I'm thinking of trying to go on the FO side, the above gouge scares me though. I don't think I'll be able to attend a sim prep session and my ATP knowledge is super rusty.

I'm trying to see if I can make it. It's going to be very soon and with the holidays, not a lot of prep time.

The interview is same for FO and Captain position. This is not the job for you if the interview scares you.

Why did you apply if you are not prepared for the interview????
You will not get thru if you are not well prepared, there are no excuses for not being prepared.
if you do not have time to prepare, (= you do not want this job), don't go to the interview to waste their time and give the slot to some-one who is prepared and wants the job.

Find the time to prepare and go get it.

This is the pre-screening for guys who dont have heavy time. I received the prep packet and its pretty cut and dry. Its going to be a brief 30 minute sim eval, traffic pattern vfr and an ILS. No oral or written. The lady over at Parc told me they are trying to get between 30-40 guys to pre-screen in a span of three days.

What day are you going? I will be there the 9th. It also sounded like also a brief 15 min HR interview covering what you know about Japan, how you like traveling...etc.

Is it possible to eventually upgrade at air Japan? Or do you sit f/o for the duration of your contract?

I'll be going on the 10th. My flight lands at 12:30pm. Coming from Chicago.

Moonwolf: you can upgrade within the 5 yrs. Guys on this forum who work there have been saying that upgrades are approx 4 yrs. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

Upgrades are currently just about 5 years. Plan on completing your first contract as an f/o. If you get to upgrade faster than that then good. I complete my 5 years in March and start upgrade training in January.

Recession?
 

Just curious how the recession in Japan is affecting the airline? I have an interview soon and it raises some concerns. Just looking for some insider points of view. Thanks!

is there a recession???

Well, things around here seem to be going forward just fine for the ANA group anyways...., been here since SARS, Avian Flu, the world economical collapse, the biggest frigging earthquake that I have ever and most likely will ever experience and the Fukushima disaster on CNN (here in Japan not so much:D) if there is one thing you could say about the ANA group is that they run things "steady as she goes"