EK Birdcage

Hi all.. Many Thanks to "Lost" for all the good info.

I am a Captain with AJV (ANA and JP Express)... So if anyone has specific questions about the cargo side, please feel free.. We too are hiring as many as we can...

The main difference between PAX and Cargo with ANA is the schedules. Right now, the most common (99%) schedule every month is 1 trip to the USA (6-8 days) and a couple of Asia turns.. Maybe a BKK overnight.. Most of our guys do 30-50 hours per month..

I am with PARC, and I too have no issues with them.. I have been generally very happy with the job. 99% of the guys I work with are great, and I enjoy going home to the USA every month, rather then living abroad as I did before..

Hope it helps..

BC

de727ups

How can one trip to the USA be six to eight days? Is that typically a long layover?

EK Birdcage

NRT-KIX-ANC 24-56 hours off in ANC
ANC-ORD 48-60 hours off in ORD
ORD-ANC Same
ANC-KIX

Now mind you, these trips change from time to time, and there are currently 2patterns.. Generally, pretty good trips until that last leg back which is a ball-buster..

BC

SKMarz

Does anyone happen to know how many hours ANA wants FOs to have on the 67? I have 9,500 total, but only a couple of hundred on the 767 as I just got typed on it a few months ago. Just curious because on CREWs site it did not specify hours needed. Also, is there a training bond and, if so, how much? Thank you for any information.

seadouble

Hello Birdcage,

Is there still talk of AJV starting a base in Chicago?

Is the 10 days of a month definite or negotiable? Can you adjust it to have more days off in the US and maybe less pay?

How many more AJV captains are they hiring? Is AJV expanding?

Will AJV be expanding to new US cities?

Thanks,

SD

paidtowait

OK,
I see on a few of the contract sites that they (Parc,Crew) are hiring Non typed FO's if you have enough jet experience.
What are the competative mins for FO on cargo.?

EK Birdcage

Hello Gents... Let me try to answer these questions....

About US (Chicago) Bases: Two words my friend "Wet Dream"!!
We approached the company about this 3 months ago and were told that there are no plans for a Chicago base at this time.. We have repeatedly told the contract companies to stop mis-leading potential pilots with this...

Expansion: Let me start by saying that there is a business plan, and then there is reality.. SO, what we are being told is true today... Actually for a Japanese company to even talk about future plans with it's "Employees" is very rare, but we have a great group of Management types at AJV.. Any how here is what we have heard.. We have 5 767s now, and orders for up to 14. Mostly will be converted.. (4 now are new, and one is converted) The delay of the 787 to ANA has caused a delay in getting the 767s to convert.. So not sure about 767 deliveries now.. The company has openly said that they will get 777-F or 747-8Fs in 2011 and 2012.. In the mean time, they want to use an ACMI (Polar, Atlas etc) to operate up to 4 747s until we can get larger planes.. Recent rumor, the JCAB (like the FAA) has denied that request.. So again, we don't know what will happen on that front. The current ANA orders for 777 Pax planes allows for transfer to freighter options, and with the 787 f*ck-up, maybe we could get a few sooner, but who knows... When asked about USA flying on the 767 during the ACMI and in the future, we were told that "The 767 will continue to fly to the USA, but maybe not ORD as that would be serviced by the leased 747s".. So does that mean new US cities, I guess so, but WHO KNOWS.... he he

Not trying to be vague, but rather give you the real picture.. Good news is that we are growing, and most guys are very happy here.. There is a lot of money invested in this thing from a lot of BIG companies in JP so I have good confidence growth will continue..

We also know that ANA is building a large freight sorting facility in Naha (Okinawa) and we will have a pretty big operation out of there in the next 2 years.. That could be pretty fun!!

Schedule: We get 11 days off in a row min every month.. you choose the days, and you get it.. If you want, you can also use up to 2 vacation days per month, or take vacation in blocks.. If you talk to 10 guys you will 10 different schedule ideas, but most are quite happy.. I take 13 per month, and sometimes go back to back, and get home for 26.. Seems to work well for everybody, and keep in mind we have people living all over the world..

To the other guys question about FO time on the plane: You do not need any 767 time to interview here... I good friend of mine just passed the Captain interview with only 737 and A-320 time... Now having said that, Captains do require a type on 737 or 320 or larger, and good PIC time in jets (3000 I think)
FOs is less.. There have been some "Issues" with a couple of Captains that were hired with only CRJ time, so they (ANA) upped the mins, and screwed some good guys out of interviews.. It's their train set right?!

Hope it helps...

Cheers,

BC

LostInAsia

I believe that for FOs the minimums are 3000 total, 1000 jet, and a jet command type rating. I am pretty sure that most everyone hired has more than that though.

Iflyfr8WI

A couple more questions if you dont mind.....

How is the commute to the US? Where do you commute from? How do your wages effect your taxes for US residents? Do you pay any Japan taxes. Are you given a W-2? Are you allowed to rent an apartment without a visa? Or is obtaining a visa a standard practice (even for FOs)?

EK Birdcage

The commute is a no brainer and no problem since you have a choice of a business class ticket arranged and paid by the company; $2,000 or ZED tickets every month.. Some guys still use ZEDs and pocket all of the 2k, but I think most are either buying a ticket or using business class company tickets. I personally buy a coach ticket ( costs less then 2k) and then use miles to upgrade.. Works great.. I commute to the SE, so I am able to fly non-stop if I buy the ticket, rather then using Star Alliance through ORD or IAD which is how the company will send me..

You get a W2 if you work for an American contract company. You dont if you work for a off shore company. You are on a shore pass while in Japan, so neither you or ANA pay Japan taxes.

We typically have too much time off, and thus spend too much time in the USA to qualify as a Expat.. So you pay taxes like anyone else if you live in the states.

In the past, the company has not sponsered visas. I have heard there is one guy that is a trial case, but dont know the details. Many of our guys have apartments, and get through a broker.. Pretty easy I understand. I don't really see the need with AJV since we are not here (Japan) that much, but many guys do it..

Cheers,

BC