China 1st - 2nd - 3rd choice

[Breakthesilence]

Hi guys,

I'm considering to apply to Xiamen Air but I was thinking about a plan B and C in case the screening dates and/or the result of the screening won't be good.

Based on your experience, which Chinese airlines on B737 are the best comparing Salary/Bases/Commuting Options/Benefits and, nevertheless, company atmosphere?

I wouldn't move alone as my girlfriend would come with me, but still sticking to a commuting roster.

Many thanks in advance for your suggestions

BTS

[button push ignored]

What’s your 4th or 5th choice?
I’d personally go all the way down to list to the dole queue before I went to China.
It very hard and demanding.
Few survive the first few months.
Don’t be swayed by the big numbers being offered.
They rarely work out as advertised.
Plan D or E may be your better option.

What ever you do, I wish you well.
But I’ve heard nothing but horror stories of people who’ve tried it.
Please do a lot more research before committing to this.

[Slarberg]

Your plan B must nnot be any Chinesse company; because when you start your screening process with one chibesse airline you cannot swap to other... You belongs to the chinesse airline you are screening for....

[CaptainDutch]

For all of you considering the China adventure, download the book “Flying upside down”

[macdo]

A bit of fake news going on here. I know 2 guys who have been out in China for quite a few years now. Yes, there are challenges from culture and flying environment, but if you do your research it can work out well. Never going to be as good as a top of the seniority list job at your local flag carrier, but an effective way of making money quickly. I suspect that the key to success in China might be attitude.

[Fly26]

I think the above post hits the nail on the head, it’s all about attitude and it can work out very well. If you can accept the way they run their ‘train set’ then that’s half the battle....

[mach85]

Originally Posted by button push ignored

What’s your 4th or 5th choice?
I’d personally go all the way down to list to the dole queue before I went to China.
It very hard and demanding.
Few survive the first few months.
Don’t be swayed by the big numbers being offered.
They rarely work out as advertised.
Plan D or E may be your better option.

What ever you do, I wish you well.
But I’ve heard nothing but horror stories of people who’ve tried it.
Please do a lot more research before committing to this.

Just curious, have you ever actually worked in China?

[button push ignored]

Originally Posted by mach85

Just curious, have you ever actually worked in China?

Do you want the five minute argument, or the full half hour.

I worked on and off in old China for about 20 years.
Until I found that the ultra long length trips affected my health.
It would take me a week to straighten out, just in time to go do it again.
I’d return when a new destination would open up.
But soon found it all to be just more of the same old, same old.

I looked into early retirement and a China contract on something I had 14 years in command on type.
After talking to several crews in length about the challenges involved.
I realized I was not up to the task.
I was after all, just looking for a easy retirement job.

But, maybe your twice the man and pilot I am.

[Switchbait]

FUD is worth the read, it is hilarious!!

It it gave me lots of good questions to ask.

China doesnt seem to suit everyone, but there are a group of people who make it work.

[flite idol]

I just flew a trip with a chap who fairly recently returned from a three year stint as a 73 skipper in China. If I was 15 years younger and single it sounded doable but some very strange procedures to get comfortable with. All comms were in Chinese, the Captain did all take offs and landings but the local FO did all radio work and inputs to the MCP after takeoff and until established on the approach. Massive leap of faith but he survived. There was a lady who was the company liaison for all expat crews and he said she was brilliant. The Chief Pilot spoke no English and smoked like a freight train so smoking on the flight deck was the norm. I was enthralled with tales of the Orient for our several day trip. Good luck with your choice.

[mach85]

Originally Posted by button push ignored

Do you want the five minute argument, or the full half hour.

I worked on and off in old China for about 20 years.
Until I found that the ultra long length trips affected my health.
It would take me a week to straighten out, just in time to go do it again.
I’d return when a new destination would open up.
But soon found it all to be just more of the same old, same old.

I looked into early retirement and a China contract on something I had 14 years in command on type.
After talking to several crews in length about the challenges involved.
I realized I was not up to the task.
I was after all, just looking for a easy retirement job.

But, maybe your twice the man and pilot I am.

I am not looking for an argument or comparing abilities as a pilot so don’t get your knickers in a twist. I merely asked a simple question.

Sorry China didn’t work out for you. I have been here quite some years now and am surviving but I do have a base near my home and that makes a huge difference.
Is it perfect?? Certainly not........
Is anywhere perfect?? Probably not.......

I think as has been alluded to on this thread already, apart from the long trips and jet lag, a lot comes down to individual attitude towards the job. Some can hack it and some can not and that goes for most jobs I believe.
And no I am not saying that some are twice the pilots others are. Its not about ability but more whether you can adapt to the culture or not. This seems to be where most pack it in.

Anyway all the best to OP with whatever you choose.

Cheers,

[Breakthesilence]

Ok, now I'm more confused than before

According to what I've heard from few guys who attended a chinese screening (and confirmed by the agencies) it takes very long time to complete the entire process (almost 1 year sometimes). Considering that you can't switch to another application while under screening it turns out that it's almost a waste of time...

[Its Maui]

The rules regarding transferring airlines in China are going to be relaxed shortly. This will benefit both contractors and local pilots.

The screening process takes 9-12+ months due to the back and forth nature and that each phase has to be passed before you can move on. But if you fail at any phase, you'll just fail at the same point with another carrier so there's no benefit to being able to apply to multiple airlines.

I can only imagine what it was like 10 or 20 years ago....

[Slarberg]

*****]The rules regarding transferring airlines in China are going to be relaxed shortly. This will benefit both contractors and local pilots****

Could you please explain a little bit this? Why?

Thanks a lot

Slarberg