That's funny as another mate of mine had a problem with the online app. My friend who was hired there did not apply online at all, he just showed up in HKG. He tells me that starting pay, after tax, is about $6k US, plus a housing allowance of a little more than $1000.

Upgrade, he was told, is about a year and a half. They expect six more NG's this year and are fasing out the ERJ's. Pay and housing allowance go up substantially with the upgrade. They are looking at long haul, want 777's, but as you likely know can't get 'em; nobody without current orders/options on the books can get a quick 777 deal at the moment. But all that could just be talk of course.

I'll post more as he get's it too me. His GS is at the beginning of July, in HKG, then down to Aussie for the sim.