Air Mekong interview via Skype

[AMCKLC]

So what was the Skype interview like. What questions did they ask. Did they release any new details.

 

[crj567]

Probably has something to do with your willingness to work 78 or more flight hours per week and do so for the equivalent or less than what you are making now.

The guys who go there are in for a bit of a shock-no work rules, very little regulation.... I would imagine there will be very little sighseeing-and very little rest for the weary.

 

[Max Q]

For those that go, if they later choose to resign, how does that affect their employment at ASA?

 

[zawillif]

Here is what the contract pilots already overseas are saying about it:

http://www.pprune.org/showthread.php?p=5701084&posted=1#post5701084

 

[FishandFly]

Here is what the contract pilots already overseas are saying about it:

http://www.pprune.org/showthread.php?p=5701084&posted=1#post5701084

That was a very enlightening thread. Thanks for posting it. Makes Mekong sound like Vietnamese for Mesa.

 

[ePilot22]

Here is what the contract pilots already overseas are saying about it:

http://www.pprune.org/showthread.php?p=5701084&posted=1#post5701084

ASA (SkyWest, Inc.) will easily find 40 **********************s willing to undercut any industry rate to fly those planes.




eP.

 

[Cpt Oveur]

ASA (SkyWest, Inc.) will easily find 40 **********************s willing to undercut any industry rate to fly those planes.




eP.

May/may not be worthwhile to know that a strong contingent of applicants are furloughed ASA pilots with no ties.

 

[zawillif]

May/may not be worthwhile to know that a strong contingent of applicants are furloughed ASA pilots with no ties.

They are only interviewing current and qualified 700 pilots so they don't have to train them at all.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

A friend said on another forum "Go Jets with an Asian Flavor"

 

[CX880]

A friend said on another forum "Go Jets with an Asian Flavor"

That's sick. What does it taste like?

 

[SSDD]

Something to really think about for those considering taking the offer. Don't screw up the contract flying like we've screwed up the flying here in the states.

 

[purduej]

Seems like part of the reason they can get away with paying less than regular contract work is it sounds like the pilots would have their old spot at ASA when they come back. If that's not the case, then it's a raw deal. Otherwise, it's like paying to take away a significant part of the risk.

 

[bob_sakamano]

I've said it on the other boards, along with a few other experienced ex-pats. This is a SUB-PAR contract. Working overseas is not a joyride and anyone who jumps at this is no better than the GoJet pilots you all like to crap on so much. Food for thought.

Thanks to SkyWest/ASA, the last frontier for decent pay is about to take a major blow to the nuts. Don't expect ex-pats to be your comrades. You will get zero respect.

Things to remember: NO ALPA, NO FAA, very little standardization, maintenance "fun with facts and figures" (doesn't matter that ASA mechs there. the bill is paid by MeJet-at least until they run out of cash), constant undermining by locals (yes the local pilots hate you), culture shock, political instability and a ton of other negatives.

But hey, you can get an interview on Skype. Wow, they're not even willing to invest in a land line phone call.

As I said on another board: All aviation contractors are pimps, but some treat their prostitutes better than others. SkyWest/ASA will be making a huge amount of money off of your back. They will be taking a huge haircut from all. GUARANTEED.

If anyone is considering this contract as a cool vacation getaway, think again. You will not have enough time off to do anything other than work and recover. People that complain about ASA work rules are NOT cut out for contract flying. 6 on/1 off is what to expect. Fatigued? Deal with it. Anything other than cooperation is heavily frowned upon.

Getting involved with MeJet? You get what you deserve. SkyWest/ASA is selling you out and doing major damage to one of the last lucrative areas of flying. Thanks for taking the US regional business model and exporting it.

 

[ASA_Aviator]

I've said it on the other boards, along with a few other experienced ex-pats. This is a SUB-PAR contract. Working overseas is not a joyride and anyone who jumps at this is no better than the GoJet pilots you all like to crap on so much. Food for thought.

Thanks to SkyWest/ASA, the last frontier for decent pay is about to take a major blow to the nuts. Don't expect ex-pats to be your comrades. You will get zero respect.

Things to remember: NO ALPA, NO FAA, very little standardization, maintenance "fun with facts and figures" (doesn't matter that ASA mechs there. the bill is paid by MeJet-at least until they run out of cash), constant undermining by locals (yes the local pilots hate you), culture shock, political instability and a ton of other negatives.

But hey, you can get an interview on Skype. Wow, they're not even willing to invest in a land line phone call.

As I said on another board: All aviation contractors are pimps, but some treat their prostitutes better than others. SkyWest/ASA will be making a huge amount of money off of your back. They will be taking a huge haircut from all. GUARANTEED.

If anyone is considering this contract as a cool vacation getaway, think again. You will not have enough time off to do anything other than work and recover. People that complain about ASA work rules are NOT cut out for contract flying. 6 on/1 off is what to expect. Fatigued? Deal with it. Anything other than cooperation is heavily frowned upon.

Getting involved with MeJet? You get what you deserve. SkyWest/ASA is selling you out and doing major damage to one of the last lucrative areas of flying. Thanks for taking the US regional business model and exporting it.

It never ceases to amaze me how people don't mind showing how little they know on a public forum...

 

[bob_sakamano]

It never ceases to amaze me how people don't mind showing how little they know on a public forum...

Yes, thank you for pointing out how ignorant I am about overseas contracts. I'm sure the all the ones that you've done have really enlightened you.

You sir, manage to be condescending while displaying naivete.

Congratulations?

 

[ASA_Aviator]

Yes, thank you for pointing out how ignorant I am about overseas contracts. I'm sure the all the ones that you've done have really enlightened you.

You sir, manage to be condescending while displaying naivete.

Congratulations?

You may know about overseas contracts, but you obviously know nothing about the Air Mekong deal, other than what is written on this site, most of which is incorrect.

BTW, I'm glad you could pick up on the condescension. I wasn't trying to be subtle.

 

[General Lee]

So, let me get this straight. Mekong is Vietnamese for "Mesa?" Really? Oh SNAP!!!!!!


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[d328pilot]

You may know about overseas contracts, but you obviously know nothing about the Air Mekong deal, other than what is written on this site, most of which is incorrect.

BTW, I'm glad you could pick up on the condescension. I wasn't trying to be subtle.

I have seen the pay package and I don't need to know any more. You are flying a CRJ 900 for less that what the ATR guys make at Vietnam. On top of that you have basically no real benefits. What else is there to know? Please enlighten us.

Have you ever worked outside of the US or on a contract? Bob's statements are pretty accurate. Being that locals are in charge, if you go there expecting it to be just like ASA or any other airline you are in for a rude awakening.

Most expats are not going to sugar coat it. You are doing significant damage to the contract world. You can try to fool yourself into thinking otherwise but it won't change the facts. You are flying a bigger airplane for less pay that contractors in Vietnam. PERIOD

That's sick. What does it taste like?

Food from a chinese buffet. So much sauce and MSG that you don't know you are really eating sh*t.

 

[captain822]

You may know about overseas contracts, but you obviously know nothing about the Air Mekong deal, other than what is written on this site, most of which is incorrect.

BTW, I'm glad you could pick up on the condescension. I wasn't trying to be subtle.

As d328pilot said: "I have seen the pay package and I don't need to know any more. You are flying a CRJ 900 for less that what the ATR guys make at Vietnam."

We've already driven down the wages in the US...let's not do it overseas.

 

[bob_sakamano]

You may know about overseas contracts, but you obviously know nothing about the Air Mekong deal, other than what is written on this site, most of which is incorrect.

BTW, I'm glad you could pick up on the condescension. I wasn't trying to be subtle.

Oooh. Double zing on me.

Good for you, little Napoleon. Good for you!

I hope you take the MeJet(tm) contract with it's "class leading T&C's". Six months from now, you'll be finishing up leg 7 only to get a call that you're being "asked" to "cooperate" and operate 6 legs the following day (day 7) after 7.5 hours of "rest" from engines off to engines on. Who are you going to call? Hint: It won't be ALPA or the FAA. Then, you'll finally have enough wisdom to reflect upon this little thread on FI and say to yourself, "damn".

Oh yeah, keep up the condescending attitude and make sure to throw in a lot of passive-aggressive sarcasm. It will serve you very well overseas.

It's funny that you resort to attacking me for offering up a glimpse of the glamorous contract world. You're welcome for giving you information that most ex-pats won't. People trying to polish a turd and convince you that you're going on vacation certainly won't.

Enjoy the harsh lessons that lie ahead, Mr. I'm so awesome because I'm an RJ aviator. (cue the Bud Light "Real Men of Genius" music)

 

[maxcackel]

Oooh. Double zing on me.

Good for you, little Napoleon. Good for you!

I hope you take the MeJet(tm) contract with it's "class leading T&C's". Six months from now, you'll be finishing up leg 7 only to get a call that you're being "asked" to "cooperate" and operate 6 legs the following day (day 7) after 7.5 hours of "rest" from engines off to engines on. Who are you going to call? Hint: It won't be ALPA or the FAA. Then, you'll finally have enough wisdom to reflect upon this little thread on FI and say to yourself, "damn".

Oh yeah, keep up the condescending attitude and make sure to throw in a lot of passive-aggressive sarcasm. It will serve you very well overseas.

It's funny that you resort to attacking me for offering up a glimpse of the glamorous contract world. You're welcome for giving you information that most ex-pats won't. People trying to polish a turd and convince you that you're going on vacation certainly won't.

Enjoy the harsh lessons that lie ahead, Mr. I'm so awesome because I'm an RJ aviator. (cue the Bud Light "Real Men of Genius" music)

Lighten up Bob, take a breath and relax or that vein on your forehead is going to pop! The people you need to take your anger out on is the management who set the price. The deal is an ASA pilot with ties in Vietnam set up the deal between Air Mekong and Skywest with the stipulation that ASA pilots first then Skywest pilots second get offered the job first. Now with over 4000 pilots offered the job with 156 of them furloughed and many of them in their twenties, management knew they only needed to make the deal sweet enough to take it better than being on endless reserve flying to podunk cities. That with the fact they get to come right back to their job with no time lost was the icing on the cake for them. No way your going to get 4000 pilots to say no in hopes of a better offer. Flying to Columbus Mississippi with sixty year old FA's at a LaQuinta or 1 year in Saigon with cheap beer and cheaper women, good luck talking them out of it to protect your job! The new group of regional pilots in the US have been taught by management and mainline pilots is it's "All about me and to eat your young", and it's only getting worse.

 

[rumorhasit]

So, let me get this straight. Mekong is Vietnamese for "Mesa?" Really? Oh SNAP!!!!!!


Bye Bye--General Lee

Mekong sux!!!!!!

 

[tyuwerty]

Yes, thank you for pointing out how ignorant I am about overseas contracts. I'm sure the all the ones that you've done have really enlightened you.

You sir, manage to be condescending while displaying naivete.

Congratulations?

Bob is correct.

I fly on an expat contract oversees for more than twice as much as this contract.

I hope that the employment situation in the States changes soon. If it doesn't you guys will be helping to "regionalize" the entire expat market.

 

[COOPERVANE]

mekong sux!!

 

[WhendoIgetpaid]

I have put my resume in for this contract and I think, unless there is a big surprise in the interview (assuming I even get one), I will take it.
Just to offer another perspective for people considering this...
I am a 5th year FO at ASA and I don't expect my position to change within a year. The contract offers experience that would make me a better pilot and differentiate my resume from others when I look for my next job.
I understand the lack of a union or work rules but I don't think it would benefit Air Mekong or ASA for the work environment to be terrible. They are using the same math to crew 4 planes as they would at ASA so it seems like the crew utilization could not be drastically different. If ASA management is successful in helping with this start-up they could market themselves as an airline start-up consulting firm...so creating a positive environment for the contract pilots in Vietnam would be mutually beneficial (i.e. pilots are happy and ASA doesn't have a problem getting more volunteers for future endeavors like this one if they come).
I would be taking home double what I make now. From what I can tell I would be able to cut my expenses to a little over $1000/mo. I could come back to the States with more than $30,000 in the bank. That, combined with the resume boost and life experience is enough for me.
Good luck with your decisions.

 

[atlcrashpad]

So, let me get this straight. Mekong is Vietnamese for "Mesa?" Really? Oh SNAP!!!!!!


Bye Bye--General Lee

bẩn máy bay cho phi công tiền lương thấp
Mesa sux....
bouyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy...

 

[BigPappa]

bẩn máy bay cho phi công tiền lương thấp
Mesa sux....
bouyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy...

Is that dish served with chicken or with rice?

 

[d328pilot]

I have put my resume in for this contract and I think, unless there is a big surprise in the interview (assuming I even get one), I will take it.
Just to offer another perspective for people considering this...
I am a 5th year FO at ASA and I don't expect my position to change within a year. The contract offers experience that would make me a better pilot and differentiate my resume from others when I look for my next job.

Hopefully it won't be an overseas job. As you have shown you are willing to undercut other expats and they won't be so welcoming with the damage you have done.

I understand the lack of a union or work rules but I don't think it would benefit Air Mekong or ASA for the work environment to be terrible.

I highly doubt it. You are temporary help and the company is run by locals. They are there to use you until they get on your feet. It might not be terrible but it won't be anything like ASA.

If ASA management is successful in helping with this start-up they could market themselves as an airline start-up consulting firm...so creating a positive environment for the contract pilots in Vietnam would be mutually beneficial (i.e. pilots are happy and ASA doesn't have a problem getting more volunteers for future endeavors like this one if they come).

Great and continue to spread far below standard pay throughout the world. Really, thats a great idea.

I would be taking home double what I make now. From what I can tell I would be able to cut my expenses to a little over $1000/mo

.

Good luck with that. Only if you live in a slum or share a crashpad with 4 other guys. BTW, other expats make enough to afford a nice place by themselves. After a while you will start to miss food from home and start spending more. $1000 a month is not realistic at all.

I could come back to the States with more than $30,000 in the bank.

Other contracts would allow you to do that in 6 months, easily.

That, combined with the resume boost and life experience is enough for me.

Cause it's all about me and da*m everyone else.

 

[Shrek]

I have put my resume in for this contract and I think, unless there is a big surprise in the interview (assuming I even get one), I will take it.
Just to offer another perspective for people considering this...
I am a 5th year FO at ASA and I don't expect my position to change within a year. The contract offers experience that would make me a better pilot and differentiate my resume from others when I look for my next job.
I understand the lack of a union or work rules but I don't think it would benefit Air Mekong or ASA for the work environment to be terrible. They are using the same math to crew 4 planes as they would at ASA so it seems like the crew utilization could not be drastically different. If ASA management is successful in helping with this start-up they could market themselves as an airline start-up consulting firm...so creating a positive environment for the contract pilots in Vietnam would be mutually beneficial (i.e. pilots are happy and ASA doesn't have a problem getting more volunteers for future endeavors like this one if they come).
I would be taking home double what I make now. From what I can tell I would be able to cut my expenses to a little over $1000/mo. I could come back to the States with more than $30,000 in the bank. That, combined with the resume boost and life experience is enough for me.
Good luck with your decisions.

Glad you are thinking about yourself - my family thanks you uke:

 

[Gr82Aviate]

uke::angryfire:smash:

Glad you are thinking about yourself - my family thanks you uke:

Welcome to the me, me, me generation!