Guys,

Sorry for the delay but 6 days on, tends to scramble my brain.....

Anyway, if you look at the last thread that started when REX decided to hire US pilots, I listed the day to day expenses, that come with living in Sydney and to a lesser extent, Australia.

I cannot overstate how much sticker shock you'll experience down here, if you are used to living in the US. As pilots, especially Regional guys and those looking down the barrel of a furlough, it's understandable that most will look at the dollar amounts offered, and think "Holy Cr@p" that's X amount more than I get here, I'll be living like a king!

Wrong, very very wrong..............

Other than the numbers I listed in the other thread, perhaps these facts will put a bit of perspective.

We just did our taxes here in Australia and my long suffering, other half and I worked out we earnt the same money together, last year as we did in 2009, in the US. Down here we ended up paying 3 times the taxes. My tax bill alone was $40000 on an income of $120k.

The other thing I workled out was that I now earn $40000 more in the right seat of a 73 with Virgin, than I did in the left seat of an RJ but I only see about an extra $1000 a month.

It's also worth noting that the tax break that you'd get on a 457 visa, otherwise known as LAFA, is probably going away in October. It's due to be voted on in by the NSW State Govt, in October.

I have no personal agenda here. Simply get as much information as you can, look at what they're offering and then look at what you think you'll spend it on here. You'll be stunned but if you think it can work for you, give it a go.

Oh and if you do get the chance, don't think you know how to fly, As far as the Australians are concerned, they're the only ones in the world who know how to fly an airplane.

Thanks for the great post. Been to OZ quite a few times and I am always blown away by how expensive it is. When people ask me how bad the prices are, I tell them to double everything.

Yep, double is about right.

The two things where you'll instantly notice the difference are groceries and rent. Food is outrageously expensive here and the quality is far from what you'd be used to in the US. As a couple we can't do less than $150-180 a week and that's with me gone a few nights a week.

Rent in Sydney will cost between $400-650 a WEEK for a one bed apartment, depending on how close to the city you live.

Hah, loved the last comment. Very true in this neck of the woods.

Koru,

Sorry we didn't get the chance to catch up in Bondi for a beer. We're short crews and the RSV's are getting hammered this month. When are you back over this side of the pond?

Back Wednesday dude, 1030 @ Potts Point HI. Thinking Bondai by noon. Let me know if you're in town.

Ciao Amigo