Just curious if some expats currently flying in China can chime in on how life is for them? Specifically, how you are treated as a Capt, how well language in recruiter contract is adhered to, and how much $/month for apartment in cities such as Xian or Shenzhen for example.

Much appreciated,

A320 capt

 

ahh shenzhen. i too am interested in that question. I would be looking at the regional side of that house. so how do folks like it and how are they treated?

Thanks,
Mark

 

they don't have internet over there so good luck in getting an answer.

 

guys be very, very careful on deciding to come to china. my best advice is to check out the threads a pprune. specifically do a search on great wall airlines and you will find some refreshing discussion on what an airline there can do to someone.

 

.... you mean they have sued pilots for millions of dollars for breaking their 40 year contract or something like that?

 

Something like that. I've heard horror stories of pilots being forced to sign a contract that is written in Chinese. I'm not an expert by any means, I'm just going off second hand knowledge that you need to tread very, very carefully to find the diamond in the rough that is flying for chinese airlines.

 

I will add that any expat job is that way... I say stay away from China and India.

 

I did work with WASINC and I have nothing but great things to say. Nevertheless Kung Pen (the shenzen regional) is an airline (or so they think) that has alot of problems. You will be seating for months with no fly, there is no scheduling Kung Pen if you do not fly for 1-2 months they will deny your pay,CAAC ATP is a pain, food is very very interesting and if you have somewhere else to go put China on hold. Xian is a nice city but extremely "chinise". Shenzen Airlines, from discussions I had with few guys I met that work there, they seem to love it. A company that actually is hiring now Airbus guys and puts them in USA as domicile after 3-4 months of flying is China Eastern. A dear friend of mine is starting training next week on the A330/340. After completion of training and after getting 300hours on the A330 he will transfer to A340 JFK base. All his trips will start and end from JFK. I am trying to do the same but I do not have an Airbus type. Ayway.
The problem with China is the fact that the do not understand or honor contracts. To them having a contract means absolutelly nothing. They change their minds constantly. Its furstrating. Before anyone does any move going to China please research the company and the city you will be flying out of. Before I forget, one of the major issues there is immigration paperwork. Oh my God its a mess. They will issue you originally a visa to enter the country, but no work authorization. Work authorization takes from 6 months up to a year to get it and youknow what that means. No FLY. Also they are asking for a unbelievable amount of documents from you and previous employes, its madness. I wish best of luck to all of you trying to go to China and if there is anything you would like to ask please feel free to pm me.

 

Icaros,

Do you know who is recruiting for the china eastern position and do they have west coast bases.

I am considering the Hainan 330 job in seattle.

I have flown for air china under wet lease so i dont know about the contracts they offer but i do know they are dishonest and will dispatch the jet on time irregardless of how many issues need resolving. Having ground agents lie to you about safety issues can test your patience a bit.

 

slyde55,

I'm not sure what airline these folks fly for in China, but they got some of the facts wrong. First of all, yes we have internet here. I'm assuming "freefall "was joking on that one, or he isn't living or flying in China. The trouble over lawsuits that "zondaraacer" and "shanKS" are referring to have the info half right. The pilots that are being sued are Chinese nationals, not expats. And as far as signing a contract in Chinese, is not correct, my contract was in English. "jet320" is correct in saying you have to be careful with any overseas flying. Find a good agent and ask a lot of questions. I'm not sure who "IcarosF1" flys for in China or where he/she lives in China, "Xian is a nice city but extremely Chinise", Hellooo, Xian is in China so I guess that makes it Chinese, as opposed to say, Ames Iowa?? I'm not sure about the "extremely" part. For me it was 2 months from arrival in China to flying the line @ full pay. No "horror stories", no "imigration mess". So far they have honored everything in my contract. Are there things in it I would liked changed?? You bet, show me a contract that's perfect. The pay is good and on time. Living expenses are what you make them to be.
As far as the China Eastern A330 deal I interviewed for the job and was hired but after talking to a few guys who are flying there, one who flys the 330 ZSPD to ZBAA and back and rarely leaves the country, certainly not to the West coast or JFK and he's been there over a year. I decided against it for several reasons. I know the guy IcarosF1 is referring and he is still holding out for the job, and keeping his fingers crossed that the job materializes as advertised. It's taken him about 4-5 months and still he waits. Hopefully it will work for him, but it's taken a lot of time and effort, not to mention money.
Like I said earlier, find a good agent, ask loads of questions, and talk to people that are there. Good luck.