Singapore -777 Capts ??

[bafanguy]

I see that Singapore is advertising for -777 capts. This has always been a world-class airline, very highly-rated amongst travellers. They are paying $175,000 Singapore $$ with a 5 year training bond. This is $102,058 USD at today's exchange rates...$8500/mo. How does this compare to other foreign jobs on similar equipment ? Is this pay the norm or is this just another furlong run in the race to the bottom ? Howz about it, some of the guys flying for foreign carriers want to comment ?

 

[General Lee]

bafanguy,


To ask a lot of the Singapore guys yourself, go to another web site that provides a lot of INTL pilot comments---the web site is pprune.ORG (professional pilot rumor network) There are a lot of Singapore threads in the Asia section I believe. You have to sign up I believe, but it is free. Good luck. It sounds like fun. I think they are also hiring on the 747F Cargo division--without types--for Capt positions if you have a lot of time. Pay isn't as great as the pax ops, though. (supposedly)

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

bafanguy,


I looked up that section---under the "Far East" section---and there is a thread about Singapore 777 Capt openings. A couple guys did not have flattering things to say--including the expensive medical you have to pay for upon arriving in Singapore (around $1500), the high cost of schooling your kids (which may not be a factor), and high cost of rent. Another guy had this to say:


"In addition, you may care to consider the following:

1. SIA is currently negotiating a new Collective Agreement (CA) with the local “union” Alpa-S whereby it seeks to reduce the benefit package for pilots. As this move has been initiated by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew (who initiates everything around here), it looks like it will come about. So if you join, you could be in for a welcoming pay cut.

2. The Sing Dollar has progressively slid on the international exchanges recently (and continues to do so), entirely coincidentally making costs of exports from Singapore cheaper. Your dollar/sterling remuneration is hence, progressively reduced.

3. Education allowance currently in the package falls well short of the sum required to cover school fees."





So, if you don't have kids and have some extra money lying around to supplement your wants and needs in a tropical climate----and you want to drive a 777 around---then it may be for you.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[bafanguy]

GL,


Yes, and the other related comment on the subject was even more negative than the one you found. That's a shame...

 

[General Lee]

bafanguy,


It depends on your situation. If you have lots of kids that need schooling, maybe it isn't right for you. But, if you want to see the world and want to fly a 777--maybe it is for you. The INTL carriers don't seem to have the same type of benefits as the US Majors ONCE had--but you may enjoy it and see the world. Look on that pprune.org website and look for other opportunities.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[GCD]

Singapore was once the greatest gig out there. Now, it isn't worth a plugged nickle. They are trying to get pilots to scab to bring the rung lower.

 

[typhoonpilot]

It truly is a sad thing, Singapore used to be one of the best foreign airlines to work for. Not so anymore, reportedly lots of guys have left for better places in the last few years. Heck, even in 1996 I ran into a guy in Taipei who had worked there for 20 years but decided that Mandarin would be a better place to spend his last few years before retirement. That has to say a lot. The compensation has only worsened since then. One big difference between Singapore and Emirates is that we bid for our schedules while their's are assigned. Housing would also be a major issue as a luxury three bedroom flat in Singapore would set you back a significant amount of money per month. The bank guarantee and bond issues they have make any chance of thinking about a job there a non-starter as far as I'm concerned.

The better 777 jobs right now are a little further north in Asia.


Typhoonpilot

 

[bafanguy]

Interrest in the Singapore situation just driven by idle curiosity on my part. I can remember very clearly about 25+/- years ago when Singapore was running full-page ads in Aviation Week for 747 capts and gave a salary in Singapore $$. I looked at the exchange rate at the time and found that I was making more as a DAL DC9 copilot than they were offering for 747 capts. And, no, I don't have the supporting documentation. But a glaring disparity like THAT is something one doesn't forget. Now all these years later, they don't appear to have changed their ways. Pretty amazing actually. Perhaps one could understand it if the working environment were heaven on earth, but it doesn't appear to be and maybe it wasn't 25 years ago either. The internet has allowed a lot of info to flow that may not have been public knowledge before. Just interesting, that's all.

Now, Lion Air...THAT'S where I want to go !!!