Canada or HKG?
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Asia
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Anyone that even attempts to compare China Airlines to Cathay is off their rocker. If the prospect of signing a 3yr bonded contract, having no fair advancement system in place for upgrading, scheduling, etc., being hated by most permanent employees, conducting 12hr+ flights in silence, and living in the ugliest city in Asia appeals to you, then I guess there could be a case made. Regarding the Freighter F/O pay - CAL F/O pay, the Freighter F/O would be living in North America or Europe (home) whereas the CAL F/O would most likely be living in Taipei. If you really want to compare the pay to CX, compare the HK mainline rates to the CAL rates. I think you will find that even a new joining S/O at CX does better when all things are considered.
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Which of CX's aircraft are based in Canada? Between CX and AC, Cathay gets points for salary. But which of the 2 provides a better lifestyle? Are rosters stressfull for either of them.
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Having left Canada a few years back I will say this.
Although AC is hiring things in Canada are still pretty limited as to what you can do. At 30 now and in a large European company making 2-3 times the salary on the EMB at AC, I would not come home.
Given the choice between AC and CX I think CX would be a no brainier. Financially you and the company are in better situations. The down side is HK for some but from what I can see your time there could be limited if you choose so.
If you like Toronto, baking in the summer and freezing in the winter, high housing prices (I know HK is bad but CX pays), terrible traffic and least but not worst you must live amongst Leaf fans, then AC is for you. For left coasters YVR is a long wait so take CX in my humble opinion.
Although AC is hiring things in Canada are still pretty limited as to what you can do. At 30 now and in a large European company making 2-3 times the salary on the EMB at AC, I would not come home.
Given the choice between AC and CX I think CX would be a no brainier. Financially you and the company are in better situations. The down side is HK for some but from what I can see your time there could be limited if you choose so.
If you like Toronto, baking in the summer and freezing in the winter, high housing prices (I know HK is bad but CX pays), terrible traffic and least but not worst you must live amongst Leaf fans, then AC is for you. For left coasters YVR is a long wait so take CX in my humble opinion.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: frozen place
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You really dont have to live in T.O, you can live anywhere you want.
Pilots here live everywhere in Canada from St-John's to Victoria.
Many live in the southern U"S and Carribean. A few courageous ones even do it from Europe.(They do that by bidding load beginning one month and load end the next month wich gives them a full month off)
Montreal is great , Halifax, or what about Quebec City , Calgary etc....
Cold winters? You can ski , skate, ski-doo, sit by the fireplace etc...
What about the suffocating heat of H.K?
High real-estate prices? Canada is still much cheaper than any 1st world european, asian country or the U.S for that matter.
If it's so bad here why has the U.N ranked Canada as #1 in the world for quality of life for quite a few years, wich I think last year we slipped to #2.
And yes the salary at A.C is slightly lower than C.X and some other european airlines but that is because the cost of living is almost double in Europe or Asia.
Can you rent a really nice 3 bedroom appartment for 900 $ in H.k or London?Of course not but here you can.
Compare apples with apples guys.
Pilots here live everywhere in Canada from St-John's to Victoria.
Many live in the southern U"S and Carribean. A few courageous ones even do it from Europe.(They do that by bidding load beginning one month and load end the next month wich gives them a full month off)
Montreal is great , Halifax, or what about Quebec City , Calgary etc....
Cold winters? You can ski , skate, ski-doo, sit by the fireplace etc...
What about the suffocating heat of H.K?
High real-estate prices? Canada is still much cheaper than any 1st world european, asian country or the U.S for that matter.
If it's so bad here why has the U.N ranked Canada as #1 in the world for quality of life for quite a few years, wich I think last year we slipped to #2.
And yes the salary at A.C is slightly lower than C.X and some other european airlines but that is because the cost of living is almost double in Europe or Asia.
Can you rent a really nice 3 bedroom appartment for 900 $ in H.k or London?Of course not but here you can.
Compare apples with apples guys.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
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Meaw you make some very valid points. I can not argue as I spent the first 25 years of my life living in Canada.
People that look at AC must look very long term (30 years) to see the returns that a pilot with CX or a Euro major will. If you want to dispute this I say this. CX has guys in the left seat in less than 10 years. In Europe Virgin would be an example of a 747/340 operator with captains with 6 years in the company. My guess is the most junior A340 skipper at AC has 20-25 years.
The point I am trying to make is this. Make more $$$ when you are young you have your debts gone quick, mortgage gone at a young age and the overall benefits of cash in your pocket when you are in your youth. Example: I bought a house a couple years back that will be paid off within 10 years or so and worth close to a million in todays CAD. I will probably trade up to a bigger one and so on. My pension is set for 55 and no later and will be in the same range as TODAYS retiring AC captain.
This brings up another point. The T's and C's at AC from 20 years ago are far different to what they are now. The new pay scale?? Pensions will be next on the block. The funny thing is nobody is talking about it.
Add to this crappy Canadian pension rules, high tax and a workforce that hates one another and in my mind you have a job that by Canadian standards is excellent, but by world standards is good, but far from the top.
Listen, I've got friends at AC, CX, EK and numerous carriers here in Europe. They all have their pluses but as many have found out, AC is not an easy gig to get. There are many that will never even get an interview.
Again this is an arguement that could go on forever but at least in my experience and others I know, a move overseas was a major boost to their aviation career. In my case I will come home to retire and look forward to it. In the mean time full speed ahead.
People that look at AC must look very long term (30 years) to see the returns that a pilot with CX or a Euro major will. If you want to dispute this I say this. CX has guys in the left seat in less than 10 years. In Europe Virgin would be an example of a 747/340 operator with captains with 6 years in the company. My guess is the most junior A340 skipper at AC has 20-25 years.
The point I am trying to make is this. Make more $$$ when you are young you have your debts gone quick, mortgage gone at a young age and the overall benefits of cash in your pocket when you are in your youth. Example: I bought a house a couple years back that will be paid off within 10 years or so and worth close to a million in todays CAD. I will probably trade up to a bigger one and so on. My pension is set for 55 and no later and will be in the same range as TODAYS retiring AC captain.
This brings up another point. The T's and C's at AC from 20 years ago are far different to what they are now. The new pay scale?? Pensions will be next on the block. The funny thing is nobody is talking about it.
Add to this crappy Canadian pension rules, high tax and a workforce that hates one another and in my mind you have a job that by Canadian standards is excellent, but by world standards is good, but far from the top.
Listen, I've got friends at AC, CX, EK and numerous carriers here in Europe. They all have their pluses but as many have found out, AC is not an easy gig to get. There are many that will never even get an interview.
Again this is an arguement that could go on forever but at least in my experience and others I know, a move overseas was a major boost to their aviation career. In my case I will come home to retire and look forward to it. In the mean time full speed ahead.
Last edited by CanAV8R; 2nd Sep 2005 at 23:09.
Join Date: Aug 2003
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Your comparisons are noble but don't wash.......CX pays for rent so that point is moot. Slightly lower salary? Try seriously lower for the same years of service, not to mention the tax implications.
I've worked for AC and CX and as a single young guy asking the question, CX is the best option all things being equal.....if you have other considerations ie kids, family obligations, rich wife etc...then things could change, but the expat life is exciting and opens up a whole new world.....the Tim Horton's at Pearson on the other hand.......
I've worked for AC and CX and as a single young guy asking the question, CX is the best option all things being equal.....if you have other considerations ie kids, family obligations, rich wife etc...then things could change, but the expat life is exciting and opens up a whole new world.....the Tim Horton's at Pearson on the other hand.......
