If I am reading the LOA correctly.

If I choose a 3 year commitment, I get to move my HHG, but no housing allowance.....since the housing allowance is only mentioned in the shorter 2 year commitment. If I go for 2 yrs, I get to store my stuff, and then ship whatever I buy back, space A (and I get 10k versus the 10k or 79CH whichever is higher I get in existing contract)

No COLA in anyway shape or form.

Maybe a FDA bonus section 6 depending on my level of commitment.

The only thing I like is the discussion of STV where I am assigned a modified SIBA and have a hotel room for the entire stay and get per diem the entire time
(approx 140 euro/night for CDG==4200 euros for 30 days)
(825 HKG/night==24750HKG)
But, why do I have to submit a pay log to get the per diem when I am not on a trip. For the STV, why can't the company program 28 days of per diem and subtract the per diem I would get on a trip.....what happens if I am on a STV and get assigned an out and back trip with no associated per diem.....would the computer still give me per diem or kick it back since I have a pairing over that same period of time?

I thought the ANC LOA was a good deal and voted yes.

This doesn't look like a good deal to me, and I am going to vote No

In theory, it would be great to be single and go there, but this package is a much poorer deal than even the much maligned benefits given to our military folks who are assigned overseas.

24.C.5.b states, "No pilot may be assigned involuntarily to fill an FDA vacancy. If no pilot on the Master Seniority List expresses a preference
a pilot to fill that vacancy."

As for a guy in the Guard, 13.D.2 states, "When warranted by operational needs, the Company may request appropriate military or government authorities to defer a pilot’s military service. Once notified of a FDA assignment, a pilot shall advise the appropriate military authorities in writing of his expected absence from the country."

The STV verbage is another failure of the NC. STVs should be bid on. No cost to the company there.

Message to the MEC--Stop caving in to Company appeals to our fear and greed. The company will open a bid when they need to, period.

Good on all of you willing to vote down this LOA. That is the good fight.

The message line indicated the MEC will publish majority and minority opinions. The SFS Rep will publish the minority opinion. Kind of funny because the MEC had all but got rid of the whole majority/minority opinion method. That was an FPA thing. I think age 60 may have made this change in SOP occur ?

While I agree that this whole thing is substandard, this comment shows a serious misunderstanding. This tax equalization is a standard part of any overseas assignment. Panam (where I flew back in the day) did something very similar at their Berlin base.

Let me explain. You are decrying the loss of the $80K exclusion. We don't lose that. But it only applies to Uncle Sam's take. What you are forgetting is the tax that Franch or China will take on your salary. Do you think those two entities will let an American live in their contry, make $250K (HKG WB Cap) and not collect taxes. The tax equalization will be that Price-Waterhouse figures out what you total US tax bill would have been, adds up your total bill from Uncle Sugar and the foreign country, and the company refunds you the difference if the combined total is larger. Obviously, for a newhire FO, the combined total could very well be less than US taxes on $50K plus the $2700/mo housing, which I assume will be taxable. It's not like the military paying you BAQ. It's an increase in your compensation (no matter how inadequate you feel it) to cover an out of the ordinary expense. There is no special tax catagory for housing allowance.

The only time that $80K exclusion is a real bonus for an expat is when the host country agrees to not tax the expat (like I understand the Phillipines at SFS do. Don't know for sure. Never been there.)

Its a no vote for me too. No help on schools, no tickets till after year 2, the tickets are back to Memphis or equitable cost, no real talk about health care... just too many issues not addressed. If the company really wants experience guys flying there, they'll fix it. If not, welcome new hires!

"During negotiations management made it clear that they did not intend to open the next aircraft bid until after the ratification process is completed. The LOA is contingent on the approval by Hong Kong authorities of residency visas and work permits."




Ahhh, the carrot! Very clever!!!

*82K exclusion plus up to 114K (Hong Kong) and 70K (Paris) housing cost exclusion. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i2555.pdf

I know what the LOA says but what it should say is: I'll take care of my uncle sam. Fred should take care of the commie ba$turds in france and china.

This is a complete Sh$T sandwich, and anyone that would bid this is a complete idiot. Ok. I will get off my soapbox and tell you how I really feel about it.

For starters, this package is not even close for me to bid an FDA.

I would like to hear from someone who does want to bid to the FDA.

How would you like for me to vote on this?

I will support you guys before I would the 11 distinguished gentlemen that already voted.