DEFO europe

[saviboy]

Hello

I apologize in advance but I did use the search function and didn t find anything fresh.

I have about 3000 TT and going, 2000 turb, 1000 turb PIC and about 3-400 jet on airbus 320

I hold dual citizenship. so i could work in europe.

I am interested in DEFO in europe possibly Paris and was wondering about
the usual :
1)Quality of life( schedule, amount of days off),
2)equipment (only 747 in europe?)
3) competitive times to be hired(in "success" thread, I read about a guy with less 5000 for a defo position)
4) pay ( iknow the pay is slghtly higher in europe but after tax and cost of life is it really a lot more advantegeous?)
5)do people like working there?
6) do they still only hire DEFO in the freighter?
7)if yes, is it possible for one to do his/her whole career in cx in freighter without having to go back in HK for upgrade.
8) probablity ot get the base I want (paris)

thanks

[flyboy007]

I have had the nod for DEFO with 2800TT, 2500 Widebody Jet, 800 Widebody Jet command. 27yrs old if that helps ease your mind re requirements

[Night Watch]

saviboy

Your experience is good for a DESO position at the moment, however if you want to wait for a DEFO job you will need over 1000 jet.

[saviboy]

thank you

what are the chances to get Paris for DEFO position once over 1000 jet
thanks again

[JSB]

Out of interest, are you in the recruiting office NW, or have a pretty good idea of what's happening in there?
There is no minimum jet requirement for DEFO that I'm aware of... unless things have changed with our new COS08 DEFOs flying the pax aeroplanes.

[Night Watch]

JSB

Unless you have 1000 Command Turbo-prop time over 20,000kg.... ie a Herc etc, you need the 1000 jet.
This it the minimum requirements which you can fine straight of the CX web site... CX Careers web site (http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/careers/flying/fo_requirements). To answer you question.... no I don't work in recruitment, but do work CX and have never seen anyone hired as a DEFO with less then the minimum requirments.

saviboy

If you get the job... a Paris base would put you on the Freighter.

[JSB]

My mistake...

I thought you said "you will need over 1000 jet"

when in fact you meant "you will need over 1000 jet.... unless you have 1000 Command Turbo-prop time over 20,000kg.... "
;)

[F.QII]

Hi guys,can you tell me if the sim ride for DE FO on the freighter is still done on the 747-200 or is it now on the -400.
Have there been any changes to the interveiw format over the last couple of years? How important is the maths test? Thanks for any help?

[Kane Toed]

Answers to your questions:
Sim still done on the Classic.
Feedback suggests no real change to the interview format.
Maths test doesn't seem to be that important.
It's a pleasure.

[F.O. 737-800]

From the CX website I gather that you require 1000 hours jet time as a minimum requirment to apply for a DEFO position.

I am considering applying as I have the minimum jet time but only 1300 hours total. Reading others posts on this subject I see that alot of the guys applying for DEFO position have many more hours than myself. So my question is, with the minimum requirments is there a chance of getting a look in?

Thanks in advance

[JSB]

FO 737-800
I suspect that your hours requirement is too low at the moment, but it's not going to hurt to get your resume on file - they can only say "come back later when you have more hours".

[F.O. 737-800]

Thanks for the quick reply. I though that might be the case, but as you say it wouldn’t hurt to apply I suppose.

Cheers

[ShotOver]

So......can someone answer the qol questions?

1. Starting DEFO pay in the EU.
2. Would one be on the cargo fleet, pax fleet, or did I hear that they're all one big happy family now?
3. Vacation?
4. Schedule
5. Is it correct....no housing?
6. Can someone post the pay scale for the EU hires?

Cheers

[Jenson Button]

Hi folks and merry christmas

I've 1900 tt with 1000 jet (20 tonnes), 600 turboprop time but none of it command time. Going for SO but i've a feeling my chances of being offered JFO are slim to remote. Is it possible to be hired JFO with this experience ?

Jenson

[dustyprops]

Jenson,

Cx don't hire direct entry JFO's. Either DEFO on the freighter, or DESO on the pax out of Hong Kong. Occasional DEFO on the pax under certain circumstances, however not exactly popular with some of the existing freighter F/O's!!

Don't take the decision lightly if you are thinking about. This isn't what you imagine at all. Cathay is a name that is well known, but what you find inside is complete B@ll*cks. Horrible place mate.

[Pimp My Ride]

Hi Guys, Happy New Year to you all!

I have been reading these threads confused for what seems like an age now, :ooh: as God knows I'm not the brightest.:confused::8

I cannot seem to find the information that I am seeking. I would like to know what DEFO positions are CX hiring for now. Is it pax or cargo.I admit I have a self intrest as I am due to be interviewed very shortly. My experience is roughly 8000TT, 5000 cmd med jet,

I have read all the concerns here and know a few people in HK with CX. I also know a few who have left. I personally would like a career change of direction and CX has been kind enough to invite me for interview.

Hope this posting does not offend anyone, best wishes and safe flying from short haul commuter land.

[sisyphos]

PMR: starting 2008 there is only a single payscale for anybody joining on a base, no matter if it is going to be FO pax or freight ( there are no based SFO's), so from the money perspective it doesn't matter anymore. ( it is now poor for everyone:mad:)
Now, in the past people with experience ( like you) would have been asked to join the freighter fleet, but at CX there are no fixed rules, it is really up to them and their requirements where you are going to end up. You probably will get the latest on that at the interview, but there have been cases of guys attending a pax interview and then recieving a freighter offer and vice versa. My guess would be 400F in your case considering your experience and high order numbers for that a/c.
If you are by any chance interested in my general opinion about this company read CX, the truth( and many other threads) in this forum.
Best Rgds

[JSB]

Pimp: You'll join as a DEFO, not pax, not freighter - you can be asked to operate either type. You'll get paid as sisyphos mentions, the new payscale (let's call it, say... C scale - effectively a freighter payscale for passenger FOs.
At a time when "market forces" should be making our lives better it seems CX is willing to go against the flow. Join this mob with extreme care and diligence. If you plan on getting a passenger command outside of Hong Kong then I would advise you to look elsewhere.

[Craggenmore]

Dusty Props, you say...

Don't take the decision lightly if you are thinking about. This isn't what you imagine at all. Cathay is a name that is well known, but what you find inside is complete B@ll*cks. Horrible place mate.

Would you mind if I asked for your past aviation experience and personal position. I ask because I'm considering the DEFO freighter position and I find your regular anti-CX posts off putting. If I knew your backgrounds I could put you and your displeasure into better context.

For example I'm a UK FO with a Low cost. From the payscales posted, I am now earning the same as a DEFO freighter would earn. Years on however the CX payscales are significantly more. Im not married, have no kids, no mortgage and live a few miles from LHR. I currently commute 80 miles a day after flying 4 sectors a day in European airspace. I get up at 4am 5 days in a row when on earlies and get home at midnight 5 days in a row when on lates. I get 4 days off after a working block of 5, knackered.

Do you know if there are LHR positions available for a DEFO.

Do you nightstop in the same hotels as the Pax crew. I would not want to be away for 10-12 days (as someone posted) with only a captain for company!

How much flying do you in the 10-12 days. Half of that must be hotel rest?

What is a typical 10-12 day freighter tour?

With regards. Craggs

[Pimp My Ride]

Thanks a lot guys, I am now a little clearer on the situation. I don't have any command aspirations (none in the near future anyway). I am kinda looking foward to looking right and seeing someone with lots of experience not just my own sorry reflection staring gormlessly :sad: back at me. I still have lots and lots to learn and I hope that there are some good kind hearted teachers out there. (Be they Capts or fellow F/O's).

May I ask what the general roster out of a base like London is, is it really 10 days on and what feel like 10 mins off? I'm a bit hesitant to ask what I might be earning , well more importantly taking home each month, but I kinda need this information too. If anyone knows roughly what the newbie pay scale is and is willing to let me know I'd be grateful.

Finally I realise that DEFO is a bit of a sore topic, especially when you've got so many good quality SFO's (I know one in HK), and I am very heartened by the kind responce that I have been greeted with here.:} It really is in the spirit of PPRUNE, If I meet a few more like you guys in CX it can't be too bad at all. :ok:

Edit
Just had a read of your "CX the truth" thread so scrub some of the q's above sorry. Told ye I am not very bright. But hey thanks for all the info anyway. Best Regards PMR.

[F.QII]

Hi guys,doesanybody know if there is a classic sim to get some practice on as i've been flying glass for way to long.
Idealy in Australia or Europe somewhere.