He mentioned that Cathay was ending its policy of hiring people with zero time and going back to hiring direct entry SO's. Is that true?
NO.
What he should have said is they are short of pilots so have opened all the entry streams, previously it was just the
cadet pilot programme. Recruitment may be putting a priority on the TT stream giving the impression the other stream have stopped.
Cadet Pilot Programme
Our 55-week programme offers opportunities to Permanent Hong Kong ID card holders who aspire to be aviators. Training includes 160 hours of day and night flying in single and twin-engine light aircraft, as well as classroom learning and 40 hours of simulator training. To learn more about what’s involved, visit our Cadet Pilot website.
Advanced Entry Programme
This is a 32-week programme for people who possess an ICAO CPL and have in excess of 250 hours flight time in specified categories.
Transition Training Programme
Already have significant experience in the air? Our five-week programme is designed for pilots who posses an ICAO ATPL and have a minimum of 1500 hours total time, including 500 hours multi-engine time with a MTOW greater than 2000kg.
Does the salary differ for people coming in with experience?
NO
However there is a sort of joining bonus, of which cadets get none or very little, advanced entry get some and the TT guys get the most. But be aware it's a catch 22 because its also a sort of bond, as a pilot with some experience you can still leave and seek a job elsewhere should HK/CX not be what you expected, so spend the joining bonus at your peril as you will have to pay it back should you decide to leave early!
Some had to get a bank loan to pay CX back before leaving, you can't just run because CX won't release your tax details to the HK Inland Revenue Dept until you've paid them their money, so you can't clear up your tax with the HKIRD, and the last thing you need going to a new job is the HK tax dept chasing you.
What could you expect initially
Not Sure.
and is there any plans for housing assistance again?
NO (Its gone forever).
There is a HK pilot allowance (a token amount which will never cover your accommodation to the level you would be comfortable with in your home country) but you might as well just call it pay as its taxed at the same rate. (Housing is taxed at a lower rate and is to cover accommodation at a level you'd expect from your home country but seeing its gone there's not much point considering it).