'Glory days' at CX? Are you serious?
Relations between CX's pilots and 'management' could be politely described as 'toxic'. Pilots are currently 'working to rule'. There are many law suits currently underway from various pilot groups over contract abuse. The housing package is a disgrace, international airline pilots sharing rooms. Training has been cut to the bone and there have been incidents of incompetent handling due to lack of experience. Many flights are 'all night' to less than desirable destinations in the Middle East. Most down-route hotels are sub-standard. It is almost as if 'management' is going out of its way to 'disengage' or to put it bluntly, piss off their more expensive crew so much, that they will leave or retire so that they can be replaced by cheap cadets.
I would suggest a very thorough read of current and past PPRuNE 'Fragrant Harbour' threads; if your BS filter works properly, you can gain quite an insight into life for a junior pilot at CX. More importantly, should they offer you a 'package', do some VERY serious research into the cost of living, and especially housing, in Hong Kong.
There is a trickle of bases being offered but it is only very senior crew only who are able to take them. At the current rate, you will be waiting decades, along with probably 15 to 20 years for a Command. There have been some monumental screw ups by CX regarding base port labour and taxation laws. But they may dangle the basings 'carrot' in front of you: be very suspicious.
And I can assure you that the jets don't stay shiny very long in the filthy South China air.
Last edited by Captain Dart; 24th Dec 2014 at 22:07.