Cathay Cadet Pilot Program
Hello. Just need some opinions, hopefully from people close to this situation, in regards to Cathay's Cadet Programme.
For starters, I am a HK resident, though I do not live there currently (in Canada, having a good time). I do have minimal flying experience as of this point (I have my private license), and I'm currently 26 years old. I want to pursue a career in aviation, one way or another, and I'm in the process of trying to obtain my CPL.
Anyway, I've researched a lot on the web, in regards to the Cadet program, and Cathay in general. While the program itself sounds quite nice (free training on nice aircraft, and other assorted goodies), I've heard much negative comments in regards to Cathay themselves. In fact, even the literature provided here by pprune seems to be quite anti-CX. Not to mention the rather large obstacle of the recruitment ban, as many of you already know.
As of now, they have asked me to call them back for a return to HK for interviews. I have yet to schedule an appointment, as I am still trying to figure out whether or not I should sink my head into this.
This is the way I look at it, if I should try my luck at this:
Pros (if I'm chosen)
a) If it works out, I will be in the cockpit of a widebody much sooner than if I went my own direction. And who knows, I may never get to the airlines if I went my own way.
b) Incur less debt, due to the expenses paid training. On better aircraft than I'm used to, btw.
c) Flying for the flag carrier of my former home. Plus I am single, and have family I can stay with. So that is a bonus.
Cons
a) If I have to go for interviews, I must drop everything I'm doing here for four months. It's a big risk, if it's worth taking at all.
b) Recruitment ban. Rolling the dice, hoping that it ends before I have to make a decision about anything.
c) So far, I've only read negative reviews about flying for Cathay. They can't be that bad, can they?
That's a few of the points which I have in regards to this situation. There are more factors, but those are the major ones.
So, if anyone, especially those connected with CX right now, can give me a clearer picture, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much.