Capt Over,
I don't know much about CX but I have been with AC for about 10 Years know....
As far as the pension is concerned ,if you were to retire today from AC after a 25-30 year career you would get approximately 110,000-125,000 Dollars CAD per year as our pension is defined benefits wich means you are not subject to market fluctuations.
In terms of flyi the heavy metal: Some of the entry level positions at AC are A340 or B767 Relief F/o if thats what you want and I believe that CX starts you out the same (if in Pax fleet).So if heavy metal is what you want you can get it right away.
Upgrade time: We have just gone through 9/11, SARS, a terrible merger and a bankrupcy so the times right now are worst case scenario and anyone who has been in aviation long enough knows that time to upgrade can change 180 degrees in a flash....good or bad even at CX or EK and AC.
Right know the most junior A320 Capt is in YYZ and has 10 years seniority making 175,000 CAD per year.
A junior widebody F/o on the 767 will require about 6 -7 years seniority in YYz.
Toronto is the most junior base as all the growth is there and Vancouver and Montreal the most senior so upgrade times longer there.
Most junior Captain position is Embraer 195 and junior Captain on it in Montreal has 7 years seniority and will make, 130 000 Cad per year.
I am 767 f/o (by choice) and I clear after all deductions around 6000 Cad/months in my pocket for about 75 hours/month wich equates to 12 days(approx)
These are upgrade times after the blackest period in our history.But with 60 Embraers 195 and 36 B777 and B787 and 800 retirements in the next 5 years you can bet that upgrade time will be very short.Just before 9/11 upgrade to 320 Capt was 5 years in YYZ (longer in YUL/YVR).
The great thing about AC is that if you want Longhaul widebody you can have it ,but if you get tired of it (and most do fairly quickly due to the weird hours) you can fly equipment and routes that get you home every night and with reasonable hours...
If you want to travel or commute you get an unlimited amount of passes on AC and Z fare travel on other airlines for you and your spouse and you just pay for the taxes.
The flying is just as varied as Cathay as we have routes and layovers around the world.
Meaw