Claude, a French captain in Tianjin Airlines, is a talented pilot with a wide range of interests. During his leisure time, he likes to design and assemble watches, in which he owns a brand for it. He is also a huge fan of Mercedes Benz car. He so far has collected five Mercedes Benz. He claims that it is China that made things possible for him.
Unlike the other APAS pilots that we had interviewed before, Andras and Camilo, Claude has his family, his wife and daughter, living together with him in China. Wondering how it works as an expat-pilot to have family all relocate in China? Claude, APAS pilot, is going to share his China experience, how China has benefitted his interests, and his advice with future expat-pilots who wishing to secure a chance in Asia.
------Conversation between APAS and Captain Claude-----
1. When do you start to work in China? Where did you work before working in China?
I started to work in China 4 years ago, Just before my job was in Kazakhstan as an E190 Captain. I have worked also in many different European airlines. I spent most of my career as an expat pilot.
2. What make you move to China? Why do you choose Tianjin airline?
I planned to go to China long time ago, I always thought the future of aviation will be here. A very large population, an astonishing development; therefore, for sure there will be a lot to do about aviation. However, it is not the only reason. I am a curious person by nature. If I had the opportunity to discover something else, I should try it. Therefore, I started to study on internet about China. I found out that it is not bad over there.
Luckily, after a while, I met a pilot who knows a friend who was flying for Tianjin Airlines, and he is happy to work there. I decided to go for the interview to check this myself. It was one of the best ideas I have had. It is more than “not bad”, it is “WOW”. Very happy with my choice.
3. What is your reflection of your cross-cultural experiences?
I was happy to have an experience of being an expat pilot before China. It helped me a bit. Firstly, you have the language barrier. The way English is spoken here can have sometime a different from there. Secondly, the priorities are different. What you sure is more important can be less important here and vice versa. Therefore, you have to think and to adapt a lot. To be honest you will a bit lost at the beginning, but soon you will realize that you are not left behind. People here do care about you and spend time to let you know what they are waiting from you. They are aware of the culture difference, and respect it.
4. What have you learned/earned from China experience?
Everything is a bit different when working for a Chinese airline company. International flying rules are sometime interpreted in different ways in China. Procedures are adapted in Chinese way of thinking, and Chinese local rules sometime make no sense for foreigners. I don't know what my way to adapt this is, but I can say after 4 years, all for me is normal now. I can even say that I feel a bit stronger because I can solve problems from taking the best of eastern and western cultures from which give me more solutions than before. I guess that is what I have earned the most from China experience.
5. Do you have any unforgettable, interesting stories to share when working in the current job? Can you make an example of it?
Recently, I had a small problem with one of the computers in the aircraft on ground; the way to solve it was to reset the system. I was with a very professional and respectful first officer. As I was explaining to him the situation before doing any action, he interrupted me with those words “Captain shut up, Captain you have to shut up!” I was bit surprised, tried to understand and looked at him again. “Captain I think you have to shut up now!” said first officer. So I did it. Being silent, looking at my feet, and playing a role of an embarrassed kid. It took at least one minute before he kindly told me “ SHUTDOWN, sorry Captain , I think we have to shut down the system, sorry sorry”. He was so embarrassed but we all laughed about it. Working in English is not always easy when you are not native.
6. How do you handle the frustration when living oversea (China)?
I am a positive person, so even when having some frustration I turn it into an interesting experience. I try to do so, because wherever you are and whatever you do, it can't be perfect. I was a bit complaining at the beginning about things which I think was better in my own country.
As a foreigner, you sometime find yourself limited. But China is improving fast! You wait a bit and then you can have the same that could have in your own country if not even better. When I am back to France I sometime complain that it is not as modern as China and too much things are complicated. Also and this is the most important, Chinese are very helpful with foreigners. Thanks to them, they always find solutions to my problems and requests.
7. Does your family locate in China or in your home country? How do you manage your work and family?
Yes, I am a lucky one. My wife and my 4 years old daughter are with me in China. When I am in China I work hard, I can't be at home every evening, this is pilot life. Tianjin airlines sometime send me to work at other bases within China. If I will leave home for a long time, I bring my wife and daughter with me. Tianjin Airlines provide us with quite good hotels so they can at least enjoy different places in China while waiting for me. In China, family is everything, so our schedulers also try to do their best to not send me away too long. It is sometime not always possible but I get a lot of holidays. So it's a good balance.
8. What is your roster? Do you think (agree) the commuting program will help pilots to manage the work and life balanced and also more colorful?
I was on one month one month off before. When I had one month off, I travelled back to France with my family. As we feel now more comfortable in China, I switch recently to 6 weeks on 3 weeks off. Salary is higher and the work is bit less intense. Commuting contract is essential; most of pilots can't move their family with them to China. Kids and wife are in the system of their own country and it is very delicate to relocate them suddenly. Pilot won't take the risk if they are not sure. Most of airlines around the globe are doing this way (commuting programs) when they need foreign pilots. It's a good system.
9. When is your last holiday? What do you usually do on dayoffs/holiday?
During my days off in China, its often one or two days between flights. So we do simple things, such as going to the mall, restaurants, or parks. Besides, most of the museum are free. My daughter enjoy science museum a lot so we go there often. Tianjin is big and there are a lot of events. When you are a foreigner in China just walking in the street is very enjoyable. There is a lot to discover which leads you to new adventure and friends.
When back to France, we visit the family, and enjoy our house on the country side. Besides of that, I spend time on my interests. I take care of my collection of cars. They are not cheap but with the good Chinese salary as a captain, a lot of my dreams are affordable. I also like to built drones and quad copter. I was building them before working in China, but the equipment was costly and limited in Europe. However, I found some equipment in China which I can’t find in Europe or cost more in Europe. I now purchase them in china and bring back to France. I have access to every part I need!
10. Do you have any suggestions to the pilots who want to work in Asia but with the second thoughts?
Try it; do not ask yourself too long if it's the right time. There is a lot to do here and also career promotions. Do not believe too much the bad stories you have read. Situations improve day by day. Come and see by yourself. Everybody is different; some will adapt with no effort, some will have difficulties. The main word here is “patience, observe, take the time to understand”.
The way to work is different, also the way to fly, they have here their reasons, if you don't get it at first then it will become clear with time. You will have sometime the feeling they don't see your value and the professionalism you bring with you. It's not true. You are a Captain and this is an important position here and they respect all the experience you had before. They just want you to do the same as they do because it will make you life easier in this new work environment. Relax and follow the flow and I really hope you will enjoy it as I do now
Words from editor
It is never easy to live in the place that is different from where you from. However cross-cultural experiences broaden one’s horizon and enrich one’s life experience. Combining both east and west living experiences, Claude is able to extract benefits from both cultures to solve the problems. At the same time, he also has sufficient time and money to execute his dreams. Most importantly, he is able to bring his wife and daughter with him around the world without sacrificing the most important thing, family.
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