Foreign pilots offered $318,000 packages

[OK4Wire]

I know its China, but at least someone is recognising the need for experienced pilots.

And it's made the mainstream. Chinese Airlines Wave Wads of Cash to Lure Foreign Pilots - Bloomberg

[Team America]

Take into account housing, schooling, medical, provident fund and monthly salary and I think you will find the average CX Capt is on more than that.

But still good to see demand is starting to strip supply, can only get better if their pilot numbers are correct.

[CEA330Driver]

Ah yes, the lure of the almighty greenback. But is it worth it? I am certainly not suggesting that working for a Chinese carrier is all that bad, but one would have to be seriously fed up with work at CX/KA before making that leap. Although I did, there is not a day that goes by when I wonder if I made the right decision. I do enjoy the reverse roster and the plenty of time at home I get with my family - which by the way was my sole motivator. However, it can be pretty lonely in the flight deck and knowing that you will probably never be a real part of an organization again can leave a pretty big void in ones ambitions. Fancy being a TRE, forget it! Fancy a management position, 'in your dreams!' Even being the PIC varies from airline to airline. They talk about needing experience in the article, yet most of the airlines flying long-haul will have the experienced Foreign Captains acting as de-facto Cruise Captains. Pretty challenging when you see some of the stuff that goes on in the flight deck. But if you have to make the move, choose carefully and just accept that the decision you made was for the right reasons.

[boxjockey]

Who would want to be a TRE or management? Seriously????

box

[bafanguy]

I’d like to hear THIS guy’s story. 32 y/o and already a “former” UAL pilot ? Gotta be a story there.

“Giacomo Palombo, a former United Airlines pilot…”

“…Palombo, 32, now an Atlanta-based consultant for McKinsey & Co.”

Years ago, I worked with a legacy FO who was furloughed long enough to go back to school, get an MBA and become a McKinsey consultant (oil industry, IIRC). A really smart, motivated guy.

When the airline called him back from furlough, he jumped ship from that consulting gig like it was on fire. He made good money but was never "off duty"...worked like a pack animal.

When he went to his boss to tell him he was returning to his airline career, Bossman laughed out loud...thought the guy was kidding. Nope...he wasn't kidding.

I'll guess Mr.Palombo won't be returning to UAL or going to a Chinese carrier ? Have to hear from him to know his circumstances.

[CEA330Driver]

@Boxjockey; just saying. There are plenty of very good instructors out there that could contribute greatly to the China expansion, but in most (not all) cases they are not welcome. The career path that many enjoy with carriers in their home countries is not available in China.

[airdualbleedfault]

Month on month off won't get you the big dollars, just sayin'

[CEA330Driver]

@airdualbleedfault, spot on. Most contracts of this nature are just a shade over USD14000/month - all inclusive. Probably an OK job for a pilot with no kids or kids that are out of the house. Doing a month in China would probably feel like proverbial hell especially if it domestic flying. Do your research too. Make sure that the 1/1 contract states explicitly that you get a MINIMUM of one month OFF (especially if they are using actual days like Hainan does). Hainan for example specified in a past contract that the pilot would receive a MAXIMUM of 28 days off. Three guesses what happens there? First two guesses don't count.

@Frank (love your handle!); I hear you. If they indeed do as you suggest then yes, an exodus would start. Having worked at KA, it's hard for me to imagine that CX would get rid of housing all together. If I recall (maybe the laws have changed since I worked there) but under Hong Kong Law the company can't unilaterally worsen the COS. So how would they get rid of housing? Just curious.

[CEA330Driver]

Sorry Curtain rod you lost me. I'm a bit thick I know, but what policy change are you talking about? Housing? If so, haven't they done that with the current C Scale. Surely if the company could change the housing policy for A and B Scale they would have done it by now, no? I totally agree that the company isn't paying housing because they want to but because they have to. I just don't understand how lifting the TB is going to materially change anything. As far as I can see, the company will still have to pay for housing either because they can't legally and unilaterally change policy or because doing so would be tantamount to opening the flood gates for guys to leave. Also, the company (CX/KA) could save millions by changing education, gratuity, and travel funds policies (to name a few) but they haven't. Begs the question as to why? Probably because those that make these decisions know full well that they would lose the very same managers that enjoy these benefits.

[WYOMINGPILOT]

If you are a Captain at Cathay/Dragon don't come to China and in most cases the FO jobs are very painful here. There are a few airlines which do use ExPat Instructors quite extensively but most are private airlines and newer airlines. The widebody jobs are in many cases Cruise Captain jobs especially on the Boeing fleets but A-330 fleets are better at being the PIC. The only advantage I can see is you may take home more money in your pocket. The 15% HK tax, the high cost of housing and living expenses make Mainland more attractive but in my opinion not attractive enough for a Cathay Captain who has 20+ years invested to give it up and work in the mainland. If you are an FO who has 500 hours PIC on an A-320 or B-737 then it is probably a good move but don't expect it to last as a career. Come here for six years make the big bucks and then move on to a retirement job.