Questions about Cathay Pacific & Others

[Captain_Morgan]

Carnage I appreciate your input regarding the EU and yes I do know it is very difficult to obtain working rights in Europe. As I have already been down that avenue when I obtained my live/work visa for Spain, and let me just confirm what you have said; basically unless you have large cash reserves, a sponsor or requesting company/school, a clean background, perfect medical history, oh in addition to full medical coverage...And well a myriad of other hoops to jump through you are not likely to gain acceptance... Did I mention it takes around 12-18 months to process? Yes I know the drill.. Luckily during this formal debacle I also realized that an immigration attorney who charges up the wazoo can be a big help and cut the time and process in half...

But I am not really too concerned with these type of issues my concern is with the working conditions and hiring processes of the foreign carriers. I do completely understand the need to convert my FAA ATPL and other ratings to the JAA system, and I do understand it can cost around 6-10K depending, and take quite a bit of time and effort. Unless we get the open skies agreements hammered out, which we have been trying for some 15+ years, wont get my hopes up on that. But what you fail to realize is that I have already considered all of this and I am more than willing to tackle these obstacles...

As for your comments about the US market, yes it is true that Senior Crew members are still paid quite well; but how many are happy and enjoy a feeling of security? Does the US market still demand quality service and take pride in its air carrier industry? Or do consumers demand Low Prices only, which drives carriers to compete on price alone forcing pay cuts, loss of benefits, de-unionizing, aging aircraft, smaller aircraft fleets etc. etc. Not to mention that as a whole our country is steaming toward an economic landslide the effects of which most cannot even imagine yet. Basically we are getting our rears handed to us by the global marketplace, and this trend will only grow larger. It is a very unfortunate that our country has succumb to what I call the "Wal-Mart Syndrome" but lets face the facts, especially our air carriers Delta, Continental, United, American, America West, all have major financial problems and failing business models. The restructuring of our market and consumer demand for poor service & cheap fares is creating a whirlwind within our aviation marketplace. Carriers like Southwest, Jet Blue, and Frontier are doing ok and yes pay is not bad, but its not great, and the aircraft they fly are just a small step up from the regionals, and not having international landing rights or the larger aircraft where is the potential for growth. Now I will say these companies do have some incredible management teams especially Southwest, and I do know that Southwest is trying to expand its service markets in the future... But quite frankly the companies themselves be it United, Delta or Southwest are not the problem many of these companies have superb management and excellent employees. The problem is the US consumer and more specifically our economic marketplace, as regionals and commuters are thriving growing their share of the market the legacy carriers are trying to compete honestly in a marketplace in which they are not geared to do so costs of operation are simply to high, and demand for quality service to low. So yes if I saw something different than these facts within our industry I might consider domestic carriers. However, currently where does an entry-level pilot start the regionals, and with a starting pay between 20-36K that is pathetic, sorry to all who are suffering this insulting pay but that’s exactly what it is. You spend 50K-60K attending college to get your Bachelors, and an additional 40-50K getting all your flight ratings not to mention time, and then you serve the aviation community for another year providing the best training you can to fellow pilots and these days you are lucky to be paid as many Ab Initio programs expect volunteer CFI's in exchange for time building. Then once you have your 1000-1500 hrs you get a position starting at around 30K, in most US cities you will still need food stamps to survive. Sure you may only have to put in a couple years time until you move up, but moving up I believe is only going to be a euphemism in the future, as again the trend is lowering pay scales, cutting benefits and de-unionizing what do our currently successful airlines have in common these previously mentioned facts. Lets face it our air carrier industry is not what it was 10-15yrs ago, and I do not foresee the future getting any better. Quite frankly our airlines need government subsidy to survive and thrive, as they once did be it wasteful maybe but how much money do we waste on issues outside the country, which do not provide any redistribution of funds within our nations borders. At least if our airlines where subsidized and able to provide large incomes as they did in the past you are talking numerous thousands of highly paid citizens spending those incomes within our country, a good thing right.

Well again as you can see I have a very formed opinion of our marketplace, and as usual I have allot to say. Honestly though I have a deep rooted love for aviation and its one that I have harbored since I was quite young. But until the last couple years I have worked in Real Estate and Finance for 6yrs until I decided around 2yrs ago to pursue my dreams of flying. So I do not mean to sound so negative towards our nations carriers its just that I see the writing on the wall and its bright red. We will see further consolidation of our legacy carriers flooding the market with pilot who have tons more experience than myself and we will most likely continue to see further growth and domination of our markets by the regional and commuters. Additionally if they ever straighten out the VLJ platform then prepared to become aerial taxi drivers with the meter running... This factor will only provide for the continued decline of what truly is a highly skilled professional job and one, which requires constant learning and improvement, just like a doctor. As I mentioned it really is a social problem and not one that the air carriers have control over as I mentioned the US consumer is plagued by the "Wal-Mart Syndrome"

I do see things as being more positive internationally as economies are beginning to thrive elsewhere especially within Asia. Most foreign countries still take great pride in their air carriers and provide some governmental means of support even Europe through Airbus subsidies, govt. loans and the like. But mainly worth mentioning is the reduced level of competition; granted many other countries have a smaller marketplace, but how many are beginning to expand and grow? Also many foreign carriers are still profitable and quite large, and most regional service are forming internally from within these large companies, and only to supplement quality non-stop services in the short haul markets, not replace it with no-frills multi-leg type service which we have grow accustom too here. I believe we might even see if open skies ever works out foreign ownership of our legacy carriers currently prohibited by law due to national defense reasons, but for how long when our carriers can no longer support themselves and remain operational, who is going to provide international service.

To finalize what I have said here I would just like to ask a question. Within our current domestic carriers; what company offers an entry level S/O position starting salary $44,000.00-$49,000.00 with an additional housing allowance of $36,000-$44,000.00, educational allowance for your children, full medical, life causality and loss of license pay for 60 months and 15.5% of your income a year company paid into a Provident Fund. At current I do not know of any please advice me if you do. However, currently this is a package, which is offered by Cathay Pacific. Sure you have to live in Hong Kong and sure the climb up the ladder may be long and grueling but the pay continues to jump 70-90 F/O the 100+ SF/O then 150+ CPT, and additionally you can earn up to an additional 100K+ housing allowance. Sure Hong Kong is expensive but so is New York, California, Boston, Chicago, or Dallas etc etc I do not see any US companies offering to pay for your housing expenses or even increasing salaries due to inflation actually quite the opposite...

Oh and regarding fuel cost of $7 a gallon again you are 100% correct, but you also failed to mention that overseas they have mass-transit systems, which are accessible, efficient, and nice; not overrun by vagrants and thugs.

So all with this in mind providing UPS, FED-EX or ABX doesn't come knocking at my door I will probably be flying overseas...Providing I can make the cut...Being I heard the last time UPS was hiring for several positions they had 8000 applicants, well lets just say I don't see them lining up for me yet...

Anyways Thanks For Your Thoughts, and these are just mine I do not mean any harm; I am just trying to express what I think.

Anyone who can add to or enlighten my beliefs in anyway is welcome too, but I really wish to get some good insight from someone who is working internationally from the US...