COA Again...
Hello Captain Mercurius and Jet-lagged,
First to dispel an impression that you both have. I live in Canada, worked in the US, OK...eh? But we do have trailer parks in Canada, at any rate. Not to brag, but I have been fortunate not to have needed to experience trailer parks during my career. On the other hand, I do not require a lavish lifestyle. What I was shown was most comfortable, safe and adequate.
I was shown 10 apartments on our preview tour last month. I saw 6 in the Bayshore and Bayshore Park complex. Adequately furnished, 2 bedroom units. Some even faced the water at Marine Parade, which would have had more noise. Not for me. But I am telling you the truth...S$1500 ( not US$1500) is now the standard in the area. Changi Green, right across from the Centre, as I posted is, S$1300 a month (3 bedroom furnished) where one of my friends, an instructor pilot, lives.
As you are obviously from SIA, pls remember that experienced retired non-SIA ex-pat captain instructors make a fraction of what line captains and co-pilots make. Lastly, I have the unique privilege of using my retired airline passes and will do so, rather than SIA passes. No children for schooling allowances. So, that combined statement means an instructor's low income requires a 12% tax rate. My friend showed me his tax bill from last year. I have grown children and no ex-wives to support. I have no intention of hanging around Orchard Road for my jolleys and being half Asian, I love the local food and can eat very inexpensively.
I am very empathetic with the SIA pilots and their situation. In North America, the lifestyle of a pilot has nosedived. I have encouraged my sons to seek a career somewhere else. As I mentioned, one of my friends is in the the leadership group of SALPA. He keeps me informed and I have full sympathy for what they are going through. But captain instructors are neither management nor union, though as mentioned in the previous post, I have been a strong ALPA man for 35 years. Lastly, again for Jet-lagged, I am taking no one's job, bumping no one's advancement. I know morale sucks (don't know about pilot morals...same the world over!) at this time. Feeling powerless and harrassed is no fun. Which is why I guess so many have muttered that they are out of there if the flex wage goes through. Tiger looking for pilots from India because the Ryanair bosses don't want to pay? Yes, I agree, the aviation world for pilots is on the reverse pendulum. I witnessed that while at my old airline which now wants my pension reduced drastically or terminated ala USAir where their pensions disappeared and were thrown to the wolves at the gov't agency.
Enough words...this way too long. Yes it all stinks. What are you going to do? Find new work somewhere in the world, Captain M.?
My best regards to you,
AnjinGone