SF Airlines

[7Q Off]

Any idea about rosters?

[Capt Phillips]

SF Roster

Hi guys! I have info that the roster is one day trip at most, go-and-back ones. Some few layovers, for 737 small airports operations and for 757 bigger ones !

[donpizmeov2]

How many connecting flight for EU from SZX? Where do you go for a better connection HKG CAN or PEK?

[Gottabefun]

Anybody currently on contract with SF who can/will shed a light on the atmosphere in the company, life in Shenzhen, breakdown of salary, roster, commuting to Europe etc.?
Feel free to PM.

[alkor]

same here...

cheers,

[paholainen]

Some info

Got some info from a contact working there. 737 guys fly out monday back saturday, positioning flights at start and end of duty. Work pattern changes a lot from early/late /night. 757 fly mostly return flights to Shenzhen, home more than 4 nights a week. They also work less, due to no positioning. Pay is the same for 737/757. They only need 737 pilots atm, due to too many applicants on 757. Too bad as I was interested in 757.

[Trash8mofo]

Paholainen is correct re roaster. You will get your contractual days off blocked off 6 months in advance, the rest of the non-blocked off schedule comes out every Friday evening for the next week. The schedulers do try their very best to accommodate your work requests, but not always perfect which is understandable.

Re reimbursement: yes there are many and they are to the pilots advantage. Note that the portion of monthly income above 80k rmb is taxed at 45%. All these reimbursements and agency pays are designed to keep more money in the pilots pocket (legally). After all is said and done, you get to keep about 70-75% of your gross.

Generally speaking, the positive far outweighs the negative and i find SF do try hard to make the pilots life better.

[WYOMINGPILOT]

WOW, they tax your pay at 25-45%!!!! Almost every other carrier in China pays all Chinese taxes due so the pilot pays Zero tax on his income. This is a SERIOUS flaw in the SF contract if this is true. Not only do you fly mostly nights but you pay a HUGE tax.

[Trash8mofo]

The after tax is what counts. And personally I'm glad they have proper documentations of the tax I paid to China so I can get my US tax credits. I take nights over ATC delays.

[WYOMINGPILOT]

I agree the After tax is what counts. Most Chinese airlines pay 15-25% tax for you and also provide you with documentation of the tax which was paid on your behalf which you can use to file as a foreign tax credit. The point is SF is forcing you to pay this tax yourself thus lower after tax income. I have seen some horriffic flow control very late at night from Shenzhen. The point being flying nights doesn't insulate you from flow control in China.

[USMCProbe]

Chinese tax is progressive like a lot of countries. It is a lot more than 15-25 pct for what pilots make. I think my tax cert showed high 30% range for what i made.

[WYOMINGPILOT]

The higher the airline pays in tax on your behalf the better off you are as you take the tax receipt they paid and use it as a foreign tax credit on your own taxes. The Chinese however are even better liars to their (IRS) Tax division than anybody I know. In my case not all income was reported to the Chinese so the effective tax rate is usually in the 15-25% tax range. I am not a Chinese tax expert but I am very familiar with Chinese under the table dealings. The point being this tax is spelled out in most Chinese airlines contracts it will be paid FOR YOU to the chinese tax division you are responsible to your own individual country if any is due. SF it would seem is passing this responsibility on to its pilots to pay.

[LivPT]

more updated info

I have an interview with SF next month. Can anyone there give me some advice and or info on conditions, pay, cockpit relations etc?
feel free to PM me
thanks

[intake]

Anyone completed the class 1 medical for SF recently? What is the max BMI that is acceptable ? Can anyone PM as I have a few questions. Cheers Intake

[manson73]

So ultimately, How many days off do you truly get a month? I know it says 6 blocked, does that mean you're working 24 nights a month? That's kinda tough to have a family no?

And, i'm a bit confused with the taxes, ultimately, what are you getting paid per month? (year). it is true it's 350K?

I've seen some of their 737's on the ramp, and wow, they look beatup.

[Moving]

Anybody currently on contract with SF who can/will shed a light on the atmosphere in the company, life in Shenzhen, breakdown of salary, roster, commuting to Europe etc.?
Feel free to PM.

[testpanel]

Just received an interesting email from an agency regarding SF Airlines...

Anybody currently on contract with SF who can/will shed a light on the atmosphere in the company, life in Shenzhen, breakdown of salary, roster, commuting to Europe etc.?
Feel free to PM

Any1 willing/able to give some insides?

Currently flying 75 and 76 as Captain.

Thanks!!

[FlyinColo]

What kind of flight times/ equipment are you guys getting called back with for the 757?

[pilotxaq]

Came across SF airlines in job searches. Almost looks too good to be true for 75/76. Saw the comments above. Is anyone able to say the current status/mood of the company and what the flight deck environment is like? Are they flying both 75 and 76? Also what is it like living in Shenzen, current rostering/tax issues etc.

Would really appreciate the info!

[bbq1166]

Originally Posted by pilotxaq

Came across SF airlines in job searches. Almost looks too good to be true for 75/76. Saw the comments above. Is anyone able to say the current status/mood of the company and what the flight deck environment is like? Are they flying both 75 and 76? Also what is it like living in Shenzen, current rostering/tax issues etc.

Would really appreciate the info!

SF is one of the major delivery services companies in China. I would say probably the best one. They're operating 737OGs, 757s and soon 767s. I heard the pay is pretty good according to my former colleagues who left to join SF. Downside is that nearly all their flights are late night flights. Most of their pilots are formerly from other major Chinese airlines, and their new F/O cadets are trained overseas. So I guess communication in the cockpit shouldn't be much of an issue. Shenzhen is one of the most developed Chinese cities. Might be a little crowded but living standard can be quite good. You can also go to Hong Kong from Shenzhen very easily.

Hope this is helpful!