Dragonair cargo pilots leaving

[stormin norman]

Strong rumour that the cargo side of dragonair are losing pilots due to poor rostering and length of trips any info anyone ?

[joebanana]

Captains only at the moment for the very reasons you state. There are about 10 Captains short at the moment so they are all working pretty hard and a huge training task isn't helping. The rostering seems to run on crisis management lines and is totally inefficient.

FOs seem to be escaping the worst of it and getting more time off but the rostering is still hopeless. However the rumour on the street is that direct entry Captains are being interviewed. So far no comment from the DPA!

FEs fall somewhere in the middle, but I doubt we'll see many of them leave! ;)

It remains to be seen whether management are going to get a grip on the situation. It's not as if they haven't been warned over the last 12 months or so.

[sodapop]

From an outsider considering applying. What is the current rostering situation? Specifically for European based crew if the basing matters.

Another quickie, what's the best book on Global Weather to use for interview prep? Thanks for any response.

Soda

[joebanana]

Generally 8-12 days away at a time followed by a minimum of 6 days off when you return. Captains seem to only ever get 6 days off but FOs normally get a little more, sometimes up to 10 days.

The rosters are issued about 10 days before the end of the month and have recently been run on a 6 week basis. ie May's roster will be out in 2 weeks time and will run through to 10 June. Your roster will however be subject to constant change but it is rare that you will not get home on time. Just expect your actual duties while you are away to bear no resemblance to the roster! Some guys dislike this but personally as long as I get home on time I don't really mind what happens in between.

It's not a bad outfit but some issues need resolving. That seems to be the same everywhere though doesn't it!

[sodapop]

Thanks for the info joebanana. You're spot on when you say it seems to be the case everywhere. Always trying to improve. I like your attitude about accepting the changes. Too many of us complain about every little thing.

Any ideas on which book I might get to study up on Global Weather?

Cheers,
Soda

[raitfaiter]

And what a little godsend this post must be to the tax authorities..........:*

[joebanana]

Now that depends on where you live doesn't it raitfaiter! :D

[Dan Winterland]

[email protected]

[BlueEagle]

Regarding Met. text books, if you can still get a copy, Handbook of Aviation Meteorology or Meteorology for Aviators both published by her Majesty's Stationery Office.

You could start the hunt by looking here

AB Books (http://www.abebooks.com/)

[sodapop]

Thanks for the recommendation on the met study.

[74world]

[email protected]

[The Dragon]

Check out “Preparing For Your Cathay Pacific Interview” booklet with all the questions that you will be asked on the interview, available at Transair Pilot Shop. I studied for 5 weeks solid. Good Luck :O