Guys a lot of truths being spoken here! Please do your research about Hong Kong and the cost of living and typical spends on things before you actually look at coming for this job! On paper you might see figures and think wow ok not as good as it was but the money is ok, it simply isn’t with the cost of living in Hong Kong! If you don’t believe what people are saying then fine, go do your own research! Here is some info to help:
PROPERTY go onto Spacious Hong Kong or Go Home HK and start looking for apartments see what you can afford to live in, most pilots live in DB, MID levels, Kennedy Town, Sai Kung or even on South Lantau! Remember with property you need to be aware of Net v Gross sq foot and you need to pay two months rent security deposit upfront in addition to half a months rent commission to the real estate agent who finds you or represents you for the apartment!
FOOD, pretend to do an online shop for you and your family see what the bill comes to, take note of the smaller sizes of things here in Hong Kong like a pack of Kellogg’s cereal and the price of it compared to everywhere else! Welcome, Park & Shop or a service such as honest bee all deliver and will give a great idea of what you spend on a weekly shop! If you really want to scare your self look at the more high quality food vendors such as Jason’s, City Super or M&S.
TAX, go onto the Hong Kong IRD and look at how much tax you will be paying do your research, did you know in your first year you have to pay two years of tax? Might not sound like much but it is quite hefty especially for a new joining Second Officer or Junior FO, along with the cost of your move to Asia and the significant sum of cash required for your rental property the significant costs you have to pay in your first year in Hong Kong are rising!
EDUCATION, have a look at the ESF website they openly advertise their fees on the website including the non refundable debenture to get a kid in, remember these fees are monthly and in HKD! If you want to look at something a little better because you don’t like the sound of a government school then look at DBIS for a slightly more modest and achievable school, if you really want a fancy school have a little look at the Harrow school where the fees make even CEOs and Billionaires wince.
ENTERTAINMENT, your hard earned days off what are you gonna do? Fancy getting out of your 500 Sq foot Hong Kong 2 bedroom apartment (Ha) people who live here will understand the irony! Going out for a meal with your mates or a Beer, look at websites of places in Central, Soho, DB, TST see the price lists on their menus a night or meal out quickly becomes very expensive! Cinema, have a look and see what the latest blockbuster ticket price is!
Club or Gym membership, go look into those cricket club, Football club, FCC all explain their fees on the website it’s eyewatering!
HEALTHCARE, unfortunately so many things aren’t included in our Health package anymore and we don’t have real insurance Cathay self insure and will only pay for certain things from doctors they choose! Have a look on the website of some local doctors to see how much they will charge your for routine things such as a flu shot, vaccinations required for some of the destinations you will operate too, a medical check up for you and your family! OT&P is one that comes to mind go on their website or send them an email and ask them!
All of these essential items are things that you should very easily be able to afford and more importantly you deserve to be able to afford, you are a profesional aviator at arguably the top of your profession (used to be maybe not anymore) the fact that a legacy premium airline is attempting to make it so their own professionals can not afford access to such essentials is disheartening!