Well, there you have it, Saturn: a clear demonstration of the Cathay company ethos by some of your future colleagues.
To attempt to answer your questions:
1. Cargo: Yes Mainline: I believe so.
2. Cargo: UK:Very good - about two trips to HK per month. Aus: Lot of passengering from base to HK. US: -400 across Pacific otherwise not sure.
3. Aircrew Services Ltd (the recruiting subsidiary which employed flt crew for the freight operation) is now closed to further recruitment. You would be part of VETA (another subsidiary) or USAB (if US based). Upgrade time (and here I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong) is about
:
Freighter: 3 - 5 yrs. Mainline: 7 - 10 yrs.
4. That depends on whether you go for a command on cargo or go to mainline at the first opportunity which may be about two years.
5. Annual F/O freighter salaries in 1999 were:
US: Yr 1:USD57,780 Yr 2: USD63,504 Yr 5: USD79,740
UK: Yr 1: GBP37,608 Yr 2: GBP39,396 Yr 5: GBP42,084
Canada: CAD 74268 - 82068 - 104916
Australia: AUD 72624 - 74280 - 76776 (the Aus salaries seem low but the company takes advantage, rightly or wrongly, of the fact that Australians employed overseas get tax breaks.)
Perhaps a kindly mainliner will post the requested B-scales.
I'd advise searching back in this forum for background info but here's a thumbnail sketch of my views:
You ain't in US/Western Europe; no employee protection; pilots are divided; union has no real teeth.
The past best reason for joining CX, the A-scale salary, has gone.
Military ethos. Attitude to training is archaic. (Remember to say "OIC") IT not as good as they think it is.
Company is modern(ish) and respectable but suffers from "blame culture". Their operational excellence derives mainly from recruiting high quality people of proven past experience who can cope.
Having said all that, the freight operation is very happy.
Good luck - perhaps see you on the fleet.
Dare I say Good Luck & A MERRY CHRISTMAS to all our readers.
[This message has been edited by xs calf (edited 17 December 2000).]