Dragon Air?

[PA Dude042]

So... I'm thinking about applying at Dragon Air, and I wanted to gather some information before I do. I'm flying presently for a large US airline, which has increasingly become a "sinking ship" of late, and I'm exploring other employment options. I'm a single guy who has always wanted to live overseas, so the concept of living in HK appeals to me. I'm trying to get a picture of what the day to day of flying for Dragon Air is like, in order to decide whether I should apply or not. To name a few questions I have:

What are the schedules like (how many days off per month, multi-day vs. one day trips etc)?
Are they actually hiring or just "taking applications" ?
Assuming they are actually hiring, would a candidate such as myself with about 5600TT and 4600 Jet/airline time actually have a fighting chance of getting an interview, or would I be wasting my time filling out the application (as is the case with most US airlines)?
Is it a good place to work generally speaking?

Essentially I'm trying to figure out what the overall quality of life would be like. Thank you for your time and feedback.

[giggerty]

Hey Dude
Be prepared to hear a lot of negative crap.

Dragonair is not bad. Good points
Good bunch of guys and girls
Easy flying ( not much back of clock)
Mix of multi day and day return. 6 overnites a month would be normal
Usually 9 or 10 days off a month
10 weeks leave a year

Bad points
Slow progression to command
Flying in China ( you will know what I mean when you do it)
Management has a "cannot" attitude towards pilots and conditions of service improvements

You would probably do ok in Hong Kong. Being single is a big advantage. Costs of housing and schooling are crippling so if you can avoid kids and renting a big apartment you will do a lot better.

Good luck

[PA Dude042]

Thanks for the input! So when you say that the cost of living is "crippling", I assume you mean that the housing allowance does not quite cover the rent?

As for the other annoyances, I have some friends who fly in mainland China who have given me some details as to what to expect. But to be perfectly honest, things are so terrible and utterly broken here in the US, that I honestly can't imagine it would be a whole lot worse!

Any other thoughts?

[AQIS Boigu]

Why not head to Emirates or Etihad...better progression and proper housing...

[jumpseatCAPT]

Hong Kong Airlines is currently looking for rated A330 and A320 drivers.

[And Then]

It's not fair for me to comment as I am on a different pay scale. Yes, the guys here are good and weirdos are few or promoted. China is draining and the SOPs always seem to change to make easy tasks more difficult or just plane sweating the small stuff!

But please, can we have comment from C scalers? The guys I fly with are grumbling and saying they are leaving as they can't get ahead due the high cost of living. I don't think any are yet to leave and as they say, it's great they got a free Airbus rating.

Perhaps the Middle East is a good tip? We just lost two Captains to EK and there is always the occasional F/O drifting to the sandpit.

[PA Dude042]

To address the Middle East suggestion, it is something I've considered, but I'm just not keen on the idea of living in the Middle East. I've talked to people who've done it, and those who've been over there, and it just doesn't seem to me like a very pleasant place to live. On the other hand, I've been to China and Hong Kong several times, and I feel like I could be much more comfortable there, hence my interest in Dragon Air. I haven't made any decisions about anything yet, I'm just trying to research the various options. As for the post about Hong Kong Airlines, I do not have a 320/330 type, so I'm not sure if they want non type rated guys.

[cxorcist]

If you're at a large US airline, I'd stay put. There are likely to be much better days ahead in the US as all the baby boomers start retiring.

I'm not KA, but they fly some pretty tired airplanes in Chinese airspace that is far from relaxing. The upside is all the day flying, but I think it would be quite fatiguing nonetheless due to multiple sectors in China.

The Chinese pollution is ridiculous, and the cost of living is outrageous in Hong Kong. Not just housing, everything is expensive in HKG except taxi cab rides and fake Rolex watches.

I cannot imagine your quality of life will improve at KA on the current package unless you are a dirt poor regional pilot in the US. Even at that, your salary will have to more than double coming to KA just to maintain your current qol in HKG. If you love the big city, go for it, but it is probably not a career move.

[Pilot_Recruit]

Why not fill it out and give it a go? If they call, you can come on over and have a feel about the place and if not, well there you go. There are much much worse jobs in SE Asia and based on pure FO T's & C's, it's an excellent contract. Yes HK is expensive, but so are the other countries offering high FO contracts.

Best of luck if you go for it!

[broadband circuit]

Yes HK is expensive, but so are the other countries offering high FO contracts

Your location says USA PA Dude, so although I'm not from the US, I'll try to put it into a perspective you know.

HK is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world, especially for expats. The big one is housing - this place is more expensive than New York. Look at the package, and consider if you could live in N.Y. on it. And by N.Y. I'm talking about Manhattan, not the outer suburbs. In the US, you might have the option to live out of town & commute to the city, not so in HK. You can live in Tung Chung, 30 min train from the city, 5 min to airport, but there's not a lot there. And it's still outrageously expensive.

The salary sounds big but so are the costs.

[bigjames]

what aircraft are you expecting to fly at dragonair? did i read correctly that you are not typed on 320/330?

[Ka-life]

Why not search the forum instead?

This question have been asked many many times before. Use the search function and have a read.
KA is not the worst job in Asia but not a dream either. All previous posters are correct.
Middle east are probably more fun. Yes we do have 10 weeks leave but you have to ask yourself why....
The new contract is not really a contract, its a policy...
If I were in your shoes I would take ME over KA any day.
Roster wise I would say 75-85 hours a month. 9 to10 days off.
320 4 nights away 330 around 8 nights away.
Roster changes every few days, a very old system of training/checking.
Good bunch of guys to fly with, more and more locals. This changes the atmosphere but it is still a good mix of guys.

[PA Dude042]

Thanks for the input. I'll have to see if I can figure out how to use the search function. I've never really used this site. As for the mention of the type ratings, a type rating is not listed as a requirement on the website... Is this not correct? As for the cost of living, I was well aware that HK is not a cheap place to live, but neither is the US. I'm scraping by on a meager salary here, at a company with no real future (no hope of upgrade/command, etc), and the job prospects here are not very good. According to what they have posted on the website, the starting salary at KA is more than double what I'm currently getting. So... It would seem to me that my situation would improve somewhat by coming over there. I'm curious now... What would a decent (I don't need luxury, but I wouldn't want a dump either) apartment rent for in HK?

[Juliette Alpha]

A 1400 square foot apartment (two floors of a village house) in Sai kung which is the 'burbs' of HK would cost around 40,000HKD (~5000USD) a month. That's more than enough for a guy living on his own. If you don't mind living in a high rise and don't need the extra space, an alright 700sq. foot apartment in tung Chung is normally around 15,000HKD. The good thing about HK is, unless you live in the middle of nowhere, the airport is never more than an hours drive. Transport system here is very good and taxis are very cheap (compared to everywhere else)

[j.a.b.]

Hi,

I don't mean to hijack a thread so I am hoping this is the right place to post?

I saw on ppjn that dragon can offer reduced rosters and I was hoping if someone could please explain?


Also - and please forgive my ignorance -
is direct 330 available as a FO with 320 experience.

Is there much night flying with the current rosters / schedules ?

And lastly - is it correct that with the leave I you take 4 days you get 7 off - 8 days 14 etc and if so is that in a contract - I ask as I have been messed with contracts in the past !!

Thanks

Jabber

[Ka-life]

KA update

Not so much night flying but company wants more to get better use of aircrafts.
Part time deal is a trial that has ended. Might continue in future.
Leave system is correct. Is in agreement with union and KA.
Funny thing as a new joiner you would not have a real contract. Only a company policy.
Company can change whatever if they need.

[j.a.b.]

Ka-life,

Thanks for the update!

No contract ? It sounds like I might leave the frying pan and into the fire then with company agreements! We have one now at my current airline which managnent have now just changed because it doesn't work for then

[Intruder One]

Just checked their website as well.Guess they don't do DEC,didn't see a listing for it?

[Dan Winterland]

Does anyone know the current pay and conditions. I see from the website that it doesn't agree with ppjn.

The company website is correct - as you would expect!

A question about Hong Kong (so I can try and guess living costs etc) - is the accommodation allowance taxed as salary or is it counted as something different.

It's taved at the current rate. About 15%

Is it possible to go direct on the 330 with only 320 experience.

Yes.

Can I just check the entry level? Will that be a FO with experience or does everyone start at JFO.

If you are recruited as an expat, you will be experienced and you will start as a FO.

Do Dragon ever consider DEC!

No.

[twotigers]

Can I just check the entry level? Will that be a FO with experience or does everyone start at JFO.

If you are recruited as an expat, you will be experienced and you will start as a FO.


ON LOCAL TERMS. With no contract, only a company "policy"