Fly4hire

Anyone here working with JALways through HAC's or WASINC? I'd be interested in your impressions of the interview, training, and QOL.

TACAMO

There's a lot of information about Jalways and other Japan Contract Flying that was posted on the "Southern Air versus Contract Flying" thread on the Cargo section last month. I just don't want to repeat writing what I wrote there.

Since you only have one chance to interview with any of the JAl Group, I would avoid WASINC, again a lot written about them on the other thread.

Fly4hire

OK, read the whole thread, and other than you not liking the father-son managment and the $45 fee, is there any real difference in pay or benefits?

You referred to them as the bottom feeders - are they undercutting with a cheaper contract and less pay?

There was also no mention of a training bond in any of the written material recieved. Is this just HAC's?

What are they telling you about upgrades to Capt?

You seem to think favorably of the ANA group 767 deal - any further insight?

Thanks in advance.

TACAMO

Captain upgardes are not autromatic based on seniority. JAL will look at your previous performance. Pay is the same, benefits are the same (insurance may differ with each hiring company, but not sure). Training bonds based on the 3 year contract is par for the course with this type of contract flying. WASINC hiring practice is rather deceptive. Their management people are really "strange and wierd" and their management actions makes it hard on all the other pilots. Remember, HACS, WASINC, PARC and IASCO all have pilots flying together at JALWAYS. Though I think Doug Ward and Duncan at WASINC are good guys there. If you're in your 40s, you might be wasting your time, the last several classes were really young. I wouldn't waste your money buying the sim-prep at United or Pan Am, it's really subjective, if you know how to fly a dual cue FD and memorize the call-outs, you're set. I know several of my friends who already fly the 747, though flying the perfect profile for the sim-check, not make it through. Snoopy747 got the 76 Cargo Contract which is sweet through ANA's own hiring company (I checked during my last visit to Japan, the hiring is closed for this contract). The other ANA 76 Air Japan contract is about the same with JAL, but you're based in Japan. If you have military access to Yokota, Atsugi or the Sanno, it's pretty nice. The moral at ANA is much better than JAL, though ANA management is pretty hardline. The bottom-line, the hiring company is at the mercy of JAL, that's what feeds them. There's good and bad to this type of contract, but it's a lot better than flying for a lot of air carriers in the US.

Fly4hire

[QUOTE=TACAMO]If you're in your 40s, you might be wasting your time, the last several classes were really young. QUOTE]

If so why are they even bothering to interview 40 +?

TACAMO

Talking to a JAL Manager friend (not a JALWays Manager but JAL) in Narita, each hiring company must meet a certain expectations from JAL (i.e. number of candidates to interview etc.). The hiring companies are under a gun to fulfill all it's obligations to JAL. JAL gives the hiring company the minimums and that's what they are expected to bring to the interview. At the end of the day, JAL has all the say, the hiring company has no say, to who exactly gets offered the job (only JAL has the final say). So long as the numbers are met, the hiring companies has fulfilled their end of the deal. If they don't meet it, JAL will offer the contract to another hiring company for the next round etc. Last year, my buddy who flew with me in the Navy was told by WASINC that if every candidate passes the 3 phases of interview, all would be hired (there were about 45 interviewing). This was not true, in fact, the number JAL wanted was only 8 pilots. Some guys who made it to the medical and actually passed the medical (phase 3) were turned down, when JAL wittled it down to 8 pilots). If the hiring company has problem pilots, the hiring company will probably be put into the penalty box by JAL. The hiring company has no leverage, if JAL say's "Bend over", the hiring companies reply would be "How far". I'll be really honest, Japanese companies traditionally has been rather "sneaky", Yes means No, and Japanese Management can be a real difficult, they will smile while sticking a knife in your back. My philosophy is to be a "Good boy", show up on time, don't make waves, do my job to the best of my ability, and get paid "on time". A lot of pilots do have cultural adaptabilty problems with Japanese companies, it's not for all, but for some, it's great. Will I extend the contract for the next round, yes, but I'm always looking for better opportunities. I believe flying for JALWays is what you make of it, it can be great, or it can become a hell hole really quickly.

xtreme_jetlag

What are the schedules like at Jalways?

What are the average days off at Homebase?

There is a posibility of me getting a job there, but before I take it seriously, I was wondering these things. I too am very saddened at what has become of airlines in the US now. All of my friends have gone to the middle east and India. I'm not familiar with contract flying at all, but am very interested. I have read all of your posts about that subject though and find that JAL group is a love it or hate it deal.
Would you mind also telling me about your move to Honolulu and how long it took you to settle in?
I really appreciate it. Thanks.

CRJ900Flyer

Does anyone know any information as to where to apply for a pilot position with JAL, Singapore, EVA, China Air and any Far East Airlines that accepts FAA ATPs?
Thanks

Typhoonpilot

Singapore, EVA, and CAL all hire directly. Go to their websites and look for the careers site and follow it to the application. JAL hires through HACS and WASINC as well as IASCO and maybe a few other places. Lots of airlines in Indonesia, mainland China, and Hong Kong. If you are CRJ current you may do better with outfits flying those aircraft unless you are looking to make a jump to bigger equipment then you would probably do better with the first three. I would seriously consider Cathay Pacific as a Second Officer as the best starting job in Asia. Emirates may be an option as well.


TP

cole

What is a the average days off for Jalways? What can a first year FO expect to make? What can a CA top out at?

Thanks