Hi Saifair
Make sure you have a good browse around. I recently posted this,
Americans: Stuff you should know.
If you are up to it then you can take an early freighter command. This would be based in USA and the scale starts at 127,716 p.a. (fm Jan 2008) and tops out at 172,116 after 13 years. You can do this from day one - no lock in.
However as a freighter CN in USA, you will have very few days at home - mostly bouncing around the lower 49. Commuting and hotels will be expensive.
You will be on the following scale as an FO - unified from Jan 08:
73,440
74,904
76,404
93,192
110,604
112,824
115,068
117,372
119,724
122,124
No need to move base or fleet to achieve the 'higher' pay, which kicks in Yrs 3/4.
The new UFO scales are a pay cut. Over 10 years you will earn 48K less than somebody who joins 31 Dec 07.
After 4 years you should have the right to come to HKG - just make sure you bring a gas mask and don't have any kids to educate.
Once you make capt in HK or US can you bid back to the frieghter and stay on that scale?
Yes, but you will take the lower freighter pay.
Generally, equipment changes are difficult - up to the company, though opportunities do seem to come up. Like management everywhere, they never seem to get it quite right.
Be sure to ask them how long they think YOU will take to achieve a passenger command. I expect they will not commit and would rather you focus on what today's new Captains achieve. Make sure you do the maths yourself.
Hope that helps
Milly