scambo1

I'm not interested for myself, but wanted to ask some questions for clarification. I have flown 2 US pilots (that I'm aware of) to/from China (one of them twice).

One had just finished his hiring process and told us about his package: his starting pay was $210K USD, housing provided, income taxes paid, guaranteed an A320 capt upgrade in 8 months - to fly an RJ.

The other was 3 weeks on 3 weeks off commuting contract, $240k USD, income taxes paid; again to fly an RJ.

I dont remember the airline, but I think one was Tianjen (sp?) Does this seem legitimate or embellished to any of you contract flying pilots?

DjHubberts

While the pay is good, its not quite that good. ERJ 145 rate at Tianjin is $128,000/yr + overtime and bonuses. ERJ190 is $188,000 plus ot and bonuses. Upgrades are debatable and do not happen that quickly. They have upgraded 145 to 190 guys, but have yet to upgrade anyone to the 320. There is talk, but no action yet.

For more info, check out wasinc.aero or parcaviation.aero.

Taxes are a whole new ballgame. First ~$94,000 are excluded. Then there are chinese taxes paid to get written off... its complicated.

scambo1

DJ;

Thank you for the reply. Even still, what I read from you, they may not have been (grossly) exaggerating when you take into account the tax benefits. Because they may have said something to the effect of (the equivalent of) getting paid the sums I mentioned.

I am assuming you work for one of the Chinese carriers.

One of the FO's I have flown with (at DAL, was a 73N Capt and 320 Capt prior to bidding 777FO) has a wife who is an American 737 Capt, they are soon to be empty nesters and were considering "retiring" and looking for flying jobs in Asia. I thought this was an interesting idea.

Personally, I liked being an expat (way back when), but my wife is absolutely against the idea. Now that DAL seems to be hitting its post-bankruptcy stride, I am no longer interested, but do miss many of the aspects of that life.

One thing I would mention to, or caution folks about, who are planning to return to the US from the expat life is that it is verrrrrry expensive to get yourself re-established upon return. IOW, plan accordingly.

The Dominican

@scambo1: there are indeed some good opportunities out there for people wanting do something interesting in their later years for sure, and as the market gets more difficult for the airlines to recruit, the better the T&C'S are getting. Not all the jobs are good of course, there is reasearch to be made but the expat market will continue to get interesting for the next decade for sure.

Typhoonpilot

If the person you are talking about wants to look for jobs overseas he needs to get back in the left seat. As an A320 or 737NG captain he'd have lots of choices. His wife might have a more difficult time finding work overseas. Not impossible, but definitely fewer opportunities than for men.



TP

Probe

The pay in China is after Chinese tax is paid, at least if the airline doesn't cheat. I got an official tax certificate showing how much they paid the government.

Chinese (and Japanese) taxes are higher than in the US. Because of this, if you understand our tax code, you get "foreign tax credits" to count against future tax liabilities up to ten years in the future.

In my case, because of the time frame that I worked in China, i will get somewhere around 30k USD in tax credits for the last 18 months I worked in China.

I believe Skymark in Japan also pays Japanese tax. If they do it legit, same deal. You should end up owing nothing in US tax for your Japanese income, and earn foreign tax credits for your future US tax liabilities.

OceanicPilot

This was my experience as well. I'm in the ME now and using my four years of tax credits from working in China to cover the tax bill now since the ME has no tax.

Emb170man

Enter Content

EXPAT1

I agree as TP stated, most Chinese carriers are looking for current within 12 months as a Captain on A 320 or 737NG. The female will have no problem getting a job in China as a Captain. My airline has several and in China if you are competent, no matter what sex you are, you will get the job. Honestly though I can't imagine the lure of 2 Major Airline pilots making excellent salaries collectively, wanting to come to China and be an Ex-Pat. I know many Ex-Pats who would gladly trade places if it were possible though.

My opinion is the upgrade from an E-145 to A-320 may be promised as an attractor but don't believe it as I don't think it will ever materialize. I know Tianjin has upgraded a few E145 to 190 types but not many if any at all will cross over to the A 320. China is a great place to earn big money in the short term but a very difficult environment on many fronts for the long term. I would say 6 years is about the maximum most guys will last here. Having said that, 6 years at 200K plus per year should make you financially sound for awhile if you are financially prudent and wise.

Probe

If I were to do China I again, I would only do it based in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Shenzhen. That is it.

Why? Access to decent western healthcare. Where I was based the last year there was none. We had to hop on a plane to somewhere with a decent hospital.

In 12 months (5 pilots):

1. One medivac-ed out due to injury.
2. Same pilot self-medivac-ed out due to illness (2 weeks in hospital).
3. 2 other pilots wish they had flown our due to illness (also 2 weeks violently ill)
4. The other two (including me) all flew to Guangzhou at least once during that time for medical attention.


Tianjin is close to Beijing, but not close enough. Still a couple of hours by train or taxi.