Huck

"We just can't find Americans to do these jobs."

Sound familiar?

Jetjok

Yes, let's suppose that nobody bids the China base and the company does start filling it in reverse seniority order, exactly as they did with other domiciles in the past. If your a drilling reservist, you don't have to quit the reserves, you just have to figure out what your priorities need to be, and then find a way to execute your plan. Hasn't that always been the case? I do however, agree a little with your paranoia about carrying your "Green (or Red) Card". At the start of the Gulf War, those of us who were flying down to Kuwait in support the war effort, were issued DOD Geneva Conventions Identity Cards, with the position title of FedEx Pilot and an equivalent rank of Officer, Grade IV. Didn't really make me feel better, but it was something. I did, however, before each trip downrange, remove my military id card from my wallet, however, I never felt a need to do that while flying in China.

This job has always been about juggling priorities, and it works well for those of us who can do that. For those of us who can't, usually something has to give. For example, double commuting: once to your job here and then to your military unit, makes for a rather tough life. Currently, we've got a captain in hot water because he couldn't figure out which job was more important. Problem is the company will allow you to figure out your priorities, until they interfere with their priorities, then you will be given an ultimatum, and you again get to decide what's really important in your life.

Personally, I think that flying as a commercial airline pilot, while living in China, and adhering to their laws, puts you at much less risk, than say, flying a military, intelligence/reconnaissance gathering aircraft, against another nation, where you then have to land, because of an air incident that caused damage to your plane. But that's just me.

GreaseA6

Contract Sec 24 Filling of Vacancies 24.E.6. A pilot who has a legal restriction that prohibits him from flying in his current crew status shall be accommodated in another crew status, if any, from which he is not legally restricted consistent with his senority and standing bid.

I'll bet this would suffice to get someone out of that situation.

fub141

I'm pretty sure a drilling reservist is not allow to live in a foreign country. I think you'd have to resign.

Busdrivr

I see... a cow.

KnightFlyer

Living in China = lose security clearance.

FDXer

Wrong....24.C.5.b.

No pilot may be assigned involuntarily to fill an FDA vacancy.
If no pilot on the Master Seniority List expresses a preference
by standing bid for an FDA vacancy, the Company may hire
a pilot to fill that vacancy.

FDAs are voluntary. If nobody bids them, the company can hire off the street.

Unknown Rider

Yes, it's much more fun to put out inaccurate information than to look something up in the contract before posting, isn't it Jet Jok.

chuck h

Can they force you to go there as a newhire? Not that it matters cause I'd go there, but just curious.

RedeyeAV8r

Nobody can force you to do anything......but........
If you are interviewing and you are asked
"Would You consider going to HKG or CDG as a new hire?"

How would you answer?

A better question is if you are offered a Job @ FedEx contingent on going to HKG (I don't think Paris will be an issue) would you take it?

BTW HKG (as SFS is now) will be the Best flying in the system. Not bad for a Brand new guy.