It all depends on your status. Are you single, married, kids, etc... Maybe if you’re a bit more specific on your plans I can have an idea...

PM me, I will give you a few numbers to work with. If you are single or there by yourself, it’s ok money. With a family (children in international schools) think twice.

Kimono, a good advestisement for anger managament classes.

seriosly get some help. You cant be so angry and still be in the cockpit.

As far as job security? Over 14 years for me. New 5 year contract and i am not expecting to be terminated during it. As always keeping an eye on the situation and will leave before i am pushed, and wont be the last to turn the lights out.

but for now, i dont see any issues for my next five years.

The renumeration is too low now, so hoping something may be done. I am getting too many offers of more money to ignore.

If you are a contract expat FO then you are always at risk.

Qaualiry, International Schooling prices are
going through the roof; especially in Hanoi and Da Nang; at the UN Intl. you will pay almost US$2k per kid; add to that a quality home somewhere nice, your 10.8 will start disappearing as quickly as you see it coming in...

There has been expected pay increase since 2007 and its never happened, as long as they can get people then nothing will change. Theres never a shortage of desperate guys waiting to join just round the corner.

Good evening everyone, may i ask which agency is the best suited for work out there? FCI and Rishworth both seem to have contracts however, i was told of a third but cannot seem to find it? Does one have to use an agency or can one simply apply directly? Upon reading all the posts on here the last one regarding the interview process was some 4 yours ago. Is there any “new” changes to prepare for i.e. written test and sim for the airbus fleets? I my self am in my mid 50’s airbus rated. I was told to use ace the pilot interview, is this sufficient to study? Smooth flights to you all, hope that you all get the payrise sonner rather than later.

First rule of the contract pilot. You are only as good as your last pay check.

thats the point.

Yes, specially with VNA

It’s simple, if you’re don’t want to deal with different mentalities and ways you stay at your local LCC and do 4 legs every day for 30 years (unless your country offers a good legacy and you’re good/lucky enough to get in).

IF NOT, then you enjoy different experiences throughout your career that even 20 years ago would be unthinkable, and accept the this comes with some downsides and risks.

Up to you.

i disagree. No more than anywhere else. The point of being a contract pilot is you are only here until the host has enough local guys to replace you. Then you get a contract somewhere else.

i have been here nearly 15 years. 5 years longer than i expected. And i expect to be here at least another 5 years if i want to be. I may look to move if no salary increase comes along sson. But i dont see them replacing all the expats in the next 5 years, maybe more.

as a contractor, you are still a temporary post holder though. Take it or leave it. Any downturn, we will be the first out the door..

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....da06c5c81.jpeg
Look, i agree with all that you said, they can fire you whenever they want, is their company, ok. The point is that they did it already last year, firing with 60 days notice all expat FO's, and why? Because they had a business with Mr Patella who was bringing expat cadets, these guys paid 100.000 USD to VNA for the training ( one of these cadets told me personally ) without salary, just an apartment in Royal City for the first year. If they quit before 5 years, they loose the money. Of course, all of them knew that was just an investment and they will loose the money, and VNA also. So, 1 million USD per 10 expat cadets, such an amazing business, plus no salary, much cheaper than a proffesional SFO. So this is how VNA works in general. Yesterday was good, today so so, but tomorrow will be not better. I have been there 15 years also, and around one year ago i left VNA, and yes, maybe you know me, but of course i will not reveal who am i. The idea is ro warn all other colleagues about VNA, specially SFO, because now they are looking for A350 FO's. Sorry, but you can't say they will be safe here. With the A350 TR, if they give you the 60 days notice, tell me where will you find a new job. So that's why, don't believe the agencies, there is not any kind of upgrade apportunity, unless you know the right person to pass him/her 25.000 usd under the table. So, if you are flying A350 in some other company and your position is at least stable, don't risk that stability, soon or later you will value that the most. And just in case somebody forgot, here are the numbers again. Explain that pale!!

any fo contract is fraught with danger. I think some of the guys looking at the fo 350 are also looking at a 320 command in the future. In any event i am sure they can make their own mind up.

Yes, any FO contract is dangerous, but in VNA is more than anywhere else. Remmeber, they fired all of them last year. And about the command upgrade on A320, as long as they could bring indians and russian pilots, no upgrade for expat FO's in VNA. Only a few years ago they gave upgrade to some FO's, but that will not happen again with all new local cadets and all local FO's waiting for their chance for the left seat. Lets be realistic and don't give hope when there are not. I could tell you a few stories about some SFO who were fired because they didn't pay the 20-25 grand under the table, and some others who paid and then they fail them
in the sim for some ridiculous situations, like the subjetive CRM.