After refreshing and re-reading the FDA LOA, I had some questions you guys might be able to answer.

1) A.1. States that if awarded an FDA, the 18 months bidding restriction will be waived.
What is that refering to?

2) Existing CBA Option vs. Enhanced Option?
Why would anyone take the Existing CBA Option over the Enhanced Option and miss out on the seed money, and monthly rent allowance?

3) Furthter changes to LOA.
I remember reading here that there were some additional items added to the FDA LOA, after the original was voted in. I have tried looking for the FDX CBA on this website, but it's apparenlty not there. Does anyone remember the items added to the LOA?

4) Commitment period, 2 years.
It says that if a pilot fails to complete the 2 year commitment.... how would that happen?

5) Finally, after the 2 year commitment is over, I want to make sure I understand this:
One will have to wait for a bid, to be senior enough to hold a position, and to be awarded a class date/new domicile to return to CONUS? This could potentially make the 2 year commitment a 3 or 4 year commitment for junior FO's?

I appreciate the help we always get here on this forum. I know these might be old questions and lots of them, but was unable to 'easily' find the answers while reviewing the previous threads. Trying to be well informed, for all of us in the pool. Thanks.

1. They are referring to someone who is already under an 18 month freeze. They could bid it and be released from their current freeze.

2. I don't know either, but they could if they wanted.

3. I don't know where that is located, but I think there was more weight added to the move, and the $10,000 loan to prepay rent I think.

4. If you had just been awarded and moved to HKG, another bid could come out and you could bid back out of HKG, but would owe the money back if you did not stay 2 years.

5. Yes, or possibly more.

But we do have people that were awarded training dates on the last bid allowing them to leave HKG. Their class dates are after their two year commitment is up, but the bid awards came out before they had two years in domicile. It's apparently not the "life" sentence many had feared.

The reason for taking the existing cba option vs the enhanced loa option would be if you wanted to commute to HKG. You are technically not allowed to take the seed money and monthly rent allowance and then commute back to the states (though there are those who do just this). Accepting the move to HKG under the sec 6 in the cba lets u live wherever u want though you'll get no extra monthly money.

And dont forget this is LOA version 3.2 service pack 6 on the best deal we could possible ever get. LOA version 1.0 was not so user friendly.

And my all time favorite ...

"Expat packages are for people with special skills."

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Appreciate it.

My wife and I might be up for HKG, even as a new-hire. Our only big concern would be to not be able to come back after a few years, if we were ready/wanting to...

In any event, a great option to have, and certainly great of FDX to not make it a mandatory domicile for new-hires.

2. Read the section 6 and compare to LOA. A few different things. Moving allowance is one.

3. One item was that the Company, unilaterally, with no negotiation with the Union and, during the time the initial bid was open and they could not fill it due to the fact that it was such a good deal and the best we could get and it will go senior anyway....the Company upped the move allowance from 500 to 1000 pounds!! One other minor thing also, but I cant remember.

4. Maybe he gets in trouble with the locals and gets his work visa yanked. What happens after that....??

5. That is correct. You are there until you are senior enough to hold a bid anywhere else.

"5. That is correct. You are there until you are senior enough to hold a bid anywhere else."

Hold a bid and receive a training date. That can be an additional year to 18 months by itself. Also, beware the dreaded CANCELLED BID when it doesn't go the way they want it to. Concern over getting back was one of the biggest reasons I didn't bid it.

Sorry if this is obvious to you guys, but... trying to understand clearly with your help:

Say a pilot goes to HKG and after 1 year there, a bid is posted.

Would he be able to bid back to MEM, if the training date were, for example, >12 months out? By the time he began training, he would have completed his 2 year minimum requirement.

Or, does the bidding itself not become available until after the 2 year commitment is completed?

Could the pilot down-bid to 727FE to return to MEM without a specific vacancy for that seat?

I just want to understand what guys potentially sign up for, when going there. Say, longest case scenario. Thanks.