Maxcackel

Not saying its great but for some people here on the bottom of the list it might be a nice change. Getting hammered by scheduling on reserve flying to Columbus or Augusta GA for ten thousandth time taking home 75hr min pay for all their effort which after taxes, insurance, alpa ect is about 45-50k as Captain. Now to quit your job and take this is a different story, but to take a year break (mini vacation) to go live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world with some of the most beautiful women too, sounds like fun. Now if you do it right and make an adventure out of it, stay over there and share a pad with a few buddies and take home 81K (75 +6 travel) then come back to your old position right where you would have been. Sure there will be difficulties and won't be as spoiled as here but I bet you learn something. I have friends that this is perfect for. Now if you could get everyone to pass at ASA, then the furloughs, then anyone at Skywest maybe you could get them to raise the pay. NOT going to happen, so should my friend pass in the name of regional/expat riotousness so some other guy here at ASA or Skywest takes it and waves byby? Or should he say what the hell, time for some short term fun and go? Ah if we could only find a way for ALL pilots to stand together to stop the slide. Until then

BobSakamano

Rubbish. Trying to justify "your friend" partaking in a substandard contract doesn't make it a good idea. If "getting hammered" by scheduling under US Part 121 rules, with union representation and established safety protocols is tough, then flying for a foreign carrier will be a VERY rude awakening.

The fact is that Skywest/ASA is pimping out pilots. I can guarantee you that Air Mekong is paying more and Skywest/ASA will be taking a nice salary haircut from any doofus that bites on this.

This is BAD for everyone's future. Anyone who has worked abroad KNOWS this. Those that haven't will find out, regret their decision and wish they could change it...but it will be too late.

By the way, it's righteousness. Anyone who has experience working overseas contract would understand that "righteousness" doesn't factor in here. Common sense and a certain level of maturity does.

Good luck with the new awesome gig, brah. Yeah, a "mini vacation" sharing a crash pad with some bros would be the S__T.

Maxcackel

Sorry not my thing "brah" but I plan to visit if he goes. I've got other "friends" that have done contracts while on furlough and a famliy member that is on his fourth company in six years and loves it and will never come back. I have visited him on assignment several times so the oh so scary "rude awakening" would not work on me if I were going but nice try "brah".

hendefea

so how about the guys on furlough that this is open to? Are they undercutting anyone? Going from NO JOB, to a once in a lifetime chance for some people...well...i dont think i could fault anyone for that.

Things to keep in mind. This is only a one year contract. If people get over there...and think the pay needs to be alot higher for the work envolved...then they dont sign up again and can look for higher wages. Maybe not. Who knows. Probably easier said then done.

Secondly, and i apologize if i have missed it already in the thread, but does anyone have any examples of "ex pat" RJ pay in that region of the world? Not any he said she said stuff...but legit example? It would be interesting to see...

BoilerUP

In September of 2009, WASINC was advertising for E145/E190 pilots in China.

E145 CA was 8900-9400/mo; FO was 5140-5640.
E190 CA was 9500-10,000/mo; FO was 5500-6000.

Annual bonus for CAs was 5/10/15k (1/2/3 year longevity); for FOs 3/6/9k.

30 days annual paid leave, minimum 8 days off per month.

---

Hopefully, this provides a bit of a baseline....

BobSakamano

You won't find many people quoting what they make overseas on here, but a good start for the Mekong contract would be north of a 40% increase over the current terms. Single occupancy PAID housing, not allowance. MUCH more generous travel allowance. Is overtime included, or is the contract based on up to 100 hours/month of flying? A good number of contracts are in the 60-70 hour range before overtime kicks in. Per diem for training events?

You WILL work harder as an ex-pat pilot. No ifs, ands or buts. It is not a cakewalk, doesn't feel like a vacation and, if contract terms are bad, can lead to very rapid burnout. Ex-pats, no matter how nice/culturally sensitive you behave, are resented by locals. Watching your back is on a whole new level. No ASAP's, no union and you may or may not be able to count on backup from your fellow ex-pats. Anyone willing to undercut the world for an "adventure" certainly won't stand up for you if and when the time comes to stick together. It's not uncommon on pay/work rules issues where it becomes necessary to threaten and/or refuse to stop working.

There's lot's to consider. Easy on the sugar-coating. Overseas contracts are good for the right people, but not everyone. If the perceived raise is the only reason, that's a strong warning sign. Tread cautiously.

TonyWilliams

Classic rationalization. You recognize that this is low ball contract (and then some), and it will no doubt affect other pilots (like me) in a potentially very negative way, but hey, it's 13 months of bliss.

Maybe you can answer a question that I've asked a few times. What happens if you don't fulfill the contract, of any reason (quit, fired, sick, etc)?

Also, what if you get sick, or a relative does, and you go home (if that can even be done) for a period of time that makes sure the IRS will want a cut of your income? I know Jerry won't be paying for your tax issues.

Expats living in crash pads, just like in the US.... wow, and thanks. Do you pack your lunch to work for the 6 or 8 leg days?

Enough "Pilot Forums" for me... I'm going to have an expat contract steak dinner (paid for by my company), and then take the $70 per diem and get a few drinks. Then I'm going to crawl into my non-crash pad, paid for by my company, room and sleep.

Gunga Galunga

Just something I came across in the ALPA furloughed pilots support program that's sent out quarterly. I'm not arguing for or against the Air Mekong stuff, just found it an interesting comparison.

Rwandair, the national airline of Rwanda, has immediate openings for CRJ200 captains and FO's.
-Captains must be type rated and current
-FO's must be qualified and current
-Contract of 1 year, renewable
-Salary based on 75 hours:
LCP- $8,000
TRI/TRE-$8,250
FO- $1,000 to $3,500 based on experience.
-Yearly bonus of 5K for captains, 3K for FO's
- Housing allowance of $800
-Travel in economy class to and from the contract
-8 days off per month
-30 days leave per year
-Medical while in Rwanda (whatever that is worth), Loss of life and loss of license

The Dominican

Oh Boiler, I admire that you still have some faith brother I really do but there is a pile of resumes craving to accept half of those salaries already

187fw

Ignorance is bliss.

I'm currently working overseas and cannot wait to return to the States. I am looking forward to getting "...hammered by schedulers on reserve flying". Reserve flying at ASA is nothing compared to the crap one has to deal with while working overseas.
If you are without a job in the States and accept this offer to work overseas, I can understand - you have to put food on the table. If you currently have a job in the States and don't have to leave, I would definitely stay. 13 months is a very long time, and even longer if you're not happy.