HK Express
 

Hi Guys,

Just after info on HK express.

I have heard mixed reports and just seeking clarification what they are like to work for, base pay, allowances etc. Can you make ends meet in HK?

I know they are owned by the mob as HK Airlines, do they treat their crew the same way?

Thanks!

I've done a little looking through other threads..

There is ad's now on AFAP in Australia..

It would be nice to get a current synopsis from anyone who has just started or is in the process of moving there.??

Many Thanks FB..

extract from May 2009 ..
" Hong Kong Airlines/hong Kong Express
Sister companies, but salary the same.

You think you guys are hard done by, try living in one of the most expensive cities in the world and earning this.
Salary figures can be confirmed on PPJN.

737-800 Captain basic Salary = 30000 HKD per month (3867 USD)
737-800 F/O basic salary = 17500 HKD per month (2255 USD)
Those figures are before tax.

No increase in pay each year. A 20 year pilot will earn the same as a 1st year pilot.

No pension, no gratuity. Only 1,500 HKD (193 USD)will be contributed into your provident fund (MPF) per month, after the first 13 months service in the company.

Annual leave = 28 days per annum. No credit given or extra annual leave given for working public holidays. No extra pay for working public holiday.

No flights home to home country.

Roster still unstable, even after 4 years they can not get it right.

No housing allowance.

They have flight pay but with no minimum guarantee. You really could earn Base salary, and not much more.

No communication. You do not realize your getting a pay cut until your paycheck comes through or not. They do not even send an email to explain their plans.

Labour law in Hong Kong supports the company not the employee. Employee has no rights.

You disagree with changes to contract = employment terminated with no reason.

Bonded for 15,000 USD - 50,000 USD even if your type rated with experience on type. Bond period 1-5 years

Good things about these companies...... NIL

If your considering working here, apply for ANY OTHER AIRLINE IN THE WORLD, or jump off a building. Both are better options."

As usual , there is a rather long line of pilots from down under, waiting with baited breath, to jump onto the HKE gravy train.

One thing I would certainly NOT describe either HKE or HKA as, is a gravy train.

Train wreck would be more suitable.

For anyone thinking of going there have a read of "the demise of hong kong airlines" thread in the fragrant harbour section. They might be different company's in name but they share the same @rseholes in management. And also try not to be ao naive to think that it won't happen to you.

Ive spoken to guys who formerly worked with both HKE and HKA. They indicated that the two were very different animals and that Hong Kong Airlines was far inferior to Hong Kong Express.
This was a couple of years ago but I am curious if anyone is willing to back that information up or am I totaly misled and there is basically no difference between the two? I understand that they have an affiliation and a common investor but it seems they have completely seperate operations departments.
What are the real differences?

Met friends that already left HKA/HKE most things true, shall improve :cool:

HKE was WAY better than HKA back in the day. It was progressive, they upgraded FOs, and had better destinations.
HOWEVER, the same sh*t Hainan mgmt is now in charge and things are not the same.

Stay away from BOTH.

Maybe, but both have the same **** money and conditions.
HKA at one stage had 7 x 737 vs HKE had 3 ( I think ), now its the opposite, but HKA ad you said never had upgrade programme.

You will not save a penny as a Captain here ( unless you single, live in TC, and don't go out ) as an effo you will struggle to survive unless you share accomodation. If you bring a family up here under their conditions, you will probably leave this place single.
Don't make the mistakes I did :

1) Do not believe anything they tell you over the phone, and believe half of what you see in the contract ( you are not home, forget about unions, workplace ombudsmen, and employers that don't lie to your face, excluding GA of course )

2) Do not do conversion into Oz dollars ( if u from Oz ) and justify ( especially as a captain ) that with the low tax the money is better than LCC back home. If you want a half decent place in Central, DB or Saikung it will cost you 3500-4000AUD/month ( 25-30K HKD/month ), double that of most capital cities in Oz. Don't come up here for the interview, go out for curry and a beer with your mates and kid yourself that its cheap to live here.

You have been warned :=

Yes they will hire without a rating. If your lucky they will send you for the type rating before you have signed a contract.
A free type rating, when finished you can apply to a real airline.
HKE is a flying school run by amateurs.

Yes they will. For those who join the company without the type rating there is a 3 year US$30000 bond.

:eek:US $30000!!! wats their pay?

In the not too distant future they will probably take someone without a pilots licence ( in fact, I'm sure HKA already have ), once things pick up again they will struggle to get anyone :E

How many crew are HKE after approx numbers F/O and Capts any assistance much appreciated.

Confirmation of Salary
 

737-800 Captain basic Salary = 30000 HKD per month (3867 USD)
737-800 F/O basic salary = 17500 HKD per month (2255 USD)


Is this accurate for HK Express, can someone from inside the airline confirm this. Surely there must be hefty allowances on top of this. How can anyone survive on that?

The wages quoted are NOT accurate,


The basic wage is more than double that.
Over time starts at 0 hours and adds around another 30 to 35% to your final pay.

Dont believe everything you read...........



XOP's..... The Only Way To Operate.......

Thanks EXXMAN

So from my rough calculations with OT, the figure is closer to 546,000.00 HKD = 70,350.98 USD per year.

Cheers

OT?

There is no overtime.

and the salary is no where near that.
If you c8nts believe what HKA/E is telling you
and don't believe the 20-30 guys who are posting their ACTUAL experiences (ALL WHO NOW FLY FOR BETTER AIRLINES), then you deserve it.

Hey MT,

Why dont you go back to the HKA thread were you will be much happier.
This is a thread about HKE, a place that you never worked.......


The information I have posted IS correct, it comes from someone who ACTUALLY works for the company.

Get over it and move on buddy................


XOP's....... The Only Way To Operate.......

Allingoodtime, just for your info KA/CX pay is around 2.5 times that ( the 546,000 u calculated ), and remember other than cheap beer, this place is bloody expensive.
And something that can't be denied is that pay is subject to change without notice, also subject to leave without pay with no notice too ( happened last year, will happen the next time they are struggling for cash )

Good thread going here - although I'd say it could do with a bit more insider knowledge and a little less hearsay, wouldn't you agree?

Anyone going for interviews this month or next? I got a call today but am yet to make up my mind.. :confused: