dinosoar

Phil, how long from application to interview? I just sent SQ an app last week. Also, should I consider getting a 744 type? I'm a 48 y.o. co-pilot on the A-320 with 757 time. TT 13,000 hrs, half of that in jets at my current airline and 5,000 PIC at my previous (regional) airline.

Thanks for all the great info.

phil squares

What position were you applying for? They're normally pretty quick, but please remember it's been Chinese New Year so there might be a little backup.

Getting a type won't make any difference. Since you will have no experience on the 744 it won't help you.

Good Luck.

dinosoar

Applied for First Officer. Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks again.

Typhoonpilot

There are mainline Singapore F.O.s leaving to come to Emirates. These are guys with 7 years or so in SQ already. The Cargo contract is worse than mainline. My question to Phil would be, "which do think would be better for a highly experienced F.O. coming from the States ? " Do SQ Cargo still insist on the Bond and Bank Guarantee ? What are the upgrade prospects for an F.O. at Cargo ? How much can an F.O. reasonably expect to make in flight pay ?

The last was the big gripe from the F.O.s who are coming to EK. When they don't fly it's like taking a 50% pay cut.

TP

phil squares

You should be hearing shortly is my guess


I wouldn't say it's worse, in addition, the FOs that have left, and I think the pipline is empty now (probably less than 20) were guys who didn't want to wait for upgrade. EK sold them the upgrade in 3 year plan and the first guys are approaching that point, so it's going to be interesting to see what happens then.

My comments about the contract are in this perspective; at SQ the FOs were local pilots, subject to various things by SQ and the government. At EK, they're expats. I had dinner with some of them just before Christmas and there are some who aren't too happy. In particular, the guys who jumped ship during the SARS deal. They'd be in command training at SQ now, and it doesn't look as if it will happen quite as EK said it would.

As far as a "highly experienced FO", I'd say he would be much better off at Cargo. Right now you can expect 5 years to upgrade and I don't see that changing at all. Yes, if you're not typed and current in the 400 they still require a bond. I am not sure about any other financial ties. When I arrived I was current and qualified, so I have nothing to hold me here other than the contract.

As for pay, I wouldn't want to take a guess, I know it's in the SIA Cargo website, but the housing and salary and allowances would be in the vicinity of 14-15,000 S$/mo ($8750-$9300 US/mo). In addition, you get a 13th month pay in Jan (base salary) and profit sharing, which was just over S$22000 last year for FOs (first year salary).

I guess I don't understand the final comment about a 50% paycut. When you don't fly, you don't get your allowances if that's what you mean???

Typhoonpilot

I probably wasn't clear. On the SQ ads it states Flying and Out of Base Allowance and gives a figure of S$5700 per month. What former F.O.s have told me is that when they don't fly in a month, whether it be SARs related or vacation they don't get paid that money. All they get is the base salary, which is quite low.

I'm not taking the **** on SQ, just trying to nail down details for those who may not know the right questions to ask. On my first overseas contract I went thinking I'd make $7500 per month. I ended up making $12,000 per month so I was ecstatic. If I'd ended up making less than $7500 per month I'd have been disappointed. This is the problem with the convoluted pay schemes that some airlines have. It is really hard to figure out what you might reasonably expect to earn and what your expenses might be.

TP

iluvetops

TP

Bear in mind those joined EK from SQ were Malaysians not Chinese Singaporean. Because of preferential treatment to local Chinese, those Malaysians have no chance in SQ.

phil squares

You are correct, if you don't fly you don't get the allowances, you get your base salary. However, most people don't take an entire month off. If you do, you take the last two of one month and the first two of the second month. It's not really tough to figure out. In addition, for Capts, if you take 28 days off, you are back in the sim for landings....So, most Capts don't get that much time off at one clip.

NewYawk

Dear Phil, First, I would like to thank you for taking the time to share some very useful insight with respect to SIA Cargo. I am currently with a U.S. Cargo company, with a myriad of contracts with major airlines and the government, which takes us to some very interesting places. I love my job, and the people with whom I work with are great. However, you do have to work very hard, which I don't mind one bit, but you can see the strain on some faces. I am in my early 40's, and have had my eye on Singapore Airlines since I started with Pan Am in New York twenty years ago. I would like to know if it is possible to travel on your days off, to a North American city served by Singapore Airlines, every other month? Is the total earnings potential, for a SIA Cargo F/O, approaching the six figure mark? (in greenback terms), and considering you start off with an abundance of meaningful heavy international time, and you have your act together, the possibilty of upgrading is available, to an American, to those they deem suitable? Lastly, what are the prospects for assuming a leadership role within the SIA Group, ie. management? Thank you again.

Savannahguy

Curious how they view 747-200 time/type in regards to their stated requirements. Thanks