Holy crap! After having read through all the posts on this thread I really feel for you guys working HK ATC now, not to mention quite disenchanted as I too had considered eventually trying my luck applying for a job there some time in the future!
Reading this thread I have pretty much ruled that out now! I have been working ATC in Vienna TMA for the past six years and thought we were going through tough times here regarding staff shortage, incompetent management, and generally low morale! At least here we have the advantage of a strong union and the fact that management is !!!!ting their pants at the thought of an ATCOs' rebellion of some sort. Hell, I figure I could probably walk into my boss' office and pee on his desk, he'd smile and say thank you!
No overtime pay, no yearly increase in pay, hardly any leave, and at the same time having to deal with all that mainland imposed bureaucracy? You gotta be kidding me! (I know you are not!) That would drive any professional totally bonkers over time! Especially as air traffic growth is going up and up consistently!
Seriously, I wish you guys all the best there! Talking about greener pastures...Could anyone of you be kind enough to enlighten me where in Asia expat ATCOs are hired or even sought-after? I've been having a bit of a hard time researching this online so far? How 'bout Singapore and KL?
(Damn...I just noticed how old is thread actually is! I found it via google and didn't check the dates! Sorry for that!)