DMP: I can see how the quick succession of my posts painted a pro-china choice picture. Not intentional.
To the best of my knowledge, all you typed is thoroughly accurate. Before COVID the time between the first visit (SIM assessment + medical) and the first (ground training) paycheck was 9 months on average, never less than 6.
Today it is indefinite, no one is looking for people on the outside and even if the airlines did they are no longer allowed to sponsor work visa - now authorization from government offices somewhere is required. That alone is a real issue for people whose residence permit have expired. So big even the airlines themselves are having a hard time getting all the stamps for employees they want back.
No one signs for BCA or elsewhere. It's not an offer for which audience exists, only a description of the new pay structure. And then again, I feel the same about the deal as you do. Previously the training pay with BCA and their brethren was 350-400 USD/day = 12k as opposed to 4k now. Looking at the other figures above, the rest of the contract was taxidermized in a similar manner.
The reality is, for a jobless there is still nowhere to go (save for US folk), getting re-called is the best one could hope for. Some will take the deal available in China now, and some will refuse it. This only applies to those previously employed, none of whom would ever consider coming on today's terms.
Hence my reference to WZZ, in reaction to fatbus' post. The situation seems exactly identical. It only applies to an unknown small little number of individuals who are already present / stuck in the region. Given the choice of that or no employment at all, there will be takers. For those returning to PRC, glancing at the paycheck will be sorrowful but not eye-watering.
What counts the most is regaining currency.
Last edited by FlightDetent; 27th Apr 2021 at 16:17.