).

Nope, that wasn't the guy.

Thanks Man.. and for those of us leaving in T-minus 8 weeks, it really doesn't matter either...!

The Kiwis are usually quite fun to fly with any way!

BC

Has anyone run across pilots getting hired with contract companies that have a type, but no actual time in the aircraft? Most of the jobs I see ask for at least 500 in type. I have the opportunity to get a type of choice for a significant discount. Thought it could open up some opportunities. Any advice or suggestions on that one?

This is an excellent question!:rolleyes:

If you are American and are considering a type go with a 737 type to at least give yourself a shot at SWA. Otherwise buying type ratings is pretty useless unless you are European and have a chance for RyanAir, Easyjet or one of the other Euro LCCs.

Please don't take this as my advocating buying a type rating. I think that it is horrible that guys are forced to do it for some of these companies.


TP

I have VA benefits from the military, so it's a use or lose situation. They will pay for 60% of a type at certain sim centers. Out of pocket expense for a 737 or 757 is less that $4k (not including hotel, food, and rental car). So a $5k investment to possibly land a job with a crew lease company doesn't seem too bad... not ideal, but better than flying 1900s in Montana or Kansas on EAS routes :rolleyes:

Don't waste the cash on a 757 rating unless you have a JAR license. Aren't too many companies that want 757 guys without the time. But the 737NG, that's another story. Jobs all over the place. Would possibly get you in the door at SWA or even EASYJet or RyanAir without the JAR license. Another good rating for worldwide stuff is the 320, if you are buying. Would get you in the door, maybe, at some of the US startups.

JMHO,
S1