NORM you definitely got your age right............... tosser!

Having worked for a Chinese carrier for 4 years on a commuting roster (and that's what this is, don't kid yourself) and having moved back to Oz full time to join a domestic airline. I can tell you where I'd much rather be.

Forget about getting the ATO or an accountant to tell you how to interprate the tax rules, you'll just end up doing what i did. Spending a couple of grand for some w&*ker in a $3000.00 suit that you've just paid for, telling you that this is what they "think" the ruling is. But they'll be quick to tell you that this is just advice and your on your own if the winners down at the ATO office decide to come after you. It's a big reason i chucked it in and came home. The constantly moving goal posts.

Also, never trust a China mans word. Even if they put it in writting for you. It means nothing. Even after you go out of your way to help them out with things like crewing shortages ( all the time! ) and think your building up some credit with them. If you ever need them to help you out with say, leave dates, staff travel, sched conflicts etc etc. and it's not conveniant or benifical for them to do it, they won't. THIS WILL DRIVE YOU INSAINE !!!!!! I know it did my head in. And if you turn around and tell them your not going to help them out anymore, your black marked forever, and they will screw you at every opportunity. THEY NEVER FORGET!!!!!

Got a complaint, take it up with your union, oh thats right we don't have one :{. Think you'll be doing heaps of flights back to Oz during your 4-6 weeks on. Think again. Turns out all the Chinese pilots love coming down to Australia on trips so they get their mates in rostering to to give them all the Aussie layovers. Doesn't matter that you haven't been home to see your wife and kids in a month and they get to see theirs whenever they come back to China. Sound fair? they think it is.

That said, the equipment we flew was always first rate, the pay was in the bank every pay day, we flew to great destinations, and we always got decent layover rest ( although watch the positioning flying, as it cost them nothing and saves them on hotels. One month i got 78 hrs positioning :sad: ) I flew equipment I would never get to operate with an Aussie airline, and i got to travel all over the world, and realize that there is some great stuff out there.

But you also get to realise that there is only one Australia. And thank christ you get to live here!

The Monster :E

Monster, thanks for the personal attack.

But in your infinite wisdom, you just reiterated what I said. Something about lifestyle in OZ, but that probably went through to the keeper.

Thanks .

Norm, no problem with your point of view.

It's the manner in which you delivered it that makes you a tosser.

The Monster:E

Normasars response is yet again proof about why it is difficult for pilots to achieve some sort of unity and cohesiveness.

Quote: "It is no wonder the fare paying passengers think pilots are overpaid". Do they? I don't think they do. Especially when those passengers are in Thunderstorms, or the engine's on fire etc. Just look at the public/media response to the QF A380 business.

And even if they did think that, so what? Tom Cruise gets $20,000,000/movie. I think thats outrageous but so what? Why should he care what I think. People still go to the movies.

So again I say, it;s attitudes like those from Normasars that continually undermine our own positions. Who needs anti-pilot managers when our own are so good at undermining ourselves.