The window for many cargo/pax airlines application have recently closed, so bookmark their website. You'll be in training for 4-5 months so you don't want to miss the next opportunity. Keep checking - you may later feel the desire to apply. Personally, I applied immediately after training. My experience at Cathay was not pleasant. Be prepared for anti-american comments and attitudes with some of the training captains. Now, the training department is trying to reverse this attitude, but how do you change the dinosaurs' who are still there? The program you are about to embark upon is one of COMPLETE self-study. There is very little contact with instructors to "teach" and if you "ask" you apparently don't know! -and should have!! The standard at Cathay are high, but among the trainers, they don't seem to be consistent - very frustrating. The washout rate for direct entry FOs is very low, but as you progress through the program, your enthusiasm is chipped away. In my previous airlines, we all finished training with eager anticipation of flying the line. At Cathay, when most of my classmates were released to the line, they had all the enthusiasm sucked from their being. It was VERY anti-climatic, not what we expected.
Now if you join a company and don't feel welcome, and there is little support in training - except for your own classmates and friends - it made many of us feeling we made the wrong decision. For some, Cathay fits with what they want, and where they may want to be, BUT, be careful of what you wish for.
For those planning to join, your present employer may be really bad, and this is the change you desire. I won't say don't come to Cathay, but do so with your guard up. This is NOT a western company. Cathay makes money and there is job security, so if that's what you seek, this is the place.
Good luck in your choice, I'll be leaving when a good opportunity presents itself.
