I can give some information on the HKE side. Things are screwed up there as well.
3 pilots resigned in the last month. 2 more Captains shortly. At least 3 First Officers are waiting for results of recent interviews and the company seems happy to just sit back and let it happen with no attempts at all the better the terms and conditions.
Will the management ever realize that it will save the company money to keep pilots and to keep pilots they need to improve the package? To improve the package does not necessarily = more money. Just get their **** together and improve rostering so pilots can all enjoy some decent block time off each month, increase annual leave to 6 weeks per year, and give pilots a ticket to travel home on a confirmed seat once a year. That would be a good start. Giving pilots more than 2 weeks’ notice that the annual leave application is approved would also be helpful.
S.W still runs his mates club there. There are many who want a commuting roster, but only a select few get it, and there is no fair system to select who gets it. If the newest captain or First Officer wants commuting and cuts a deal with WU he will get it over a guy with the highest seniority.
HKE is the bitch of the two companies. HKE gets good routes and does the good work and makes the routes profitable and HKA just comes along and takes them for HKA and gives HKE the low yielding/unprofitable routes. They get the ****, they do what they are told they get no expansion, no new aircraft but in fact they are a far superior company with much higher standards and past safety record than the bully sister HKA. HKA wants to keep HKexpress a small company because they know they are better and they are insecure that the leaders at Hainan will soon realize this.
For those considering joining, be careful. The airline industry is buoyant and there are better opportunities out there. Stay clear of HKE and HKA or better, attend the interview and just laugh when they explain what you get with your contract. If you’re a pilot in either of the companies, now is the time to band together and get what you want. It is a pilots market, and you have all made the sacrifices for those companies in the past troubled years. Now it's time for the company to reward you for your efforts and pay up.