Anyone thinking about going to AJX should be aware of their screwy captain upgrade program. The way I understand and heard, when it's your turn you do a LOFT type sim, then 3 months of evals with management pilots (at least 10 legs). They then go into their secret room (after interviewing office staff, etc) and determine who will do captain upgrade. If you don't make it then you wait another year and do the whole process again. If you don't make it the second time you are permanent copilot. The last couple of years they have approved about 50% of those being evaluated. And they won't tell you reasons for not making it.

I don't see anything screwy about it. If you aren't ready, they will know it. Plus, I believe the decision is made before the final eval flight is ever flown. If you come here, you need to treat your entire f/o time as a job interview to be a captain for them. If you don't, and there have been several recently, then you will not pass the evals. And if you want to know why you didn't pass, ask them. From what I have heard from previous pilots who didn't get chosen, they will tell you if you ask.

Again, if you can't play the game their way, don't bother interviewing.

jrmyl is 100% correct. It is a fair process and you need to play the game by their rules. It is not all about flying only.
Last 2 years about 50% have failed the evaluation, but only 1 of them was a surprise to me, all the rest were predictable.
I suspect the same will continue for a while, many of our recent new hires do not have the experience or maturity to be a Captain in 3 years, and some lack the right attitude and work ethics.

I have to wonder about the motive of someone whose just joined APC and this is their first post.

Anyone have any word about ANA Wings, the DHC-8 program or B737? Thanks.

I have a friend working at ANA wings and he seems to like it..., actually the money is not too bad at either ANA wings & IBEX on the CRJ's....., if you look at the contracts the pay is not that different from AJX's captain's pay which makes our contract antiquated....!

As I understand there are no more 737's contracts on the ANA groups...., the last one was cancelled and the pilots were sent packing, a few exceptions that were hired at AJX though!

Dom is correct, no more TF's on the 737 and only one TF left on the Q-400... Wings had 6 interview sessions set for May/June... The one TF remaining said the response was lacking and new change to the contract will be direct with Wings and not the Lease Company... Braniff PM me if you need more info...

So upgrade at AJX for heavy jet, internationally experienced, lives or lived in Asia, if any of this matters, is how long now?

I have heard all of Japan will need pilot's again. Even JAL is short AND might start up JALWAYS again. This info is from a buddy working for one of the Japanese cargo airlines-hint hint.

I peronally love Japan and would love to spa with the snow monkies but those winters and those winds are brutal.

PM sent japan guy and thanks to you and the Dom!

Evidently helps to pass the upgrade evaluation but you won't get ahead of the pack because of it....! It is running around the 3 to 4 year mark.

The Jalways rumors are pretty hot and heavy lately

Hi,

do I increase my chances of joining Air Japan if I fly a low cost in Japan as First Officer? (JCAB license)