bank
 

expat 400:ok:
you are bang on
singapore bank will take sevice charges for issuing a letter to SIA.
all banks know the format for SIA. Very user freindly.

Locblue

If you as a PR sponsor your male child for PR, then he indeed does become liable to serve National Service (NS), as a second generation PR. The easy way around this is to not sponsor your male child for PR; instead apply for a long-term social visit pass, valid for 1 year, renewable as long as you maintain your PR status.

If you intend to live in Singapore for the very long-term, your son can apply for a PR on his own merits when he lands a job in Singapore. He will then be considered a first generation PR, therefore not liable for NS.

Thank you sir for that information.

Great thread by the way
gb

bd87

I have not transferred a single cent to Singapore for my bank guarantee. The Singapore branch of my "home" bank has issued a guarantee to SIA to pay the 56 K whenever SIA wants it.


Same here

And:
The duration of the bank guarantee is 5 years and 5 months from
the signing of the employment contract.
(As your 5 years contract will start from the date of your "Check-out"
on the line. SIA counts 5 months for the conversion training)

gb

Getsetgo

You are correct. I forgot to mention my bank's charges. I pay 1 % of the guarantee per year to my bank. Reasonable to me.

Painless if you know what you are in for.
 

Being forewarned of some of the quirks my help ease your entry into SQ.

Here are a few,

Days Off - you get 2 per week however they only appear on your roster after trips of 5 days or more, otherwise they are blank. If you have 3 blank days you could be assigned to fly on any one of them, if this is a long trip your roster will be out the window. At the moment if you have more than 3 days you’ll be assigned standby.

Crewing is one of the reasons you have to ask for permission to leave Singapore on your days off.

A roster day off is from midnight to midnight, i.e. you often start a duty just after midnight following a day off.

Roster - The “bidding” system allows 12 points per year, 1 point per month. A minimum of 3 points for a Trip. 1 point for a day off max 2 in a row.

3P flights - SQ operate some longer flights with 3 Pilots, 1 Captain and 2 FO’s. Problem for the Captain is that the FO’s are not certified to provide in-flight relief for the Commander.

Paxing - EY upgradable to J and 1st. J Class is mostly full (airline is doing well) and 1st is not available on all flights. At the moment we have whole crews paxing all over, saving Hotac and crew days. Paxing will not always be on the direct flight, paxing through another station improves their standby coverage. LAX TPE SIN is a great flight in EY. This area is a mystery to all.

expat400 is correct in that you do not have to bring the bank guarantee cash with you to Singapore provided your home bank has a branch in Singapore and is prepared to complete the documentation to SQ's satisfaction. Make sure you get a copy of the paperwork so it is all set in motion before you arrive in Singapore as you have 20 days to produce the paperwork or you are taken off the ground school course.

bank and documents
 

Can you please name some of the banks that have branches in Singapore and do this guarantee services? And which documents should you bring when you arrive in Singapore?

Ref the 3 strikes - anyone heard that the Lahore chap - the fellow that got to 300 feet agl 6 miles out, had 30 seconds of GPWS before going round, that the company is keeping him in his position with a few more training sectors to help him improve his SA!!!??

Bond & Salary
 

Reduced basic salary (and no flying allowances of course) while in ground-school and simulator. Makes the first 2 or 3 months quite interesting as expenses are probably at their highest - 3 months deposit on the house rental, up front school fees for the kids etc.

Took us about a year to start saving any money.

medical
 

Can anyone shed light on how tough the medical?May one expect it`s the same sh..t like in others asian countries(South Korea,China)?:confused:

Well, they took me! Its thorough but not ridiculous. If you can pass a CAA or FAA Class 1 you will have no problems.

The Docs seem to have a sense of humour too. I recently did my tri annual medical board and the Doc was commenting on my rather 'portly' physique and increasing weight.

Doc: "Captain Bananas, Your weight has steadily increased over the last few years. Tell me, what do you do when you feel like taking some exercise?'

Bananas: 'Well, I usually lie down until the feeling goes away!'

Doc saw the funny side and I was 'in and out' of his office in about 2 minutes.

hahaha

HSBC and Standard Chartered have branches throughout the world

LloydsTSB have a single office in Millenia Tower, Temasek Ave where you can get mortgages etc


DBS have a branch in London where you could no doubt deposit £Stg or whatever to cover the Bank Guarantee part of the Bond.


PS I can confirm that if Bananas can pass the medical then anyone can!!!:D

Ditto! (same for me...and the missus will confirm my heavier than air status!) Seriously, there are no sneaky medicals here,and even though it's thorough, it's not anywhere near the JCAB astronaut medical...good luck!;)

The Bank Guarantee....
 

Yes, it is the correct procedure. SIA will provide you with a sample so the bank can issue the correct guarantee letter. 2 % is a little on the high side but since you're a new customer to the bank I guess you have to pay a bit extra.

They are not required for the interview. I know of guys that didn't provide them until halfway through their line training but that's not a good way to start your relation with an employer.

Good luck!

Maybe I missed the answer to this in the numerous threads on SIA but
wouldn't it make more sense to buy the type?

Would it not free up your life a little knowing you can leave when or if you want not having that commitment albatross around you neck? Wouldn't it be worth the investment?

If you already have the type but no time on it, do you still have to sign your life away?

Maybe some of the SIA veterans can help me with this one.

I was just in Singapore last week via Singapore Airlines and both the airline and the city is wonderful.

RDG

Not sure if SIA would accept no bonding if you have the type but no time. Certainly no chance of a DEC.

We have some Captains (SIA Cargo) who were fairly high time 747-300 but they still had to accept the same bonding arrangements as the rest of us who had no previous 747 experience at all - and go through the full conversion.

That said, the market is slowly starting to favour the pilots, especially with the recent below inflation pay rise so it might be worth a go.

Bear in mind though, that after 5 years you are bond-free whereas if you pay for your rating elsewhere it is money spent that you will never see again.

I have to agree with your opinion (from a passenger point of view) of the Airline. The country also has much to attract an expatriate. Unfortunately, the high cost of housing and education, and the company's unwillingness to award inflation matching increases to either allowance is starting to affect operations.

The SIA Cargo rosters already have remarks on them referring to 'crew shortages.'

waiting time
 

Morning Gents,can anyone tell me what time period from SQ cargo getting an application form to calling you for an interview(if one was lucky)

Any ifo appreciated,
Goma

If you meet all the criteria, no time at all.

Breakdown
 

"...Can someone please break down the $210 000 annual salary..."

Salary = $210,000

Cost of Living in Singapore = $210,000

Plus Tax = 8 - 22% (Depends who you ask at IRAS)

Bottom line... ETIHAD!!!!

Translated documents
 

Hello all,

SIA has asked for my medical documents to be translated in English but my country does not offer this. In your opinion can I do this myself or must be notorized?

Thank you,
HH

Thanks,

Haven't gone yet. Getting everything ready now. Will report.

Thanks again,

HH

Hello boeingdream787,

check your pm.

Thank you,
HH

Hi,all.
 

For info it took about three weeks between "Application sent Time "and "Interview invitation Time"
Now, can someone give an approximate time between sucessfull interview and an employment offer.plse?
Thks.

Interview Call
 

Hey H.H
CONFIRM THIS IS ON THE 777
THKS

Interview...???!!
 

Holy crapp.....!!!! Words fail me at this point...!!! Speachless....!!! Is ANY of this true....???!!??

SQ Contract
 

FlyingtheLine

Good truthful post. That is how it is, at last someone that has posted what actually goes on in SQ and gives one an insight as to what to expect.

A lot more could be added.

You have been warned.

Singapore Contract
 

AAAWWW MAN!

And I was just about to hit "send" on my app. too!:ugh:

RDG

SQ Contract
 

Flyingtheline

Eloquent and accurate.
Great post.

Is that the agreement where you are not allowed to have a flight attendent in your room ? :E Often you will be in seperate hotels anyway but that may change as moves are afoot to reduce the standard of hotel given to pilots from 4* to "suitable" Guess who decides what's suitable.

If this is the same one I think it is agreed. She seems to be interested only in people who have recently arrived and don't know the going rates. I tried her myself, one of her first questions was "How long have you been here ?" Answer six months, never heard back from her.

Ark - Hmmm,Yank? Just what do you have against someone (lucky) enough to have been born in the US? Talk about bitter - couldn't get your own green card I guess....His post is fair and accurate to the letter - a clearer picture of the current expat situation has not been written. Period. Go ahead, we're all waiting on your "clarification".

Flyingtheline is mostly correct in his observations, but he seems to be the "the glass is half empty" man.

All the contractual issues he mentions are revealed before signing the contract. If you read it...

Bond: I agree it's ridiculous. A 156 K bond for a 30 K training should be thrown out by an independent court. Don't try to take them to court in Singapore though.

Kids education: No secret, the contract is clear. Most guys with kids under 5 come here with a wife so the cage is not really necessary. Wifes can work in Singapore but I wouldn't count on it until the kids are a bit older.
Be aware though, they only pay for two children.

First officers: Yes, they are often inexperienced and due to lack of flying their skills are not always what you experience in US and European majors with shorthaul traffic.
But what do you expect? That is the main reason they hire us!

Layovers: The FO:s often asks me about dinner plans but I usually turn them down. I simple do not have so much in common with a Singaporean that is 20-25 years younger than me. The 10 hours or so we spend on the flight deck is usually enough. Besides, if you have some social competence the world is full of bars where you can meet interesting people. Of your liking...

Other pilots: I'm sorry, but I have never considered other guys Gelang activities being something negative to my life in Singapore.

Local pilots: I have been invited to parties, golf but not dinners. I don't consider that strange. I haven't really invited anyone myself.

Housing market: Now, if we're in the end of a bubble as you say. That is a good thing for the new joiners, isn't it?
However, it seems like youre bitter for missing out on the run. An apartment is worth exactly as much as someone wants to pay for it. Be it 300K or 1,5 million. Not what you consider it's worth.

Overall I do not think Flyingtheline is wrong in his observations. I have experienced it all myself. The difference is that it is exactly what I expected. I am a hired mercenary in a foreign country. I do not expect to be welcomed by all, I do not expect to be "respected" by the company. I do my job, enjoy the benefits (like 10 % tax, a safe society, a wonderful climate, fantastic food and nice travel opportunities in the area).

I'm on Cargo and I'd pay a lot for the chance to be on the 777 in mainline. They have the roster stability we miss. They have the chance to bring the family on trips and they have 42 days of leave...

Come, but come with reasonable expectations. If you want things to be like home... Stay at home.

Thanks for that Expat400

App sent.

RDG

Yes, 2 schools of thought here.

First one says that you should read the fine print carefully before you arrive. And if you then get shafted its actually all your fault. The second one is that actually its not the fine print that is the problem - rather the manner and attitude in which the company choose to interpret and apply it. I think most of us did scrutinise the fine print but are still somewhat taken aback at the way SIA Cargo subsequently interpreted and applied the contract.

Example? Housing Allowance. $3000 per month (when I joined). "... will be reviewed if there are significant changes in the market rate" says my contract. Well the market has seen rentals increase 100% while Housing Allowance has gone up 11% - and that is taxable. The company attitude is 'Hey, we reviewed it mate!'

The result of this indifference to its employees welfare (whilst supposedly safe in the perceived knowledge that we are all trapped by the punitive bond) is that there is a lot of bad feeling and lack of trust - not with the Flight Ops Managers as such, rather with the money men who actually drive company 'policy.' But the Managers applied for their positions and accepted the keys to the Executive washroom and therefore must take the flak that comes with the job. They cannot credibly feign surprise when guys refuse discretion, have 'just had a beer' when called on a layover to accept a no notice flight etc.

This all has a very definite impact on the 'bottom line' but as no beancounter can quantify it, it is deemed to simply not exist. If the SIA corporate culture could undergo a slight sea change and actually recognise and act on the premise that people are any company's most valuable asset then I suspect SIA Cargo would reap a substantial 'bottom line' benefit from the return of some goodwill.

Unfortunately, there is no sign of that happening, people continue to resign and the stand off continues for those that remain.

What a shame.

BB's;

Are you sure people are resigning? I have my doubts....

My comments are from the SIA Cargo side of the fence. And, yes, the latest resignation was just a few days ago. Off to fly B777 in the sand pit.

'Crew Shortage' in the remarks column of our April rosters at a not particularly busy time of the year and a requirement to recruit 30 Captains asap is a fair indication of what declining Terms, Conditions and Corporate attitude has done to the SIA Cargo pilot workforce. The company really do need to address this urgently.

We have also lowered the selection bar in an attempt to attract quantity rather than quality and are now interviewing guys (and offering them DECs) who did not previously even meet the criteria to apply.