Originally Posted by
Icantleavebecause
Not as much before I agree but here in the US the moneys not as good as y'all think. I did 21 years in CX, was mostly 777 then went to the 747. Many of us left and came to the US to a 747 operator and had to go right seat. We were promised commands again within a couple of years and some good $$, so I took the shot and went for it. But that was hogwash as commands have not materialized, we are still FO's and the pay is not what we were promised. Some have gone back to CX but had to go back on the 747 which some of us refuse to do. I have read other posts where CX want a lot of folks on the 777 but is forcing previous guys and gals back to the over-crewed 747 fleet. It may not be fair to other pilots, but when was CX ever fair? It's a good idea in an ideal world, but does Cathay want to expand the airline or not?
In the U.S., career trajectories often follow a structured path, with initial positions typically situated in the co-pilot's seat, regardless of prior experience, save for exceptions within certain non-unionized entities. Reflecting on my own professional journey, I dedicated over two decades of service to Cathay Pacific before transitioning to flying cargo aircraft for the world's foremost logistics enterprise.
During the probationary period, notably the inaugural year, financial adjustments were necessitated. However, prudent financial planning facilitated a seamless transition, mitigating any undue fiscal strain and circumventing a reliance on a paycheck-to-paycheck existence.
Subsequent to the probationary phase, my remuneration significantly surpassed that of my tenure at Cathay Pacific. Moreover, the newfound role affords a heightened degree of roster autonomy, augmented financial compensation—comprising premiums and per diems—and a diminished level of operational responsibility. Analogous to concluding a literary tome, my departure from Cathay Pacific invoked a sense of emotional detachment, akin to placing a book back upon the shelf.
Intermittently encountering Cathay Pacific's presence during layovers in Hong Kong serves as a reaffirmation of the judiciousness of my career pivot. Conversations with peers who transitioned to passenger carriers within the United States similarly echo sentiments of contentment, devoid of lamentation over departing from Cathay Pacific.