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SF Airlines

Old 05-19-2015, 12:45 AM
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So I have finally found a realistic opportunity for myself within the next 12 months in China, that being SF Airlines on the 737 or 757. I am transitioning to the 757 in the next few months and figure I can clock on the required hours in a reasonable amount of time, and then some. After speaking with one recruitment agency they suggested that it would be wise to immediately begin forwarding information and starting the process with them due to my already relatively high amount of hours and forthcoming relevant experience... as such:

I am interested to hear the experiences of people who are flying at SF (or any comparable carrier in China) with particular interest regarding scheduling (I would be living in SEA so only a 3-4 hour flight home), pay, which contract agency is the best to deal with, and the aeromedical nuances of Chinese certification, my BMI is in the 30 range (below 35) but I do routinely have checkups in the US (full physicals, including blood work) and am in otherwise perfect health.

Any advice and insight is appreciated.
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Old 05-19-2015, 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by aviatorhi View Post
(I would be living in SEA so only a 3-4 hour flight home)
Wait, which China are you wanting to work in?
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Old 05-19-2015, 09:11 AM
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...........
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Old 05-19-2015, 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by awax View Post
Wait, which China are you wanting to work in?
The one next to SEA (South East Asia).
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Old 05-19-2015, 01:08 PM
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BMI needs to be under 30. Blood pressure 130/80 and below. Everything else they'll work with you on. No irregular heart beats.
Everyone I've talked to likes Unicaviation if they handle SF, if not they still probably can. Every agency basically can work with any carrier. I will say pick the carrier you want to work at for the long term since changing carriers barely exists since you have to have your medical released by your current carrier to move to another and they hate doing that. Even when contract is up.
Start the proccess now. Everything takes forever in China. Tons of paperwork and many visits for medical, sim, ATP test. Start studying for ATP test now. Plan on 6 months before you get on line and that may be quick.

Good Luck.
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Old 05-19-2015, 02:35 PM
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Thanks for the reply... few questions about specifics.

Originally Posted by hoover View Post
BMI needs to be under 30.
Was told the Chinese don't do that like the Japanese do, I'm at 33. Is it an unwritten rule?

Originally Posted by hoover View Post
Blood pressure 130/80 and below. Everything else they'll work with you on. No irregular heart beats.
I'm good on those ends.

Originally Posted by hoover View Post
Everyone I've talked to likes Unicaviation if they handle SF, if not they still probably can. Every agency basically can work with any carrier. I will say pick the carrier you want to work at for the long term since changing carriers barely exists since you have to have your medical released by your current carrier to move to another and they hate doing that. Even when contract is up.
That wouldn't be an issue, SF seems like it's poised to become China's answer to FedEx based on my research, which is a place that would work for many years for me, particularly given my personal situation(s).

Originally Posted by hoover View Post
Start the proccess now. Everything takes forever in China. Tons of paperwork and many visits for medical, sim, ATP test. Start studying for ATP test now. Plan on 6 months before you get on line and that may be quick.

Good Luck.
Granted no 757 type now (looks like July is when I start) so I suppose they would still be willing to start talking to me and getting through the basics... is the ATP based on the US ATP? Any question bank / study guide available? I've heard stories about the Sim Evals having a very high workload, any insight on that? Not necessarily concerned but nice to be prepared.

Last edited by aviatorhi; 05-19-2015 at 02:45 PM.
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Old 05-20-2015, 04:14 AM
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You can go direct to SF, no need for an agency.

There is at least one member on here who works there, but he does not check in very often. He moved from another China job to SF and likes it. I have a very good friend who has been at SF since the beginning and he likes it.

It is night flying, but their schedules are generally around 50 hours/month. They are getting 767s this year so if you can wait to go on the 757/767 that might be a better deal over the long run.

Shenzhen is pretty expensive for housing, especially the Shekou area. So you need to factor that in.

Good luck,


TP
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Old 05-20-2015, 10:28 AM
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The rule might be unwritten but I have never seen anyone who looks like they need to lose weight there. I was at 27 and even stopped lifting weights to get it to 25 before I went plus that helped lower my blood pressure.
The SIM is pretty straight forward. Think of it as an ATP checkride. I didn't get multiple failures at once but I did get several failures on the interview ride. There is basically nothing different between the interview ride and the CAAC ride.

I still have all the study material for the ATP that I could find. Its not all in English but it will give you enough to pass on. PM me and ill share it. I couldn't upload it here cause its to big.

As far as talking to them before you have the type and time. It is worth a try. Depends on who you talk to and how much English he speaks.
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Old 05-21-2015, 04:42 AM
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I might be going to SF next year. I've been here 5 years in Shekou. SF is good, probably one of the best places to work in China. Guys don't fly that much and the pay is good. Take the 4/2 for qol
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Old 05-22-2015, 07:26 AM
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Good luck with all those "Reimbursements"! Thread on PPrune about SF. Their is a reason all those companies are looking. Be very very careful is all I will say.

Just go read all the threads (tons of them) about working in China.

AviatorHi, can I then have your job if you leave?
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