Hong Kong Base at FedEx?

[Magichands]

Any idea where in Hong Kong FedEx is planning to open the new domicile? There are several provinces near Hong Kong and I was hoping some of you FedEx guys had heard exactly where they would be setting up operations. Just wanted to surf the internet for pictures, apt. rentals, etc. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[HoursHore]

The sort facility is in Guanzhou (Canton). the pilot domicile is in Hong Kong, with 3 hour Ground transport built into the pairings.

We currently can't fill the domicile, so if we do hire any time soon, it'd be to this place.

But you should talk to your sponsor about our LOA if you are thinking about going over there.

 

[Magichands]

Thanks for the info. I was looking at the loa online. I did talk to my sponsor and it looks like a 3 year tour. Sounds expensive as well but I've got to do what it takes to get on. Any ideas or suggestions? Also, sponsor talked about a "pilot compound". Any idea what that is? Lastly, in your response you said domicile was hong kong. Does that mean that is the only place I should be looking at apt rentals, etc . No other outlying areas? Thanks in advance.

 

[Magichands]

Thanks for the info. I was looking at the loa online. I did talk to my sponsor and it looks like a 3 year tour. Sounds expensive as well but I've got to do what it takes to get on. Any ideas or suggestions? Also, sponsor talked about a "pilot compound". Any idea what that is? Lastly, in your response you said domicile was hong kong. Does that mean that is the only place I should be looking at apt rentals, etc . No other outlying areas? Thanks in advance.

 

[Grinder10]

Could someone post the loa or a link to it? I heard it mentioned that the 3 year tour is not necessarily a hard number if you don't take the moving money. Not sure if it is true or not.

 

[AlbieF15]

The 3 year issue is more the ability to BID BACK to a stateside domicile. There has to be a vacancy to do that. With our jet fleet shrinking 3 seat to 2 seat cockpits, age 65 retirement changes, and guys flowing BACK from the back seat to the front--it might be well more than 3 years before you could get stateside.

That in no way means this is a good deal or bad deal...but don't go in expecting to be back in 3 years. It could be significantly longer...

 

[Grinder10]

So basically all new hires will go overseas?

 

[Magichands]

So basically all new hires will go overseas?

Talk about the pilot group eating their young. I think if you want a job with FedEx this decade then you'll will be going to Hong Kong. That being said, FedEx is a once in a lifetime job opportunity and all of us FedEx wannabes know it. I'm 40 years old and have a wife and 3 small children. I will go there if required but I'm just hoping I don't go broke in the process. I seriuosly have no idea what I would do about school for my kids. Is home schooling my only option on first year pay? My family and I can live with the change of lifestyle but what about the rest? Why did the pilots settle on what appears to be such an inferior FDA LOA compared to other airlines?

 

[dojetdriver]

Why did the pilots settle on what appears to be such an inferior FDA LOA compared to other airlines?

Of which airlines do you speak? With the exception of CAL, are there any other US airlines with FDA's? I don't know if I'd call Atlas's STN LOA better than what FX offers with exception of the commute.

I know there are PLENTY of contract jobs that offer good expat COLA's. If you are talking about CX, EK, EVA etc, of course they offer superior expat packages to their pilots. Part of it probably has to do with the fact that they ACTUALLY have a pilot shortage at said companies and need to offer it to attract candidates to fill the job.

FedEx doesn't suffer from that same problem.

 

[Magichands]

dojetdriver,

I was referring to what some of the previous posts had posted in relation to military and Cathay. Fact is, I personally have no point of reference so I have to defer to other people’s experience with this stuff. As far as FedEx not having a problem, you are correct but that certainly doesn’t make it right to make it extremely difficult for new hires. Again, I’m just a guy trying to figure out how to make this work should the opportunity arise to go to HKG. Anyone out there that can give real $$ numbers for english speaking schools, groceries for family of 5 per week, apt. rentals, car costs, etc. Will the FedEx “compound” have schools, housing, etc?

 

[dojetdriver]

dojetdriver,

I was referring to what some of the previous posts had posted in relation to military and Cathay. Fact is, I personally have no point of reference so I have to defer to other people’s experience with this stuff. As far as FedEx not having a problem, you are correct but that certainly doesn’t make it right to make it extremely difficult for new hires. Again, I’m just a guy trying to figure out how to make this work should the opportunity arise to go to HKG. Anyone out there that can give real $$ numbers for english speaking schools, groceries for family of 5 per week, apt. rentals, car costs, etc. Will the FedEx “compound” have schools, housing, etc?

I knew what you meant. I was just trying to figure out what you were saying in regards to "other airlines". If you are going to throw the foreign companies in, it's definitely apples to oranges.

And I agree, the FDA LOA is not that great. If want to know more, check out some other forums. It was beat to death.

 

[BOYCAPTAIN]

It was beat to death at APC...but the union and crewforce basically agreed to the FDA LOA to capture the flying....the company did not have to approach us with an LOA..it was already in the contract...the LOA gave us some enhancements(if u can believe that)...so the LOA was voted in with the idea of improving it in the next contract...i have some buds going to HKG and one is going with his wife and 2 kids....they are very excited about the adventure...good luck

 

[Draginass]

The FEDEX pilots got spanked by Fred on the HKG deal. Aside from the enormous expense of living there, the question is if you can stand living there for more than a couple weeks.

 

[gromgutten]

HKG is a nice place to live with two exceptions.
1. Pollution is awful, check PPrune under Fragrant Harbour forums.
2. Renting an apartment is extremely expensive. You could do better in Manhattan....

 

[On Your Six]

What aircraft types will be available to HKG-based pilots? 757? A300/310? MD-11?

 

[capt_zman]

What aircraft types will be available to HKG-based pilots? 757? A300/310? MD-11?

As of today, it's the Airbus. Rumor has it an MD10/11 base is going to start up sometime this year.

 

[BOYCAPTAIN]

The FEDEX pilots got spanked by Fred on the HKG deal. Aside from the enormous expense of living there, the question is if you can stand living there for more than a couple weeks.

the only ones who were spanked were the ones that bid it!

 

[Draginass]

the only ones who were spanked were the ones that bid it!

It's a common perception that the union protection should start first to make the senior guys cushy, i.e. top down.

You really protect the profession from the bottom up by protecting the bottom guys from being abused with rotten deals like this HGK base. Unfortunately none of the airline unions "get it" and that one reason why most pilot unions are "owned" by the senior managers.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

You really protect the profession from the bottom up by protecting the bottom guys from being abused with rotten deals like this HGK base.

Aren't you a dreamer

 

[johnsonrod]

As of today, it's the Airbus. Rumor has it an MD10/11 base is going to start up sometime this year.

Takin' a Bus to Nam in the summer time - won't that be special...