Present DEFO competitive experience

[757manipulator]

Just a quick one.......

Any ideas of what is competitive experience for Cathay F/O positions in OZ..before anyone asks, Im a Kiwi on the 757/767 in the UK at the moment:ok:

[kmagyoyo]

Check your PM's.

[757manipulator]

Cheers got it.....one back to you:ok:

[bigbeerbelly]

Now that didn't help anyone else :bored:

[Rainbird]

Would someone be so kind as to post competetive mins for DEFO slots in North America? Would 4500tt, 500 CRJ PIC, 1500 SIC be in the ballpark? Not possible without time in a bigger aircraft?
Also.. do you bid for schedules based on seniority, get assigned them by the company? etc.
Appreciate the feedback, thanks, Rainbird

[kmagyoyo]

I'm shooting for DEFO in Aussie, 2nd interview in August.

TT 3100
Military Fast Jet 2050
Heavy Turbo-prop 700
PIC 1900

ATPL, MEIR etc etc etc

[757manipulator]

I wasnt gonna say anything:oh:

[bigbeerbelly]

They do like hiring military fast jet guys. I am sure you will do well at phase two.
Submitted application: February 2005
First interview NY: February 2006
Second interview HK: April 2006
Start: October 2006
DEFO JFK Base
TT 6200
PIC 4500
JET PIC 2200
TP PIC 1100
Heavy jet, international cargo
Age 31

[757manipulator]

kmagyoyo..mate

Is an A4 really a fast jet?;) just kidding:ok:

[Team America]

Do you guys know what the pay is?
$90k a year based in Sydney that aint going to go to far.
If you are offered a job I hope you you all tell them you will take the job if you are paid accordingly.
Lets not introduce another lower payscale just so management can help themselves to some more bonuses for making their wages budget.

[Sqwak7700]

Who told you they prefer "fast jet time" ? That is crock. Most of the guys I trained with and most of the other JFO are commercial background. Regional, Majors, and even GA. There was only a couple of military guys when I went through the ringer and only one had single engine jet time.

Please guys, stop asking if you are qualified with your particular experience. Just put the f-in application in and hope for the best. I'm sure you have all heard, Cathay hires a lot of guys even from GA-only backgrounds. So if you have time in RJs or anything non-GA and Part 121, I'm sure they will evaluate your app.

As far as how schedules work, you have no decision to make because they are assigned by the company. I much preffer it to bidding, but that probably is because I have so many days off that I don't really care when they fall. You also get 6 weeks vacation a year, that equates to a load of days. You do get 4 requests per year for a certain block of days off, I believe up to 5 in a row. I've used these twice and both times they were approved and I ended up with a minimum of 10 days off each time, even though I only asked for 5. Vacation is bid according to a point system. If you always bid for popular holidays like X-mass, then you use up your points and you won't get it next year. If you don't bid and let the company assign vacation, you keep points and can then bid for a popular slot and get it off. So you won't have to wait 10 years to hold a line and get decent vacation slots.

[Stereolab]

Please guys, stop asking if you are qualified with your particular experience. Just put the f-in application in and hope for the best.


That's easy for you to say....your already onboard wth Cathay. I can tell you this...I ALWAYS WANT TO KNOW CURRENT COMPETITIVE MINS!!!! Also, many of us already have apps in and are updating with various carriers. So layoff the "just put your f-in application in". This is a "wannabe" messege board with a bunch of pilots who "wannabe" at Cathay. Seem like we keep asking the same questions?????....it's because things change and we want CURRENT intel. At my current company, things change every week and I try to help out as many people as I can who are on the street....

You were a "wannabe" once too....don't forget that!!!!!

On a positive note...I want to thank all the folks already at Cathay that are helping out us poor "wannabe" blokes with current intel...it's greatly appreciated.

[CaptainGSR]

If you are offered a job I hope you you all tell them you will take the job if you are paid accordingly.

Did you tell that to management the day you got hired on the "B" scale? (or "C"?) Which one was it?

[Team America]

Capt GSR, I know what you are saying, not the sort of thing you could say to your new employer, (and no I didn't but the B scale is not to bad when you are unemployed, in fact it is quite good even if you are employed) but in order to be offered a job as a DEFO you have to have a bit of jet time and most of the guys in OZ who have applied are currently employed and flying jets.
Would be good to send a message to CX management that guys are willing to wait till they are paid as they should be. (So maybe don't apply) With CX's plan for based guys they will be living in the Hedland hotel and flying around the network for 10 days and earning 1/2 then money they should be getting, then fly back to Oz for 3 days off to come back up to HKG. Not really fair, I hope the guys offered the job do some research before thowing in a Jet job in OZ.

[CaptainGSR]

I understand your frustration! One would hope that most pilots would get wiser with age and experience!
Hopefully we can learn from the mistakes made by our senior peers, and break that passive and sellfish 'ALPA attitude' that got pilots so divided in the first place.

[kmagyoyo]

I hope the guys offered the job do some research before thowing in a Jet job in OZ.

The problem is Team America its hard to do research on a position that hasn't been formalized yet! In my first interview they basically told me; DEFO pax was a possibility, the Company and Association are still in negotiations, you now know as much as we do. The lower pay scale to 'even things up' (my ' 's) with the Freighter guys and DESO's for the 1st four years was alluded to. They said I will be told more at the 2nd Interview as things would have been sorted by then.

So, it seems like us wannabes are between a rock and a hard place in many respects. Are we likely to be told one thing but the reality turns out to be totally different??? Any facts appreciated!

Cheers

[Team America]

kmagyoyo,
Just see if they can give you any idea about the flying and rosters you can expect. Days off in Oz and time spent in HK would be nice to have an idea of before you sign your life over to them.
At least when you join as an S/O at the moment you have an idea of your lifestyle for the next few years.
Are we likely to be told one thing but the reality turns out to be totally different???
Answer : Probably

[Kane Toed]

Cap’n GSR, don’t forget that one of the attractions of the CX package is the ‘extras’. For example, if you elect to move to HK later it might be worth knowing if you are going to be entitled to the accommodation and education allowances that are currently paid. At today’s exchange rate a 3rd year SO is on a basic salary of AU$7,000 per month (gross). You must then remember that the accommodation allowance can add an extra AU$8,500 per month. That’s a lot to knowingly turn down…

Don’t forget too that like the current freighter DEFOs, you’ll still be in the single seniority list – ie junior to all the SOs that have joined before you. Upgrades might well take a while.

I’m not dismissing the DEFO option at all. I’m sure that it’ll suit some people; especially those who want to join an Asian airline but don’t actually want to ever live in Hong Kong. Naturally it will benefit the company too as they will be able to get the same job done for less money (Business 101). It’s just worth knowing that, as Team America has said, there might be more to it than meets the eye. Those of us ‘inside’ do understand that it can appear a small sacrifice to accept slightly lower terms and conditions in order to get in. In this case however you do have the choice – HK based DESOs are still offered the full package, albeit it on the understanding that you’ll have to live in the Fragrant Harbour for a while!

The other thing to remember is that whichever route you select, you’ll still be with CX, and that’s a result in itself. Good luck with your choice, just try to avoid future angst!

[Hugh Gorgen]

Guys,

Second interview for DEFO also in August.
Total 5100 military
PIC 2100
Turbo Prop 3700
Jet 0

I know pilots who have more experience than I, who weren't offered an interview and guys with less experience who were. :confused:

[Team America]

Is the turbo Prop time on a P-3 or similar?
Maybe they are not getting many applicants? :D
Hope that is the case with only a few applicants, might be able to get some more $$$$ for you guys if you hold out.
Massive expansion here and they need the drivers or they will be parking aircraft.

[Mink]

Was offered a DEFO 1st round interview on 10 August in SFO, had to turn it down due to military duties.:{ Hope they call me back once the USN is done with me.:rolleyes:

My stats:

About 3300 total, 100 or so in civ SE, all the rest in military jets (mostly ME). About 2900 PIC.

Hope somebody else gets the call to use my SFO interview slot...