I just spoke with my friend at Jet Star and he tells me that they are still on for upgrades out of CHC early in the new year. There are six A320/321's still slated for delivery by April and he says, as far as he's been told, that there will be hiring in February. However, thing's could change fast and perhaps my friend has not heard the latest, but his news is from last week.

On another note, Air NZ is now talking about down training, and very subtly alluding to redundancy if the down training didn't work to shore up numbers; this is from the top, but I'd take it with a grain of salt as they tend to exagerate thing's like that. They denied not only my request for LOA, but that of people on the B744, so if they turned around and laid guy's off I'd say that they would be in a bit of trouble. I'd personally be pretty miffed.

Jetconnect is supposed to be getting NG's from QF mainline, which is good as they constantly cancel flights. They were hiring like mad as people were not sticking around, but their last contract was pretty good and with the current situation the hiring there might not be so slick.

Lucky, you don't need residency to get an NZ licence if that's what you are thinking; not sure but that's kind of what I read in your post. I'd check with Chris regarding getting an interview with no licence. Realistically you might need at least a commercial in your pocket, but maybe not. Tweet is a bit different as he's a known entity, but check anyway. Chris or Margie should get back to you via email.

For Jet Star, yes, at the moment you'd need residence in OZ or a Kiwi passport, NZ residence will not cut it as they employ out of OZ. If Kenny is correct it's a moot point though.

You could always try a commuting contract out of Asia for the time being. . .

 

Checking the news today it looks like Kenny is correct. G. Dixon has announced a freeze in Jet Star's expansion plans. It's easy enough I guess as the B787 delay is turning out to be a good thing for the airlines, but it might also mean the A321's will be delayed for the (S hemisphere) autumn.

My buddy was told last week by the CP that there would be upgrades for CHC in the new year. He asked about LOA and that was the response he got; 'wait around as you're upgrade is likely coming'. But, as of now he's re-checking with fleet to see if that still stands; I think he wants to try a contract in China so needs the LOA. Anyway, I'll post what he gets from Jet Star fleet.

 

Hey guys I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with Pacific Blue in recent days? I wonder if they are interviewing again? I see that there are several of their positions posted on Rishworth Aviations contractor site.

 

Guys... I got an interview with Pacific Blue through Rishworth Aviation in NZ.... they are asking me to do a 737NG Type though. I got pricing at Alteon where they recommend and it is $22k USD... Anyone ever have any luck getting it cheaper in the US and then getting it recognized in NZ? Just trying to save some money.

 

If you take a look at the CAA web site there is a page with the accepted training centres. The cheaper ones are not on there unfortunately.

I've had a few friends go to PacBlue, and I'm pretty sure that all went through Alteon; some in the States and some in Oz.

Say hi to Jack for me. . .

 

Koru... I really just want to go to Air NZ... do you think it would be worth going through all the trouble and cost to get to Pac Blue if I really just want to Air NZ? I am living comfortably here in Texas and can wait my time... although I really want to move to NZ I hate to rush things and then get into the costs of rushing it all...

Any advice?

 

If it were me I'd get myself in the neighbourhood while I could. But that's me. I think PacBlue is probably a pretty good place to be for now, and if you want to get into Air NZ then, to paraphrase Air NZ, being there is everything.

Get down here and get to know some of the people. Air NZ will hire a whack of people in the future, it just won't be this year.

David Morgan is an excellent guy and has spoken to me about trying to source talent from other areas, who of course have the ability to live in NZ and come with the requisite time. As far as I know they are still concerned about their down stream crewing requirements, so keep on them.

I don't think you'd be rushing thing's if this is what you eventually want. I love living in NZ, as a Canadian who doesn't much care for the cold that's an easy one though.

That all said, I do like Texas.

Good luck with it and let me know when you get to Godzone. I'm in AKL for day's off for a about a third of the month, so easy enough to have a beer and a chat.

 

Koru, There you go with all that good advice. Glad to hear that the outlook is promising. Though, in my situation I may have to postpone my arrival a year or two. I have an opportunity to make some excellent $ in short time to help with the the big move.

One question, when the hiring starts again will the upgrade time to FO/Capt improve as well?

Cheers,
Tweet

 

Thanks for the advice. I am inclined to go through with this. Just a little leary of spending $$ for a type rating.

Does Air NZ require you to buy a Type?

I also got an email from JetStar NZ today mentioning that they are hiring as well. I will look into this too.

When I am in AKL I will look you up and we go out for beers and chat.

Cheers,

Ryan

 

Just a question for anybody who may know: If you already have a 737 type does NZ make you go through a full school for the NG, or just differences training?

Joe