PPRuNe Forums - ASA/Mekong

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- - ASA/Mekong (https://www.pprune.org/south-asia-far-east/413942-asa-mekong.html)

This one has been all over the US domestic regional boards, but I was interested in what experienced expat fliers though of it. The US airlines Atlantic Southeast Airlines (which currently has pilots on furlough) is offering the following deal to its pilots group to fly for a Vietnamese startup called Mekong initially operating 4 CRJ-900 aircraft.

Captains
6250 per month.
900 per month housing allowance
1500 per quarter travel allowance

First Officers
4250 per month
800 per month housing allowance
1000 per quarter travel allowance

The contract is only 13 months and pilots will keep their ASA seniority while at Mekong and accrue longevity.

The reaction against has been that the housing and travel allowanced are poor and the pay is way too low.

Those expressing interest point out it is a big pay raise from what they're currently making (sad in and of itself), and say it is a great opportunity to try expat flying without having to take the risk of quitting your stable job at home.

Interested in your comments.

I currently fly for ASA and I am look forward to flying in Vietnam.
This would be my second experience as an expat, the first was as an ATR driver in India. The money was alot better in India(Capt. $8500 after taxes) and the housing allowance also ($2000/ month) . I am a bit disappointed that ASA didn't negotiate better terms for us ( perhaps they did and just pocketed the difference) but I still see this as a great opportunity to do some quality flying and make more than I am making now with the security of returning to my job in the US when the time comes.

The Emb-170 is a like sized aircraft. Most expat jobs for the E-170 are at 8-12k with housing and travel on top of salary.

$6250 is embarrassing.

Other contracts for similar aircraft are a lot higher with better benefits. They could have found experienced pilots through a contractor but went to a US regional instead. Have to wonder why.

Expat flying is the last place that still has pretty good pay. Please don't ruin it.

If you do not like what is on offer do not accept the gig.

With Vietnam Airlines loosing $10M+ p.a on domestic services and other competition as well the latest new start may not see the distance.

You guys come over here for a year to have fun, live together with 4 other roommates like teenagers and ruin the market for us here in Vietnam.... i see it happening in Vietnam Airlines!