Air China working conditions
Air China working conditions
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: South Africa
Age: 57
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Please do not go to China; maybe in a year's time they will raise the salary to US$360,000 pa, priemier golf club membership, unlimited foc suite class firm travel, mercedez limosusine service, etc. Are you salivating yet?
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Just write your reasons and issues on this thread, whats with the PM.
There are plenty of posts on here already letting other pilots know the issues they are having with Chinese airlines and medicals.
We would like to know why.
There are plenty of posts on here already letting other pilots know the issues they are having with Chinese airlines and medicals.
We would like to know why.
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vancouver
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My reason for suggesting guys pm me is simple. It bypasses all the rhetoric that comes with the website. There are some essential facts about working in China that most guys are missing prior to going for the assessment. The reason: the brokers do not want you to know the truth. It's hard to know what is fact or fiction around here. However, in order to put some meat on the bones of this discussion I will expand a bit.
1. Choose your broker wisely. They are not created equally.
2. The pilot shortage is a mixed blessing. Jobs are available by the truck load but working conditions are on the slide faster than one can imagine.
3. If you like to time build then China is for you. Be prepared to work as close to the maximum annual hours, that is, 1000 hours per year as they can get you to.
4. If you sign a contract entitling you to 7 days off, be prepared to get 7 days off.
5. If you are an A320 Captain going for an A330 position, be prepared to live in China for the 2 years. Also, be prepared to be worked harder than at any time in your career, unless perhaps if you come from the Middle East.
6. Be prepared for lies about your base. Be prepared for base closures. Be prepared for a commuting contract regardless of what is written about you being on a base.
7. The medical in China turns any contract length into a one year deal. Be prepared for being turned into a Guinea pig for the CAAC doctors. They get paid per medical procedure performed. Oh yeah, and be prepared to lose a month's salary while they experiment on you. Yes, I have first hand knowledge in this area, but then again so do most of the guys I work with.
This is really only some of the aspects of the job. Others include, a good working relationship with the Chinese. They are actually very pleasant to work with. Management can be quite accommodating at times as well. They are generous when they want to be. And yes, it there have been more good times than bad working with them. The sad part is that things are quickly changing (all due to the shortage of crews) and they are simply trying to eek out as many hours as they can from everyone, regardless of the contract terms you are under (and they are getting worse than better). Go figure.
1. Choose your broker wisely. They are not created equally.
2. The pilot shortage is a mixed blessing. Jobs are available by the truck load but working conditions are on the slide faster than one can imagine.
3. If you like to time build then China is for you. Be prepared to work as close to the maximum annual hours, that is, 1000 hours per year as they can get you to.
4. If you sign a contract entitling you to 7 days off, be prepared to get 7 days off.
5. If you are an A320 Captain going for an A330 position, be prepared to live in China for the 2 years. Also, be prepared to be worked harder than at any time in your career, unless perhaps if you come from the Middle East.
6. Be prepared for lies about your base. Be prepared for base closures. Be prepared for a commuting contract regardless of what is written about you being on a base.
7. The medical in China turns any contract length into a one year deal. Be prepared for being turned into a Guinea pig for the CAAC doctors. They get paid per medical procedure performed. Oh yeah, and be prepared to lose a month's salary while they experiment on you. Yes, I have first hand knowledge in this area, but then again so do most of the guys I work with.
This is really only some of the aspects of the job. Others include, a good working relationship with the Chinese. They are actually very pleasant to work with. Management can be quite accommodating at times as well. They are generous when they want to be. And yes, it there have been more good times than bad working with them. The sad part is that things are quickly changing (all due to the shortage of crews) and they are simply trying to eek out as many hours as they can from everyone, regardless of the contract terms you are under (and they are getting worse than better). Go figure.
