The art of persuasion
Hi everyone
I`ve been watching Cathay for quite some time. I'm adequately compensated both in terms of income and rostering. Economicly, the CX backseat pay is less than my current wage, but when you factor in the HK tax and housing allowance, I get more take-home at the end of the month. The backside is, of course, I'll end up living/dying (cross out as you wish) in the Mid-Levels slowly suffocating from the chinese "rise to industrialism" while drinking myself to death in the alleys below, as I wait for the next 4-day trip to take me away in my jumpseat to downtown somewhere.
Needless to say, I'm not joining to live in Hong Kong for the rest of my life, (not specifying my current status within CX recruitment is a natural precaution, seeing that most of the nametags in Catalina's refer to pprune at some point during the evening.)
Growing up, Cathay was always refered to with awe. It was right up there the great ones. The pay and benefits were always mentioned, as was the magic of Hong Kong. Most of the guys I knew flying for the legacy carriers (all retired by now) spoke of Cathay with respect.
By now, I`ve have read every post in this site a hundred times over. The rule by fear, the draconian failure rates, the darwinian struggle for command, payscale and basings. The erosion of payscales to a level only matched by turboprop feeders. The disintegration of the AOA, the managements endless quest for bonus and profits while squeezing the last drops of liquidity from the sustanability that has kept this airline flying for over 60 years.
I don`t hear much talk of Cathay with awe anymore. The spice of Hong Kong dissapeared with the rise of Shanghai and the departure of the Union Jack. Some of the older guys I fly with still make references to the legends of Cathay, but most guys can`t figure out why I even bother. Not now. It seems everyone knows someone who has either turned down a Cathay initial interview, a cathay final interview, or a Cathay offer of employment. Of course I have my reasons for joining. But I`ve got to admit; I`m close to backing out. Very close. The persuasion offered by the sheer volume of warnings keeps me awake at night.
So to all you who argue against CX; please hold off just a little while. I`ve read all the posts, I've heard the arguments. You've almost got me convinced; almost. But if there is anyone who has something good to say about this airline, then please step forward.
Please convince me why an FO with a still-not-receeding hairline should leave his home country to become an expatriate SO with a company unable to attract his equally or probably better qualified collegues. Please tell me the other side of this story.
Last edited by f1aps f1ve; 8th October 2007 at 10:02.