China Airlines

[heeha]

This question is for all the pilots on here:

Would you feel safe flying on China Airlines (airline of Taiwan)?

The reason why I am asking is because if you look back, China Airlines safety record, is, not stellar. I think they have had a lot of "close calls" and accidents in the past decade. They even had one of their flights, CA 611, break apart in mid-air while cruising.

I am planning on taking a trip to Taiwan to study Mandarin for three months and China Airlines has some cheap flights but I am little hestitant to fly on an airline that doesn't have a good safety record.

 

[jhugz]

I am planning on taking a trip to Taiwan to study Mandarin for three months and China Airlines has some cheap flights but I am little hestitant to fly on an airline that doesn't have a good safety record.

...

 

[rjmore]

With all due respect to any CAL pilots on the board, no I would not.

 

[ASpilot2be]

With all due respect to any CAL pilots on the board, no I would not.

I hear that they are real penny pinchers. From what I have heard that they yell at our de-icers for using too much fluid even though we use the bare minimum to get the job done.

 

[rjmore]

I know the service is supposedly very good. I fly with a lot of ex-CAL guys and they sure have some interesting stories.

 

[adreamer]

First of all, I am jealous. I have not been home in 12 years. Enjoy good food over there. By the way, where you are going to stay?

To OP, I think China Airline is a little safer now than it used to be. After CAL 611(747-200), company went dramatic change in company structure and culture. CAL is going through entire fleet upgrade, changes, or retirement. But they are also like ASpilot said - nickel pincher.

 

[doug_or]

I've flown CAL transpac and intra-asia, and the service was pretty much standard by Asian standards. Also of note (but not statistical importance): I didn't die.

 

[Polar742]

We have a contractually negotiated No-Fly list for commercial airlines.

They are on that list.

 

[ftyflyboy]

...a contractually negotiated No-Fly list for commercial airlines.

The fact that this even exists is scary

 

[Roger, Roger]

We have a contractually negotiated No-Fly list for commercial airlines.

They are on that list.

Along with who? Turmenistan Air? Prince of Nigeria Airways? It'd be really interesting to see who all is on there...

 

[surreal1221]

lol.

 

[blee256]

Dont be such a hypochondriac. you'll be fine. KAL has a horrible safety record, and I have flown on them 14 times. 6 r/t LAX to ICN, and a r/t HKG-ICN, and I am still here.

Its no more dangerous than a regional airline......ha

 

[jhugz]

Its no more dangerous than a regional airline......ha

Ouch...but more then likely true.

 

[Maximilian_Jenius]

I know the service is supposedly very good. I fly with a lot of ex-CAL guys and they sure have some interesting stories.

How can there be ex-CAL guys? I heard that you have to sign a contract of lifetime service to that airline, if you're Chinese.

 

[OldTownPilot]

How can there be ex-CAL guys? I heard that you have to sign a contract of lifetime service to that airline, if you're Chinese.

what if your aren;t chineese?

expat pilots.

 

[Maximilian_Jenius]

what if your aren;t chineese?

expat pilots.

Well, duh... I figured that, which is why I stated if you're Chinese. It was the caveat!

But I also really wanted commentary on if that rumor was true or not.

 

[adreamer]

If they are hiring, I might apply in order to confirm Max's

But I also really wanted commentary on if that rumor was true or not.

 

[rjmore]

All the ex CAL I know are expats. I'm not sure about the other part but I've heard that as well.

 

[kellwolf]

Dont be such a hypochondriac. you'll be fine. KAL has a horrible safety record, and I have flown on them 14 times. 6 r/t LAX to ICN, and a r/t HKG-ICN, and I am still here.

Its no more dangerous than a regional airline......ha

Next time we're in the same place long enough for alcohol, I'll tell you about the planned "ops check" that never occurred.....

 

[ppragman]

When my fiancee was working as a hotel maid, practically all of the China air pilots where trying to get her to sleep with them with oranges. They would say, "come in here, I have oranges..." Kind of creepy.