Contracting on the A320 and B737.
Opportunities are opening up more and more, as companies expand, and the availability of experienced pilots shrinks.
On the surface there might appear to be a surplus of pilots unemployed, and looking for work, but the reality is many of these guys:-
i) Aren't willing to relocate to some destinations for ANY amount of money;
ii) Either don't want to take their families to a country that has little to offer them, (or) is considered unsafe/doesn't offer the same educational/health provider as their current or alternative country of employment;
or,
Are unwilling to spend weeks/months away from their family;
iii) Don't meet the required minimum qualification/recency requirement;
iv) Will NEVER leave their home country, regardless of what's offered.
The contracting companies are finding it VERY hard to fill the quotas of pilots being given to them by the airlines, but see this as an opportunity to grab more for THEMSELVES, whilst trying to screw pilots down further.
This is why some airlines that previously used ONLY contracting companies, are now direct recruiting.
Don't be sucked in to a lesser deal by some of these parasitic contractors.
NOT all contracting companies offer the same.
So what should Captains being employed on the A320/B737 in India/Asia expect?
If you're looking at a contract somewhere in the region, compare what's on offer, with what is ACTUALLY available (either by direct hire, or through one contractor or another).
The one(s) offerring the BEST deal, are the ones that will end up with the pilot applicants.
BASESALARY:
USD10,000 per month - after all taxes paid
DAYS OFF per month
Minimum guaranteed 10.
If commuting, 10 days AT HOME (this will entail 1 day either side - resulting in 12 - to allow for travel).
PER DIEMS/OVERNIGHT ALLOWANCES
USD100 (post tax) per 1 night/12 hour layover.
RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION
Supplied - fully furnished.
UTILITIES
Electricity (and gas) paid.
Telephone - line supplied. Monthly allowance of USD80 to cover calls/faxes/emails to Company.
TRANSPORT ALLOWANCE
Taxi to and from work, or monthly transport allowance of USD300.
OVERNIGHT HOTEL ACCOMODATION STANDARD
Single occupancy, 5/4 star standard (or best available int that city), in an air-conditioned, SAFE, SECURE, CLEAN Hotel.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Full cover (Top/Gold) Level (including FULL Hospital & Dental) for the pilot, and a similar subsidised level for his dependants.
SCHOOLING FOR DEPENDANTS
Full cover for dependants aged from 5 years to 25 years, regardless of which country the schooling is in.
OVERTIME
Any time spent in flight on duty at the behest of the company (including actual flying time/ deadhead/ simulator duty, but excluding travel to & from home base in the case of commuters) above 55 hours in any calendar month.
ANNUAL LEAVE
42 days per annum - able to be carried forward.
SICK LEAVE
10 days per annum - able to be carried forward.
VACATION TRAVEL
Confirmed Business Class, upgradeable to First Class on space available travel, to home base 2 times per year for the pilot and his dependants. A further 4 trips FOC, on upgradable, space available basis for ALL classes (F, J, EY) for the pilot, and each dependant family member.
ZED/ID90 for other family members, and other travel undertaken by the pilot and/or his dependants.
A BONUS PAYMENT
Equivalent to 3 months BASIC salary, after 3 years of continuos employment in the same company.
The other "usual" conditions, such as FREE supply of uniforms and ensignia, Jepps, flight bag, stay bag (usually a Samsonite), etc, etc need no mention.
You KNOW what to expect!
F/O's - expect 60-70% of the base salary/perdiems, and other monetary items.
We (captains) all sympathise with you, and we understand that you guys cost just as much to run, but we also need to have recognition of the "responsibilities of Command".
Mr Mod, please leave this on this Far East & India forum - there are LOTS of guys looking .