Turkish have had a lot of dealings with HKA recently, they are trying to set up a freighter wet lease. But thanks to CAD foot dragging in this wonderful "liberal free-market city" - that venture remains grounded.
But the Turkish managers who came to HKA to do an audit recognized another potential opportunity, in the numerous JAA/EASA qualified European pilots whose human needs are being baldly ignored (if not intentionally thwarted) by HKA. They began making offers to individual pilots even back then!
HKA has no commuting contract, and no Bases. They claim to be a HK based airline with HK based crew, but they don't pay a penny in housing allowances, or schooling fees. That all comes out of your own basic salary, which hasn't been adjusted for inflation in 2 years. It's around 4% p.a.
The package doesn't make it attractive - or indeed practical - to bring a family. Most HKA guys live bachelor lives.
A while ago it was still possible to make it home now and again, because the roster was over manned, and DDOs could be grouped. Crewing were quite accommodating.
But lately, pilots have begun leaving for greener pastures, and the rostering is now getting very tight. Management have even gone so far as to ban requests for more than three DDOs in a row....and even three in a row is rare anyhow. Single DDO's are very common.
The result is that none of the European or South American crews can go home any more. Hong Kong is their prison. Only the Philipppino and Taiwanese pilots are managing to have anything resembling family lives. This is resulting in massive sick out numbers, and more guys drifting away every month.
It's a real pity, as it is now becoming a very unhappy and pessimistic scene.
I guess the Turks see the writing on the wall, even if HKA Management ignore it. They'll get at least a handful of guys at HKA. Many more are actively looking elsewhere or are already 'in the departure lounge'.
Maybe HKA Management will finally wake up when they have to start canceling flights. By then it may be too late. That kind of outcome is exactly what the CAD will pounce on to further wind the show down. Jetstar is waiting in the wings.
Last edited by Killaroo; 31st Dec 2013 at 18:51.