K.O.
CX is presently transitioning from a career to a training airline, a stepping stone in an airline pilots career. However, it is for sure a better choice then working for an US regional airline. As a recent aviation college grad your demopraphics are in demand for the advanced entry cadet course. If you are young and prepared to spend 6-7 years in Hong Kong you will have over a 1000 hours right seat wide body jet time which will open the doors to find employment at home or with some better airline choices.
The question you have to ask yourself is - can you adjust to the lifestyle in Hong Kong? The cadet package doesn't provide housing benefits so you are initially getting HKD 10000 a month as an extra allowance. Housing is getting more expensive and Tung Chung for example is estimated to grow to a population of 290000 due to the bridge construction which will make this previously reasonable priced housing area unaffordable to you. But if you are willing to share accommodation with room mates or commute to a more affordable country like Thailand you can live for sure a better life style than with an US regional. Also, don't count on ever getting a base, as the new Hong Kong package eliminates any base cost savings. In summery, if you are looking for your first airline job and you are willing to give up life style and leaving your home country, CX is a good choice in my opinion. However CX is not the career airline anymore for all the new hires and accumulating a comfortable retirement package and retirement home in your home country is only possible with significant lifestyle sacrifices in Hong Kong under the new package.
Last edited by GTC58; 5th Jul 2012 at 19:34.