Some more food for thought:

At CDG, even with "tax equalization" and the $2700 allowance, a senior wb CPT's buying power would be about the same as a senior wb FO in the US.

Here's the logic: 30% hit on the exchange rate ( $1 = ~0.7Euro, the Euro was originaly set at 1 to 1 about 6 years ago) and an extra 10% sales tax in europe (20% VAT vs 10% sales tax)

($225/hr X 74 hr + $2700) X 0.6 / 74 = $156.89/hr
($194/hr X 74 hr +2700) X 0.6 / 74 = $138.29/hr

A senior nb CPT's buying power be about the same as a senior nb FO in the states.

We still haven't talked about the cost of schooling, gas, housing, etc.

Don't think the CDG CPT seats will go senior at all.

 

Work USERRA issues with my employer. Not going to have to call the congress rep. We are at war. The Global War on Terror. Several companies (some airlines) have recently done the "nose butts", it has never been pretty for the employer (Dept. of Labor VETS office works these enforcement issues.) Our CBA has references like your 13.D.2. It is absolutely worthless. Usually only rehashes something already in USERRA. USERRA trumps state law and contracts that appear or attempt to restrict USERRA. USERRA does however, allow the employer to talk with the unit commander. ESGR/DOD desires employer and employee work out the issues. However, the military commander is only required to consider the employer request. Unfortunately, the unit CO has Chief pilots from UAL, DAL, UPS, et al making the same request, I did as a CO. I considered each case, and usually found the companies interest one sided and denied in fairness to other employers and military members. Long term absences are usually only entertained for the employee benefit (like initial training) that is necessary for their job. It is an opportunity to work together, but 3 months out of the country would be to hard in most units at current military activity.

 

AND " how long have you been working here?"

 

Not sure where you're going with this, but long enough to have a free opinion like everyone else here. If you have a comment about something I said, it'd probably be easier to just say it-it's not going to hurt my feelings!

 

Here's a quick clip of what HKG 20,000 (US $2,666 - company offering $2,700) will get you ...
Hong Kong Apartment http://youtube.com/watch?v=JVtSvNTecvY

If you listen up, you can hear her say "540 sq. ft., 20,000". She later cut off the video, saying prior permission of the owner was needed. So, there's your freaking "luxury", folks ... note only 2 burners on the stove, mini-microwave, mini-fridge, kitchenette (and that's a stretch).

Can you hear me now?

PS: You have to put up three months' rent in advance, PLUS pay the agent's commission of 5% of the annual rent (or 1/2 a month's rent, whichever is less). That's for a lease of over 3 months. For a short-term lease (3 months or less, the commission (out of YOUR pocket, folks), is 10% or 1/2 a month's rent. Did you also note the teeny little glass-top table? That's not a decor item, folks, that's your dining room table. So this is what Webb considers "luxury" digs in a "luxury area"? Spare me. Here's the link to that particular complex: http://conventionplazaapartments.com/ Check it out for yourself.

 

Examples from that one complex: rent a basic 1-BR, HKG 25,000 (US $3,333/mo.); with any kind of a view that goes up to 38,000 ($5,067/mo.). To buy a 3-BR is HKG 19 million (US $2.5 million), and let's see how far your $1,200 buying allowance goes on that, huh? To rent a 3-BR is HKG 80K (nearly US $10.7K PER MONTH). Two-BR (rock-bottom for most of us) rents for HKG 46,000 (US $6,100+), for 1,200 sq.ft.

So, to move into a 3-BR, you're coughing up $32,000, PLUS the agent's fees, right up front. How's that $10K seed money look now? More than just a little anemic, isn't it?

Sorry if you've seen this on other threads, but we're trying to get this info out to as many people as possible. Not all people read every thread, so thanks for your patience.

 

can't copy and paste from the other thread on this.

But this place is right down on the water overlooking HKG Harbor. Not a fair comparison as to what is out there I don't think.

Past...

 

So what is the rent in the more reasonable parts of town????


And what is "Past...."??

 

Wow, that's smaller than most U.S. hotel rooms!

 

Oddly enough, most of the world does not live in huge single family homes, like us. If you want US standard housing, you'd better stay in the US or go to some third world backwater, where the dollar might actually buy something (like SFS.)