Hong Kong Airlines - New/Relevant info
 

Hong Kong Airlines is doing quite a bit of upcoming hiring. I'm sure I am not the only one looking for some up-to-date relevant info. I've spent the last week reading through the many old threads. The current threads mostly contain people making fun of the management, safety standards, and telling everyone to STAY AWAY!
I hope there are some current or former employees with a more positive outlook. I'm coming from a 5 year regional FO background, so I would look forward to an increase in salary and the opportunity to receive a better type rating and experience a new part of the world. I'm single, so I wouldn't need more than a studio apartment.


I'll start with a few questions (A320 FO Position):


How is the schedule?
Do you do many overnights?
How are the hotels?
How often are you used on reserve days?
The contract says 8-9 days off a month. But it also says you fly 60-70 hours a month. So, there must be a lot of days you don't fly? Or do you just come into work to do a turn?




Thanks for any feedback.

Come for the free type rating and hours. Leave for all the reasons mentioned in your 4th sentence.

:}

I have exactly the same questions as kr575

1500 pic on A320, 8500 total, and i never want to see a muslim country ever again.

Some real answers
 

kr575m and MD83FO,


How is the schedule?


Specific to A-320. Mixture of 1-3 day trips. Most of the flying is to Mainland China. There are some turns to Japan, Hanoi, and Bangkok. All of the overnights on the A-320 are in Mainland. Most departures are late morning or mid-afternoon. A-320 has 2 all night flights....1 to PEK and 1 to BKK. Typically a pilot will have 1-2 per month unless he is the rare breed who enjoys all night flights....he can request to do more. Schedule requests are due by the 10th of each month and rosters are published the 20th. There is no computerized bidding and seniority is not a factor in rosters. You make requests for what you like and Crew Control attempts to accommodate.



Do you do many overnights?


All of the overnights are what are called 3-0-3. So, fly 3 sectors on the first day, spend 2 nights in China and fly 3 sectors on the 3rd day. These trips are mixed with the 1 day turnarounds. Therefore, a line F/O would do approximately 5 of these per month equaling 10 nights per month on the road.



How are the hotels?


5 Star, Western brands such as Hilton or Intercontinental.



How often are you used on reserve days?


Rarely



The contract says 8-9 days off a month. But it also says you fly 60-70 hours a month. So, there must be a lot of days you don't fly? Or do you just come into work to do a turn?


The A-320 flying is very inefficient. The 3-0-3 patterns typically give you about 10-12 hours in 3 days. It is rare to get above the minimum CAD FTL day off requirement. You will have a mixture of flights and standby days. Referring to above, it's rare to fly on a standby day.


As for the previous threads about HKA and all of the negative sentiment on PPrune regarding HKA.....ignore. You're an adult and a professional. Interview...decide for yourself. If you based your decisions on what you read on PPrune, you wouldn't work for any airline, even CX. PPrune is not a place to come to find "this airline is great and all of the managers are awesome!".


I've attempted to give you answers without any "Kool-Aid" or biased negativism towards HKA.


Hope that helps.

Hong Kong Airlines - New/Relevant info
 

Well done, Jeffkaw.

A mature reply is rare on this forum these days. Airlines are never going to please every lifestyle - like any job, you pick what suits your circumstances.

At least you guys get

What are you taking about crwkunt roll, we get Western Hotels.....it just has the word Best written before it:}

......... and "BY" in front of "BEST".

What about A330 fleet? Cheers

Does anyone know.. do they have command upgrade course yet??? otherwise waste of time going.

Less than 10 commands in the last five years...

Forget it if you are not a hongkie like me. := Our assistant fleet manager will only promote cathay dropouts in HKA on the A330:ok:

Any latest news on hiring? HKA and HKE? HKE's website says they r looking for NTR FO...is that true? Anyone has any direct contact at HKE?

captain A330 conditions
 

Hi everyone,


Anybody can give me the A330 captain package in HKA?
thanks for your info.

Heard HKA just terminated A330 Captain for no reason still within contract period:confused:Is this true? If true then not good to go HKA.:=

Company run by assh#$es, con men, liars, corrupt and I could go on! Stay well away from them is my advice. Just as with Hong Kong Express, same poor standards run by a bald narssocist ozzy ****, a singaporean who talks **** and drunk 24/7 and Brazilian twats

I recently submitted my résumé but I immediately get an e-mail stating out of office. Is that normal?

I hear the new (2 months) GMF has resigned. Third one in 12 months.
Rumour is he had a run in with the company 'bully-boy' and quit.

This chap seems to be alienating everyone he meets. How can a FltOps Dept run under this kind of regime?

One things for sure - the IPO is dead in the water while there's a cap on aircraft numbers, and the CAD will not lift that cap while DFO's are continuing to resign like this. That's a huge and costly impact from just one man's poor attitude.

More pilot resignations can be expected after the CNY Bonus (or sooner if there is no bonus).

Heard same...apparently they are about to go under another CAD audit!!

Just to offer another opinion....I worked for HKE for 5 years (would have left earlier but for family reasons) and although most of my pilot colleagues were good guys it is almost impossible not to be affected by the chronic incompetence/dishonesty of management. Whether it is command upgrades, getting annual leave, errors in your pay, roster disruption or constantly changing contractual terms and conditions, it is difficult not to become very frustrated and stressed working for HKE. I had friends at HKA and I know that it is even worse there! The huge turnover of staff and the CAD restrictions are evidence of this. I would recommend to stay clear of both airlines unless you are desperate and you plan to get the type rating and leave.