Hong Kong Express
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: not where I wish
At the moment you can expect 60 to 70 hrs a month, but it depends. Lots of pilots are leaving due to no upgrade, and more aircraft are coming, therefore you can expect to fly more in the future
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: not where I wish
If you apply to both companies be careful. If one calls you for interview, automatically you are out from the other. And I will strongly suggest HKA instead of HKE, above all if you are aFO and willing to be upgraded one day.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: not where I wish
To the guys who say they never got any time off please help me out with my calculations.
HKE does not really have any short legs in the 30 min to 1 hour region like for example Air Asia has. So if you fly 6 - 7 block hours a day, one would do 50 -70 hours in 10 days !!! Can you guys explain whats wrong with that !!! That still gives you many days at home, either on reserve I guess or off.
HKE does not really have any short legs in the 30 min to 1 hour region like for example Air Asia has. So if you fly 6 - 7 block hours a day, one would do 50 -70 hours in 10 days !!! Can you guys explain whats wrong with that !!! That still gives you many days at home, either on reserve I guess or off.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: not where I wish
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: not where I wish
Keepingitreelhk said it perfectly:
"Anyone coming here will realise after a few months something is wrong."
So so true, people commit there lives to this place moving family's half way round the world, they come full of optimism. And after a few months that optimism has been drained out of them and they realise they have made a mistake but it's to late.
The management here both from operations and T&I (HR) are at war with each other. And each department in its own right is mismanaged with individuals just building empires for themselves, unwilling to change the airline for its employees benefit.
Small things could be done at HKE that would not cost money but would help the life of the individual but they literally do not care. The only hope for HKE employees is that pilots leave, pilots cannot be recruited, aircraft get delivered then parked because there are not enough pilots to fly them. Then the management might drop there arrogant stance and pay attention.
Until then.......
"Anyone coming here will realise after a few months something is wrong."
So so true, people commit there lives to this place moving family's half way round the world, they come full of optimism. And after a few months that optimism has been drained out of them and they realise they have made a mistake but it's to late.
The management here both from operations and T&I (HR) are at war with each other. And each department in its own right is mismanaged with individuals just building empires for themselves, unwilling to change the airline for its employees benefit.
Small things could be done at HKE that would not cost money but would help the life of the individual but they literally do not care. The only hope for HKE employees is that pilots leave, pilots cannot be recruited, aircraft get delivered then parked because there are not enough pilots to fly them. Then the management might drop there arrogant stance and pay attention.
Until then.......
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Earth
Not sure if this is relevant, I'm an ATPL holder with 2000++ hours on the A320. Invited for an interview. However, I'm not too sure if they'll take in guys without a current IR. I haven't flown for a year and a half now.
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: australia
Sorry but I don't want to use my mail, although I left the company I don't want to be identified and I don't know who you are.
As per your question, in the past years they have recruited many pilots who were not flying for some time, so it should not be a problem for you. Once in HK , you have to do the exam to obtain the HK Atpl and then you will be using that for flying
As per your question, in the past years they have recruited many pilots who were not flying for some time, so it should not be a problem for you. Once in HK , you have to do the exam to obtain the HK Atpl and then you will be using that for flying
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: HK
They are losing lots of FOs due to a few reasons:
1. They get 90%+ of their captains as external direct entry, which means time to command can be as much as 7-9 years! A lucky few have got it in 2.5-3.5 years, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Plan on 4-6 years to be realistic. Just recently they interviewed 40 of their own FOs for command assessment and apparently only deemed 4 worthy. Go figure.
2. They have a strange and incredibly unfair pay scale in place that sees turbo-prop captains with thousands of hours of multi-crew PIC getting paid significantly less than inexperienced pilots with 1500 hours right seat on a Lear Jet.
3. The package on offer is the worst in HKG.
1. They get 90%+ of their captains as external direct entry, which means time to command can be as much as 7-9 years! A lucky few have got it in 2.5-3.5 years, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Plan on 4-6 years to be realistic. Just recently they interviewed 40 of their own FOs for command assessment and apparently only deemed 4 worthy. Go figure.
2. They have a strange and incredibly unfair pay scale in place that sees turbo-prop captains with thousands of hours of multi-crew PIC getting paid significantly less than inexperienced pilots with 1500 hours right seat on a Lear Jet.
3. The package on offer is the worst in HKG.
Its for the Filipino's
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
If it means anything, I overheard a few HKE pilots on the bus from the terminal to Tung Chung debating if they would even finish their contracts. My guess is the pay would be ok in your home country, but they did not expect to have the costs that they do in HK. It makes perfect sense.
I've mentioned it before, but I will again (prices in HKD):
- Housing: Minimum 20k for original condition in CC in Tung Chung 3bd/2ba, a new 1 bedroom in Century Link, minimum 14k
- Schools: You're not an HK/HKPR so minimum 7k for full day starting at age 2, this is the low end
- Eating Out: A nice pub meal, minimum 300 for two people assuming 1 adult beverage each
- Groceries: Buying imported, or from China. If imported, 30 for a cucumber, 60 - 100 for a medium quality steak, etc... It'll run out fast.
If you're a local, and can live with your parents, it may be ok.
I've mentioned it before, but I will again (prices in HKD):
- Housing: Minimum 20k for original condition in CC in Tung Chung 3bd/2ba, a new 1 bedroom in Century Link, minimum 14k
- Schools: You're not an HK/HKPR so minimum 7k for full day starting at age 2, this is the low end
- Eating Out: A nice pub meal, minimum 300 for two people assuming 1 adult beverage each
- Groceries: Buying imported, or from China. If imported, 30 for a cucumber, 60 - 100 for a medium quality steak, etc... It'll run out fast.
If you're a local, and can live with your parents, it may be ok.
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: N/A
UO thinking widebodies Reuters 050917
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: canada
HKE is officially a mainland company. They have just issued a highly modified contract to their pilots without any consultation, nor has the current term of the contract expired. The HKE contract is worth about as much as 3 squares of toilet paper.
