Voiceofreason

You can commute on ID90 fares, and many do - provided you find someone decent enough to grant you his jumpseat.

I tend to agree with you. As I said, though, my 12k is based on a 70% mortgage, and I/the bank paid HK$6.3m to get that 1400 sqft place. To rent it would probably be double that.

Salary is taxed on a variable scale, depending on how much you can deduct due to dependants/kids etc. Last year I think I paid just over 10% (although you will have to pay provisional tax - kind of a system of next year's tax in advance - a b!tch when you first arrive). Budgeting for 12% is probably fair until you start making your way up the ranks, but it's capped at 15% in any event.

Cpt. Underpants

In case you haven't been paying attention, HKG Govt now require 25% down on all properties < HKD6 million, 50% on properties over HKD6 million. It's meant to curb speculation by mainlanders. All it's done is shut locals out of the market entirely.

ID90 (zone fare) HKG-TPE HKD564 return (economy). Flights always full, many commuting cabin crew. You'll be lucky to get on. I would suggest that unless you want to plan on coming back a few days ahead of your rostered (scheduled) flight, you'll need a full fare ticket - USD200 each way.

IF you can find a 1400 sq ft place for HKD6.3 million, rentals will be north of HKD23K per month exclusive of taxes and "management fees".

You are taxed on income, discretionary bonus, other bonuses, education allowance and rental assistance. 15% is the cap on salary, but my tax bill frequently exceeds 20% of gross income. It may only take 20 minutes to complete a tax return, but by G*d, they get their money.

If you're a US citizen, remember that you have to file for Uncle Sam as well, and he'll want his share after USD70 or USD80K (or thereabouts) too.

NO taxation agreements between HKG and Canada at present, the guys and girls are being taxed by both countries on their after tax income. Punitive right now. It's under appeal, but pay first, debate later.

T-Mass

Thanks Capt.Under for the pointers.

I believe Uncle Sam wants his share on income above $91,500, and IIRC you may use housing as deductible if you pay $30,000/yr or more. In any case, not a "good deal" which ever way you want to spin it.

raven11

It's not a good deal... which is what people have been trying to convey.

For 20 years the benefits package has deteriorated due to a glut of pilots on the market. The bean counters have had a field day...

To continue with paying a low wage they are trying to entice pilots (with little to no flying experience) with a "joiners" loan. Just so they can continue to pay a low wage.

Why not pay pilots like they used to? Market forces....if you pay them they will come.

Sqwak7700

The funny thing is, that some people will leap at this "joining bonus", but not enough to meet the demand. So eventually, the company will restore the package to where it should be and the people who leapt at the loan will have wished that they had held out for better conditions.

Don't be fooled by the bow on the turd! It might be a really pretty bow but you are still getting shat on.