Housing allowance SIA Cargo
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Thermal Image
I never had a clue what our allowances were or how SQ worked them out as I could not be bothered with such mundane matters. The local F/O's knew to the nearest cent what they were if I could ever have been bothered to ask them. I like to think that I had my mind on a higher "plane"
I had to be be reminded to taxi slowly on arrival back at base so that the cabin crew could get a free ride home after a certain time of night.. As we had a taxi allowance free transport was not worth having ( unless you lived on the west side) as it usually meant waiting for at least one other person who was usually the last to come out of the crewroom!!
Talking of local F/O's I well remember one day when we had son of LKY on board, long before he became PM with his two boys I think they were. They visited the flight deck and the F/O gave them both a piece of chewing gum to take back to their seats!!! I had a good chuckle about that.
I never had a clue what our allowances were or how SQ worked them out as I could not be bothered with such mundane matters. The local F/O's knew to the nearest cent what they were if I could ever have been bothered to ask them. I like to think that I had my mind on a higher "plane"
I had to be be reminded to taxi slowly on arrival back at base so that the cabin crew could get a free ride home after a certain time of night.. As we had a taxi allowance free transport was not worth having ( unless you lived on the west side) as it usually meant waiting for at least one other person who was usually the last to come out of the crewroom!!
Talking of local F/O's I well remember one day when we had son of LKY on board, long before he became PM with his two boys I think they were. They visited the flight deck and the F/O gave them both a piece of chewing gum to take back to their seats!!! I had a good chuckle about that.
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Thanks for divulging the following TI. I am sure HR will be pleased to learn where cost savings can be made.
Perhaps we should let HR know that they can save money by only paying you the meals allowance you need - maybe a 50% reduction according to your own figures. The savings could then be passed on in HA to expats at nil overall cost to the company. Brilliant - I will forward your statement immediately.
How do you feel about the few expats that have bought condo unit(s) in Singapore and are making a fortune out of the property market TI? That OK with you?
Lights blue touchpaper;
Stands back;
Waits for "post colonial inferiority complex" to do the rest.
You obviously have no clue about how locals spend their meal allowances. Almost none of us makes it a point to exhaust our meal allowance every single flight. We may do it once in a while. But for most of us, we eat cheaply, but not poorly. At the end of every trip, we have at least half leftover
How do you feel about the few expats that have bought condo unit(s) in Singapore and are making a fortune out of the property market TI? That OK with you?
Lights blue touchpaper;
Stands back;
Waits for "post colonial inferiority complex" to do the rest.
Last edited by BANANASBANANAS; 18th Sep 2007 at 22:19.
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Cargoboy
"From my understanding, your contract would have probably stated some vague terms of HA based on market rates."
You're absolutely right, it's vague as hell. Consequently, I would never take it to court since I believe that the only chance to win such case against a government run airline would be that you had a clear cut case. "Intentions" and "general understandings" would hardly be looked upon in your favor in this case. It's not confined to Singapore, any country with strong control over the courts, press and the population would have the same problem.
No, I don't think there's any bias against pilots in general. But I have been told about "troublemakers" before and how fast they have been expelled. If I remember correctly even a union representative was fired and declared persona non grata a couple of years ago?
So, why did I sign up? Well, simply because I love Singapore. It's the only place in Asia I would live. Every airline has pros and cons and the pros in SIAC are still far more than the cons so I stay. But, that won't keep me from voicing an opinion when I think something is wrong.
"From my understanding, your contract would have probably stated some vague terms of HA based on market rates."
You're absolutely right, it's vague as hell. Consequently, I would never take it to court since I believe that the only chance to win such case against a government run airline would be that you had a clear cut case. "Intentions" and "general understandings" would hardly be looked upon in your favor in this case. It's not confined to Singapore, any country with strong control over the courts, press and the population would have the same problem.
No, I don't think there's any bias against pilots in general. But I have been told about "troublemakers" before and how fast they have been expelled. If I remember correctly even a union representative was fired and declared persona non grata a couple of years ago?
So, why did I sign up? Well, simply because I love Singapore. It's the only place in Asia I would live. Every airline has pros and cons and the pros in SIAC are still far more than the cons so I stay. But, that won't keep me from voicing an opinion when I think something is wrong.
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expat400
Yes indeed it was Capt R G a Malaysian who had PR status and was the Alpha-S Chairman I think at the time when LKY removed him because he wanted a vote about the CA renewal. He was declared persona non grata and shot off to Perth where he had a house but he returned and did a B744 IR Renewal much to LKY's disgust. P in R stands for Permanent ( Singapore definition!!!)
Yes indeed it was Capt R G a Malaysian who had PR status and was the Alpha-S Chairman I think at the time when LKY removed him because he wanted a vote about the CA renewal. He was declared persona non grata and shot off to Perth where he had a house but he returned and did a B744 IR Renewal much to LKY's disgust. P in R stands for Permanent ( Singapore definition!!!)
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Thanks Millerscourt, I tried the search function but couldn't find anything.
I guess TI "had the balls to stand up" for Capt RG and that's why he's now in Beijing.
When the ALPA-S chairman cannot challenge the company I guess I'm doing the right thing to keep my head under the parapet. If the locals don't even have the guts to support their chairman an expat would be dead meat...
I guess TI "had the balls to stand up" for Capt RG and that's why he's now in Beijing.
When the ALPA-S chairman cannot challenge the company I guess I'm doing the right thing to keep my head under the parapet. If the locals don't even have the guts to support their chairman an expat would be dead meat...
Last edited by expat400; 18th Sep 2007 at 17:49. Reason: Grammar...
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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As Thermal Image persists in presenting completely illogical arguments I am left wondering if he is:
a). A Troll
b). Not working for SIA
c). Possibly an expat himself.
and have come to the same conclusion as others, TI is simply not worth the effort of responding since he wouldn't be a ble to identify logic if it got up and bit him.
a). A Troll
b). Not working for SIA
c). Possibly an expat himself.
and have come to the same conclusion as others, TI is simply not worth the effort of responding since he wouldn't be a ble to identify logic if it got up and bit him.
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bananaboy
Thanks for divulging the following TI. I am sure HR will be pleased to learn where cost savings can be made.
Perhaps we should let HR know that they can save money by only paying you the meals allowance you need - maybe a 50% reduction according to your own figures. The savings could then be passed on in HA to expats at nil overall cost to the company. Brilliant - I will forward your statement immediately.
How do you feel about the few expats that have bought condo unit(s) in Singapore and are making a fortune out of the property market TI? That OK with you?
So how much money have you been relieved of so far? Does it feel good?
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Thanks Millerscourt, I tried the search function but couldn't find anything.
I guess TI "had the balls to stand up" for Capt RG and that's why he's now in Beijing.
When the ALPA-S chairman cannot challenge the company I guess I'm doing the right thing to keep my head under the parapet. If the locals don't even have the guts to support their chairman an expat would be dead meat…
I guess TI "had the balls to stand up" for Capt RG and that's why he's now in Beijing.
When the ALPA-S chairman cannot challenge the company I guess I'm doing the right thing to keep my head under the parapet. If the locals don't even have the guts to support their chairman an expat would be dead meat…
As to where you think I live, it's painfully obvious that you have no clue about effecting change in your workplace AND the history of ALPA-S. From said demonstrated incompetence about worldly matters, it would be completely unreasonable to expect you to have sufficient grasp on regional affairs to know the what Thermal Image and Beijing mean when the 3 words are close together.
Back to ALPA-S. Asking you to remember the facts about the Ryan Goh case is too much to expect. So let's look at something in the last year or so, the recent case of the A380 pay issue. Was that not a a successful challenge to the company by James P the then president of ALPA-S? So what is this crap that you are spewing regarding your claim that "the ALPA-S chairman cannot challenge the company"?
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parabellum
As Thermal Image persists in presenting completely illogical arguments I am left wondering if he is:
a). A Troll
b). Not working for SIA
c). Possibly an expat himself.
and have come to the same conclusion as others, TI is simply not worth the effort of responding since he wouldn't be a ble to identify logic if it got up and bit him.
a). A Troll
b). Not working for SIA
c). Possibly an expat himself.
and have come to the same conclusion as others, TI is simply not worth the effort of responding since he wouldn't be a ble to identify logic if it got up and bit him.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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You must be mistaken TI, post #40 doesn't display you showing any logic at all, just meaningless vitriol. As name calling goes you don't do badly yourself, calling anyone who disagrees with you an idiot.
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TI wrote;
Thanks for being happy for me and admiring me TI. Yes, we can read the market, are most certainly not inadequately testiculated, and have done very nicely out of the market thank you very much.
So that will be you being exactly wrong on all 3 counts!
Decorum prevents me from giving my thoughts on you in a public forum - but I am sure everyone knows what we are thinking.
Quote:
How do you feel about the few expats that have bought condo unit(s) in Singapore and are making a fortune out of the property market TI? That OK with you?
I'm most happy for them. I even admire these guys. It demonstrates that they can read the market, have the balls to take a position and more importantly they know how to make money, three completely opposite attributes to those that you are gifted with.
So how much money have you been relieved of so far? Does it feel good?
How do you feel about the few expats that have bought condo unit(s) in Singapore and are making a fortune out of the property market TI? That OK with you?
I'm most happy for them. I even admire these guys. It demonstrates that they can read the market, have the balls to take a position and more importantly they know how to make money, three completely opposite attributes to those that you are gifted with.
So how much money have you been relieved of so far? Does it feel good?
So that will be you being exactly wrong on all 3 counts!
Decorum prevents me from giving my thoughts on you in a public forum - but I am sure everyone knows what we are thinking.
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Dear Dear Parabellum,
Post #40 was to show your defective logic. You claimed that I inferred that we get paid cash at the hotel. I asked you where. For your clueless sake, I illustrated how it is that we know how much we will get for a particular COP, budget how much to spend and therefore how much is leftover.
All you do in reply to that is to hoist a silly claim that there is no logic in there. That's right, be like the rest of the weasels here, slide away from an argument and just make more stupid remarks.
Post #40 was to show your defective logic. You claimed that I inferred that we get paid cash at the hotel. I asked you where. For your clueless sake, I illustrated how it is that we know how much we will get for a particular COP, budget how much to spend and therefore how much is leftover.
All you do in reply to that is to hoist a silly claim that there is no logic in there. That's right, be like the rest of the weasels here, slide away from an argument and just make more stupid remarks.
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Monkeyman,
In Post #8: You said about the HA:
When I joined SIA Cargo, that was the case. Now it is not…
In post #11 you repeated your claim:
Housing Allowance used to be sufficient to rent accommodation. Now it is not.
Now in Post 51 you claim:
Thanks for being happy for me and admiring me TI. Yes, we can read the market, are most certainly not inadequately testiculated, and have done very nicely out of the market thank you very much.
So what is it, from having to top up your HA dollar for dollar because you can't bring yourself to spend less, you now suddenly claim to have made money from property in Singapore? From a mere clueless tenant that got ripped off, to a savvy propserous landlord in the space of 5 days that this thread has been running?
If you want to lie, at least try not to get caught.
So where is the comparison between your HA and what other expat pilots in Singapore get? Conveniently ignored? Or do you somehow imagine that you are worthy of being compared with (Post #11): "expat middle managers in the Finance and IT sector etc are being paid in Housing Allowance in Singapore"?
Come on then, produce the numbers. Remember to include the sources because you have shown that you live in a fantasy world going from poor tenant to rich landlord.
In Post #8: You said about the HA:
When I joined SIA Cargo, that was the case. Now it is not…
In post #11 you repeated your claim:
Housing Allowance used to be sufficient to rent accommodation. Now it is not.
Now in Post 51 you claim:
Thanks for being happy for me and admiring me TI. Yes, we can read the market, are most certainly not inadequately testiculated, and have done very nicely out of the market thank you very much.
So what is it, from having to top up your HA dollar for dollar because you can't bring yourself to spend less, you now suddenly claim to have made money from property in Singapore? From a mere clueless tenant that got ripped off, to a savvy propserous landlord in the space of 5 days that this thread has been running?
If you want to lie, at least try not to get caught.
So where is the comparison between your HA and what other expat pilots in Singapore get? Conveniently ignored? Or do you somehow imagine that you are worthy of being compared with (Post #11): "expat middle managers in the Finance and IT sector etc are being paid in Housing Allowance in Singapore"?
Come on then, produce the numbers. Remember to include the sources because you have shown that you live in a fantasy world going from poor tenant to rich landlord.
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TI, Unlike you I think of my colleagues, for many of whom the above was, is and remains true. The HA is not sufficient now. I did not state that I was still renting - did I? When we arrived it is true that we rented within the allowance. To rent that same unit now would cost almost $6k per month.
Thankfully, due to the cojones, know how, and ability to read the market that you would like to believe I dont possess we have bought a unit for a mortgage of $2k per month less than it would now cost to rent and watched its value double in the last year.
Smart move eh? Whether you choose to believe it or not is a matter for your own jaundiced judgement but there are enough regular contributors to this forum who know my identity that also know it is true. (Left Coaster and 4 PW's for two).
What you care to believe worries me not one iota as you have already demonstrated your own bigoted, bitter and twisted agenda which is quite obviously impervious to rational argument.
Please tell me you don't take that attitude onto the Flight Deck.
Thankfully, due to the cojones, know how, and ability to read the market that you would like to believe I dont possess we have bought a unit for a mortgage of $2k per month less than it would now cost to rent and watched its value double in the last year.
Smart move eh? Whether you choose to believe it or not is a matter for your own jaundiced judgement but there are enough regular contributors to this forum who know my identity that also know it is true. (Left Coaster and 4 PW's for two).
What you care to believe worries me not one iota as you have already demonstrated your own bigoted, bitter and twisted agenda which is quite obviously impervious to rational argument.
Please tell me you don't take that attitude onto the Flight Deck.
Last edited by BANANASBANANAS; 20th Sep 2007 at 05:29.
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I am just curious...Are there still only a handful of HDB flats that are actually legal to rent. Previously a HDB could only be rented out by the owner if he owned another shop flat , was working as an expat himself or was approved by the government.
I remember stories in the past of the 'One room locked" procedure whereby,people were illegally renting these subsidised flats and if the HDB inspector came along you would politely say that you were only renting a room and the owner stayed in the flat,pointing to the room that was locked..
This may work if you are an expat from the area,but as a Western pilot,it is obvious that you are probably renting.(be prepared to have the concerned residents in your block call the HDB).They WILL keep sending their officers to check and see that the owner actually lives there and this will be at any hour of any day.
You may be able to obtain PR status,again you still cannot rent an illegal HDB flat but you are then able to purchase one but they are all on a 99 lease.
I do remember interviews that showed the local newspapers full of these flats for rent as thy are much cheaper than the condos to attract people.
I remember stories in the past of the 'One room locked" procedure whereby,people were illegally renting these subsidised flats and if the HDB inspector came along you would politely say that you were only renting a room and the owner stayed in the flat,pointing to the room that was locked..
This may work if you are an expat from the area,but as a Western pilot,it is obvious that you are probably renting.(be prepared to have the concerned residents in your block call the HDB).They WILL keep sending their officers to check and see that the owner actually lives there and this will be at any hour of any day.
You may be able to obtain PR status,again you still cannot rent an illegal HDB flat but you are then able to purchase one but they are all on a 99 lease.
I do remember interviews that showed the local newspapers full of these flats for rent as thy are much cheaper than the condos to attract people.
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I would not want to rent a HDB as I might find Thermal Image was my
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Bananas Good for you. You socked it to TI there IMHO. When I was Singapore based we could not buy an apartment as we had to go through with SQ as the tenant but now with the HA paid as part of salary you got in just in time. Well done.
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Bananas Good for you. You socked it to TI there IMHO. When I was Singapore based we could not buy an apartment as we had to go through with SQ as the tenant but now with the HA paid as part of salary you got in just in time. Well done.
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Can I fly with you please PQ?
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Bravo Big Bananans
I confirm the Big Banana did indeed purchase an apartment.
Along with many others, I wish I'd made an equally brave move. But at the time, SQC seemed anything but a secure employer and less the long-term prospect it has become.
In that sense I might very carefully point out, in case I offend someone's delicate sensibilities, how easily we tend to forget the outstanding work Martin has done and continues to do since the changes, circa March 2007, that were instigated, instituted and effected by him in how the system works, and accomodates us, if you'll pardon the pun.
(Note to self: prepare for a misinterpretation of the above)
May I suggest we all ignore Thermal Image, for his own good, if not for the good of the Company. Think of it as basic child psychology. Less attention equates to the diversion of interests elsewhere. Notwithstanding that, it is very unfortunate to read of someone so filled with hatred.
It has been said that hatred does more damage to the vessel it is contained in than that to which it is directed.
How very true.
Along with many others, I wish I'd made an equally brave move. But at the time, SQC seemed anything but a secure employer and less the long-term prospect it has become.
In that sense I might very carefully point out, in case I offend someone's delicate sensibilities, how easily we tend to forget the outstanding work Martin has done and continues to do since the changes, circa March 2007, that were instigated, instituted and effected by him in how the system works, and accomodates us, if you'll pardon the pun.
(Note to self: prepare for a misinterpretation of the above)
May I suggest we all ignore Thermal Image, for his own good, if not for the good of the Company. Think of it as basic child psychology. Less attention equates to the diversion of interests elsewhere. Notwithstanding that, it is very unfortunate to read of someone so filled with hatred.
It has been said that hatred does more damage to the vessel it is contained in than that to which it is directed.
How very true.
Last edited by 4PW's; 21st Sep 2007 at 06:09.
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You guys are one sorry bunch of bananas.
Unable to learn from the Ryan Goh affair, you are trying to repeat it. Have the balls to use your real name and then post your grouses on PPRuNe. If you are speaking up with facts, there is nothing to fear. ALPA-S has taken SIA to court and beaten them. Why hide behind some anonymous nick and bash the company? The reason is very clear: you want to use lies and whispers and fear being caught.
Having a bunch of anonymous nicks come in to "prove" the claims of other anonymous nicks, all with curiously similar styles of writing, just shows your collective level of intelligence. Any fool can register a bunch of nicks and have them talk to each other.
And hey, Monkeyman, by accepting PQ's offer to pay for beer and girl, means that you have admitted that you can't get laid. It's all right, the Singapore government is easing up on gays. You can come out now.
And lastly, by telling each other (or yourself) to ignore me, conveniently means that you won't have to produce evidence of what other airlines in Singapore are paying their expat PILOTS for the HA. Trying to compare your HA with "expat middle managers in the finance and IT sector" ? Might as well compare your HA with PRC / Burmese / Bangla workers (they are "expat" too) who live in dorms. How clever.
Unable to learn from the Ryan Goh affair, you are trying to repeat it. Have the balls to use your real name and then post your grouses on PPRuNe. If you are speaking up with facts, there is nothing to fear. ALPA-S has taken SIA to court and beaten them. Why hide behind some anonymous nick and bash the company? The reason is very clear: you want to use lies and whispers and fear being caught.
Having a bunch of anonymous nicks come in to "prove" the claims of other anonymous nicks, all with curiously similar styles of writing, just shows your collective level of intelligence. Any fool can register a bunch of nicks and have them talk to each other.
And hey, Monkeyman, by accepting PQ's offer to pay for beer and girl, means that you have admitted that you can't get laid. It's all right, the Singapore government is easing up on gays. You can come out now.
And lastly, by telling each other (or yourself) to ignore me, conveniently means that you won't have to produce evidence of what other airlines in Singapore are paying their expat PILOTS for the HA. Trying to compare your HA with "expat middle managers in the finance and IT sector" ? Might as well compare your HA with PRC / Burmese / Bangla workers (they are "expat" too) who live in dorms. How clever.