NiterRunner

Hello everyone, I had an account here but can't seem to get in, so new user as this point.
Question that I might re-post in the airline section as well.
I have an opportunity to sit left seat and manage a Hawker for a good salary. It's in a great location the customers are nice.
On the other hand I have a the opportunity to leave for China right seat in a Global or GV for more money. Sounds like leaving would be an adventure and make me more attractive to employers looking for international experience.
I have been in this biz for fourteen years and have more hrs than any application needs including PIC and jet, but Hawker is the largest.

I have searched this forum and found only a couple of threads, one individual said they would not leave unless they had to. I'm nervous about leaving a good job here, (I realize how rare it is), for one abroad. It's not so much the money now as the career advancement that heavy international experience might bring. I have a good thirty years of flying left in my life and I want to enjoy them.

Hindsight is always 20/20, so I'm interested in what you all have to say.

Thanks

USMCFLYR

Is international flying considered just having flown in another country OR between countries? Is all (or most) of the flying in China going to be abroad? If you are young and single then maybe the adventure part plays more of a factor than if you were leaving a good job in the states at a later time in life in you might want to be thinking about settling down more.

Btw - no need to post in more than one area of the forum. Anyone using the new post feature will see your post no matter which forum. Corporate is probably the most appropriate in any case.

USMCFLYR

NiterRunner

Thanks for the thoughts USMCFLYR. I see lots of views on this topic, no one else can offer any words of wisdom, maybe from some guys that have left home and are happy or not with that choice. Really a big decision for me.

RJSAviator76

I'm not in China, but I'm an expat. I left the US out of necessity - airline went under, lost all seniority, no jobs and had to keep a roof over my head. Got a corporate gig overseas and I left.

I can tell you this... some guys are really happy, some guys are miserable and aching to get home. It really depends on you and your family situation. If your family goes with you and is happy there, you'll be happy...

If you're separated from family, you'll be absolutely miserable.

One saving grace about expat jobs is that the money is generally better than in the US. Reducing your taxes significantly or eliminating your tax liability through Foreign Earned Income Exclusion keeps more of your money in your pocket, and that can be a big plus for a lot of guys overseas.

China is booming, but it may be a culture shock depending on where you go.

One thing I will tell you that's an absolute MUST for expat work, and that's an open mind. Chances are you'll work with other nationalities, and their values may be different than yours. How do you deal with that?

One thing is for sure - it is an adventure!

Good luck with your decision.

DoomedTX

Would you mind sharing how you found out about your current overseas corporate gig? I'm thinking of applying for an expat job like Saudi Aramco. I'm sure there are others out there but I haven't had any luck finding them. A good bit of overseas experience and so far we've loved it all.

Thanks

oicur12

night runner

I am employed by a Chinese airline but based in North America.

To answer - different folks like different things.

Wife/husband and kids? Where do you live? Is the job a 6 on/2 off gig or is it live in. Do they train you or do you get trained at flight safety?

China will do your head in if you are not open minded. But I know plenty of westerners there that can chill and take things as they come with a relaxed attitude.

RJSAviator76

I found my gig through networking. A friend helped me get hired. That's still probably the best way to get hired.

As for Saudi Aramco, they live in Ras Tanura on the Gulf coast, and it's not as bad as Riyadh, but it's still Saudi which might as well be another planet. Depending on the fleet you go into, you may not get to leave Saudi unless on vacation. For example, their Boeing, Embraer and Hawker pilots all generally stay within Saudi. The only ones that get to actually go around the world are the Gulfstream guys.

Having said that, they are paid rather well, and if you tolerate it well and your family accompanies you, it could possibly be a decent adventure.

DoomedTX

I appreciate the information. We spent some time in Turkey, which is in itself very different, and we loved it. I'm working on the networking angle, but now that I have a more specific goal I hope to have better success finding someone who can point me towards an opening in corporate flying.

Thanks again.

captainprop

Don't forget - IF you bring your family, are they (read " is your wife") going to be happy living in a completely new environment and in a totally new culture while you are on the road flying (if flying long-haul or corporate)? Perhaps you are better off looking for a contract where they can be at home with friends and family and you commute?

Perhaps you should be looking for a contract like some of the airbus gigs currently on offer in China? Some offer a rotation of 6 weeks on (2 days off per week) and then 3 weeks off duty where you and your family can go back home for a couple of weeks or perhaps explore other parts of Asia? This is obviously a no-go if you have kids in school. In this case you could put your kids to international school and enjoy 3 weeks off every other month being home completely off duty....better than any airline job in the US I'm sure. Oh and by the way, you would be making $16K a month, tax paid. I have spent a lot of time in Asia and I've always had a great time. Asia has got so much to offer and having a well paid job out there will bring you and your family a life quality and standard that is difficult to reach even in the US and Europe. Some places are very different for us westerners (I am not American) but keeping an open mind and a positive attitude is all that's needed.

As far as Saudi Arabia goes I would like to urge you to do a LOT of research before committing to any offer. I have never worked there but flown in and out quite a few times and I have spoken to people who've worked there.

This is a COMPLETELY different ballgame. Here we are talking about living in compounds. Nice ones, but still. Alcohol, bars and nightclubs are prohibited. Cinemas are still not allowed as far as I know. Public practice of any religion other than Islam is likely to end up with severe punishment. It's illegal for women to drive. No shorts in public for men and women are best off covering arms, legs and hair at all times when outside "assigned" compounds. Law system based on the Quran.etc etc etc

If you need specific advice on Asia (and Turkey as someone mentioned) then feel free to send pm.

Good luck!

Stryker

Women in Saudi ARE allowed to drive now. They won a ruling recently (2 months ago maybe?)