FedElta

Hey Guys,

Would any of you HKG based folks be kind enough to PM me when you have time.

I'm trying to get some info to a newhire about the ability to survive in HKG until 2nd year pay kicks in.

I understand that the TA would influence the decision, but he has to make a decision prior to the TA closure.

Many thanks,
BG

bear2duby

As I have no posts I can't PM. I am HKG based for FedEx, PM me and I'll do my best to advise your buddy.

Dahlysia

I will throw my 2 cents here. The air pollution is really bad, there is no way around it. I never used to consider air quality in the states when I went out jogging or walking. Now in HKG if I can't see across the harbor (couple of miles) I skip the outdoors activities. It is not HKG's fault, the air comes from mainland China where there is no air quality standards. There are many great things in HKG, but not the air.

subicpilot

FedElta, your PM mailbox is full.

FedElta

Thanks Subic......Fixed it,please try again when you have time.....obtw, my broken leg healed nicely after our last flight.......now, that's what I call real IOE.

Regards,
BG

full of luv

As the other poster said, it is like nothing you have ever seen in the US unless your downwind of a forest fire. Most in HKG stay indoors anyway, so they seem unfazed by it, but like the other poster said, it comes from mainland china so you don't know what's being pumped into the sky a few miles away.
Coming from Alaska, you will be absolutely amazed that people could breathe that every day. Wether or not it causes health problems to caucasians, that is an unknown to me. Best of luck.
LUV

skypine27

I am a HKG based FO.

The short answer:

VERY VERY VERY TOUGH. I find it difficult to save a penny on 5th year FO pay. Can't imagine even trying it on 1st year FO pay. If he/she has school aged children, I'd change my answer to: downright impossible.

IF the new TA passes, it will become a much more feasible (though still far from lucrative) idea for him/her (though school aged kids would again make the deal quite tough).

bear2duby

First my family and I really like it here, and we know others that do as well. That being said here is my overview.

Pollution - Bad, in the winter, don't know about the summers yet.

Cost of Living - Generally more expensive - Utilities are okay so far, Cell phone service is a little cheaper each month, but more costly on the front end. Local banking here so far stinks to put it nicely. Furnishing an apartment not cheap, although if you get creative, there are people moving in and out all the time, so people are selling stuff all the time. (furniture, appliances, etc) Internet service is fine, but TV service is expensive for what you get, but I may have signed up for the wrong package. Food can be expensive, but again if you can get creative, like buying local fruits and vegetables, going to the wet markets you can make it work. Now if you plan on eating steak every day, you may want to bring your own cows...

Question - Are you willing to change your lifestyle?

Lifestyle changes (A few examples) Food shopping every few days (most fridge/freezers are about double the size of the ones you had in a college dorm room, and don't hold much), taking public transportation everywhere (neither bad, just different). We like the outdoors, and the scenery is great, hiking, biking and water sports are readily available.

Family - If you move your family as you are supposed to do in order to get all the allowances, is your wife going to be fine with you possibly gone 7 to 10 days at time and can she handle the kids, dog, shopping, errands, emergency room visits, etc, with no family here and no mini-van to toss kids in and run to the store?

Question - on first year pay can you afford a helper while you are gone?

Now with the above in mind all the FedEx family's here (those with and without kids) are great, and they are a great support system. I guess if you are former military they say it's like being in a squadron again.

Schools is very expensive, and some family's have had a difficult time getting in. However there are ESF schools which are a slightly less expensive option, still not cheap by any means, but an option. Home schooling is illegal in HKG.

Housing - Expensive and tiny, can you fit a family of 4 or 5 in 1000 SQ FT? Are you willing to? How much out of pocket (beyond the housing allowance) can you afford? Also there is not much in the way of extra storage space.

1st year pay will be tough. If the TA passes the extra housing allowance will help, however as skypine27 it's not going to be a money maker.
So If you are considering HKG for the money alone in my opinion DON"T do it. However, if you are up for an adventure, a major culture change, and great opportunity then come on out.

Thoughts on taking a HKG assignment just to get on with FedEx. I can't speak for you but here are some things to consider,

Let's say the TA doesn't pass - Going under the assumption that FedEx is going to hire 500 pilots over the next period of time (I use that number because it's in some other post) You are hired and you are # 1 of 500, so with 499 people below you, after 2 years you can bid out to something you can hold due to retirements or whatever.

Let's say you are # 500 and hiring stops and we don't hire for 5 years, or for whatever reason. Well now you are in HKG till we hire again, how long will that be?

If the TA passes there is a clause that allows you to bid out after 3 years (or something to that effect) to leave HKG.

Hope this helps, if you have any specific questions, please PM me,and I'll do my best to answer them.

PilotFrog

That sounds really tough. I was an expat growing up most of my life and usually as an expat you generally are well off. It sounds as if when the base in HKG was opened someone on the negotiating commity seriously dropped the ball. Things that you brought up such as schools, and medical should not be a worry for an expat. I hope it improves for you guys. Another great place to get help and information is through the embassy families.

USMCFDX

Yep they dropped the ball. Now we are dropping it again.

On second thought I don't think we even ever had the ball.