belliott

Thanks Dominican... It looks like I may have my hand forced into applying with ANA so this info is very beneficial to me.

The Dominican

You are either getting furloughed or you got a Japanese girl pregnant, a Katana wedding out here

belliott

Very close indeed.... apparently you've had experience in this field...

WHACKMASTER

Greetings everyone. I'd like to ask a question regarding what eye surgery (if any) is currently accepted by ANA? About five years ago I had LASEK (not LASIK) and it corrected my vision to basically 20/20 in both eyes with no complications since.

For those of you that don't know, LASEK is a form of surgery that has less likelihood of long-term complications compared to LASIK, although the recovery period was closer to a week as opposed to only a few days with LASIK and it was no picnic, believe me. However, I was advised that LASEK would be a much better form of eye surgery for someone who relies on their eyes for their livelihood and also the only form that the U.S. military approved for its pilots (no, I'm strictly a civilian guy, but I'm just pointing that out).

Also, at the risk of sounding perhaps a tad presumptious, I understand that the training program on the B767 (I am typed and have about 700 hrs. on the B757 SIC and about 4000 PIC on the B737NG that I'm currently flying) last about 6-8 months. Is that still fairly accurate and is there ANY chance of getting released to go visit my home in the States during that time period.

I appreciate any and all info that you fine folks can provide. Oh, and just to see if I'd even be competitive for a PIC position, here are my qualifications:

Approximately 10,000 TT
8,000 Jet
4,000 Jet PIC (almost all B737NG)
5,500 PIC

Typed in the B757/767, B737, and CL65 (CRJ)
About a years worth of international ops
37 y/o and in good physical health

WHACKMASTER

Oh, and also that pesky four year degree. I'm eight credits shy, but hadn't found the interest or gumption to finish it because my airline career has progressed so well (luck, not skill). I understand that this is not a requirement per se, but in reality how much less qualified if at all does it make you?

Thanks!

myoface

I know LASIK is not allowed. Guessing anything to do with the eyes is out as well. The only way to know is to call the recruiters and ask.

The Dominican

That is a question best suited for the recruiting company, I'm sure they will be able to answer it with more factual information than I can.
The training period is of 6 months for sim and simulator checks, since you are typed on the A/C it could be reduced by maybe less than a month but only if you happen to get paired with a partner that is also typed, if not you have to do the entire program with him, during that time your family can visit (tickets are provided for them) and since you will be provided an apartment they can stay for the duration of their visas basically (90 days) after you get the type ride and the ATPL ride (In your case just the ATPL ride and your type will be transferred) you get to go home for a period usually of two to three weeks, after you come back for OJT (O.E here in the US) it is another two months for your JCAB ride if you are a captain and a company check for the F/O's.
Your qualifications look good for a DEC position but be aware that they are recruiting mostly F/O's now. The college degree is not required and most of the guys from OZ and Kiwi land don't have it, simply because most of the jobs in the ex pat market don't require it.

WHACKMASTER

Thanks Dominican and myoface. Good info. I guess that as a first step I'll have to get a hold of Parc or CREW to find out about the eye surgery. Other than that I'm also going to have to do some serious soul-searching and see how the SWA/AirTran "merger"/hostile takeover of our pilot group plays out and whether or not I hang onto the left seat.

We've had two of our Cptns. leave to fly for ANA, both as DECs. Of course out of due respect I don't want to list any names on a public forum.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding that now the schedule is 10 or 11 off in a row (dependent on the pax or cargo operations) with one commute day on each end and of course you can tack a vacation day on each end for a total of 14 or 15 days off? Is that correct?

Perhaps a silly question, but what are the chances or likelihood of them yanking the commute days per se. Two less days off a month is HUGE when you're talking about being based on the other side of the world. Is it safe to say that the commute days are here to stay or does the company have a right to pull them?

I currently reside within about a two and a half hour drive from JFK, so I suppose from that standpoint I'm fairly lucky. Is it safe to say that if I chose the option of having the company buy me a business class seat for each month's commute, I could be assured of a nonstop flight to Tokyo? I'd also be able to fly out of EWR where Continental has a nonstop.

Again, thanks gents for taking the time to answer my questions. My situation seems to be changing on a weekly basis. One thing I will say is that I admire ANA for basing most of the interview on the sim ride. What a concept, huh? Evaluating pilots by their flying skills. From the outside looking in, they seem like a very respectable company.

WHACKMASTER

Oh, almost forgot to ask! What about recurrent training? How often, how many days, do the recurrent training days count towards your "days on" for the month or will you have less days off during a month when you've got recurrent. Also, I'm assuming that it takes place in Tokyo?

myoface

if you leave a reasonably well paying, semi stable job for ANA you need to have your head examined. You have no idea how screwed up things are there and how fast you can find yourself out of a job.