Hong Kong Airlines - New/Relevant info
 

Hong Kong Airlines is doing quite a bit of upcoming hiring. I'm sure I am not the only one looking for some up-to-date relevant info. I've spent the last week reading through the many old threads. The current threads mostly contain people making fun of the management, safety standards, and telling everyone to STAY AWAY!
I hope there are some current or former employees with a more positive outlook. I'm coming from a 5 year regional FO background, so I would look forward to an increase in salary and the opportunity to receive a better type rating and experience a new part of the world. I'm single, so I wouldn't need more than a studio apartment.


I'll start with a few questions (A320 FO Position):


How is the schedule?
Do you do many overnights?
How are the hotels?
How often are you used on reserve days?
The contract says 8-9 days off a month. But it also says you fly 60-70 hours a month. So, there must be a lot of days you don't fly? Or do you just come into work to do a turn?




Thanks for any feedback.

Come for the free type rating and hours. Leave for all the reasons mentioned in your 4th sentence.

:}

I have exactly the same questions as kr575

1500 pic on A320, 8500 total, and i never want to see a muslim country ever again.

Some real answers
 

kr575m and MD83FO,


How is the schedule?


Specific to A-320. Mixture of 1-3 day trips. Most of the flying is to Mainland China. There are some turns to Japan, Hanoi, and Bangkok. All of the overnights on the A-320 are in Mainland. Most departures are late morning or mid-afternoon. A-320 has 2 all night flights....1 to PEK and 1 to BKK. Typically a pilot will have 1-2 per month unless he is the rare breed who enjoys all night flights....he can request to do more. Schedule requests are due by the 10th of each month and rosters are published the 20th. There is no computerized bidding and seniority is not a factor in rosters. You make requests for what you like and Crew Control attempts to accommodate.



Do you do many overnights?


All of the overnights are what are called 3-0-3. So, fly 3 sectors on the first day, spend 2 nights in China and fly 3 sectors on the 3rd day. These trips are mixed with the 1 day turnarounds. Therefore, a line F/O would do approximately 5 of these per month equaling 10 nights per month on the road.



How are the hotels?


5 Star, Western brands such as Hilton or Intercontinental.



How often are you used on reserve days?


Rarely



The contract says 8-9 days off a month. But it also says you fly 60-70 hours a month. So, there must be a lot of days you don't fly? Or do you just come into work to do a turn?


The A-320 flying is very inefficient. The 3-0-3 patterns typically give you about 10-12 hours in 3 days. It is rare to get above the minimum CAD FTL day off requirement. You will have a mixture of flights and standby days. Referring to above, it's rare to fly on a standby day.


As for the previous threads about HKA and all of the negative sentiment on PPrune regarding HKA.....ignore. You're an adult and a professional. Interview...decide for yourself. If you based your decisions on what you read on PPrune, you wouldn't work for any airline, even CX. PPrune is not a place to come to find "this airline is great and all of the managers are awesome!".


I've attempted to give you answers without any "Kool-Aid" or biased negativism towards HKA.


Hope that helps.

Hong Kong Airlines - New/Relevant info
 

Well done, Jeffkaw.

A mature reply is rare on this forum these days. Airlines are never going to please every lifestyle - like any job, you pick what suits your circumstances.

At least you guys get

What are you taking about crwkunt roll, we get Western Hotels.....it just has the word Best written before it:}

......... and "BY" in front of "BEST".

What about A330 fleet? Cheers

Does anyone know.. do they have command upgrade course yet??? otherwise waste of time going.

Less than 10 commands in the last five years...

Forget it if you are not a hongkie like me. := Our assistant fleet manager will only promote cathay dropouts in HKA on the A330:ok:

Any latest news on hiring? HKA and HKE? HKE's website says they r looking for NTR FO...is that true? Anyone has any direct contact at HKE?

captain A330 conditions
 

Hi everyone,


Anybody can give me the A330 captain package in HKA?
thanks for your info.

Heard HKA just terminated A330 Captain for no reason still within contract period:confused:Is this true? If true then not good to go HKA.:=

Company run by assh#$es, con men, liars, corrupt and I could go on! Stay well away from them is my advice. Just as with Hong Kong Express, same poor standards run by a bald narssocist ozzy ****, a singaporean who talks **** and drunk 24/7 and Brazilian twats

I recently submitted my résumé but I immediately get an e-mail stating out of office. Is that normal?

I hear the new (2 months) GMF has resigned. Third one in 12 months.
Rumour is he had a run in with the company 'bully-boy' and quit.

This chap seems to be alienating everyone he meets. How can a FltOps Dept run under this kind of regime?

One things for sure - the IPO is dead in the water while there's a cap on aircraft numbers, and the CAD will not lift that cap while DFO's are continuing to resign like this. That's a huge and costly impact from just one man's poor attitude.

More pilot resignations can be expected after the CNY Bonus (or sooner if there is no bonus).

Heard same...apparently they are about to go under another CAD audit!!

Just to offer another opinion....I worked for HKE for 5 years (would have left earlier but for family reasons) and although most of my pilot colleagues were good guys it is almost impossible not to be affected by the chronic incompetence/dishonesty of management. Whether it is command upgrades, getting annual leave, errors in your pay, roster disruption or constantly changing contractual terms and conditions, it is difficult not to become very frustrated and stressed working for HKE. I had friends at HKA and I know that it is even worse there! The huge turnover of staff and the CAD restrictions are evidence of this. I would recommend to stay clear of both airlines unless you are desperate and you plan to get the type rating and leave.

it is such a bull**** airline

i do approved it. HKA is getting worst. They are right now trying to finalize a program for cadet in order to face the lack of pilot. No one want to join and more are going to resign. The management team are crazy and focus on the way to keep their authority on people...they give a **** of the potential of pilot or whatever...all is about how to sufficiently lie to pilot just to maintain the actual ops.

HKA = 0

I have no idea what you just said.

Ya I agree, have you got even level 3 mate? your post is not going to be taken seriously like that.

I got the same message when I sent mine in!!

Let me share my experience (even though I was ex HKA back in 2007)

I had an interview for flight ops position

Guess what the DFO said, "What would you say if we mark your KPI to the number of pilots recruited? So if you cant recruit the minimum crew that is required, we take a reduction in your salary?"

Man was I thrilled. I am now a Salesman. That is more than fair and square I said. Waste my time even looking back at this company Lol :}

HKA: Horrendous Krazy Azzholes Lol

NTR FO Requirement
 

Turboprop driver here looking to move onto a jet. Is this requirement really the realistic requirement or are they actually looking for some higher numbers?

I don't work there so someone correct me if you have more accurate figures, but my sources tell me a junior F/O with minimal or no jet time can expect about $60,000HKD per month (which includes housing) with overtime after 50 hours.

Would love to hear from some prop dudes if they make it in :ok:

According to source I have, they won't even bother with turboprop drivers. Too many applicants with jet hours. :(

:ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:

Believe me propdude, you are dodging a very large calibre bullet

How's the situation in HKA now? Got a buddy who is due for interview this month. Info much appreciated

I am searching this forum everyday for new info. Haven't found a positive thread or even a positive comment for any airline!!! :ugh:

Put it this way mate, I have given an unbiased info pack of data, conditions facts etc to my Sons then, after having been asked repeatedly for an opinion - strongly advised them to choose a different career and feed any aviation desires by hiring stuff to play with at the weekend..... OR join the Miltary.

:ok:....well said

Hehehehe yea , my father tried the same with me but didn't work. Anyway it doesn't sound like a bad deal for NTR people looking to move froward to jets.

So speaking of the cadet program, it states a guaranteed interview.. by the looks of the downhill trend above would it be safe to say they would most likely employ their cadets ?

Prop drivers, put in a CV with HKE, they have recently hired prop drivers. It's not the greatest company but you don't have to pay to fly and you don't have to pay for your type rating.

They are only looking for type rated guys for now. Last year, they were offering A320 NTR FO positions however its recruitment just got stopped for no apparent reason.