Cathay Pacific Interview New York 1 Feb 05

[thesaint]

Ok Here is an Update of this stuff. Just finished the 2nd interview in Hong Kong on April-27-05 i will add another post to the end of the string.

Lots of great stuff on this site, but most of it has to do with folks in Europe or Canada. I am interviewing for the direct entry FO cargo position with Cathay Pacific. Looking for advice about americans in the system, sorry i know Canada and Mexico are americans should have said U.S. Just to let you know my background and share the numbers that got me an interview here they are.

2600 total hrs
2300 Pic
all jet (military)

applied about 3 months ago got called last week.

If there is anybody else out there heading to NY in Feb let me know.

Caio
Saint

[alousinfinity]

Hey, what´s up!!!

I AM GOING TO THE JAN31 ´05 TOO. CONGRATS..

I AM TRYING TO GET SOME INFO, SINCE I THOUGHT I WILL HAVE MORE TIME TO STUDY.

THEY CALL ME 2 DAYS BEFORE I WENT TO SPAIN FOR VACATION, AND NOW, I WILL SPEND MY VACATION STUDING. BUT I DON´T CARE, I ONLY WANT TO GET W. CX.

MY E-MAIL [email protected]

:ok:

[Medwin]

You guys are so lucky, I've been waiting since 2000 :{

[micia]

Hey guys, congrats for the interview.
Would you two please let us know how long it took to get the app. after emailing asking for it?
Thanks.

[thesaint]

Sure, After i sent my stuff in on line i got an app back in about 3 weeks. After i sent the app back, (I typed the whole thing except the two questions that where personal). It was about 5 weeks or so before they called me at around 21:00 local time in florida. They then sent a bunch of info via email 2 days later.

[micia]

thank you thesaint

[AAflyer]

I have mine in NYC on Feb3rd 2005.

Heard on phone 7-9 days after apps was sent,

Interview is for DE FO Freight.

6500TT
1200 B767/757 with type
727,737-800,MD-82/83

See Ya,

AAflyer

[micia]

thanks you all for the time line. Would you 3 (and anyone else, recently or soon) also let us know how the interviews go? :O

[Medwin]

CX Vancouver Interview
Just heard the good news that I'm going to Vancouver in March for D.E. SO 1st interview. Yeeeeee Haaaaaaaaa
Is there anybody else out there heading to Vancouver?

4900 TT
2500 SIC jet(E145)
499 PIC Turboprop (DHC6)
500 SIC (ATR72)

[Medwin]

Quick question, is the interview for SO different from FO?

[PJ_Slick]

I also have a 2nd officer interview in Vancouver the beginning of march. I applied a little over a year ago. I mailed a resume' and then followed up with a call to Ms/Mrs De La Harpe to see if it had been recieved. I got my application a couple of weeks later, I have updated it once and was about to update again when I got an email/phone call. Now for the hard part, flying a metroliner in northern Canada is a bit different than wide body long haul work. I've purchased the HTBJ, Cathay Interview Prep by X,Y,Z, and Flying the Wing.
I was also wondering if anybody knows of a good book/books to learn the differences of the basic systems of the 747/340/777, ei:fuel systems, brakes, control surfaces.?

My time is as follows,

4800TT
2250PIC (DHC-2 seaplane)
2300 Turbine (FO)
600Multi (FO)


PS: this site is fantastic and a wealth of info, thanks so much for your informative posts.

Cheers

[neilb767]

He guys and congrats on the interviews.

I got a call a few days ago for end of FEB on YVR. Was also offered an option for NY in March.

So its cram time, and just ordered the big jets book .

Wonderif anyone would like to get an e mail chain of info going?

Where are the CX freight bases aroudn the world?. I got a few passports and they asked where i want to be based?

And do we get to go to pax ops eventually

i know there is a lot of info on pprune, but who has time to read it all,

cheers

9200 tt
2500 b767
1500 P1 Jet
too much t-prop

[Pickle14]

I will be at the March 10 New York City interview for freighter F/O.

I e-mailed my resume 8-26-04.

Received application 9-22-04.

They called me 1-16-05 to set up the phase I interview, offered March 10 or 11. I took the 10th.

@4960 hours pilot time
@1160 hours pilot in command
@125 hours turbine pilot in command (all in B737-800)
@1420 hours EFIS/glass (B737/757)
typed on B737/757/767
lots of international experience.

[bombinha]

I also got NY DE FO freight interview on march 10th.

8000 TT
2850 SIC in MD11
2500 SIC in Heavy TP F-27
1000 SIC in CRJ
and 1650 PIC in several airplanes

[jfkbunkie]

I also have a Cathay Pacific interview in New York on 10 March 2005. I've heard that the "Handling the Big Jets" text is rather dry reading. Does anyone have recent interview gouge that they can share?

My qualifications at time of application:

Total Time: 10000
PIC Turbine: 1700
Type Ratings: BE-1900, B757/B767
Recent experience: CRJ
Age: 36

[Pickle14]

jfkbunkie, bombinha:

See you in JFK!!

Silberfuchs:

I am 34 now, I was 33 when I applied.

Also, as far as an email chain of sharing info, count me in!

I don't have a copy of HTBJ yet, so far I have been reading Fly the Wing and Transport Category Aircraft Systems, mainly what it has to say about the 747.

[Medwin]

Off topic; Who would you fly if your an SO? Is there a cruise Capt on board too or do you fly with the FO?

[Medwin]

Thanks Silberfuchs

[Cpt. Underpants]

Medwin

For me, it DOES matter.

Personally, I will NEVER put an S/O with the relief. I always fly with the S/O, and pair the F/O and relief up together.

[Pickle14]

Silberfuchs:

Thanks for the pointers. I didn't mean it to sound as though I was not going to read HTBJ, I just meant I have not yet, also it is kind of hard to come by here in the States. I ordered it today from a place in Canada, along with the Captains X, Y, & Z book and also Ace the Technical Pilot Interview.


Is it dryer than Fly the Wing? That is way dry.

Lots to study, glad the interview is not until March!

Mike

[Medwin]

Pickle 14,

You and I are both from Chi-town, I'm wondering why your going to JFK and I'm going to YVR for an interview.

[Pickle14]

Medwin:

Probably because you are interviewing for pax S/O, and I am interviewing for freight F/O??? Just a guess.

I don't know how they decide who will be interviewed for pax and who will be interviewed for freight. I have lots of freight experience, more so than pax maybe that has something to do with it?

Mike

[wondering]

Would you guys mind sharing your interview experience this week?

Thanks a lot.

[junior_man]

I am interviewing in NY in MArch.
Been reading HTBJ. Very hard to find in the USA. Got this one on E Bay for $75. See it in the UK and Aus but expensive, well over $100.
It is a very good book. Other threads hear have have also recommended it. I now hear that Aviation World in YYZ has the book available. And it is less than the UK.

I am at work and don't have my file but I think Resume in 8/04, app about a month later. Heard about 20 Jan about interviews.
Been studying as much as I can. I am pretty excited about this.

12,400 TT
750 Jet PIC
4500 PIC
typed B737, B 757, B767, FK 28, A 320, SA 227.
Old man though, 45.
Hear they need a bunch of folks. Hope we all get in.

[thesaint]

Just got told that i passed the first interview and will be scheduled for the second. if you have any questions let me know..

[Medwin]

Check your PM the saint.

[Medwin]

Thanks thesaint :ok:

[tukeydrvr]

Got the call for 1st interview April 4th in NYC DEFO. Anyone have hotel recommendations? Thanks to all previous posters for sharing your information. I am 32, US Navy Tactical, 1800TT, 1600PIC. Applied Dec 04'. I feel VERY fortunate to have gotten called so early with as little time as I have. Hope it gives hope to others who may have similar hours, you can't get called if you don't apply. Also, anyone have a timeline for the email directions they send?

[thesaint]

Ok here is a synopsis on my interview.

(THIS IS A DISCLAMER FOR SPELLING...please ignore all mistakes. thanks)

1 feb in NY for DEFO cargo position.

i stayed with friends so no advice on lodging.

the office is easy to find given the directions i showed up 15 min early.

dressed in navy blue suit/red tie paperwork/log books in folder

went into office (by the way its not a large office) talked to the two front desk ladies and told them i had an interview. the told me to sit and someone would be with me.

waited about 45 minutes/ read the CX magazines and info laying around then was called in to take the tech test.

Tech test 30 questions multiple choice three answers to choose from.

i thought the test was fairly hard but since there where only three answers to choose from some judicious guessing is possible. only about 50 % of the questions where out of the prepping for the cx interview book the rest seemed like they where randomly generated from a wide base of flying stuff.

some of the questions that i can remember

where are meridians the furthest apart
shortest distance betwn 2 points on a globe
runway slope and takeoff distance
wx patterns in north american
how wind circulates around highs/lows
some CG stuff...no calculations
altimeter error stuff
diff between mag variation and mag deviation
relationships btwn true/cal/ind/mach ect.. sorry dont remember the exact question but it sort of surprised me cause i did not recognize it

after the test went back to sitting on the couch for another 1 hr or so. after which i was called in for the interview. the interviewers apologized for keeping me waiting so long and then we started.

2 guys one pilot one hr guy.

both very friendly and cordial.

started off hr guy

he asked me to summarize my career in 5 mins
then why did i leave the Air Force when i was doing so well?
where else had a traveled to
why CX
have i interviewed with anyone else
How did the interview go
if that company calls you and we call you who will you pick
and why.
why do you like flying
wont this be boring after flying fighters
since you have only flown fighters do you think you will have problems in a multi-crew cockpit
any questions for me

next the pilot pulls out the 74 model and says i am sure you have studied for this interview, but i will ask you a few questions about our company later.
tell me more about your flying career.
why did you want to be a pilot
tell me about the engines on th 74
why winglets
why swept wings
why no winglets on the 777
how many airplanes and what types do we have
we just started service from hong kong to ny what airplane do we use
who is the ceo of CX
tell me about monsoons
at the end we talked about flying for a while and that was it.

i did not feel that the interview was super technical nor did the ask me anything about the airplane that i am currently flying.

Two weeks after i was told that i had passed the interview and would be scheduled for the 2nd

[QNH1013]

thesaint,
Thanks for taking the time to share.
All the best for your second interview when it comes.

[junior_man]

I have an interview in NYC early March.
CX recommends the Milford Plaza Hotel and one other in their letter.
Current employer we use Milford as a layover hotel. Not fancy, smallish rooms but they do usually give an airline rate and are pretty close to interview location.


Thanks for the info Saint. Seems as soon as I study one thing, I find something else to study....

[tukeydrvr]

Thanks Saint, Junior_man,
I appreciate the info. I'll look into the hotel Junior, thank you.

[atflyer]

Just joined! Looks like some good info here. I too have a DE FO interview this coming Tuesday, 3/8 in NYC. Sounds like we all requested, applied and got a date in about the same time frame.

Talked to a guy I work with and after his interiews (waiting on a class date), they asked him where they can get hold of more US pilots. (Does sound like they need a lot of positions filled)

Sounds like all the study material is the same I looked at. HTBJ, Ace the Technical Interview and CX interview guide by Capt. XYZ. I got all three through Aviation World in YYZ also.($170 or so)I've also been studying other books like FE written prep, ATP written prep, etc. Some good information on some things I've forgotten that sound like are being asked.

I'll get a little more familiar with this site over the next few hours and try to get some more info to or from anybody.

6800 TT
2800 Jet PIC
2000 Jet SIC
BE-1900D, CRJ-200, ERJ-145
34 years old
B.S.

[stratoduck]

i was just told that i wasn't competitive:

Total: 5000
EMB PIC: 1500
EMB SIC: 1500
Total PIC: 3500

i was told 500 more EMB PIC or 500 SIC in a narrowbody would make me competitive.

sigh. at least patience grows with age. speaking of which, i'm 38.

[junior_man]

What do you want lit up?

[apu hunter]

Hi everyone,

I just got the call for the Freighter DEFO April 25th interview, in SFO.

It would be great to know if anyone else is heading out there on that date.

Good luck to you all!

Apu Hunter
8,200 TT
7,800 Jet (727, 744, DC-10, 767, MD-11)

[iahtexan747400]

I'll be there as well! :ok:




USA
31yrs old
Captain at Part 121 "regional"
2000+ Jet PIC- EMB 145
6000+ Total time:ok:

[djhhondo]

Received call last night for a 29 APR interview in SFO.

4200 TT
1300 PIC Military Jet
2400 SIC EMB-120, 757/767, MD-80
757/767 Type

I submitted my application during the first part of FEB.
I will provide feedback after the interview.

[toad572]

Stratoduck,
I don't know who told you you weren't competitive, but with your time you should apply. I am currently awaiting the results of my Phase II for DEFO and my times are as follows.

5600 TT
3500 Jet
Furloughed major
Currently flying an EMB145 as F/O
I have 250 Turbine PIC from a BE20 7 years ago.

Whoever you spoke with gave you bad info. Definitely apply. Cathay is unbelievable. We will never have this type of opportunity with any U.S. based airline again, those days are long gone. Cathay makes all of the US airlines look like a joke. Send your stuff in. Good luck.

[Medwin]

Just got the good news, I'm going to HK for phase 2 sometime in June.
For those guys who went to phase 2, how many suits did you bring?

[Cronus]

Congrats Medwin!

You'll find most people tend to wear the same suit for both days. From memory I had 4 shirts and 5 ties to wear for the process., a combination that would all mix and match.

I also made sure a had the suit on for the flight to Hong Kong and for every moment I was out of my room at Cathay city. It might have been overkill, but then again everybody over there takes great pride in what they do.

[Medwin]

Thanks Cronus:ok:

[QNH1013]

Great news Medwin. Any tips on what they asked you Tech wise? Were the 'XYZ' and 'Ace' books any help do you think? Of course HTBJ is a must. Do they ask you about your aircraft and company operations?
All the best for round 2.:ok:

[Medwin]

QNH1013
I interviewed in YVR with PJ and we had the same questions;http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=167474, plus these

1. questions about the airplane that I flew 5 years ago.
2. what is buy's ballot law
3. how do we get MN (formula)
4. windshear procedure
5. how much are you making now and how much is the captain making in your company?

That's all I can remember. XYZ book didn't help me much but Ace book is pretty good but I'm sure you're aware of the errors.


:ok:

[altscap]

Hey everyone!

I'm heading to NYC on 4 APR for round 1 DEFO.

I've got theSaint's gouge but of course would like to hear anything/everything from those of you who went earlier this month. The Saint, Medwin, atflyer, anyone else - anything you can remember would be appreciated!!

For those of you heading for round 2, be sure to let us know about the sim, and how to hande the cocktail party!

For those of you still thinking about it...I requested an app. last Sept. recieved it 4 weeks later in early October. Mailed it back within two weeks but told them I wouldn't be available until Feb. as I needed to finish my1000pic (this may have been premature as the process is so long). They called the first week of Feb. and scheduled the interview for early April.

35
pushing 5,000 total
1180 pic crj 200,700,900
2800 sic crj 200

[CaptainProp]

Hey guys!

Congrats to your interviews!
I have been hunting for an CX interview for quite a few years now, but now luck so far.... I guess they have 1000´s of applications + I didn´t have any jet time and stuff so no surprise really....
BUT, now I have Airbus time and I am just about to update my appl. with some substantial jet time....
Now, I have been doing some thinking (I do manage to do some thinking every now and then;) ).....
Do I really wanna (IF invited for interview) go ahead and put some real effort into an interview...possibly pass 1st stage, go through 2nd stage....Get the job, move to Hong Kong.... JUST to get "degraded" from my current FO pos. to become SO for god knows how long...??? I mean, is the pay good enough to make it worth?? Because I guess the deal is a C-scale or am I wrong? How much does the C-scale pay?? Enough to have a meaningful life in HK??
When I read about you guys getting interviews (some with quite a lot of jet/heavy jet time), are you not better off staying where you are?? Or, are you out of job at the moment? Or, am I totally out of the loop when it comes to what the terms and conditions are at CX??

Any comments appreciated!

//CP

[PJ_Slick]

CaptainProp, If you enjoy your job now, and like where you are living, why rock the boat? But if you are interested in working for a world class airline flying to interesting destinations in new technology widebodies (lots of sitting though), and living abroad experiencing different cultures (You only get one kick at the can so why not eh.?) then go for it with both guns.
I believe the starting pay for an SO is about $HK390,000.00 plus about $HK20,000.00 a month for accomadations. Asia is the new economic engine for the world and has a growing disposable income so I imagine Cathay will be secure financially for the forseeable future. But research it and figure it out prior to applying as they are only interested in keeners (and apparently that alone is not enough). Search pprune thoroughly, pick up a lonely planet for HK.

Cheers PJ


:ok:

[Canadian Beech]

That's ok Capt Prop... i think you shouldn't pursue it. I'll take your slot:ok:

[QNH1013]

You got Airbus time huh, wow, very marketable compared to my older Boeing time....Errr, Umm....No!, Nothing there in Hong Kong, CX, nothing special I hear....Errrr, no need to update ya.....



Pssst, Canadian Beech.... play you scissors paper stone for his Slot! I want it too.


;)

[CaptainProp]

Canadian Beech and QNH1013 - Good luck to both of you!!....and QNH....I'll let you know once they've called me;) :p

Silberfuchs - Points taken! Sounds ok to me! But what about living in HK on SO salary?? Rent for a place not too far away from work? Is three years for going FO about right at the moment?

/CP

[Bjammin]

Good luck to all of you!

35 yr old US Navy guy,

3000TT

2600 turbine,

2400 jet pic


1st interview MAY 04 SFO

2nd interview AUG 04 HK

Class date 11 APR 05 just 2.5 weeks!!!

Will be DEFO based at LAX


Suits: I brought 2, 1 for each day.

Sim: If you don't have any big jet sim time, SPEND THE MONEY!. 2 hours in a sim will get you through the profile 4 times.

Cocktail Party: HAVE FUN and be social, dress nice, don't ask TOO many job questions, accept any drinks they give you, and stay late.

The interviews are hard, but if you have a broad understanding of aircraft systems, weather, performance, and know Cathay and it's fleet like the back of your hand, you should do fine.

My recommended reading list is:

The US Airman Information Manual, US ATP oral study guide, "Flying the Wing", "HTBJ", the "Preparing for the Cathay Interview" books are good for the posssible test questions only and as a road map to further study, but they are outdated as far as company information.

Know your current aircraft's aerodynamic features and emergency procedures cold.

I didn't know the answer to every question, the sim was good but not awesome, I had a medical issue, I had alot to drink at the cocktail party, and I don't have tons of hours or any big jet experience, but I leave in 2.5 weeks to start a long and great career.

DON'T STRESS SO MUCH! Know your material and have fun.

bjammin

[CaptainProp]

Bjammin - Congrats and good luck! :ok:

/CP

[QNH1013]

Medwin, CaptainProp, Canadian Beech - Thanks and Good Luck. Bjammin - Thanks for the info, Congratulations and all the best.
Silberfuchs - The inside man, as always, your wisdom and insight is MUCH appreciated. Thanks.

This is a great thread.

Is the Simulator profile always changing or is it a set pattern they use all the time? Out of interest could anyone describe the profile details that are given 4 weeks beforehand? I presume they are all done to ILS at CLK.

[goingdown]

Guys i've been thru the 2nd stage and can give you some of the questions they asked(that i can remember):
-Why swept-back wings onthe 747?
-Where will it stall first?why?
-Hydraulics on your current aircraft?
-Fuel tail tank on the 744?why?
-carbon brakes?when is it more effective?why?
-series/parallel yaw dampers?
-transponder code for radio failures?
All questions have been asked in a gentle and professional way.
good luck to everyone

[thesaint]

Ok if you have been following this post.

First interview Feb-1-05
Second Apr-27-05

[Saint - Please read your PMs re advertising - Thanks, BE]

OK

My interview was on the 27,28th of Apr. I asked to go out early cause i had never been to HK. No problems CX booked me out 4 days early. Stayed at the CX hotel (the headlands) $500 HK=$65 U.S. a night. Easy to get down town on the bus and rail system not to hard getting back even at 0400 am just have to wait for the bus a little longer:rolleyes: I had a great time in HK. everybody was very friendly and professional.

For my interview i had the sim first, then followed by the final interview, and then the breifings on the first day.
the second day was the new math test (a real b---!) the pych test and the medical then the cocktail party.

the 747 sim was informative. investing in some sim time in my opinion would be invaluable. anyway my story.
No previouse 74 sim time but got some C-5 time so that was cool. (don't ask how) ;) The sim evaluators where very nice and gave a very good breif on the 74-200 sim and its flying habits and power settings. they then ask if you have any ? and let you take whichever seat you want and ask for whatever help you desire, they will tell you if they can or can't give you what you asked for.
they sim is pretty strait forward take off climb to 2500 acc to 280 knots. steep turns 45 and 60d banked turns. at 60 you get the stick shaker. I just recovered like it was a stall, pushed them up and rolled out. next vectors to the runway for a ILS to missed approach. After the missed at 2500 280 knots they ask you to slow down to 200 knots as fast as you can. this caught me by surprise but i complied. when i got the stick shaker i did another stall recovery. the evaluator asked "So do you know why you have the stick shaker!) to which i replied sure we are way below 0 flap min airspeed infact way below 10 flap min airspeed. as i recover and accel the aircraft. I got the impression what they want you to do is decel but with in limits following flap schedules. i thought it was just another stall exersize.
Ok there we where accel from my slow stall when--fire light!. nice. ask for the checklist items and than am give a teardrop vecor backto final. definaltly busy. i got well of alt and airspeed and was a bit non standard on my configuaration but got it all sorted out by about 1000 feet on the ils. sim land ok just follow what they tell you in the breif.

after that i had the final interview about 30 min after the sim.
Hr lady and 74 training capt

i thought that the tech questions where about the same. swept wings,fuel and cg shifts, and balanced field length where stressed. also was asked how i thought the sim went. the hr lady was nice but definitly wanted to see why you picked cx!

the next day the math test and the psych test.

the math test is no kidding tough and i am not just saying that. its made up of word questions with 3 questions per word questions and each of the three questions has 16 answer choices. i made it to about question 17 out of 36 when i noticed i had 3 minutes left. just guessed on the remaning questions. the psych test is pretty straing forward...that is unless you hear noises or something:p

the cocktail party is laid back and not a big deal. they have it at the top of the hotel and its beer, soda, and finger foods.

hope you all have fun....
anyway i got the job...said training would be in 9 months to a year....guess all have to work on my tan
ciao

[Bjammin]

Yo Saint!!! Congrats! Awesome job!
It was great metting you while you were here on the interview and will look forward to working with you in the future. Did you get LAX FO?
I am in my second week of systems and did my first sim on Friday. NO PROBLEM! Don't bother trying to learn too much before you get here. They will give you all the info you need and it would be tough trying to unlearn something you studied that was wrong. If you study a few hours every night here you will have no problems with the systems exams and the first sim you can go in there with ZERO knowlege and they will spoon feed all the info to you.
I can tell you all the people I have met here are AWESOME! both students and staff alike, very professional, but can go booming with the best of them. 3 weekends, three times in after 8am, MY HEAD HURTS!
I am having the time of my life here and truly hope more guys take a serious look at Cathay. Good luck to those with interviews and try again for those that got the letter. They will be hiring for a long while, I think.

[fly757]

What does the RPT stand for in CX update application form?

[psy clops]

757 writes:

What does the RPT stand for in CX update application form?
Regular Public Transport I guess

Psy

[VOBG Direct]

hey guys,

Not a lot of jet time guy here, what are the things wrong in this book. I have been reading thru it and have not been able to find a lot of worng stuff (according to me) but I am sure some of you have found the wrong stuff. I sure would appreciate it if you could point it out.

Vobg

[betaboy]

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=150725&highlight=bristow

[Medwin]

VOBG,

You don't have to be a jet pilot to figure out that 1liter is not equal to 3.7853 gallons page 173; and to capture the localizer within +-5C page 297.
There's a heck of a lot more but I'm not going to spend much time finding every one of them because I'm currently mastering the profile for the sim ride. Set max thrust, flaps what?

:} :} :}

[VOBG Direct]

Thanks for the help medwin,


but I was looking for more technical errors than ..... typo's.

Have fun and do well in your sim ride.

VOBG