DEC: EK x SIA x SIAC. What do you prefer?

[high_vibration]

Hi folks,
Opportunities for non T/R commanders have increased lately and would like to know your opinion about those companies. Some questions...
Based on your experience what is the best choice for a long term considering salaries, benefits, allowances, etc. ?
What's the advantange of a separated group between SIA pax and cargo? Chances for a future merger?

[millerscourt]

high_vibration

No chance of SQ Cargo and Mainline joining back up so forget that. The B744 in Mainline is a diminishing fleet whilst SQ Cargo is a growing one.

Whether SQ Cargo or EK is a better bet as a DEC is a matter of lots of different priorities that we all have. Management styles are however similar!! The rest is totally different. Geographical position is all important to some not to others.

If you want to sit outside with a beer and watch the world go by then Singapore is the place.

[Round D. Globe]

Do you know offhand are there classes ongoing at SIA (either mainline or cargo). And if so, are they taking narrow body PIC's as DEC's? Trying to get an idea of the wait time on my app

[Round D. Globe]

typo, sorry

[Left Coaster]

Yes, yes, and probably not! (have a spin through Flight International online...);)

[fishbad]

If you want to fly 30 hrs a month and another 30 hrs as a positioning ...so welcome .Forget about 7000s$/montly as an allowance.And remember... real bond is not 56000s$ but 140000s$ 56k is only your guarantee for bank .Deducyion starts after 2 years so if you gonna leave in 5th yera you still have to pay for SIA 28ks$.

[BANANASBANANAS]

I joined SIA Cargo as DEC last August. Last months allowances were spot on 7000$. This months just under 6000$. Projected for next month is just over 7000$
Mrs Bananas is Malaysian and very happy in Singapore. I have 7 days OFF followed by 3 days unrostered when I get back from my current 15 day pattern. This allows for a quality of life which I could only dream of at my previous company.
There is a fair amount of positioning but its the best job I have ever had by a country mile.:ok:

[high_vibration]

Thank you for your opinions folks...
But Banana why do you have so many positioning flights? Aren't those "around the world trips" with the same crew? Are there many flights with two captains?
Just a curiosity...
Thanks

[BANANASBANANAS]

You would have to talk to rostering for the exact reasons but bear in mind that about 20% of our work is charter - some of it at short notice, and we have to be flexible so that we dont pass up the opportunity of a lucrative contract.

That is one of the variable factors that some people will view as a plus, others a minus. I love it and don't mind the positioning at all. The bunks on the freighter are very comfortable and I have been extremely well looked after whenever I have positioned on mainline SIA or another carrier.

I can't tell you whether you will like it or not as everyones personal circumstances and preferences will be different, but from a professional point of view it's great.:ok:

[Left Coaster]

Just a bit to add here...A buddy's (he works at SIA Cargo) wife just ended up in the hospital for emergency surgery (in Singapore) and he had to pull off a really good trip, "no worries" said the boss..."take care if her, call us when you're ready to come back", and to top it off they sent her some lovely flowers in the hospital. Very classy, as the last place he worked at were doing their best to fire the guy after after he suffered an injury and lost time at work...nice change to see some compassion in the workplace, so many others take it for granted that you belong to them, not your family.:ok:

[millerscourt]

BANANASBANANAS Just to avoid any confusion please confirm that your allowances of S$7000 includes Accommodation,Productivity and Down Route??
Most Pilots refer to Allowances as the down route only ones to cover food etc

[BANANASBANANAS]

It comes in 2 parts; The hourly duty rate from start to end of COP plus the hourly flying rate. That is how it was explained to me at interview and, so far, has proven accurate.

[fishbad]

Bannanas
show me other guy flying around 75 hrs a month .that's required to receive 7000 allowance .I've never got it!!!! I've been working for more than 1 year and my heighest one was 5500. Normally I fly 30-40 hrs
Brgds

[BANANASBANANAS]

I did it with just over 55 hours in December. A couple of long haul patterns and 19 days away. Do the math yourself. Before this thread degenerates into a willy waving contest I will bow out. But so far I have got the allowances I stated. :ok:

[CARGOJOCK]

HEY GUYS,

ON THE AVERAGE THE CARGO LADS GET A RAW DEAL.

AVERAGE FLYING PER MONTH IS 30-40 HRS

AVERAGE PAX TIMES PER MONTH 30-50HRS YES YES THATS RIGHT!!!!!!
FIRST CLASS OFCOURSE BUT HEY WE WANT TO FLY PAX YOU ARE NOT PAID AT LEAST THE CARGO BOYS.

THE SQ MAINLINE LADS CLOCK MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 75-85 HRS.

THE SQ CARGO SETUP IS NOT A CHARTER OPS ALTHOUGH IT DOES ACCEPT AD HOC FLIGHTS HENCE PAX TO THIS EFFECT IS JUST CRAZY.

SINGAPORE IS AN OK PLACE SAFE AND CLEAN.
SQ TRAVEL PRIVILEDGES ARE ZEEEEEEEERO. YOU ARE BETTER OFF BUYING TICKETS DOWNTOWN.

I AM STUCK DUE TO THE BOND AND SOMETHINGS YOU LEARN THE HARD WAY.

[boeingdream787]

Great thread fellas.And great job Bananas for all the info.Even better for the graceful exit......considering......!! Left coaster....the incident that you cited seems reason enough for me to reconsider my options.Any employer who wud treat my family as well as they wud treat me when on duty is a worthy and compassionate employer that makes a fantastic workplace even better.Cheers y'all.Keep the info cummin....!!:)

[Hachiouji-shi]

Talking about cargo ops outa singapore, what about air hong kong? it's pay and rostering etc?

[CARGOJOCK]

i just cannot imagine how bananasbananas gets s$7000 a month in allowances.

he may be wagging his willy in office.

all the regular lads clock in 30-40 hrs a month. i have joined the frequent flyer program at SQ maybe i can turn all those paxing time to useful miles huh!!!

paxing is just not acceptable you do it round the world LAX-SIN/JFK-SIN/AKL-SIN are the longest sectors.

SQ CARGO IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED AND THE TRAVEL PRIVILEDGES NONE.

I HAVE little over 24 MONTHS TO GO i shall look back on it as a BAD DREAM!!!!!!!!!!