Shrek

Unions are illegal in Vietnam - I know because I work here under contract.

Exwaterski is absolutely correct and furthermore his viewpoints are in line with 99% of contract pilots...........the scabs here included.

See you in Hanoi or HoChiMinh City boys............

BobSakamano

(Yoda voice) Mmmmm....clueless you are

MeMeMeKong pilots:

ALPA ain't comin to save you in Vietnam or anywhere when you're a contractor. PERIOD. Niether is the FAA, The US Government or Skywest/ASA/Super-Regional Awesomeness.

Enjoy the dysentary, malaria, one sided spirit of co-operation and crashpadding with the brahs for the low pay. And hang tight with the guys you fly with because they will be your ONLY friends. But since you're all so willing to go undercut the expat market, your brahs are likely to turn on each other as well. My prediction is zero solidarity, which is what contract airlines love and you all will be so easy for them to manipulate.

I've seen it over and over and can hear it right now: "They told me if I work an extra 5 days with no overtime this month, they'll transition me to the A380 superwidebody megaliner. The chief pilot said so. So I'm gonna do it guys." Favors go nowhere on contracts. Period. You will be starting at a huge disadvantage already and I predict with certainty everyone will sell out there.

I would also keep the "I FLY FOR MEMEMEKONG" stuff to yourself when you go out drinking. You're likely to get a swift kick in the MeKongs from the guys being undercut buy your super awesomeness.

What do experienced expats know? Nothing I guess.

And what happens to new hires when the MeMeMeKong thing falls apart? (all contracts do in time, some faster than others) My guess would be the street.

TonyWilliams

Ya... internet doesn't always work in third world countries. And, in communist ones, then tend to block things that they don't think you need.

As to ALPA in Vietnam.... you really don't have a clue, do you?

TonyWilliams

Summary conclusions from me:

I am absolutely floored by how... not only how some posting here don't know... but don't seem to care to know, even when told from guys who ARE WORKING ON CONTRACT IN VIETNAM.

How thick does one need to be????

Every single expat pilot who flies overseas who has commented on any of these threads concerning MeKong/ASA, including the thread that was started on Pprune, seem to spell it out VERY clearly.

If it didn't have a good chance of affecting my bottom line, I'd just laugh my posterior off. I truly cannot fathom how guys who are smart enough to earn a pilot's license.......... Ok, I'll just leave it at that.

jth029

Just a thought... Maybe the ALPA comment was sarcasm

BobSakamano

Got the sarcasm there, sport.

Was being sarcastic to someone offering real world advice appropriate, or a tad condescending?

Mmmmmmm....clueless too, you are.

I'm beginning to sense a trend of narcissism.

TonyWilliams

So, I'm guessing 40 or so guys have been selected for this 21st century version of Americans flying in Vietnam.

Surely, they'll want to hop on the forums and tell us all about it. To my knowledge, not one has identified himself (hey, it's anonymous!). Speak up; I'm sure you're all quite proud.

JDFlyer

Okay . . . . I have read through this thread and I have a few thoughts to add.

One. The new guys who bid or interview or whatever - "volunteer" to go to Vietnam probably don't know what they are getting themselves into. My response: SO WHAT!!!??? Let them go. Choice is a great thing. However, there are potential consequences for every choice a person makes. They will figure it out, just like you guys/gals did.

TWO. The "contract" pilots on this thread have been beating their big, hairy, manly chests, now for several thread pages. I assume most of you took the job overseas voluntarily yourselves. Nobody forced you. Let me guess, you have a family to feed - just like the rest of us? You love flying airplanes? You could never even consider sitting in a cubicle to earn a living? Flying is in your blood, it is who you are, it defines your soul?

Being angry, condescending, and arrogant towards other pilots who are willing to work for LESS than you is a waste of your time and energy. ALPA and its super awesomeness did NOTHING to prevent regional pilots from outsourcing and undercutting mainline pilot jobs in the US.

You guys don't "own" Vietnam, or any other Second or Third world country. You may believe this contract work is your turf, but it is not. Start your own MeKong Airlines if you can do it better and pay your pilots industry leading wages with industry leading benefits, and oh yeah, with ALPA representing all your new pilot employees.

Your "brand" of suffering does not make you special or unique, it just means you are willing to suffer alot to earn a paycheck flying airplanes. You always have the freedom of choice to come back to the US and "stand in line" just like the rest of us waiting to advance our aviation careers with a US based air carrier. Even if that means starting over and standing at the back of the line again. (I am not trying to be a snot, if I lost my job at Skywest, personally I would not go to the back of the line again either, but it is a choice. Just like staring down the barrel of an AK-47 while you park the CRJ. Personally, I would not choose to do this either.) Just stop bullying other pilots who are also willing to fly overseas to potentially advance their careers as well.

Yes, I fly for Skywest, and yes, it is a "super-awesome" company to work for. I am thankful everyday for the opportunity.

Let the flames begin.

newKnow

JD,

Check your PM's.....

TonyWilliams

Unfortunately, those choices don't only affect them. In a teeny, tiny industry like expat contract flying, 40 guys showing up to fly CRJ-900's for a significantly reduced compensation package is a big deal for the rest of us who are doing that. My airline only has about 20 expats flying four CRJ's under contract in Africa. We are the only CRJ-900 operator on this continent.

The only thing I can really do is vent a bit here