Cal

[count dingleberry]

Anyone have any info on the china airlines selection process?
Have one coming up soon and I would like to be as prepared as possible:cool:

thanks

count d.

oops! made a boo-boo,
ended up in the wrong continent!

[wateroff]

I think it is fairly similar to most, nothing detailed tho. I have had some fairly good experience with alot of their upper echelon and management team. They are fairly down to earth but very professional.

How did they let you know? Where are you at at th moment? I too am keen to find out the avenue.

[Zhaadum]

If you are chinese and you cant fly to save your life(or anyone else's) then you are in like flynn!

[E.P.]

I don't believe CAL should be given such a bad wrap.

They have perfect aircraft (new & no MELs), excellent facilities, Business class travel to and from home leave and the money is in the bank twice a month. If you are employed as a Captain it can be heaven. If so as a F/O then take it as a stepping stone because; if you are not of Asian appearence there is very little chance of an upgrade. Enjoy or leave. :p

[sky330]

I don't believe CAL should be given such a bad wrap.
If you make a search on the forum you will see that a LOT of people disagree :}
it can be heaven
Sure, and most people are pis.. off because you're lost in limbo and not even close St-Peter doorstep .....
:E :E :E

[E.P.]

Sky 330
Ummmmm....that is truly inspirational.:zzz:

[xnigelinrealworld]

Hi EP
cal stinks even for DEC's thats why so many capts are leaving the B744 fleet this month. Even as a capt the locals still treat you like dog's s**t.
Yes the a/c are great but that is because the locals cannot cope with any extra probs. No way would I go back to that hell with wings:cool:

[alexb757]

I don't believe CAL should be given such a bad wrap.
They have perfect aircraft (new & no MELs), excellent facilities, Business class travel to and from home leave and the money is in the bank twice a month. If you are employed as a Captain it can be heaven. If so as a F/O then take it as a stepping stone because; if you are not of Asian appearence there is very little chance of an upgrade. Enjoy or leave. :p

EP - you certainly sound like being in the minority, judging by all the comments. Maybe "heaven" as a Capt, although some Capts will beg to differ on that. But FOs? Your last sentence said it all. Just using you with NO prospects. Of Asian appearance. Nice. Now we have confirmed racial discrimination. All in all a great company to work for with all that cameraderie. Plenty leaving it seems.........:E
Tell me, what is there to enjoy???

[Deske1]

"Now we have confirmed racial discrimination"

As I see the upgrade policy here :yuk: ,I am not surprised at all.

Now,where are those "heroes" from the EU and USA to fill the pages of the newspapers?? :\

[felixf16]

Count D,

You might want to ask early on in the process as to the training bond issue. I didn't find out about the required $ deposit until two weeks before my scheduled interview.

I did not proceed with the screening process.

Cheers,
Felix

[alexb757]

Count D,
You might want to ask early on in the process as to the training bond issue. I didn't find out about the required $ deposit until two weeks before my scheduled interview.
I did not proceed with the screening process.
Cheers,
Felix

Good for you and I hope others learn from your experience. If this was a decent company, they would have told you everything up-front and not let you down at the 11th hour.
I think that the caveat, buyer beware, applies in airline interviews/hiring as in any other walk of life.
If an airline, indeed, any company is either unable or unwilling to discuss basic issues about proposed training, pay, bonding or any other relevant issues in this field, then IMHO, that company has something to hide and not worth my time nor money.
I personally have been in that situation a couple of times (when I was younger, enthusiastic and naieve) and I simply moved on and concentrated on those companies that are up-front and willing to disseminate info freely, no hidden agendas, no surprises. It's that simple.
If it looks too good to be true, it probably is, is another good adage to remember!

[AAIGUY]

Count D,
You might want to ask early on in the process as to the training bond issue. I didn't find out about the required $ deposit until two weeks before my scheduled interview.
I did not proceed with the screening process.
Cheers,
Felix


I couldn't get the COS either till very late in the process. I think they feel they can pressure you if you are that invested. I told them to piss off.

[mellofello]

Concealing the "Terms and Conditions" is one of many issues with this company and it's competitor. This is definately not the place to go if you are going to go as an FO.

[alexb757]

Concealing the "Terms and Conditions" is one of many issues with this company and it's competitor. This is definately not the place to go if you are going to go as an FO.

Strange they are prepared to do something so counter-productive. Most airline apps have warnings about applicants' integrity in supplying truthful and accurate information on the forms. That's what you sign for.

So they expect you to be above board and all that, but they can play games. Must be the "cultural" thing. No thanks. I'm into genuineselection procedures, not " I want to work for you, no matter what"!

[Airforce1]

How much $ and for how is the bond they offer? :confused:

[felixf16]

Two weeks prior to the scheduled interview, CAL told me I would need to deposit $13,000 US in an account under CAL's name. The account would pay no interest and the money would not be returned to me until full completion of the contract - nor would it be prorated if one were to leave the contract early.
I am previously typed and experienced in heavy transport aircraft with a major US carrier and thus refused to make any such deposit, so withdrew from the process.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Felix

[sky330]

An old instructor tells me a long, long time ago:
A bond is to protect the company if you want to leave before the end of your contract, right??
So basically, the management of that airline is telling you that if you have that rating you can find a better deal elsewhere…..or why would you leave??
Interesting to note that it is the guy making the offer, which believes its offer sucks….
So, what’s should be YOUR opinion????
Why a lot of major airline doesn’t need a bond? You can leave these companies just at the end of your training and….nobody leaves AF,LH or AA as soon as they have their rating….
You may not have any choice due to your personal situation, but think really twice before accepting an offer from an airline that de facto tells you, my offer sucks and we’ll rather have unhappy crewmembers that losing a bit of money on the training.
Again, YMMV, but think about it beforehand not after!

[Deske1]

.....pay 13-16.000 USD deposit to babysit our heroes for a low to middle level salary...:yuk: why not????....there is a huge market for the sado-mazo sex as well....:}

[Start4&3]

I am previously typed and experienced in heavy transport aircraft with a major US carrier and thus refused to make any such deposit, so withdrew from the process.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Felix

You're not required to make a $13,000(bond) deposit if you're typed in one of their aircrafts.

S43

[alexb757]

You're not required to make a $13,000(bond) deposit if you're typed in one of their aircrafts.

S43

Maybe not......but it's still very telling about the company. It's all about "protecting" the company, what about the individual pilot? No protection there and you get treated as an evil necessity. Great, just the sort of cockpit CRM you need to engender the "us" versus "them" mentality.

Interesting, you put that money into an account that does not earn interest. What, CAL also dictates how you should bank? After all, if you fufill your contractual obligations, you get the money back, right? So, why shouldn't you get a return on YOUR risk? I don't get it!
Felix: you did the right thing. I would have walked as well. It's like they have something to hide, conveniently leaving it until 2 weeks before you interview. Big Q: why can't they be up-front right at the beginning of he application process? Then lots of people would not have to waste their time and energies.
S43: Didn't felix say hewas typed and experienced in heavies (maybe not one of CAL's)?
Either way, a shady business and one you should think about VERY carefully before signing on the dotted line.
Someone above mentioned about an old instructor giving advice. Well, without going into too much detail, I was once told that the thing holding me back from getting an interview was my lack of a type rating in that company's aircraft (but I did have it on a foreign license with time as well). I was told that unless it enhanced my overall experience level, to spend the money doing something else. I believed at the time, it did not. Years latter, I had the opportunity to get that rating FREE. I then applied to all those companies that were hiring and operated that type. Guess what? Even when it was not on my dime, it made NO DIFFERENCE to the big picture.
Although this is not directly related to the bonding isue, it is food for thought when you have to make a financial decision without any risk protection on YOUR side of the equation.
I also realise that not everyone is in the same boat and circumstances may change. I only hope that some of my previous experience may help others decide which path they want to walk down.

[felixf16]

Felix: you did the right thing. I would have walked as well. It's like they have something to hide, conveniently leaving it until 2 weeks before you interview. Big Q: why can't they be up-front right at the beginning of he application process? Then lots of people would not have to waste their time and energies.

S43: Didn't felix say hewas typed and experienced in heavies (maybe not one of CAL's)?

Right thing or not, this little detail made the decision to leave the flying racket and proceed with law school in the fall an easy one.

Best to all

Felix

[alexb757]

Felix: you did the right thing. I would have walked as well. It's like they have something to hide, conveniently leaving it until 2 weeks before you interview. Big Q: why can't they be up-front right at the beginning of he application process? Then lots of people would not have to waste their time and energies.
S43: Didn't felix say hewas typed and experienced in heavies (maybe not one of CAL's)?
Right thing or not, this little detail made the decision to leave the flying racket and proceed with law school in the fall an easy one.
Best to all
Felix

A lot of people are doing exactly that, my friend, getting out all together. I've thought about it many times and am thinking again after yet another furlough (I've lost count). There's got to be a better way of making a living especially with regards to job and financial security.
Besides, the $13,000 you were considering "investing" in CAL will come in handy for law school.
Also, have you ever heard of a lawyer that's been laid off or furloughed or poor? Me neither!
Racket is an understatement in this business for sure.......