I just wanted to add that there is also a phone interview with an American psychologist a few days or weeks after returning home. It lasts about 30-45 minutes and he asks about your life both growing up and as an adult. Very conversational.
It is also common to be asked to redo some portion of the physical with a doctor at home (usually a redo of blood tests or some of the eye exams).
This and what was previously described was my experience back in '08. I was put into the hiring pool but got a different job while waiting for the call so I never started training. Overall, I was very impressed with everyone at ANA and Air Japan. Good luck!

Doesn't add up?? I thought that was the Japanese way! Not to mention we have about 700 ground staff, enough for 50 airplanes.....

It is true that the corporate culture in Japan is more about producing jobs than an efficient workforce...., but my comment was about a feeling that they are getting ready for something else, something that is not being shared....! Job producing is one thing but not differing orders is another! Will see I guess

Plan is for eight 747-8s, and two -400s on standby for charter ops. Everything else to the desert.

Does anyone have any good experience with Paramount doing sim prep? Their price is about 150 dollars more than PanAm. I wouln't mind paying if it's worth it. Thanks guys!

They have a good 767-200 sim here in Wilmington, OH (ABX Air) where I did my practice. I think they charge $500/hr. Of course I was a contract sim instructor/support pilot so didn't have to pay, but the other instructors here are familiar with what I was doing and would be helpful.

A few questions for any of you in the know:

1. How much of the $7712 (while in training) is take home? Since there's no commuting allowance at this time, I assume the accomodations while in training for 6-8 months are taken care of by the company?

2. Post training: How many nights in a month would you spend at 'home' in Japan? I understand some pilots get apartments over hotels.. What would be the average monthly cost of living, in case of an apartment or a hotel? Is it a significant cost over the $550 accomodation allowance (which I understand won't cover your monthly living expenditures.)

3. Once online, do you have the time to travel for pleasure? Or are you flying so much on your days on that you can't go visit China/ Thailand/ HK/ Whatever for a day or two here and there? What's the lifestyle like when flying, and when not flying but in Japan for a day or so?

1. Your take home is the 7712 less any taxes. The accommodations are paid for by the company while in training. Once checked to line you are responsible for it.

2. Once online the amount of time spent in Japan varies but on average they figure ten nights per month in Narita. Some months less, some more. That is how they came up with the $550/month allowance. The hotel used to cost around 5500 yen per night. Now it is 5940 yen per night. For the past two months, I have spent about 12 nights each in the hotel. So a little more than average. But I had several 1 day passenger trips on my schedule. If you have more cargo trips, which tend to be longer, you will have less nights in NRT.

3. I would say that when you are in Japan for your work days, you should plan on working. They normally only give you 1 day off at a time during that period and usually only at the 7 day mark. Of course on that day off you can go to Tokyo or whatever. On your block of days off you can go do whatever you want though.

Makes sense.

Oh that's not bad at all. So roughly 50 USD a night, the allowance does cover most of the accomodation it seems. How would it be if you were to get an apartment?
Now this is ignorance on my part, but I would imagine you're not dragging a suitcase full of 20 days worth of clothes, etc. everywhere you go? Is there a place you leave your stuff if only gone for a day or so?

Yeah I know I can do whatever I want on my days. But that question was more of me looking for lifestyle/ what to do on your days/nights off while in Tokyo.. if you're getting 2-3 days (and 10 nights for which you're getting a hotel) surely there's more to do than stay cooped up inside?

I stay at the hotel in NRT so can't speak to the apartment. The hotel does have two locked storage rooms where AJX pilots can leave their belongings while on a trip. I have a large plastic box and my large suitcase in there. On trips I take a 22" roll-a-board plus a computer bag and flight bag.

After training, you will not have days/nights off in Tokyo. They will be off in NRT. Big difference. But as far as what to do, drink. Seems to be the popular theme.