All SO positions are HKG based. I have heard of guys commuting but it would be difficult on your body. Every once in a while I see an SO on a freighter trip but it is'nt the norm. That being said, the SO job is pretty good if you don't mind not flying for a couple years. We have several early 30's 777 and A330 Captains that started as an SO. Your seniority starts from day one so the years as SO count toward the expected upgrade of around 13 years on the pax fleet.

Recently we have also had a lot of guys that came on as SO and after a year or two transferred to FO on the freighter. I know two personally that have done that.

ANA would look at you for the right seat.. They have now started an upgrade program for the FOs and are trying to recruit as many as possible..

Pros: Descent money, and postivie space business class home every month to anywhere in the world.

Cons: Training takes longer then having a baby, (including the conception) and is equally as painful!!

If you have any specific questions, I am happy to answer!

Koru, your depth of information never ceases to amaze me!! Kudos man!

Cheers,

BC
Captain B767
ANA Cargo (AJV)

Do they still at least require the applicants to have a "Valid Jet Aircraft Command Rating on the ATPL" to apply?

I believe they do.. FWIW, you can pick up a 737 rating pretty cheap if you don't have anything else.. It's a good rating to have in my opinion...

Cheers,

BC

EK Birdcage,

Thanks for the words mate, back at ya. . . and, would you mind terribly confirming the 'real' requirements for AJX/ANA/NCA etc.

Here is why:

I spoke with a chap, Bruce in fact, at HACS about a year and a half ago when I thought that I might be made redundant (B767 cruise pilot). He said that I would need 1000 hours jet before they would hire me, on top of the command type rating (I have a couple on heavy jet's but no command on them), but that I could get the interview pretty much when I wanted, I'd just need the boxes ticked to start. Also, even though they have to have us command type rated in NZ for the CAA, we are officially titled 'Second Officers' by the company for pay reason's that I'd rather not get into. At other airlines we'd be cruise FO's, at Air India we'd be fully fledged FO's, but Bruce told me that the Japanese wanted a piece of paper saying that I was a First Officer. My company's online log book that has my time logged as copilot did not count.

Sorry for being a bit verbose, but it seemed complicated at the time and knowing what the program is now would be of interest.

Koru:

Are the B744 type ratings at NCA and Jade PIC or SIC for right seat guys? I was under the impression that the US is the only country to offer SIC types.

Sorry for the thread hijack!

Skyward80

How about non-flying jobs overseas ?? I'm retired and have been offered (2) FO positions at 2 Regionals. I only have 550 TT (85 ME) so its regional flying or nothing and after reading about the QOL at the regionals, I'm re-thinking the flying part and looking into dispatching or similar. I want to travel, kids are grown, but if overseas, would want a gig where I could come home occasionally. Any suggestions ??

Skyward,

When I did my licence conversion to the FAA I did the 747 classic rating as it was not much more that a Seneca as far as doing the ATPL. At the time there was no SIC rating in the States, and as far as I see it now the SIC rating is only for FAA operations. All other countries, including my new home New Zealand, give you full command type rating's for either seat. The Japanese specify a " command type rating" for their programs.

If I was an American looking to get a type rating I'd get myself a full command ticket. It is likely that there is almost no difference in the standard, but perhaps it is easier on the airlines for the currency/re-currency as far as cost.

Koru,

About your question regarding the mins within the ANA (AJX and AJV) 767 operations.. I did not realize it, but our mins for Captain have gone up to include 3000PIC and PIC time on "At least B737 or AB320 family".. Rumor has it there have been some issues with people coming off smaller airplanes.. Seems a bit strange to me, but it's their train set! As far as I know, the FO mins are the same, and the big push is now for new FOs as they want to upgrade from within.. We are all very pleased with that theory, whether or not it will work and they will get guys is yet to be seen!!

On a different note, I understand KAL is now taking 777 guys who are current Captain on the 757/767.. Do you what the REALISTIC mins required to look into that position??

Hope you are well!!

BC

As I understand it they are kind of lowish, but I'd have to ask around. The guy from ICC has contacted a friend of mine who is with PacBlue on the 737NG regarding the same position, but then it turned into the 73NG for KAL instead. He wants to get going on the big stuff so turned it down. My buddy has just over 1000 command on the NG, with maybe 2500 total jet. The rest is SA227.

I don't get it (low mins)as I understand KAL is now a pretty decent place to work. As a matter of fact, if they started hiring for the 777 right seat (they only currently hire for the right seat of the 744) I'd not turn down an interview. In the past KAL has been the place not to go, but they are making life very easy for commuters and they pay Korean tax, which means my tax bill would be rather light with the agreement the NZ gov't has with the Koreans.

It might be that they are favoring westerners as the english is easier to understand than other english as a second language pilots; who I'm sure are great, but might pose a problem when trying to communicate in an english as a second language environment. Just a theory.

I did speak with a guy at Rishworth that I know pretty well regarding the Korean deal. He said that they were starting to upgrade their contract FO's now, so it looked pretty good. They also have quite hefty orders, so that could be part of it.

If you go down that road please do me a favor and keep in touch eh.