ASA/Vietnam/Mekong combined thread
05-20-2010, 07:07 PM
#281
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: Self employed
Posts: 3,048
They won't know, or care, how much you make. You're an expat, so you're automatically rich. People don't vacation here in the country I work.
More security to ponder. One pilot (from a neighboring country) that works here was fast asleep in his hotel room here when a couple of armed goons broke down the door, and stabbed him, and stole everything in the room of value. He spent 3 months in the hospital, and almost died from infection complications.
Had a crew lose all the MFD/PFD's on the CRJ-900 with a setting sun, and potentially flying over the black of night of the Sahara desert. They elected to land on the only visible runway, a dirt strip that happened to be a military airport of a not very friendly country. They were greeted with AK-47's, and of course, they didn't speak English.
Most will be familiar with the Mumbai massacre. Lots of crews in that hotel in India.
I just learnt tonight that we have to wear reflective vests while on the ramp. I didn't learn this through SOP, FOM, etc. It was from another crew who was threatened with arrest if they didn't get back in their plane.
Eventually, you'll fly with non-ASA crews, as they ramp up their own pilots. That's where safety really takes on a whole new meaning !!!
Last edited by TonyWilliams; 05-21-2010 at 02:11 AM. Reason: spelling
05-20-2010, 09:45 PM
#282
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Posts: 264
Tony,
I'm one of those quiet ones who just sat back and watched. Thanks for pouring so much time into this thread when you could've just sat back and said, "I'll let these dorks learn on their own."
I'm a furloughed guy who's working night shift as a hangar mechanic there. Some instructor pilots were here this morning as I finished my shift, and they were asking if I put in for Vietnam. My reply to the negative contained enough expletives to get me kick-banned from here, and I ran right into a tirade about how we're ruining a decent career for some folks by undercutting them - just as we've done domesticly.
After the smoke cleared, the instructor just said, "Wow. Finally someone got a thinking head on their shoulders here. I just talked to a four-striper who was all brainwashed and gung-ho to go."
Honestly, I was all for it when I first heard about it. Then when the figures came out I started trying to talk my friends out of it who'd signed up for an interview. Once someone posted an interview gouge where all questions were answered by the Air Mekong folks as "We don't know," I laughed all the way to the bank.
I spent most of last night covered in brake dust, replacing the outboard wiring harness on a CRJ gear leg. The washbasin ran black for 10 minutes as I scrubbed up at the end of the shift. As miserable as the work is at times, I've never missed a paycheck, never had a paycheck bounce, and I sleep well at night in a relatively safe place. There will be better flying opportunities coming soon. Real soon. I'll stick it out. Thanks again for sharing the scoop.
I'm one of those quiet ones who just sat back and watched. Thanks for pouring so much time into this thread when you could've just sat back and said, "I'll let these dorks learn on their own."
I'm a furloughed guy who's working night shift as a hangar mechanic there. Some instructor pilots were here this morning as I finished my shift, and they were asking if I put in for Vietnam. My reply to the negative contained enough expletives to get me kick-banned from here, and I ran right into a tirade about how we're ruining a decent career for some folks by undercutting them - just as we've done domesticly.
After the smoke cleared, the instructor just said, "Wow. Finally someone got a thinking head on their shoulders here. I just talked to a four-striper who was all brainwashed and gung-ho to go."
Honestly, I was all for it when I first heard about it. Then when the figures came out I started trying to talk my friends out of it who'd signed up for an interview. Once someone posted an interview gouge where all questions were answered by the Air Mekong folks as "We don't know," I laughed all the way to the bank.
I spent most of last night covered in brake dust, replacing the outboard wiring harness on a CRJ gear leg. The washbasin ran black for 10 minutes as I scrubbed up at the end of the shift. As miserable as the work is at times, I've never missed a paycheck, never had a paycheck bounce, and I sleep well at night in a relatively safe place. There will be better flying opportunities coming soon. Real soon. I'll stick it out. Thanks again for sharing the scoop.
05-21-2010, 09:54 AM
#283
intentionally left blank
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: Bus Co-Driver
Posts: 284
Nobody ever accused me of fielding a flawless argument! I can dang sure field a lively discussion/debate.. but flawless? Nah. That's for the riddle kids. They're flawless. Just ask 'em. :-D
Seriously.. It's not a perfect argument, but my logic was: The damage here is done. It's kind of like someone set off a nuke, and I'm firing into the wasteland with a BB pistol. I worry the Air Mekong mess will be the Daisy Cutter blasting an LZ in the jungle, opening the doors for more to follow...
Seriously.. It's not a perfect argument, but my logic was: The damage here is done. It's kind of like someone set off a nuke, and I'm firing into the wasteland with a BB pistol. I worry the Air Mekong mess will be the Daisy Cutter blasting an LZ in the jungle, opening the doors for more to follow...
Last edited by Bug Smasher; 05-21-2010 at 09:54 AM. Reason: elementary grammar
05-21-2010, 03:20 PM
#284
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Posts: 264
I can respect that Bug Smasher. This thread has contained some good information. I just dislike it when an informative thread gets taken over by one viewpoint and essentially shuts down to open discussion.
Last edited by hemaybedid; 05-21-2010 at 03:43 PM.
05-21-2010, 03:44 PM
#285
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: Self employed
Posts: 3,048
You recognize that those "experts" you refer to do not have access to the Air Mekong info, unless you're at ASA.
05-23-2010, 06:40 PM
#287
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Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: Self employed
Posts: 3,048
05-23-2010, 07:19 PM
#288
Reserve Indefinitely
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 178
05-25-2010, 07:16 AM
#290
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Posts: 660
From a reputable source/interview
-How did this start?
A captain (BB) at ASA married a Vietnamese woman and has been living there ever since. Yes, I find it hard to believe he commutes but I just spoke with him and that is the case. About a year ago, the Vietnam government granted a few operating certificates to some new carriers. Air Mekong, being one of them, started working with BB to help get things started. In return, BB presented this to BH in a proposal for investment by SkyWest Inc. After negotiations with SkyWest Inc., who now invested 30%, things started moving along. (THIS IS THE SHORT VERSION)
-Why not SkyWest?
Due to only 40 pilots, ASA offered they would start the first 13 month contract. With aggressive growth, opportunity will be provided to SkyWest after the first 13 month contract, or as needed.
-Can I upgrade?
Not during your contract, however, after your 13 months, if a position is available (most likely it will be), you will be given priority to renew the contract and move to the left seat.
-How do you arrange housing?
The first month in Vietnam you will be put up in a hotel with all expenses paid. During that time, you will be given tours by the company of the areas you show interest in.
-If I don't travel, do I get to pocket the $5,000 travel expenses?
Yes
-Will ASA recall 40 pilots to replace the ones that are leaving? (Asked outside of interview)
Most likely ASA will be recalling the 40 pilots in addition to another 40 due to some little growth expected this year.
-When does all this start?
The first 20 pilots will be flying in Vietnam by September 1st.
The second 20 will be flying in Vietnam by September 15th.
-What additional training is needed?
Very little since the pilots they are looking at are already qualified/current on the aircraft. They will be taken offline at ASA around two weeks prior to moving.
-Are they considering furloughed pilots?
No/Yes.
No - If they have enough current pilots to fill the position, they take priority. In addition, they cannot have a furloughed pilot go through OE due to the union. They think they may run into problems with seniority.
Yes - If they don't have enough pilots (all problems will then be taken care).
-How many people have you interviewed so far?
We will be interviewing around 200 pilots from ASA.
-So you probably won’t need the furloughed pilots?
No, at this time we think we should be able to hire 40 current pilots.
-If I’m engaged, will she be covered under healthcare and emergency evacuation?
We are setting up the healthcare and insurance the same as SkyWest. She will be covered.
-What does the schedule look like?
Right now we are looking at 3 on 4 off, or 2 on 3 off or any combination similar (rotates between pilots). Most of these will be home at night. As the airline grows they will be switching the schedule to be similar to that of ASA where you will have 1-2-3-4 day trips away from home.
-What cities will be a Domicile?
As of now, Hanoi and HCM.
-How did this start?
A captain (BB) at ASA married a Vietnamese woman and has been living there ever since. Yes, I find it hard to believe he commutes but I just spoke with him and that is the case. About a year ago, the Vietnam government granted a few operating certificates to some new carriers. Air Mekong, being one of them, started working with BB to help get things started. In return, BB presented this to BH in a proposal for investment by SkyWest Inc. After negotiations with SkyWest Inc., who now invested 30%, things started moving along. (THIS IS THE SHORT VERSION)
-Why not SkyWest?
Due to only 40 pilots, ASA offered they would start the first 13 month contract. With aggressive growth, opportunity will be provided to SkyWest after the first 13 month contract, or as needed.
-Can I upgrade?
Not during your contract, however, after your 13 months, if a position is available (most likely it will be), you will be given priority to renew the contract and move to the left seat.
-How do you arrange housing?
The first month in Vietnam you will be put up in a hotel with all expenses paid. During that time, you will be given tours by the company of the areas you show interest in.
-If I don't travel, do I get to pocket the $5,000 travel expenses?
Yes
-Will ASA recall 40 pilots to replace the ones that are leaving? (Asked outside of interview)
Most likely ASA will be recalling the 40 pilots in addition to another 40 due to some little growth expected this year.
-When does all this start?
The first 20 pilots will be flying in Vietnam by September 1st.
The second 20 will be flying in Vietnam by September 15th.
-What additional training is needed?
Very little since the pilots they are looking at are already qualified/current on the aircraft. They will be taken offline at ASA around two weeks prior to moving.
-Are they considering furloughed pilots?
No/Yes.
No - If they have enough current pilots to fill the position, they take priority. In addition, they cannot have a furloughed pilot go through OE due to the union. They think they may run into problems with seniority.
Yes - If they don't have enough pilots (all problems will then be taken care).
-How many people have you interviewed so far?
We will be interviewing around 200 pilots from ASA.
-So you probably won’t need the furloughed pilots?
No, at this time we think we should be able to hire 40 current pilots.
-If I’m engaged, will she be covered under healthcare and emergency evacuation?
We are setting up the healthcare and insurance the same as SkyWest. She will be covered.
-What does the schedule look like?
Right now we are looking at 3 on 4 off, or 2 on 3 off or any combination similar (rotates between pilots). Most of these will be home at night. As the airline grows they will be switching the schedule to be similar to that of ASA where you will have 1-2-3-4 day trips away from home.
-What cities will be a Domicile?
As of now, Hanoi and HCM.
Last edited by JustAnotherPLT; 05-25-2010 at 07:20 AM. Reason: corrections
