Move to ANA from US major?
11-17-2016, 03:37 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: 747
Posts: 356
Originally Posted by beebopbogo
What's Dynamic?
The Dominican: Why the move back to US carriers? Worse pay and starting at the bottom of the seniority list. Do they miss CASS privileges?
I'm pretty happy where I am, schedule wise, but the pay doesn't come close to letting me afford a house in base. Maybe after I upgrade in 7 to 10 years.
I was thinking about shipping overseas to build up a good $500,000 down payment and return after the contract ends. If US hiring has slowed by that time, maybe extend the contract to kill time, hopefully upgrading at ANA in the mean time. The big risk is, of course, missing this US hiring craze and the associated seniority.
Is the money at ANA worth it? What is life like while working? Living at home with 12 days off in a row, business class back and forth doesn't sound too bad! Especially if upgrades occur within 5 years. And what are the chances of the contract not extending and getting beached?
I'm reluctant to make a change at this point, but if someone would like to try to convince me to leave for ANA, please try! The knowledge would be appreciated.
The Dominican: Why the move back to US carriers? Worse pay and starting at the bottom of the seniority list. Do they miss CASS privileges?
I'm pretty happy where I am, schedule wise, but the pay doesn't come close to letting me afford a house in base. Maybe after I upgrade in 7 to 10 years.
I was thinking about shipping overseas to build up a good $500,000 down payment and return after the contract ends. If US hiring has slowed by that time, maybe extend the contract to kill time, hopefully upgrading at ANA in the mean time. The big risk is, of course, missing this US hiring craze and the associated seniority.
Is the money at ANA worth it? What is life like while working? Living at home with 12 days off in a row, business class back and forth doesn't sound too bad! Especially if upgrades occur within 5 years. And what are the chances of the contract not extending and getting beached?
I'm reluctant to make a change at this point, but if someone would like to try to convince me to leave for ANA, please try! The knowledge would be appreciated.
Just curious, but are you at one of the legacies? If so, stay there. You will make more there for your career. If you aren't happy and want to move then try FedEx. You will make more there than AJX and it appears that the most junior captain now has only been there for a year and a half.
Point is AJX is an ok place (could be a lot better with pay increases), but a legacy in the US is a much better place for the long term career.
11-19-2016, 09:33 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: B777/CA retired
Posts: 1,482
I looked at ANA/AJX back in 2007 when I was teed off at AWA with the state of our merger. I had a voluntary furlough set up and I searched for a decent contract job. I could not get past the recruiter at Crew Resources. He could not accept the fact that I was a 757 captain at AWA/US and I wanted to go to AJX, even though the pay was about the same.
I do not know the state of contract flying right now, except through this and other pilot sites. I do know that after the merger with AA and our new contract, substandard as it is, there is very little incentive for me or anyone past 3 years on the seniority list to look overseas. Several PHX pilots flew in China, none plan on going back, even though the money there is comparable or exceeds widebody left seat pay here. 16 % into your 401k is something that does not come close to being matched overseas.
I do not know the state of contract flying right now, except through this and other pilot sites. I do know that after the merger with AA and our new contract, substandard as it is, there is very little incentive for me or anyone past 3 years on the seniority list to look overseas. Several PHX pilots flew in China, none plan on going back, even though the money there is comparable or exceeds widebody left seat pay here. 16 % into your 401k is something that does not come close to being matched overseas.
11-20-2016, 05:26 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2015
Posts: 634
You guys keep saying that 2nd or 3rd year FO pay at UAL is comparable to 5th year CA pay at AJX, would you mind throwing out some hard numbers for those of us who only have access to the hourly pay rates? Thanks.
Been considering AJX for a while now, but feel like I may look back and resent ny decision for leaving so hastily as I'm at a regional with a flow to AA now. I would estimate that flow to be 3-5 years barring any catastrophic downturn and I am about to turn 30. Would you all recommend AJX for someone in my position, or do you think it would be wiser to be patient and wait to flow?
TIA
Been considering AJX for a while now, but feel like I may look back and resent ny decision for leaving so hastily as I'm at a regional with a flow to AA now. I would estimate that flow to be 3-5 years barring any catastrophic downturn and I am about to turn 30. Would you all recommend AJX for someone in my position, or do you think it would be wiser to be patient and wait to flow?
TIA
11-20-2016, 06:09 AM
#17
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,310
Originally Posted by Wink
You guys keep saying that 2nd or 3rd year FO pay at UAL is comparable to 5th year CA pay at AJX, would you mind throwing out some hard numbers for those of us who only have access to the hourly pay rates? Thanks.
Been considering AJX for a while now, but feel like I may look back and resent ny decision for leaving so hastily as I'm at a regional with a flow to AA now. I would estimate that flow to be 3-5 years barring any catastrophic downturn and I am about to turn 30. Would you all recommend AJX for someone in my position, or do you think it would be wiser to be patient and wait to flow?
TIA
Been considering AJX for a while now, but feel like I may look back and resent ny decision for leaving so hastily as I'm at a regional with a flow to AA now. I would estimate that flow to be 3-5 years barring any catastrophic downturn and I am about to turn 30. Would you all recommend AJX for someone in my position, or do you think it would be wiser to be patient and wait to flow?
TIA
Pay in Japan has actually been decreasing, which blows my mind. The AJX contract is very good, definitely the best in Japan, but it is still a contract job. Having worked a Japanese contract job, I can tell you that every person there says the same thing, "Nothing beats working a legacy job in your own country." Those words were literally told to me by the chief pilot.
Take that for what it's worth.
11-20-2016, 07:24 AM
#18
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Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,171
Having known a lot of contract guys, both corporate and airline, my advice would be if you want to move and live in that country and you are a career pilot, fine. If you're doing as just an option, not so much. Post-9/11 guys excepted, they were in a real bad spot.
GF
GF
11-20-2016, 02:44 PM
#19
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: 747 captain
Posts: 1,549
Originally Posted by Wink
I would estimate that flow to be 3-5 years barring any catastrophic downturn and I am about to turn 30. Would you all recommend AJX for someone in my position, or do you think it would be wiser to be patient and wait to flow?
TIA
TIA
Right now it looks like the upswing of the industry will last for a while so the best thing would be to stick it out and get a seniority number with any company...., apply everywhere! Don't just wait for the flow!
We tend to paint all jobs abroad with a very wide brush. This is not a bad gig really and it works for some people, but career wise for somebody who is 30...., definitely the best long term option would be to get with a major.
11-28-2016, 03:06 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,920
This guy obviously doesn't fly for UPS, FEDEX, DL, AA, or United. Those are the best flying jobs in the world. People only leave those jobs when they are junior and going go another one of those companies for qol issues.
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