Tuner 2.
Apologise for not being more specific. Contract 737 CPTs working in China are earning between $25,000-$50,000 AFTER tax per month.
Domestic Captains in Australia no where near that despite their hourly rate being high. Not going into specifics here, however It's more than anyone makes in QF by a significant margin LH or SH.
Many Check and training Captains are leaving Emirates to work for different Chinese Carriers. Not only because of pay but due to being treated poorly and working too hard.
Crossing multiple time zones at night and wrong times of the day isn't good for you. The science is catching up with evidence of how dangerous it is for ones health, however you don't need to ask any Emirates pilot how bad it is at the rate they are doing. Most are above 900 hours and they look exhausted.
The quality of Airline in China varies however the pay rates are extremely favourable in LH ops, much of the flying is 4 pilot and the workload and FRMS in LH cases is considerably better than in EK and others. Commuting a huge bonus too.
What will make many Aussie pilots valuable will be the comparative high experience level. What is the average now to command in QF SH. 20 years to the East Coast for a 737? Just the reality of QF now.
As someone mentioned earlier the quality US Airlines are having to pay good money and bonuses. With lower taxes and cities that are significantly cheaper than Sydney/Melbourne. Shame a green card is so hard.
Think it's great to see pilot wages and contracts rise higher.
A rising tide should lift all boats. Sadly I think pilots are their own worst enemy.
You'll hear boogieman stories from a guy at a bar who heard Pete Wilsons(insert names) Aunty is starting a secret contract company with 457 visa workers, trained at the ready if pilots say no to any deal.