I have just started looking into contract flying today. It was percipitated by an email I recieved from Rishworth Aviation regarding KAL A330 flying. I just meet their minimums, so I thought I might look into it. I am so tired of being a broke FO on deep reserve with no end in sight.

Any info would on Rishworth, KAL, or Korea would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

Check out the PPRUNE Web site. There is quite a bit of information regarding the 330 position.

 

Did you correspond with Tina or Corrina?

Are you typed on the 330 or 320/340 already? I met their mins as well, when I contacted them (Rishworth), they will tell you that you have to fund the 330 type yourself. Also, that will not guarantee a successful screening.

However, below is a copy-paste from the latest (yesterday) email they sent me regarding the 330 spot that indicates slightly otherwise;

Please note:

1. There is no guarantee you will be accepted for a screening due to the high number of applicants.


2. First Officers must have 300+ FO hours on A330 or 500+ FO hours on A320/A340 to apply. No other type ratings will be considered.


3. By providing us with the above information and requesting us to put your application forward to Korean Air, you agree and acknowledge that:

(a) you are using Rishworth Aviation as your sole agent to apply for the above position; and

(b) if you are accepted for screening, you will use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that you are available to attend that screening (note: if you withdraw after being accepted for screening you may not be considered for further screening opportunities).

4. If you are selected for screening and are selected to join Korean Air, but do not start on contract with Korean Air, then you may be required to pay a fee for screening expenses.

 

In that case you may want to know that Rishworth is not the preferred agency for anyone who has done contract work for ahwile. You'd be far better off with the likes of PARC, CCL, or GAP. All my friends are with CCL on the Korean contract. PARC has a solid reputation and GAP has received good reviews, but it's a U.S. based agency which you might want to avoid.



Typhoonpilot

 

Is that for tax purposes or some other tidbit of info?

 

Yep, U.S. agencies tend to give you a 1099 which could lead to having to pay more tax than you are required to.


TP

 

An alternative is to set up a sub-s corp to contract your services to the contract company. As an employee of the sub-s corp you pay yourself a salary......say $5K per month and then take any profits as passive income (profit dividend) avoiding larger FICA and Medicare exposure.

 

I talked to GAP about this a few weeks ago at the ORD job fair. It all sounds good, but the timeline makes me a little leery: You don't know whether you get to go to the interview until 2 weeks prior (good luck bidding it off), it takes 3 days, and you won't know whether you got hired until 10 days-2 months later. First training date is in February. So at best, the job is 3 months away. But I'm still hoping I get to go see Seoul.

 

I am not sure, but I believe that the hotel where you would stay is near Incheon, code there is ICN. About 1 hour into Seoul by bus, up to 2 hours with heavy traffic. Still, it might be worthwhile. Dress warm!

 

Has anyone interviewed recently with Korean? If you did, which contractor did you go through?

Thanks