Just in the mail (mind you I check it twice a month).

2 X 744 SO
4 X 777 SO
4 X 767 SO

All courses start Monday 20th of August. Advertised for external applicants (new hires) only so there will be about four ticked off A320 FO's who won't get their dozer seat on the 777.

 

Hey Koru,

Back home safe and sound although a bit jet lagged. Looks like I'm a day late on this one. I will be coming back down to finish my license conversion...Mayfly has given me some info...no big advantage going to Aus...will try to get my NZ Comm. (checkride required) then continue to work on converting the ATP as Margie mentioned. Hope all is well there.

Cheers,
JD

 

Bummer. I thought Mayfly was on to something. I also thought that I heard Margie mention something about having just a multi-IFR comm and it being OK. Next time I run into Chris I will ask him just to make sure. That requirement certainly isn't in the published mins, and I don't see why your other time would not more than make up for the lack of written passes.

Supposedly, the hiring will taper off for now and you'll be in good steed for the next bunch at the end of '08. . . Would be nice to see you on board now of course. Frankly speaking, I don't know how they are going to crew the expansion come Oct/Nov. The 744 is currently understaffed with P getting few day's off between 10-12 day TOD's. Were averageing over 90 a month on the 777, and that's after we gave the LAX-LHR leg back to the 744, so come YVR, extra PVG's and extra HKG's in our spring. . . I really wonder.

At any rate, looking forward to seeing you down these parts again. Let us know when eh.

 

That's what Karen and I heard as well... Commercial would be okay as long as I was working towards the ATPL conversion. The commercial will still require me to come down for a checkride though.

Thanks for everything,

JD

 

Well, perhaps best to clarify it with Mr. Kreschbaum then; he'll be the guy in the know about what is really required.

Cioa Mate

 

How long do you remain a SO right now. I have a NZ Commercial (got it in Gore and Invercargill at the RNZAC) and Passport and have been flying the 747 in the US.

 

It depends on what month it is and what side of the bed the GM Intn'l woke up on.

It looks better than the last push which started about five years ago, and at that time it was 3-5 years to right seat long haul or left seat 737. That said, your guess is as good as mine. By far most of the pilots on the 744 and many on the 777 are pretty grey in both seats. I would expect five years to be about right, and maybe ten to the left of a heavy, if, and it's a big if, guy's start to retire and we grow the way they say we are going to.

That all said, at the end of the day I make as much as a training captain on the NG at Pac Blue, and we stay in nicer hotels.

 

Koru,

You are spot on there...after the things you mentioned...I'd stay as a SO as long as it takes...LOL

Cheers,
JD

 

the latest

1 X A320 FO
4 X B737 CA
4 X B737 FO (new hire)

Yesterday Air NZ anounced an order for 4 B777-300's (starting 2010) with 3 options which they intend to firm up. These are meant to replace the B747's on the AKL-LAX-LHR route, however as they are oversold for much of the year I am curious about that one.

Talk about firming up 16 B787's as well. WHo knows, I might make captain before I retire.

 

Koru,

How old are you now? At a company like that I would not mind sitting as FO forever.