Cathay New Joiner tips
Some line training is done at base but most in HK. The checkout date of the hotel will give you a clue when/where your training finishes as CX don't tell you. The initial training in HK is 2 months in any case, line training about 2 more.
Most people stay in the Headland but some have been put in the Novotel in Tung Chung until the Headland has space. Where you stay is a guess on arrival. The crew bus has now moved to the far right hand side (looking towards the bus stands) of T2.
Expect the CAD exams in the 1st and 2nd weeks. Your mission on arrival is to get the gouge off the course in front, tho CX's supplied questions are most representative! Results in 2 weeks. The CAD building is a 10 min walk, get somone to point it out to you, as you can see it from CX City.
The 1st 2 weeks seem empty but involve a lot of running around/admin/resetting passwords, but it does enable you to find your way about the place. You can get your course CDs and books early (if they're available) from the resource library, far end floor 5 training centre. Some FCOMs are given to you for keeps, some you have to give back, varies by fleet.
Yes you can fly your partner over, the Benefits office (on the street) will issue you with an ID90 on the spot between your base and HK for spouse/immediate family only. You take a ticket for staff travel and wait your turn. You have to pay via your HK bank account, so make sure there's money in it before you go.
The Headland-laundry available in the guest lounge or cheaper in Tung Chung. Hotel pool closed Dec-Apr. Internet availble but not cheap. Quite slow and the wireless seems a bit unstable. Free shoe shine!
Lonely planet is a great to orienate you. Get an octopus card on arrival from the MTR offices, you can use these EVERYWHERE for EVERYTHING! Ask for a form to get cheap travel for airline staff. To call home get a chat chat card from 7/11. Calling abroad is dead cheap and done thro the local calls (which are free from your hotel room).
have to do it cos it's there:
Star ferry
high tea at the Peninsula
sunset at the peak
Friday night in Lang Quai Fong
the Aviator bar Tung Chung (drink there eat elsewhere is my advice)
curry corner in TC will pick you up and drop you back at the hotel 2109 1927
to get out of dodge and get fit, google Roz's hiking pages
do the tailor experience (recommend Nita's fashions on Mody Road near TST)
Golden arcade in Sham Shui Po is the place for electronics.