Capt Rex Kramer

Well I don't have any info as to whether people are still being contacted to schedule interviews but I can tell you that I did run into two fine fellows interviewing last week at the training center here in Tokyo. All of the latest info we are being told is that interviews and classes are still on pace for what has been planned this year.

EK Birdcage

While it is VERY SAD about JAL WAYs (and I have a dear friend who is ((was)) a Capt there) you need to keep in mind that we have also recieved applications from tons of talented pilots who are facing the same situation, and have been for some time.. (Aloha, ABEX just to name 2)

I (and I am sure ANA) understand that with already having a JCAB ATPL, your training will be slightly shorter, but you need to respect the fact that there are many who may be in line in front of you!

Also, ANA is investigating something called "JALCO" or "JALZO".. I guess some Rhode's Scholor in JALWAYS decided a gygen union would be a good idea.. I don't know the details, but it may slow the interview process for JAL guys.. I don't know anymore details on this..

I look forward to seeing you guys online after the "Process" is finished.. Until then, be patient!

BC

Windsor

I am in no hurry. It was a crapshoot anyway. I know my place is at the back of the line with no heavy time or 75/76 type. If I get an interview, great, if not, not a big deal.

poita

Hi. Just a question about the AJV contract. I have read in this forum and seen that the norm is to get 11 days off in a row per month. On the CREW website they mention 10 days off with min 8 consecutive. Is the 11 days off mentioned only a good will gesture outside the contract that the company rosters?

CloudSailor

Poita,

I'm not sure about PARC, but I know that CReW recently changed their days off structure.

CReW originally has had 10 days off, 8 of which are consecutive, for AJX (passenger side). And used to have 10 days off consecutive for AJV (cargo).

However, their contract changed in the last month or so, to where BOTH passenger and cargo only get the 8 days off consecutive, 10 total. No longer a difference between pax and cargo as far as days off goes, as far as CReW goes...

I understand though that they practice giving guys 10 days off consecutive, however the contract says 8 consecutive guaranteed, and you should take that as the official word.

Commuting takes place on your days off.

Kinda rambled, but hope you understood.

EK Birdcage

My contract (AJV, PARC) says 11 days off.. Since I have been here (almost 2 years) I have never had less then 13 days off in a row. I have 16 off in April. About 75% of the time we will arrive from a trip early enough on the last day of duty to depart, or will be assigned stand-by that ends prior to your flight home departing. (USA flights at least)
Thus commuting is NOT always done on off time, but it is up to the company.

CloudSailor

I'm just going by what CReW's website states, and by what the CReW contract offers. CReW is owned in part by ANA. So, according to CReW, their contract will never offer less than the PARC one. However, that is just what I heard from them, not necessarily a fact. I do know that the CReW contract's guaranteed consecutive days off changed in the last 3 months.

If you look on www.crewresourcesworldwide.com you will see that both CA and FO, AJV (cargo) and AJX (pax) contracts, clearly state the 10 days off a month, only 8 of which is guaranteed consecutive. The cargo side (AJV) contract recently changed on the CReW website. It used to state 10 days off consecutive, now it states 10 days off, of which 8 are guaranteed consecutive. Now, if you choose to "burn" vacation days, you can increase your days off, but of course you are left without a big vacation block of days off sometime later on in the year.

In my opinion, this is the best expat, commuting contract out there. However, it is important to clearly understand the commuting situation. You will be leaving the U.S. back to TYO two days prior to operation days. So, if you begin your work days on say, Saturday, you need to leave the U.S. mainland on a flight on Thursday. Both Thursday and Friday, commuting days, are still technically on your time off, which can effectively turn the guaranteed minimum 8 days off into effectively 6 days at home a month. If you are lucky to get the 10 days off consecutive, and add 2 days of "burned" vacation, you can make it 12 days consecutive. Still, they are completely clear that commuting takes place on your days off and that the 8 consecutive is all you are actually guaranteed by the contract.

CReW is very straightforward about all this, with no sugar-coating. You need to clearly know what you get into and they want you well informed. If you call them directly (number listed on website) they will answer any and all questions clearly. CReW specifically told me that "right now the practice is to give pilots the 10 consecutive days off, however, if operational necessity demands a change, the contract only guarantees 8 days off consecutive, both AJV and AJX"....

Obviously, if PARC is still offering 10 consecutive off guaranteed, go with them.

EK Birdcage

Well like you, I am going based upon what my contract says, and more importantly, what happens in practice every month. You are correct when leaving the US bound for NRT, as we do lose at least one day off commuting. We have guys in AJV who will arrive on the day of duty if it is a DH. While this practice is not encouraged, the company is allowing it as they are the ones booking the tickets if you use company tix..
Another example would be Korean Air. When you read their contract, it appears to have limited time off, but when you speak to guys on the line, the reality is a lot more time off in a row.
I am glad the contract companies are giving factual info about time off.. It is important to get the "Real" story from the guys on the line.. Now, can you get the contract companies to STOP telling guys that we may open a USA base!!! Total wet dream.. Although if this volcano keeps blowing, we might have to open a ORD base!!!

CloudSailor

Dominican,

Obviously you know what is going on, since you've been there for 2 + years. Like I told Dominican on another forum, I am very thankful for all your posts, and used a lot of your info in the decision making process to pursue this contract.

When CReW repeatedly told me that the contract that I'm signing only has 8 days off consecutive guaranteed it sounded like a warning to me in the sense of "we told you very clearly before you signed the contract that 8 in a row was all that is guaranteed". That was enough to make me realize I would have NO ground to stand on by saying "you guys give everybody 10 off in a row"...

Maybe they change the contract from time to time. When I applied through CReW, AJV offered 10 consecutive, now it is only 8. I wanted to take your words and Dominican's and use that as my contract. At the end of the day though, I am responsible for the language I was going to sign off on, not the posts I've read here, you know what I mean?

A lot of things can happen in 5 years. They might actually need to give guys only the 8 days consecutive. We'll see. On the other hand, they might improve on the contract for everyone, like they've done in the past.

Enjoy your time there, you have a great deal going. In my opinion, you have the best expat, commuting contract out there, for the best company out there.

FYI- To my knowledge, CReW never has said anything misleading about a US base in the future. That would be pretty sweet.

Again, thanks for all your time and help, I greatly appreciated the guidance/info from you guys.

The Dominican

Cloud, good luck with your career prospects in the future. I looks like you have decided to pass on pursuing this contract and I understand your reasoning because I went through the same thought process when I was researching this job.