nw320driver

Great Information! There seems to be a few slimballs out there..........I spoke with HACS (submitted app for a job) and will contact PARC and IASCO this week. Then I have to study for CQ, and when I go to NATCO next month, I am going to beat the bush and see if anything turns up.
Thanks again.

b747driver

Typhoonpilot-

I stumbled onto this site looking for any advice that might influence my decision to find employment overseas. I am currently a junior legacy airline employee and not eager to withstand further erosions in pay, benefits, and work rules, along with the general uncertainty that my company is going to experience any growth or even survive in the coming years. Presently, I have an offer with a Japanese carrier through PARC, and an interview scheduled with Emirates on the near horizon. Aside from bottom line issues, what is your view regarding you employment experiences with PARC vs. direct employment by Emirates? Also, I am interested in any opinions for someone bringing a wife and young children in tow as far as schools, security, and general quality of life. Not an easy decision... any insight sincerely appreciated.

b747driver

Blueair

It is not easy to relocate in a new country, but sometimes there is exciting experience in different countries. Some airline companies would like to recruit from agency, some like to recruit directly. If you go through a well-known agency, they will help you more and let you feel easier to get along with a new life, special they will help you to communicate with the new company which is non-English country.

Typhoonpilot

PARC is neither good nor bad. As I said earlier in this thread no agency is going to watch your back. They are only there to get a cut of YOUR pay. They will not do anything to upset the apple cart with the airline involved. That is why I prefer working directly for an airline versus going through a contractor. With some jobs it is not possible to go direct so you just have to deal with the best agency possible. PARC rates above average. Yet they will still do whatever is required for them to keep a contract. If that means they have to negotiate a lower rate for renewal then they will do that ( as will all the others ) and you get to take a pay cut. That is what makes working direct a better long term proposition.

My permanent direct contract with Emirates has a built-in 3% yearly increase in base pay ( not guaranteed, but never withheld ). They also have given raises above and beyond the yearly increment based on cost of living adjustments and to just stay competitive with the global industry average. It has a ways to go to catch-up to Cathay. In comparison to a U.S. leagacy take-home pay it is reasonable.

Your wife really needs to come see Dubai and talk to the schools to make an informed decision. It is worth spending the cash to buy her a ticket now than to end up with an unhappy wife a few years down the road. Dubai is very kid friendly and there are a multitude of activities for children. The only one missing in American football, but baseball and softball are played as well as ice hockey, cricket, soccer, rugby, Aussie rules, etc, etc.

The American schools are expensive and if you have two young children that is when it is worst. For Grades 1 to 5 ( or 6) you will be paying over $6000 per child out of pocket for the American schools. Once they are in 6 ( or 7 ) and above it is around $1000 per child out of pocket. The Emirates school re-imbursement is set up around the English system and for some reason their schools are much cheaper. You could opt for English or International schools, and there are some good ones. Again, that is a big component of a family move to Dubai and it needs to be researched thoroughly. My child is only 9 months old so I haven't gotten to the point where it becomes an issue. We're leaning towards International schools right now, but that could change. It's not so much an issue of money as I'd like my child to get some good exposure to non-American culture while he has the chance.

General quality of life kind of goes hand in hand with school location and children's activities if you have a young family. You will want to be in a villa close to your chosen school and close to where the kids have their activities because the road congestion is getting out of hand. It doubles in severity about every six months.

Security is good.


Typhoonpilot

b747driver

Typhoonpilot-

Thanks for your observations...really helpful. I have booked travel for my wife and I to DBX for the interview. Used to layover there several years ago with Atlas Air, and had a fairly positive view of the city and the UAE, though I imagine Dubai has grown somewhat since then. Hopefully I will have a decision to make after the interview. Thanks again.

b747driver

hyflyt560

Freightdog, thanks for posting those references. I just filled out the pre-application with Wasinc...didn't realize the cost was $45. Do all of them charge? So, they take an app fee and part of your wages? Good deal for them!!

j

TACAMO

hyflyt560...

I'm currently flying for JALWays through a contracting firm. Be careful with WASINC, very bad reputation, Doug Ward (recruiter) is a good guy, but the Turner's-350+ pound father and mutant son team who runs WASINC are strange and untrustable. Lot's of pilots interviewing got burned by WASINC early last year (including my squadron buddy last year). You can check out pilotinterviews.com or willflyforfood.com on reviews about WASINC or Japan Airlines.

On the Southern Air or Contract thread, there's a lot of information about contract flying in Japan. JAL uses several contract firms HACS, PARC, IASCO and WASINC. WASINC, has to be the bottom-feeder of the bunch.

If you can stop-payment to WASINC on your credit card, I would do it. Everything WASINC offers HACS, PARC of IASCO can do it for free. I'll be on the other thread if you have any questions.

Punkpilot48

TACAMO,
I grew up in Japan and would love the oportunity to go back and work there. Do you have any advice?

TACAMO

Punkpilot48...just laid information about JAL (JalWays) on the Southern Air or Contract 767 thread in the Cargo section.

hyflyt560

TACAMO,

Thanks for the info. I didn't submit any payment, but will heed your advice.