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Post by Guy on Nov 30, 2014 21:06:02 GMT
Gentlemen, I am collecting all docs for the 777 screening but still not sure what agency to use. It seems most choose either Parc or Risworth, I have some history with Parc and it was generally good but would appreciate some hands-on experience with the agencies that deal with CSA.
How is life on the line during layovers? I read some stories about 2 star airport hotels and sharing rooms, cannot believe that to be true but curious nonetheless.
Heard the AMS base is full? Any word about other Eu bases opening.
All info very much appreciated!
Thnx,Guy
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Post by Matt on Dec 1, 2014 9:47:52 GMT
Hi Guy:
Yeah - AMS is full for the time being. They have 16 guys already allocated. Once 8 guys are trained on the 777 it should open. FRA has been talked about but nothing decided yet.
The next bases to open out of Europe will be AKL on the 787 and SYD on the 330. Nothing in North America yet.
Re agencies; I'm with Longreach China - they've got quite a lot of guys over here. It's an agency operated by pilots, so they really do understand our issues re rostering etc. they also have excellent health care package, good loss of licence and critical illness cover, and a creative way of managing the bond.
So I would highly recommend them so far.
I asked a Chinese captain on the 777 about the hotels down route. Mostly they are located in the China Town of the places they visit. They all seemed to be upper 3 star type hotels.......not Sheraton or Hilton - more Ramada type.
However - for the assessment we stayed in a stinking zero star flea pit because the normal 3 star hotel in Zhuhai was full. But even then - nobody shares a room.
The one thing to remember is; everything changes - constantly. So if you need stability and structure, then perhaps China is not for you.
Hope that helps.
Matthew
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Post by Guy on Dec 1, 2014 16:32:47 GMT
Thanks Matthew,
Appreciate your info. Will look into Longreach as an alternative to Parc.
Cheers, Guy
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Post by Leigh Myhill on Dec 16, 2014 12:39:24 GMT
Hi Guy,
Another alternative agency is Aviator Asia, based in Hong Kong. Pros: 1) Chinese speaking (& English of course), so can communicate well with company 2) Always have a representative at the screenings to holls your hand. You may think so what, but it meant one less trip for me as the MRI machine broke down while in CAN for screening, so most guys had to return later. My agent hussled us around town to all the other hospitals until she found one that could do an MRI that day. I had to pay for it, but it was cheaper than returning. Also, try getting a taxi from Gongbei bus station in Zhuhai on a Saturday night, impossible unless you're a local. 3) I think some agencies are charging an up front bond. Aviator Asia isn't (yet!) Cons: 1) Chinese speaking, so often are not told of developments or changes until the last minute. It's not an intentional keeping in the dark, just a Chinese cultural thing, different to the west. Can be a little frustrating, but nothing's perfect. 2) Nothing else really....
Let me know if you want contact details
Cheers
Leigh
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Post by Guy on Dec 16, 2014 14:23:37 GMT
Thanks Leigh, always good to have some alternative info.
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Post by Guy on Jan 1, 2015 13:10:20 GMT
Does anyone have an example roster of B777 CAN based?
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Post by Matt on Jan 1, 2015 14:50:48 GMT
Rolling 5 day roster and permanent standby at the moment unfortunately.
We are stacking our chips rather firmly on the belief that when the overseas bases open, that style of roster will have to change.
The 330 guys have an excellent roster that changes rarely - so it can be done. The problem on the 777 is that a lot of it is cargo - which means the flying schedule is subject to a lot of disruption and delays.
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Post by Guy on Jan 1, 2015 16:50:59 GMT
Thanks Matt. So basically at his moment there is no real published schedule and you are on permanent duty and days off can be anywhere downroute?
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Post by Matt on Jan 2, 2015 3:08:05 GMT
You get days off in CAN, because you can only fly 80 hours per month. However, even on a day off you have to check the intranet for changes the next day.
Basically, the current philosophy is that the company needs take precedence over all but the most serious personal matters.
We are hoping that when the overseas bases open this will change - such as on the 330. Most guys will be commuting to AMS to operate the flights, so if there are constant changes, it will make the issue unsustainable in the long term.
There are a lot of unknowns about the operation at this time.
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Post by John Wood on Aug 3, 2015 17:36:58 GMT
Matt - is your above post still accurate or have things improved over the last 6months specific to the 77 - looks like I'm back in August to do caac check again. Cheers
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