Questions about Cathay Pacific & Others
Hello everyone,
I am curious about Cathay Pacific and how they are overall as a company to work for in general.
I should also add that I am currently a student and working towards my ATPL here in the US. I am currently attending Embry-Riddle University and UTAH Valley State College concurently, and I will be getting (2) B.S. degrees in aeronautical science, one is theoretical and the other is a practical degree, however both with aviation emphasis. I should be graduating in June 2007, additionally with Honors and a 3.85-3.95 G.P.A
As for flight school I am attending an Ab Initio training program via Rainbow Air Academy in Long Beach, CA. With this program I will get 1500+ hrs of which 500hrs is Multi-Tirbo-Prop time, ofcourse the T-Prop time is completed via Ameriflight which as I know is questionable experience depending on which aircraft you fly, however, I am pulling for the Metroliner. Regardless though I will get my 1500hrs and all the ratings up too my FAA-ATPL. Oh I also failed to mention I will have around 200hrs extra (SIC) Multi T-Prop time in the King Air B200, so I will actually have around 1700+ hours when I start shooting my resume around. Additionally I should have about 10-15hrs Dual Jet time in a L-29... "not really applicable though I guess"
I hope to have everything completed sometime around September-December 2007 and be ready to begin the perils of the application process.
So now for what I am looking for from some of you experts and working pilots here is...."HELP" and ofcourse some good insight to the playing field.
I am quite frankly only interested in working for Foreign Carriers, unless I can get in with Fed-Ex, UPS or ABX.... Why..? Because the US economy and job market is currently very poor, and our economy is not showing any signs of near or longterm improvement. Our air carriers are not treating their pilots as they need to i.e. skilled professionals who's training & skill is comparable to that of doctors. Comparably our payscales both entry & longterm "if you don't get furloughed" are falling behind, taxes are too high, and the cost of living vs. income potential is pathetic. I guess to sum it up very breifly currently in the US there are way to many variables, and our air carrier industry truly needs to be subsidized in which our government can not afford to do, or so they say.
So anyone who can provide me with a good idea of what I can expect and which carriers I should look into that would be a good choice for my level of experience at the time of application, again around 1700hrs. 500-700 T-Prop mostly (SIC), 800-1000hrs (PIC) in your basic GA aircraft, and BS degree with honors.
I am very interested in Cathay Pacific as I have heard many good things about their payscales and benefit packages, additionally Asia is an up and coming economy, also Air Emirates, Lufthansa, KLM, BA, Virgin and any other foreign carriers which could be *reccomended*. Any information or advice will be greatly appreciatted and well noted...!
With my school I also have a good chance of getting hired with EVA Air as my school has a special partnership with them, of course via their cargo division first, so anyone with info about EVA beyond the basic stuff which I know would be great..
Another question I have about Cathay Pacific is should I go for the S/O slot or the F/O slot being I think my experience will qualify for the F/O, but the S/O is in passenger vs. the F/O is cargo, do you still have to move through cargo if you go the S/O route.??
Basically I am looking for a Solid Company with a Good Reputation and Financial Solidity, one that I can obtain any Flight Deck position with S/O or F/O does not matter much "foot in the door", build senority & experience put in my 30 years and retire with a good retirement built-up... At 29yrs old currently I do not want to bounce around 3,4 or 5 carriers I want to find a hangar that I can hang my wings on for the long-haul and progress through the ranks, be given further responsibilities ie trainer, check-pilot etc., build a solid career and be well compensated for my abilities & extra-mile efforts put forth.
Well sorry for the long winded post but I am looking for some good info so I thought I should be thourough in my explenation of my situation and desires. I am a ways off from getting my wings wet, but I want to choose the right direction and be prepared when I do..