Typhoon, koru and anyone else...Contract questions!
07-05-2008, 06:29 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: Kaliwa
Posts: 9
Typhoon, koru and anyone else...Contract questions!
I am unable to PM yet (under 25 threads). Currently I am looking at contract work and I have some questions:
1) After the contract I notice some companies give you a bonus if you continue to work for them...with the contract completed does this mean you must renegotiate health benefits, housing (if any), commuting benefits...or do they normally continue as initiated...
2) Do they normally ask for passport and license to be sent prior to interview? (thanks skyone..im still weary on this one)
3) After the contract...do the companies normally like to keep you working for them (will they find other contracts for us)?
4) Are there possibilities of skipping the middleman (contract company) and working directly for the airline to get the full amount?
1) After the contract I notice some companies give you a bonus if you continue to work for them...with the contract completed does this mean you must renegotiate health benefits, housing (if any), commuting benefits...or do they normally continue as initiated...
2) Do they normally ask for passport and license to be sent prior to interview? (thanks skyone..im still weary on this one)
3) After the contract...do the companies normally like to keep you working for them (will they find other contracts for us)?
4) Are there possibilities of skipping the middleman (contract company) and working directly for the airline to get the full amount?
07-05-2008, 09:37 AM
#2
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: left A330
Posts: 24
I am in contract world for about 15 months now. Few questions I have for you. What kind of airplane are you on currently and how much time do you have, PIC most important. 90% of the time you cannot skip the middle man. As far as your 1st question. Its a bonus for competing the contract not continuing to work. If they need you they will let the middle man know and they will take it from there. Contract pilots do not deal with the Airline directly. It will be written on the contract any way.
2nd question.you will need to send copies of your Passport, Licences and also the last 2 or 4 pages of the logbook.Also last PC check, picture is requested some times.
3rd question. I think I answered it at the beggining.
Any other questions you might have go ahead and ask. keep in mind that every contract is different and also everyone might get a different deal than others even on the same contract. There are alot of factors determing your contract rules. I think one of the major factor is PIC time on type. Specially if you are a TRE ot TRI.
2nd question.you will need to send copies of your Passport, Licences and also the last 2 or 4 pages of the logbook.Also last PC check, picture is requested some times.
3rd question. I think I answered it at the beggining.
Any other questions you might have go ahead and ask. keep in mind that every contract is different and also everyone might get a different deal than others even on the same contract. There are alot of factors determing your contract rules. I think one of the major factor is PIC time on type. Specially if you are a TRE ot TRI.
07-05-2008, 04:38 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: Contract purgatory
Posts: 701
I'm heading to a contract that is direct in the near future. I looked at a couple that would have been through contract agencies but at the end of the day this one tweaked my interest the most; so they are out there (direct contracts). Also, I needed a commute that was reasonable as my wife still flies out of our home town.
Of course EK, EY Qatar etc. are all direct contracts. Bellview, who I spoke to briefly about a job, out of Nigeria are also direct. I flew for DHL out of Bahrain and that was direct and a reasonable contract, just lousy management at the time. Apparently a bit better now but some of the oldest equipment out there as far as contracts go, and very dangerous comparatively.
Do you get to NRT with your current job. That is the easiest place to ask people about contract companies as there will be a mixture of WASINC, PARC, Hawaiian at one of three local pubs pretty much every night. I've spoken with a few and Hawaiian comes out on top as far as I can see.
Rishworth has some decent contracts but they have some problems that others don't appear to have. Some of the younger contract managers do not know a thing about aviation or airplanes and this causes problems. That is from personal experience.
Daretoaviate asked the question that I'd ask; what are you on now and how much jet time do you have? Also, do you have heavy long haul? Do you want to commute or are you happy with living in the country of the operator (depending on the country of course). There are a number of good TP jobs out there paying very well at the moment; would you consider that?
Of course EK, EY Qatar etc. are all direct contracts. Bellview, who I spoke to briefly about a job, out of Nigeria are also direct. I flew for DHL out of Bahrain and that was direct and a reasonable contract, just lousy management at the time. Apparently a bit better now but some of the oldest equipment out there as far as contracts go, and very dangerous comparatively.
Do you get to NRT with your current job. That is the easiest place to ask people about contract companies as there will be a mixture of WASINC, PARC, Hawaiian at one of three local pubs pretty much every night. I've spoken with a few and Hawaiian comes out on top as far as I can see.
Rishworth has some decent contracts but they have some problems that others don't appear to have. Some of the younger contract managers do not know a thing about aviation or airplanes and this causes problems. That is from personal experience.
Daretoaviate asked the question that I'd ask; what are you on now and how much jet time do you have? Also, do you have heavy long haul? Do you want to commute or are you happy with living in the country of the operator (depending on the country of course). There are a number of good TP jobs out there paying very well at the moment; would you consider that?
07-07-2008, 10:27 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: Student Pilot
Posts: 849
Originally Posted by KoruPilot
There are a number of good TP jobs out there paying very well at the moment; would you consider that?
I currently have 1000 TP time and wouldnt mind jumping overseas if it paid better.
07-11-2008, 10:41 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: Contract purgatory
Posts: 701
I did not go to the interview (with KAL) as I ended up with a job that I was quite satisfied with before it happened. Up to that point the recruiter was excellent however (Austin Pickens); I was going through an American operation.
I have heard as of late, from KAL pilots who commute, that they are very happy with the place. None, however, are FO's. I read with interest the story published by an American chap who had a rather rough time of it. To be fair, after his first paragraph I could have told you he wouldn't get hired. There are times that you will simply have to grow a thick skin and suck it up if you want the job.
We in the west, I have noticed, seem to have no problem doing that when we're on the flight deck or in the sim with a western examiner/check airman, but just can't handle it when the same type of useless %^$# is a foreigner.
It's their train set mate. Do the job, nod a lot, find some common ground (something, frankly, that many western pilots I have witnessed just can't be bothered with), don't let anyone kill you. You'll be just fine. Otherwise, if one works for United, Air Canada etc. one is likely to get screwed by guy's who should be in prison.
It's not for everybody, the expat pilot lifestyle, but some of us love it. I personally prefer it. I have always managed to get along very well with my cohorts, whether they be Arabs, Asians or otherwise.
As a note, I have noticed that this forum (foreign) has grown somewhat since I last was able to look this past week. Good for everyone who is considering the move and think about this; What do you think the bosses at the big N American carriers are going to sell next to keep their bonuses coming? My guess would be slots out of Heathrow, Shanghai, Tokyo etc. along with some cherry routes. Venture a guess as to who's going to buy them? Better yet, take a look at the order books of the buyers, and the for sale signs at United et all. Is it just me, or is the writing on the wall.
Bugger.
I have heard as of late, from KAL pilots who commute, that they are very happy with the place. None, however, are FO's. I read with interest the story published by an American chap who had a rather rough time of it. To be fair, after his first paragraph I could have told you he wouldn't get hired. There are times that you will simply have to grow a thick skin and suck it up if you want the job.
We in the west, I have noticed, seem to have no problem doing that when we're on the flight deck or in the sim with a western examiner/check airman, but just can't handle it when the same type of useless %^$# is a foreigner.
It's their train set mate. Do the job, nod a lot, find some common ground (something, frankly, that many western pilots I have witnessed just can't be bothered with), don't let anyone kill you. You'll be just fine. Otherwise, if one works for United, Air Canada etc. one is likely to get screwed by guy's who should be in prison.
It's not for everybody, the expat pilot lifestyle, but some of us love it. I personally prefer it. I have always managed to get along very well with my cohorts, whether they be Arabs, Asians or otherwise.
As a note, I have noticed that this forum (foreign) has grown somewhat since I last was able to look this past week. Good for everyone who is considering the move and think about this; What do you think the bosses at the big N American carriers are going to sell next to keep their bonuses coming? My guess would be slots out of Heathrow, Shanghai, Tokyo etc. along with some cherry routes. Venture a guess as to who's going to buy them? Better yet, take a look at the order books of the buyers, and the for sale signs at United et all. Is it just me, or is the writing on the wall.
Bugger.
07-12-2008, 03:27 PM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: Contract purgatory
Posts: 701
I showed up with less than that required time, but as I showed up I got the job.
I know that doing that is not so easy for everyone, I'm just saying that if you can then it will improve your chances immensely. Had I not shown up on the door step I am sure that I would not have had so much as a phone call.
I know that doing that is not so easy for everyone, I'm just saying that if you can then it will improve your chances immensely. Had I not shown up on the door step I am sure that I would not have had so much as a phone call.
