Avianca
06-15-2009, 04:34 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: A350
Posts: 193
IN COLOMBIA there is a saying = IT is easier to get into heaven than to get into AVIANCA. I was there for 1 year in 1986. Captains get a lot of respect, they had a clause in the pilot contract that stated their sons had a hiring preference, that was why some guys in my class only had 250 hours mostly cessna 150 time. For the most part you needed a recomendation from some one that worked there to get in. The pay is low compared to USA or europe, but cost of living in colombia is LOW, and AV gives you a lot of bennies, like home loans etc. I was on the 727, so I am sure much has changed...but they didn't cut any corners and besides....colombian women are GORGEOUS!!!!
06-15-2009, 07:02 AM
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 45
Reply to Avianca MD-83 Plt
I am by all means telling exactly as it was when I worked for them several years ago. I never once said that I was American and that Avianca hired Americans. The person inquiring is not American either. I gave a process list exactly as I remember it and what I experienced personally when I was there. I married an American woman, got some hours in Avianca and moved to the states to fly. I am a major airline pilot here now, thanks to Avianca where I got some of the best flying experience around. I was also specific in stating that things might have changed in the process now. I know Avianca has changed quite a bit since I've been there because I stay in contact with some of my friends.
I am by all means telling exactly as it was when I worked for them several years ago. I never once said that I was American and that Avianca hired Americans. The person inquiring is not American either. I gave a process list exactly as I remember it and what I experienced personally when I was there. I married an American woman, got some hours in Avianca and moved to the states to fly. I am a major airline pilot here now, thanks to Avianca where I got some of the best flying experience around. I was also specific in stating that things might have changed in the process now. I know Avianca has changed quite a bit since I've been there because I stay in contact with some of my friends.
Last edited by LMEN; 06-15-2009 at 07:04 AM. Reason: Added Reply to Avianca MD-83 Plt
06-15-2009, 07:22 AM
#13
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 45
Reply to Astrojet
You put it exactly as I remember it. I was one of those that got in with low time. You state the truth as far as pay. It is super low in comparison with US Airlines, but cost of living in Colombia is low. So it corresponds. You can live like a king there with the kind of pay they get and Avianca provided us with everything. I never really had extra expenses to worry about. Exactly what I experienced.
LMEN
You put it exactly as I remember it. I was one of those that got in with low time. You state the truth as far as pay. It is super low in comparison with US Airlines, but cost of living in Colombia is low. So it corresponds. You can live like a king there with the kind of pay they get and Avianca provided us with everything. I never really had extra expenses to worry about. Exactly what I experienced.
LMEN
Last edited by LMEN; 06-15-2009 at 07:23 AM. Reason: Added period.
06-15-2009, 09:18 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: A350
Posts: 193
Like at any airline there is the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY.....avmd80plt makes it sound like ALL roses...and that is probably not true...AV has a history of poor CRM...and infamous for the 707 in JFK, the 747 in MAD, and a few 727's. the pilot union has ALOT to be desired....and for several reasons MANY AV pilots have quit to come work at US-based airlines or Emirates like A...I also work at a legacy and have run into 4 ex-av pilots....I have heard COPA will hire USA pilots...mostly ex-continental...737typed.
06-15-2009, 10:33 AM
#16
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 45
Reply to Astrojet:
You put it nicely. Poor CRM is an understatement. It's almost non-existent in Avianca because the captains are highly controlling. But you said it the way it is. That's why I am where I am. It was a great place to build my time and I will forever hold wonderful memories. Right now it's a great place for all these guys with dual citizenship that just got laid off their legacies. I hope they find something.
You put it nicely. Poor CRM is an understatement. It's almost non-existent in Avianca because the captains are highly controlling. But you said it the way it is. That's why I am where I am. It was a great place to build my time and I will forever hold wonderful memories. Right now it's a great place for all these guys with dual citizenship that just got laid off their legacies. I hope they find something.
06-15-2009, 10:39 AM
#17
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 45
Reply to Stoki:
Interesting. Thanks for sharing that information. It's probably necessary now with all the things going on the world and Colombia being one of the most unstable countries. I resigned the day after one of our Fokker 50's got hijacked and all the passengers were taken. My wife and I returned for the states. I had several friends on that flight. But there is a reason they take these extra measures now, I would guess.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing that information. It's probably necessary now with all the things going on the world and Colombia being one of the most unstable countries. I resigned the day after one of our Fokker 50's got hijacked and all the passengers were taken. My wife and I returned for the states. I had several friends on that flight. But there is a reason they take these extra measures now, I would guess.
08-08-2009, 11:39 AM
#18
New Hire
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: EMB-145 FO
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by AviancaMD83Plt
I typically do not join sites but read this posting and wanted to reply.
I have been an Avianca employee for 24 years. The person who said they worked here is not telling the truth. News like that would spread between our very close group. We have one American working here and he has been here for 4 years. He was born in Spain but raised in the United States. He is married to a Colombian woman and moved here. We have had many American inquire to jobs here but we do not hire them because Avianca will not sponser visas for Americans. Only a few select pilots from latin america get a visa sponsered.
I will explain our process to get hired.
First, you have to be a permanent resident. That means being married to a Colombian and living here for two years. During that time you can not fly. You can not training for anything other than a private pilots license. To have your FAA licenses converted, it is a long and expensive process. Your level of Spanish must be fluent. There has never been any exception made for that. The written tests you take here will be in Spanish. The Ministry of civil aviation does not just hand out a license. I did all my primary training in the US. Back when I did it, flying was something that was not easy to train for here. Not cheap is what I mean. As flight schools started to be formed then pilots started being able to train in a civilian way and not in military.
Once you have perm residency you will have to get your private license covalidated. That is the only license they will covalidate for anyone other than a Colombian. The truth behind it is that they see Americans, and other foreigners from the better off countries as a way to make money. So after you retrain for the commercial and instrument and multi motor, then your previous hours must be evaluated by the civil aviation ministry. It is called civil aviation but all the people in charge are military officers. Your type ratings will be no good here. You will have to go through training all over.
The process to get hired, once you have done all the above, will be an interview. The mental evaluation is nothing to worry about. If you are not crazy, you can pass it. Then you must get a class 1 medical here. I hear it is the same as the FAA. My son just finished flight training in the US and is now a first officer here and said the medical testing was the same in the US as it is here. But here cerain things can be waivered that can not in US.
After all that is completed you interview with a group of pilots. They get to know you and see if you are someone they would want working with them. If a current pilot has recommend you then this part is easy. If you make it past that then you must complete a written test. Written test is in both English and Spanish together. You must also pass an English exam. I went to an American high school here so it was not very difficult to pass.
If all is wel you are invited back for a simulator ride. It is all about decision making and basic control. It is very easy and not many fail. But if you do you can take it again in one week. I tell everyone to buy one hour time on it before so you can get used to it. One hour costs about $80US.
After all that you will get a training date.
Yes we are treated very well and being a pilot in Colombia is still a very prestigious career. Our pay is good and our lifestyle is very good as well. I would say it is one of the best careers in the country. We make more money than most medical doctors excluding plastic surgeons or the like.
If you are wanting to get a job here and have no way of getting perm residency based on marriage then you have no way of getting a job. It will not happen. If you do not believe that you can call our flight operations center in Bogota and speak with someone in recursos humanos.
Any time a new pilot is hired we all know about him or her very quickly. In fact, we have a welcome dinner in their honor before and after their training to get to know them. Our company is a family and we take care of each other like one. I have talked with many US pilots about how their companies are. It is sad to hear how unhappy they are. Here we are family. And even the pilots with the other airlines here are family. We never talk bad about other companies. We are a family, and our families at home are part of our work family. All my best friends are company employees and the same for my wife. I would not ever consider leaving here for a company outside Colombia.
Im sorry to bear bad news to you, but this is the real truth about getting on at Avianca. You need to be 100% fluent in spanish and have perm residency. If you dont meet those two basic requirements, it is not an option for you.
I have been an Avianca employee for 24 years. The person who said they worked here is not telling the truth. News like that would spread between our very close group. We have one American working here and he has been here for 4 years. He was born in Spain but raised in the United States. He is married to a Colombian woman and moved here. We have had many American inquire to jobs here but we do not hire them because Avianca will not sponser visas for Americans. Only a few select pilots from latin america get a visa sponsered.
I will explain our process to get hired.
First, you have to be a permanent resident. That means being married to a Colombian and living here for two years. During that time you can not fly. You can not training for anything other than a private pilots license. To have your FAA licenses converted, it is a long and expensive process. Your level of Spanish must be fluent. There has never been any exception made for that. The written tests you take here will be in Spanish. The Ministry of civil aviation does not just hand out a license. I did all my primary training in the US. Back when I did it, flying was something that was not easy to train for here. Not cheap is what I mean. As flight schools started to be formed then pilots started being able to train in a civilian way and not in military.
Once you have perm residency you will have to get your private license covalidated. That is the only license they will covalidate for anyone other than a Colombian. The truth behind it is that they see Americans, and other foreigners from the better off countries as a way to make money. So after you retrain for the commercial and instrument and multi motor, then your previous hours must be evaluated by the civil aviation ministry. It is called civil aviation but all the people in charge are military officers. Your type ratings will be no good here. You will have to go through training all over.
The process to get hired, once you have done all the above, will be an interview. The mental evaluation is nothing to worry about. If you are not crazy, you can pass it. Then you must get a class 1 medical here. I hear it is the same as the FAA. My son just finished flight training in the US and is now a first officer here and said the medical testing was the same in the US as it is here. But here cerain things can be waivered that can not in US.
After all that is completed you interview with a group of pilots. They get to know you and see if you are someone they would want working with them. If a current pilot has recommend you then this part is easy. If you make it past that then you must complete a written test. Written test is in both English and Spanish together. You must also pass an English exam. I went to an American high school here so it was not very difficult to pass.
If all is wel you are invited back for a simulator ride. It is all about decision making and basic control. It is very easy and not many fail. But if you do you can take it again in one week. I tell everyone to buy one hour time on it before so you can get used to it. One hour costs about $80US.
After all that you will get a training date.
Yes we are treated very well and being a pilot in Colombia is still a very prestigious career. Our pay is good and our lifestyle is very good as well. I would say it is one of the best careers in the country. We make more money than most medical doctors excluding plastic surgeons or the like.
If you are wanting to get a job here and have no way of getting perm residency based on marriage then you have no way of getting a job. It will not happen. If you do not believe that you can call our flight operations center in Bogota and speak with someone in recursos humanos.
Any time a new pilot is hired we all know about him or her very quickly. In fact, we have a welcome dinner in their honor before and after their training to get to know them. Our company is a family and we take care of each other like one. I have talked with many US pilots about how their companies are. It is sad to hear how unhappy they are. Here we are family. And even the pilots with the other airlines here are family. We never talk bad about other companies. We are a family, and our families at home are part of our work family. All my best friends are company employees and the same for my wife. I would not ever consider leaving here for a company outside Colombia.
Im sorry to bear bad news to you, but this is the real truth about getting on at Avianca. You need to be 100% fluent in spanish and have perm residency. If you dont meet those two basic requirements, it is not an option for you.
Hola AviancaMD83Plt,
Como estas? Mira perdona que te moleste pero yo estoy tratando de buscar una intrevista con Avianca. Yo nacie en los EE.UU pero estoy casado con una Colombiana, tengo mi cedula y tengo mi residencia permanent. Ahora mismo estoy trabajando para Delta Connection y en mis dias libres me voy a Cartagena. Mi email es [email protected] osi tienes tiempo y me puedes ayudar. Muchas gracias por tu tiempo y espero oir de ti pronto. Ahora mismo estoy en el Embraer 145 y tengo 2000 horas de vuelo total.
Otra veces muchas gracias por tu tiempo y adios!
Robert Gonzalez
08-21-2009, 04:51 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Lovin' life at .4 (ish) mach
Posts: 1,317
I was born in Germany and have dual citizenship with the US. I have my CFI ride on the 2nd and 2 days later i'm leaving to go to Colombia to visit a girl that I meet a while ago. We are going to be in Bogota then take Avianca to head to Santa Marta. If things go well, I might be trying to move there. Thanks for the info.
06-15-2010, 07:14 PM
#20
New Hire
Joined APC: Jun 2010
Position: Citation XL PIC
Posts: 1
Trato de buscar al capitan Gustavo Gaviria
hola algun piloto de Avianca podria hacer el gran favor de comunicarle al Capitan Gustavo Gaviria que Hernan de Estados Unidos quisiera charlar con el. Gracias. mi email : [email protected]
