You won't get a job with Cathay Pacific with 'zero flight time', i.e. cadet, unless you have a 'Permanent Hong Kong ID Card' (long term resident).
Having said that, from my experience, most military and airline pilots do their jobs very well using just the three times table and 'fifth form' physics. The 'degree' courses are a rip-off and a waste of time. There is no substitute for commitment and experience, although conditions in the airline industry have deteriorated so much over the quarter-century I have been in it, 'commitment' is a big ask. Consider a more lucrative career, and either 'sport' or private flying.
A healthy survival instinct, communication skills and attention to detail are also an advantage.
And for Chrissake don't use Gen Y 'textspeak' in your job applications or CV. It's bad enough in PPRuNE posts.
Last edited by Captain Dart; 1st July 2013 at 10:18.