Cathay Interview... Say what???

[your_dreamguy]

Hello,
I am currently on vacation and was checking my email in an internet cafe...and surprise! I've got an invitation for an initial S/O interview with Cathay. :eek: This completely caught me off guard as I thought I was about a year away from being considered by Cathay.
I know there is a lot of information on this website about Cathay but I've got limited time since I am on vacation.
First, do you recommend going to this interview or politely asking for an F/O interview spot if it comes up?
Second, what links are there and where is the Cathay interview guide on this site. Sorry guys, it's been forever since I've been on this site?
Look forward to any help you can give.
Hope to see you in the interview. :ok:

[Challenger-Deep]

Check out the fragrant harbour wannabe's forum and use the search function for any questions...

[JSB]

Dream guy,
Regarding the SO/FO issue, I'd grab the interview opportunity with both hands first. At the conclusion of the questions you will have the chance to ask any questions... if you have made a good impression and your experience levels (and rights to live/work abroad are in place) then they should be able to put the steps in place to ensure your second interview is for an FO slot. Bear in mind that the guys doing the interviews are generally often senior Training Manager types etc. It seems to be a slightly more difficult subject to broach with the (very nice) ladies in recruiting. Be very careful how you go about it; NEVER give the impression that you don't want to live/work in HKG!
That's how it happened with me anyway... perhaps I was lucky but now am sitting in the right hand seat of the classic (some would say that was a contradiction of terms :} )
Good luck, a little digging will reveal plenty of threads; Flyingkiwi put out an excellent bunch of information especially regarding SOs/lifestyle in HKG as I recall. Usual stuff: know HTBJs inside out, lots of numbers on the company, where it flies, when it started, fleet/aircraft numbers and don't underestimate the "HR"/personal questions; they want to know why you want to join the airline and have given it a lot of thought... remember the technical side is only half of it.
And finally, if you make it through to the second interview (irrespective of whether its for an SO or FO slot) it's not too late to be considered for a FO job... that has happened to a friend of mine. AND RENT SOME SIM TIME!
Good luck!:ok:

[DownIn3Green]

Don't know if this applies or not, but I ran into a KAL Capt whom I knew in IST, and he said they're hiring directly into the left seat of the 777, and they only hire ex-pats...they do test the body fat/mass or whatever just like JAL...so that let's me out...

[petitfromage]

You Dream: Take the interview and politely state that you'd like to be considered for DEFO as well.
Most people do! Carol/Kelly will give you an honest idea of if you are suitable in terms of hours etc.

There are plenty of people here who interviewed for SO, even did the SO sim-ride, but got offered DEFO slots.
Once you're on the inside, even as a brand new SO, you can apply for a US based Freighter FO slot.

The priority is to get a foot in the door and a seniority number; so take whatever you get offered.

Down-Green: Complete tosh, Im afraid to say. There is no substance in the rumour youve heard.
a. We are not recruiting direct to the LHS. We are recruiting to the RHS of the pax fleet (Australia based FO only)
b. BMI: Yes we use it. Its not limiting - and hardly relevant in the 21st century. I think 90% would 'fail' if BMI was a limiting factor.
c. Our pilots come from overv 30 nationalities including Asians (Indonesia, Malay, Singapore, Iran, India etc). 10% of our pilots are HK Chinese.
**In short, your source is wildly incorrect.**