Quote:
Originally Posted by 990Convair
I wouldn't take the "buy my house" move package, but as I read the LOA, the company will give you $10K up front and $2700/month for an apartment over there. I am just saying if you are in the top 10% you could easily work a 16 on/28 off schedule, staggered with vacation every 4 months. Basically you would be looking at 7 round trips on AA coach to HKG at $1200/RT. What you do on your days off is nobody's biz. The LOA doesn't say I have to live there 30 days a month, just live there. Not too bad when you think about it.
Now, as far as the tax situation, I think you still get the first $130K tax free, just the rest is taxed as though you are in the states. Correct me if I am wrong but if you have an address over there, you are still an EXPAT working abroad, LOA or not.
Chime in here, let's have some info flowing so those that may bid this upcoming HKG can learn BEFORE living it!
Ok... I'll chime in a little... all you ever hear about HKG are the negatives on this forum, so I hope I can give a little positive spin;-)
RE: regret bidding HKG? No. For me it has worked out great! And in general, talking to the other pilots out here, most are happy to be here.
Yes, you do get 10000$ seed money and yes you can live within the 2700.00 allowance, but it won't buy you much. And...unfortunately as the economy has gotten better, the rents have and are rising. I know of many though that pay more than their allowance, but for myself and some others we don't have to cough up anything out of pocket. Depends on where you want to live?
About commuting... I agree with the "what you do on your days off is your business" attitude, and if you are senior enough to bid as such could fairly easily commute. If you buy tickets long enough in advance you can find some good deals on line on RT tix...Nuff said about that!
As far as the Tax equalization goes... Expect to pay what you would pay back home in the states. If you live in a state with no state income tax then you pay no state income tax, if you live in a state with state income tax, then you pay the state income tax. But for sure you will pay whatever your federal income tax is. No more no less. You don't get any expat exclusion, allowance, etc. The Co. gets that. We did give that away in the LOA. Personally I don't have any heartburn with that, I just think it can be a pain in the @#$ sometimes dealing w/ PWC... as it can be with any middle man?
If you come out here with an open mind and a good attitude, you will enjoy it. The flying is fairly easy, the layovers are nice, and if you wanna explore Asia then this is a good place to start from. In general though, I think most of us out here are pretty happy that we came here. Hope this helps
Z