tailendcharlie

I'll say the same thing about the "short of crews" statement I've been saying for some time: Have a program to hire well-experienced expat FO's into a fast-track captain program.

Still plenty of 40-50 something folks here in the US that for one reason or another (911, picked the wrong airline, started late) have 10,000+ hours heavy time plus type ratings but are career FO's. They're not leaving for an FO contract but it'd be a different story if there was a quick path to a captain gig.

The fact that no one has tapped into this pool of pilots tells me they're maybe just not that hard up for people after all.....

Pindan Pirate

Any one care to PM me some more specifics of this contract. The one on Parc and HACS is very vague and would like a tad more info.
ie

Pay Scales
Commuting details/ allowance (if any)
Staff Travel (if any)

Also a roster would be nice to see as well

Cheers

Don Julio

Actually all the Western copilots are very experienced. The top 14 copilots have been at NCA for over 9 years and have been waiting their turn. Most have flown captain at previous airlines, so it is not an experience issue. All of the other 30, hired over the past 3 years, had the 400 type rating with international widebody experience when they were hired. The company is shrinking and trying to get rid of the 400's and keep the 8 -8F's. If you look at Kalitta's last 2 -400's, they are NCA airplanes with tail numbers ending in KZ. The attrition rate is very high with Captain's and Copilots leaving. If you go to NCA you will be at the bottom of the list and they say they will guarantee 2 upgrades a year. So you can do the math on the upgrade opportunities. You also will go to year 1 Captain pay on the longevity scale. So current 10 year pay copilots will go to year 1 Captain pay which is not much of a diference in pay. You also will be hired on a "B" scale. If you are an American you will be on less because you will only get paid a $400 commuting allowance while everyone else gets $1300 - $1450. Depending where you live you will have to reach into your pocket to commute. There are no Jumpseats or ZED fares. It really gets expensive when you get your schedule on the 24th and you have to buy a ticket to commute on your day off, on the last day of the month because you fly on the first.
It use to be the best contract, but it is not anymore. The company just keeps taking but not giving anything back. There are many more issues, but these are just a few.

tailendcharlie

Interesting......thanks for the info.

"It's not what it used to be"....... a familiar refrain.

PotatoChip

I'll add some info and clarifications...
Don Julio is 100% correct.

The long training time in Japan is completely what you make of it. I spent eight months there and completely loved it, with occasional bouts of being homesick. Largely however, it was a unique an enjoyable experience that I took advantage of.

The Dominican is usually spot on it has lots of great insight, however there are a few pieces of wrong information in this thread. NCA absolutely will and does hire Japanese DECs, and hire copilots that will upgrade out of seniority above western pilots. Japanese pilots come first, period.

19/20 of the Japanese pilots I have flown with have been great. There is an obvious language barrier, but they are usually very pleasant and friendly.

Expect to be a copilot for a very long time. I would anticipate at least 10 years. It is decent pay at the start, but it stagnates and you will never received a decent raise, now will your schedule ever get any better.

I enjoy the job, however it definitely seems to be degrading quickly.

PotatoChip

Also, another correction.

We do not get 100% pay during training. You will receive training pay which is 75% of base pay. You will, however, receive cash per diem, which is very significant.

Skystar

Hi folks,

I'm interested in NCA as well. I've received all documentation from PARC and apparently is ok but roster looks hard.

Anyone can tell me, more or less, how the roster usually is? I have requested AMS base just if somebody else has this base too.

And also, could you please throw some light on the fact of spending 6-8 months in Tokyo for the training course. According to the info is to convert license into JACB but whatever you can say is appreciated.

Thank you!

FENA58

Any one familiar with this company they are hiring crew for -200 classic based in Estonia?

Don Julio

Guys are probably averaging 10-14 days off a month, but these numbers are shrinking as more pilots leave. Depending on which base you are in you will be commuting on your days off. AMS you will start your trip early so you will have to commute in the day before but you can commute home on your last day. The problem with AMS is there are only 3 flights a week so you may have to hang around a few days in NRT to deadhead back to AMS. The schedules are hard because there is no fatigue manage program so 2 pilots can fly up to 12 hours and 3 pilots up to 15 hours. You can arrive from AMS - MXP- NRT in the morning with a 3 man crew then the next day do a day trip to PVG followed by a night trip the following night to HKG and back. Or you could do a 3-man LAX - SFO-NRT arrive in the morning then do a 2 man NRT-LAX the next morning usually with a Captain deadheading in the back. The problem is they build all the scheduled by hand with pencil and paper and they keep rotating crew schedulers from different departments. So last week they were in sales now they are building your schedule. There is a big learning curve and the pilots pay the price for it.

The 6-8 months in Japan is as Potato Chip said what you make of it. It is not a crazy 8 months of studying it is a marathon not a sprint. You will have plenty of wasted time just hanging around the hotel. Some people work out, some people go out drinking and chase women and other people just sit and the room and surf the internet. The best way to get through it is to do all of the above. There is usually someone around to do something just to take your mind off the training. Once you are finished with the JCAB check ride then the training is very relaxed. The Japanese instructors are friendly and nice but they do expect you to study, that is one reason they give you so much time off in Japan. If you read the Air Japan thread there are many similarities.

Jungledriver

How does the screening process goes? Standard interview, sim, medical exam? Any details?