atr42flyer

I keep getting emails from all the contract agencies showing off the money you can make overseas.

I am half tempted to give it a go, but wanted to solicit other opinions.

I am currently an FO flying an A320 for a West coast based airline, 2 leg commute to SFO I am middle of the road seniority wise I get what I need off. I am fairly happy where I am at minus the money.

I have a wife and a 2 year old, and my motivation is really geared towards providing a better life for them. The wife will follow me anywhere I decide to go she says!

fire away!

Moonwolf

What's worth more time off or money?

atr42flyer

Well since I have never really had any money I can't answer that!

atr42flyer

I figure if a contract pays $10,000 NET a month and you live over there so as to avoid US tax as much as possible I would need to make a equivalent hourly rate of $214 an hour roughly to match the $10,000 net.

this is assuming a 70 credit month which is what I currently try to do.

hoover

Based on the ability to stay in those contracts ie: medical out even if in good health, get fed up, family gets fed up, get released because they don't need you it is hard to work for much longer than 2 contracts (6yrs). The longest a person has stayed at a certain Chinese airline I know is 6 yrs. That is not to say they haven't been doing contract work for decades just have to move around a bit. So you need to find out from the wife is she wants to move every couple years. Probably a good deal now but when the kid gets into school it might be tougher.
I would ask if you would change for another US airline like Delta, AA, United?
You are in a tough spot since the company you work for may or may not be around or provide enough money for you over the course of a career.
Depends on your age, I think you are about the same age as me, and I would go do a contract for the sake of living overseas and getting the experience then when a major back home hires you come back as there is more longevity there. Unless you find that overseas is the life for you.
Everyone that I know who is overseas says go to a US major if you can. They all like the money but wish they were back home. Golden Handcuffs.

atr42flyer

very good insight, thank you I am currently in my lower 30's I do have my stuff in with united and delta fedex etc but the phone isn't ringing. I have a competitive resume as well and a few internals at mother D.

Also a few friends that are over there currently and they say its really life changing money. I figure take the family over for a few years bank a ton of money and get into real estate!

blastoff

You pretty much narrowed down who you work for. No need to be coy

atr42flyer

haha thanks blastoff! you one of us?

blastoff

Nope, but all the best in figuring out what works for you.

RJtrashPilot

If you're senior to me, you should hit eject and get out of here as quickly as possible. If not, you need to stay where you are and ride this baby out!