Hong Kong Express - Living and Working
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Ron, mate, I know very little about HK aviation, but I think you will struggle big time to get a job here with 250 hours, maybe as things get worse with the pilot shortage that may change. If it does change I would think you woould have to get a type rating either 320 or 737. It might be worth trying the likes of Air Macau etc, I dont know what else to suggest?
Anyone ?
TAC, I am not HKE but HKA very similar, as discussed above, Skipper package around 75000hkd/month all up plus a bit of medical, stuff all holidays, sick pay or providence, basically one of the lowest paid ( inc corp ) jet jobs around. O/T after 70 hrs at around 1000/hr.
Surprised you offered a comand interview with HKE as all the talk here they dont do that, like HKA, so what gives HKE boys ???
Anyone ?
TAC, I am not HKE but HKA very similar, as discussed above, Skipper package around 75000hkd/month all up plus a bit of medical, stuff all holidays, sick pay or providence, basically one of the lowest paid ( inc corp ) jet jobs around. O/T after 70 hrs at around 1000/hr.
Surprised you offered a comand interview with HKE as all the talk here they dont do that, like HKA, so what gives HKE boys ???
Hong Kong Express is Rubbish
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so whats the best overall hk fo job with someone that has an FAA ATP 3000 tt with 1000 pic on a t-prop? OR should I hold out and get more time first? Lots of conflicting ideas around here
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Dingo, its a no brainer KA or CX.
You will effectively earn double at KA than HKE/HKA and whilst the
hit artists at HKE/HKA tell you a command will come alot quicker....IT WONT!!
When you eventually do get a command, asuming they dont run out of pilots and close down, you will have the pleasure of still earning significantly less than a KA,CX, Oasis FO/SO.
On the bright side, free 737 endorsement
You will effectively earn double at KA than HKE/HKA and whilst the
hit artists at HKE/HKA tell you a command will come alot quicker....IT WONT!!When you eventually do get a command, asuming they dont run out of pilots and close down, you will have the pleasure of still earning significantly less than a KA,CX, Oasis FO/SO.
On the bright side, free 737 endorsement
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For those who have sent PMs to me asking for more info, here is some more recent thoughts (to be read alongside my opening thread written in September 07):
Housing - infact average rentals increased 25% last year in HK and are predicted to be 25-30% this year. This is hurting because its by far the biggest expensive for people living here.
HKA/HKE new deal - HKE and HKE have merged management although operations remain seperate. Both sets of pilots have been offered amendments to their (different!) contracts. I can only speak for HKE pilots but judging by the reaction at meeting to discuss the amendments, they are extremely disappointed/angered. It offers very little for most pilots,( no pay increase) other than a 15% gratuity after 3 years. Pilots will continue to leave and management will hope they can continue to recruit from Indonesia, Phillipines etc (perhaps Adam Air pilots?!).
Other reasons to leave are many but for Capts include roster instabilty and very late issue, no commuter contract, lack of leave. For FOs, concern they will not get a command due to many DE Capts and low priority for an overstretched training Dept.
Apologies for the gloomy news but I have to be honest and say I can't recommend coming here IN THE CURRENT JOB MARKET.
Housing - infact average rentals increased 25% last year in HK and are predicted to be 25-30% this year. This is hurting because its by far the biggest expensive for people living here.
HKA/HKE new deal - HKE and HKE have merged management although operations remain seperate. Both sets of pilots have been offered amendments to their (different!) contracts. I can only speak for HKE pilots but judging by the reaction at meeting to discuss the amendments, they are extremely disappointed/angered. It offers very little for most pilots,( no pay increase) other than a 15% gratuity after 3 years. Pilots will continue to leave and management will hope they can continue to recruit from Indonesia, Phillipines etc (perhaps Adam Air pilots?!).
Other reasons to leave are many but for Capts include roster instabilty and very late issue, no commuter contract, lack of leave. For FOs, concern they will not get a command due to many DE Capts and low priority for an overstretched training Dept.
Apologies for the gloomy news but I have to be honest and say I can't recommend coming here IN THE CURRENT JOB MARKET.
what a good job MFJoin Date: Mar 2005
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how much is the tax in hongkong?
HKD45000 for f/o salary is after tax or before tax?
and could sombody summarize living cost in hongkong?
especially housing. this is most important.
company just provide HKD2000 for housing?
Thanks!
HKD45000 for f/o salary is after tax or before tax?
and could sombody summarize living cost in hongkong?
especially housing. this is most important.
company just provide HKD2000 for housing?
Thanks!
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Flycold, the figure is pre tax, tax is basically 15%.
You can get a decent place for around 12-15K/month.
You can survive on HKA/HKE salary as long as that's all u want to do, survive.
You can get a decent place for around 12-15K/month.
You can survive on HKA/HKE salary as long as that's all u want to do, survive.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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USD35000 Bond
You can get a decent place for around 12-15K/month.
You can survive on HKA/HKE salary as long as that's all u want to do, survive.
You can survive on HKA/HKE salary as long as that's all u want to do, survive.
USD35000???? .......
Happy landings
Is it legal ? 
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Mat Rempit69,
The HKE Pilots Association recently sought clarification on the legality of bonds in HK. In short; if you sign the "Training Agreement" it is part of your contract and you are required to pay for your training ( US$ 36000 pro rata over 3 years ) nothing in HK Law prevents an employer from doing this.
Flycold,
For goodness sake, don't come to HK until you've researched rental costs yourself. See my first posting on this thread. HK$12-15k a month is about right if you live in Tung Chung and are single. I pay HK$38k for an old, scruffy apartment which is smaller and 5 times more expensive than the apartment I last rented in Australia. I live on Hong Kong Island though and can afford it cos my wife has a better paid job than me.
The HKE Pilots Association recently sought clarification on the legality of bonds in HK. In short; if you sign the "Training Agreement" it is part of your contract and you are required to pay for your training ( US$ 36000 pro rata over 3 years ) nothing in HK Law prevents an employer from doing this.
Flycold,
For goodness sake, don't come to HK until you've researched rental costs yourself. See my first posting on this thread. HK$12-15k a month is about right if you live in Tung Chung and are single. I pay HK$38k for an old, scruffy apartment which is smaller and 5 times more expensive than the apartment I last rented in Australia. I live on Hong Kong Island though and can afford it cos my wife has a better paid job than me.
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Update
Most of what has been posted previously is still true, but;
In the last 2 months the Dir Flt Ops, Chief Pilot and President have all resigned. HKE and HKA continue to lose millions. Some have faith that billionaire Stanley Ho and other major shareholder Hainan Airlines will continue their support, others are worried that the plug could be pulled any minute.
Plans for A330s next year have been cancelled, instead rumour has it that HKE will start a B747 cargo operation soon (wet lease to start with), pending CAD approval.
Most pilots signed the new contract. Experienced Capts were the only real winners, others just signed to reduce their notice from 6 months to 3. HKE pilots now get overtime pay above 50 hrs but the annual free tickets to your home country have been removed.
Rostering is appalling. The roster is now published 2 weeks at a time due to so many changes. I had 31 changes in June from the original roster! We are also doing a lot more nightstops, (HK$290 per night allowance).
Command upgrades have been stopped "until further notice".
Hope this is helpful.
In the last 2 months the Dir Flt Ops, Chief Pilot and President have all resigned. HKE and HKA continue to lose millions. Some have faith that billionaire Stanley Ho and other major shareholder Hainan Airlines will continue their support, others are worried that the plug could be pulled any minute.
Plans for A330s next year have been cancelled, instead rumour has it that HKE will start a B747 cargo operation soon (wet lease to start with), pending CAD approval.
Most pilots signed the new contract. Experienced Capts were the only real winners, others just signed to reduce their notice from 6 months to 3. HKE pilots now get overtime pay above 50 hrs but the annual free tickets to your home country have been removed.
Rostering is appalling. The roster is now published 2 weeks at a time due to so many changes. I had 31 changes in June from the original roster! We are also doing a lot more nightstops, (HK$290 per night allowance).
Command upgrades have been stopped "until further notice".
Hope this is helpful.
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Jimbo, FWIW, the lawyer most of the HKA guys used told us the bond was not legal, also you can not " sign your rights away ", in other words, if it is in the HK labour ordinance ( which it is ) you signing a bogus contract does not allow HKE to take away your rights.
Surely if your lawyer was correct, HKA would be chasing the 30 odd guys that have left for their bonds ? 30 X 250,000= a lot of money
Surely if your lawyer was correct, HKA would be chasing the 30 odd guys that have left for their bonds ? 30 X 250,000= a lot of money