Tech Quiz Again!

[iflyplanes]

Are we actually getting any money for doing this or is it just duty hours?

Has anyone managed to get an invite code to TechQuiz | All your Tech Quizzes belong to us (http://techquizvol8.com) it might save me the hassle!

[AD POSSE AD ESSE]

Another FREEBIE - all in "good faith" mate :)

"STRICTLY MEMBERS ONLY" - the way it should be.

[moosp]

Brilliant concept, these guys have the Silicon Valley gene to see an opportunity and use tech to provide the solution.

I can only think of one 3rd floor guy who has the intellect to write the code for a counter to it.

[iflyplanes]

Dam it missed out, looks invite code has been enforced now. I have emailed them for one...anyone else been successful?

[iceman50]

iflyplanes

Are we actually getting any money for doing this or is it just duty hours?

It is actually part of being a professional pilot and required by the regulator. FFS grow up.

[DropKnee]

Right on brother. People like Iceboy make me sick.

[cxorcist]

Unfortunately, Iceman is probably giving you your next line check.

[Flying Clog]

This is precisely why I print off the tech quiz and do it in the cruise, at work. No pigging way am I doing it in my own time or at even worse on my days off. :ugh:

Regarding the 'techquizVol8s' website. Emailed them and got the password. Works a treat :ok:

[XFR8]

If you lot can't complete a Tech Quiz without a Vol 8, you are truly retarded.:ugh:

[iflylow]

I could see how the tech quiz COULD be useful if it actually highlighted useful, practical information. Instead, most of the questions are about the arcane, or are retarded, "how-well-can-you-read" type questions like:

Stabilized Approach is defined as:

A) Stabilized on Final Approach Path and Landing Configuration achieved before 1500ft AAL

B) Stabilized on Final Approach Path and Landing Configuration achieved at not lower than 1500ft AAL or below

C) The inverse of answer B with regard to the converse of answer A

Or some dumb sh*t like that

[HotDog]

I think everybody should take the Tech Quiz seriously since the demise of Flight Engineers. Could have saved the Polish 767 having to make a belly landing for the lack of knowledge that the reset of an open circuit breaker on the panel behind the F/O's bulkhead, would have enabled the alternate gear extension.

[Near Miss]

The aircraft has circuit breakers? :}

[Flying Clog]

Hang about, I thought that 'under no circumstances' were we to EVER touch a circuit breaker. I was under the impression that only a ground engineer was allowed to reset a circuit breaker, and only on the ground. :=

[SloppyJoe]

Hang about, I thought that 'under no circumstances' were we to EVER touch a circuit breaker. I was under the impression that only a ground engineer was allowed to reset a circuit breaker, and only on the ground.

Maybe I am not seeing the sarcasm, you are joking, aren't you? I knew a guy who once left the controls, without an autopilot, whilst single pilot, for 20 second stints until he had managed to remove a floor panel with a leatherman, locate a hydraulic line and then cut through it resulting in a huge mess, at least the gear came down though. I never did ask how he knew to do that, I can only assume he vigilantly completed tech quizzes so as well as knowing the colour of light a pushbutton will illuminate, he also knew which hydraulic line to cut in the event the gear was hydraulically locked up and unable to freefall.

[LongTimeInCX]

What has happened to this profession?

Simple: Pay peanuts, get monkeys. But these current new hires come with earrings, hair-gel, a wonderful "I want it now" attitude, but sadly no Leatherman, limited technical knowledge, ability to do tech quiz's without help and bugger all hours or relevant flying experience.

One option: Bring back DEFO hiring of pilots that can fly, or CX will likely end up as JAFAA leaving smoking holes around the region.

By the time our newer hires worm their way into the Left Seat, they will still sadly have acquired little real experience, such that when faced with an out of the box problem, they have no experience to fall back on. Currently, some of the cadets benefit from being paired with experienced/direct entry FO's, but this safety net won't last long at the current rate of hiring people with little to zero experience.

So what do you get then, two ex cadets, a big bang, a random problem, two blank looks and a mutual "WTF do we do now?" when the problem doesn't have an EICAS/ECAM or paper solution.
Years of making bunks, eating sandwiches and falling asleep on the Jump seat taxi-ing out for take-off aren't much help at that stage.

Cranky old guy rant over.

[Flying Clog]

Spot on LTiCX.

[betpump5]

LTiCX - still haven't worked out how to change the record have ya? Yes we agree with you, get over it. Hate to see you keel over when we go the MPL way - a course that actually doesn't require you to go solo at any point!

Apparently a manager was heard saying that they would love a bit of DEFO recruitment. Purely to see almost half the AOA (Mainly LEPs SOs/JFOs/FOs) leave the AOA in disgust. Thus weakening an already toothless union.

[Booger]

Not to mention that ironically, LTiCX makes the same mistake that many ill-informed DEFOs made about myself and many of my peers who joined on the DESO scheme. The only avenue of entry for the PAX fleet at that time and indeed for many years prior.

I remember one such conversation on the Flt deck when I was an SO with a newly minted DEFO.

DEFO: " You're a bit old to be an SO, did you change careers or something?"
Me : 'No, I've been flying for over 12 years before I joined CX'
DEFO: "Really?! oh, did you fail an upgrade or something?"
Me : <sigh> 'No'
DEFO: "Ooh, so you just flew lighties then, couldn't get FO like me with my B1900 time!"
Me : 'Err, no. My last 7 years was as TCN on a 50 ton jet'
DEFO: "Whaaaa??? Why are you a cadet then??"
Me : (swears under breath) 'I'm not.'
DEFO: "Huh!? But you're an SO..."

At which point the CN saves me from pulling my own head off in frustration by turning to him and (only half jokingly) saying 'geez you're stupid', before explaining the concept of DESOs and how he is several hundred numbers behind said DESOs on the seniority list. A fact which confused him even more! :cool:

[Liam Gallagher]

".....pulling my own head off in frustration..."

That's why the bunk has a curtain. :8

[Will IB Fayed]

I remember one such conversation on the Flt deck
Jeez, those dumbass DEFO's.

Only 7 years on a 50ton jet? SO material.

[LongTimeInCX]

still haven't worked out how to change the record have ya?
Guilty as charged!

As for Boogers point, extremely valid and I wish more of our current SO recruits had such similar experience. In the not too distant past, I have flown with many SO's well into their 30's with a lot of hours and good, relevant, practical experience. Generally great to fly with, interesting to chat with, and useful in the seat Sadly, hires of that experience are in general no longer being netted.

My red wine fueled rant, was directed at the current hiring policy, whereby we are currently hiring from the bottom of the experience pool, by virtue of the Company acquiescing to a policy (put in place by the Government, which can be worked around when a need to hire expats is demonstrated) of what appears to be only hiring HK ID card holders, who for the most part have bugger all useful experience.

Clearly following 'Govt policy' suits the Company as new hires with experience you can count on one hand, don't have much weight to push their salary scales to where they should be. Whereas experienced DEFO's would be inclined to demand market rates for their experience. Additionally, being generally older and often encumbered with a cook and ankle-biters, they are more likely to need larger housing which the Company will not want to pay for, as that aspect doesn't fit the Company's evolving and gradual plan to eradicate housing allowance.

Here's hoping the gamble pays off and we avoid the smoking hole in the ground.

Just sayin'.

[Old Fella]

I thought CX paid a monthly salary. They own your souls chaps 24/7. BTW Hot Dog, most of those posting on this forum would not know what a F/E was. We played a role in aircraft which required our presence, and knowledge. Those with whom we flew, almost all, appreciated our contribution. As always, the bean counters won the day and now we have aircraft flying around with people such as many on here who do nothing but bleat about their employer and probably don't know their ass from their elbow when it comes to their knowledge of the aircraft they are flying. The one's who do know their stuff would likely not take time to post.

[Just Do It]

Old Fella - Thanks for taking the time to post!

[betpump5]

I may be wrong but haven't most airline bean counters bought modern aircraft that have no need for a Navigator (due to GPSIRS MIX) or F/E ( due to FADEC).

WTF is the point of your post Old timer?

[Arfur Dent]

"They own your souls 24/7"!!!!!
No they certainly don't. They are my employers when I am at work or contactable. Rest of the time they don't own me at all unless I decide to hit the 'books' for few hours or brush up on something to do with flying their jets.
Otherwise, good luck even trying to locate me, let alone own me!:cool:

[OK4Wire]

Spot on, Arfur!

Even my young son got paid for 6 hours by McDonalds recently when they asked him to complete a 3 hour Elfen Safety course in his own time at home.

Certainly teachers in my country get paid for doing Personal Development, and get time "off the roster" for it.

No, CX is definitely an outlier on this.

[poydras]

Did mine while enroute to CDG!

[mngmt mole]

Poydras. So, what you mean is that you are happy to let yourself be distracted from flying the a/c, and also imply that CX doesn't need to roster you proper time on the roster to complete a work obligation. Idiot

[OK4Wire]

you are happy to let yourself be distracted from flying the a/c

What?!?

It's now distracting to study the aircraft manuals in the cruise? Are you joking? Can't read the news, can't read the manuals?? I hope you don't have a meal...

And, by the way, that's the only place that they are available to us.

[mngmt mole]

I think you missed the point I was trying to make, regarding the bigger picture. Never mind. :ugh:

[White None]

Perhaps by ending with "Idiot" for no apparent reason you lost the readership's will to delve for your inciteful wisdom. Have you said that to anyone in person recently?

[Arfur Dent]

Fact is Moley that the ONLY reading material allowed on the flight deck are Company publications so who are you calling an idiot?? Quiet periods with the other pilot minding the shop seems like the perfect time for some study. Why, anonymously, do you find it necessary to be so scathingly rude??:confused:

[ACMS]

It would be the perfect time to do the quiz for many reasons......

If only I could just get motivated........

[monster330]

Haven't done it 2 years running.

Won't this year either.

Did a "Leary"

Turned it on, tuned in, dropped out.

[Baywatcher]

Come on chaps. The only time to do it is in the cruise which passes the time away!

[ACMS]

Nope, still not motivated. Maybe next month I'll do it at the last minute.
See how it goes...

[poydras]

Hi mngtmole
few years back you could have provoked me for such words.
Now I just forgive you.
Life is too short.....

[mngmt mole]

The word 'idiot' was unnecessary I confess. The point I was trying to make is that we should receive credit for any and all work related tasks. Apologies for my comment. Cheers.

[poydras]

Mngtmole
Agree with you 100% on that.
Apologies received.No worries.

[Old Fella]

betpump5. You are absolutely correct. Modern aircraft do not have need of a Flight Engineer. That I concede, just as I concede that no F/E who is honest could claim that a computer is not able to better monitor all systems. That said however, I would suggest that in those aircraft in which the minimum crew was two pilots and one flight engineer, the f/e was an integral and appreciated member of the crew. You ask what the purpose of my post was. Well, I guess I am of the "old school" who believed that the company paid me a good salary, same as the F/O, because they thought we warranted it and most, if not all, F/E's and other cockpit crew were pretty satisfied with our lot. We also possessed a sense of loyalty to our employer. It seems to me that many of those who post on this forum are not really satisfied or happy with CX as an employer. I also suggest that most of those belly-aching would do so no matter for whom they worked. If the cap fits, wear it. What you may think of me is of no consequence, just as I guess my thoughts of you are of no concern to you. I know I worked for a great outfit when employed by CX and I have nothing but fond memories of HK & CX. I hope you leave with the same opinions when your time to quit comes.

[BusyB]

Old Fella,

I always enjoyed flying with F/E's and 2 pilot long haul is the poorer without them.

However, I must point out that your salary when you flew for CX was probably more, with better benefits and allowances, than the current FO's despite the huge increases in the costs of HK living.:ok:

[Just Do It]

Old Fella, you are so out of touch with the situation up here! Your generation licked the CX plate clean and you have the nerve to criticize us. I too started my career with a spanner in my hand and worked through all the seats, so I can tell you your statements have no merit!

[Old Fella]

BusyB. Thank you for your comment. Yes, I did enjoy very good conditions of service when with CX and I am aware that I was in an era where I was paid a salary much above anything available in Australia at the time. I have no doubt that things have changed, however I would be surprised if the salary of a F/O employed today would be less than my final salary. I resigned from CX 23 years back, not because of any dissatisfaction with CX but rather because I wanted to return to Australia. If conditions are as bad as some indicate I am very sorry that the COS have degraded to such a point where most whom post on this forum seem to be so disenchanted. If your COS have degraded during the period of your employment then surely your AOA is not doing what it was formed to do.

Just do it. Not sure which of my comments have no merit. Your opinion regarding my generation "licking the CX plate clean" is utter crap. If CX are not still looking after their employee's as well as they once used to that is hardly the fault of those of my generation. It just may be that those of my generation were prepared to put the interests of our employer before those of ourselves from time to time. As for your beginning with a spanner in your hand and working through all the seats, I congratulate you. It is just a pity that you seem not to be enjoying that achievement.

[Arfur Dent]

Old Fella!
So you left in 1991, right. ( My Maths is still amazing). Unless you have been in some kind of bubble where you don't keep up with any aircrew working at CX and only notice the 'moaners and whingers' who frequent Pprune, you simply MUST know that the rot (aka bean counters) set in at almost exactly that time as accountants started to slash aircrew COS - a process that continues today - wait for it - 23 years later! So CX aircrew have had a continuous period of nearly two and a half DECADES under the cosh. We now have young SO's joining on 10000$HK a month housing for example - think what you got 23 years ago just before you left, factor in rampant inflation and then imagine where most of these kids are living ( if it's not with Ma and Pa)!
Most pilots are already doing a private version of CC because they feel so undervalued and unappreciated that it's the only action they can take without leaving. Why don't they leave? Generally, because they have families who are 'in the system' and the risk/ disruption is just too much. The people I think will start the exodus are the youngsters joining lately on truly average packages who will find, as they grow older, that they can simply not afford to bring up a wife and family in Hong Kong with any sort of style.
So, eventually, the accountants will win. They will have no pilots to pay so the airline will run super smoothly and there will be no need for an AOA or a GMA. The DFO will be running CX from a dark room with ex military folk qualified as drone pilots controlling the aircraft from some cheap dive in China. Same team- same dream.
No you didn't lick the plate clean but consider yourself lucky that you had a proper plate. Some other 'Old Fellas' still do and live the good life but, as the years go by, they will get fewer and fewer and the boys and girls leaving CX in 2037 (still stunning maths) may not look back on their employers quite as kindly as you do.
Nothing wrong with that as long as you appreciate that you saw the best of Cathay Pacific - big time, Sir.:ok:

[Old Fella]

Arfur, I know that I certainly was in CX at the best of it and I appreciate that fact. It is just disappointing to read of so much disenchantment and I am very sorry that things have been degraded to the extent it seems. I appologise for being critical of those who feel badly treated.

Thank you for your measured response and I will refrain from making further comment.

[Kitsune]

You seem to forget that the major uplift in pay and conditions happened when we all met in the Mariner's Club and voted to go on strike... until Mike Hardy (the current DFO) walked in and basically told us the company would accept all our demands to avert the action. I know, I was there. Most guys on this forum whinging and whining are sublimating the desire to carry out any effective action to support their own positions...

[Old Fella]

Kitsune and Curtain Rod. I can do no more than offer my apologies for offering an opinion based on a flawed understanding of just what has taken place in the years since I left CX.

I have never advocated industrial action as I always believed I was fairly treated by CX and that belief is in no way altered by the apparent current situation. The list of changes listed by Curtain Rod is very insightful and gives me a clearer understanding of why there is such discontent felt by those affected.

My earlier comment regarding loyalty to my employer is/was predicated on that loyalty being returned by my employer. This was, to me, never in question. I did my job and I was well rewarded for so doing. CX had a heart then however that seems not to be the case now.

I will, as said before, refrain from any further comment on a subject with which I have not kept abreast.

[CXChildLabour]

Hey LTiCX, name me one serious incident that was caused by an ex-cadet. I could probably give you a list by your so-called "experienced" guys over the last 5 years that's long enough to choke you to death.

[Sand Man]

CXChildLabour
Tail strike, Auckland, could have ended up more serious.

I'm not taking sides but if you throw out a challenge then maybe you should be sure of your facts.

We are all human and therefore have and will always make mistakes. Experience helps but then again experience does not count for much when your eyes are hanging out of your head.

[CXChildLabour]

Granted, the individual you mentioned was one of the more senior ex cadet and when that incident happened he probably had at least double if not triple the hours of what these "experienced" DEFO has coming in, so if that's the measuring stick then I believe CX should not hire anyone with less than 10 years of jet experience.

I ain't denying the fact that new joiners through cadet entry is lacking experience and shouldn't be the only stream for new hire. What I'm sick of is old farts like LTiCX keep on dissing ex-cadets, even after they have paid their dues and have earned the respect they deserve. What the company offers in contract terms is one thing that's worth debating but trying to gain leverage by playing down his colleague's abilities is simply disgusting.

LTiCX, next time if you get checked by an ex-cadet STC, do us a favor and tell him how crap you think he is and just walk outta that room. Quite honestly if you think your colleagues are such a big risk to your life everytime you go to work, you probably should just pull the pin and get the heck outta here. Your life should worth more than that paycheck, at least I hope so.

[iflyplanes]

Here we go again!

TechQuiz | All your Tech Quizzes belong to us (http://techquizvol8.com)

[Anotherday]

Go back 7 years and one of our kind crew on maternity leave went through the tech quiz and dumped nearly half the questions as they had appalling use of English. Remarkably the company let her do this, hence we have a shorter quiz today.
Glass is half full.

[The FUB]

The Classic had an FE who over the years managed to get every question and correct answer. However, we had to be careful when company ops policy changed the answer was still to be updated.

LOL

[oriental flyer]

I'm all for tech quizzes , I do them to the best if my ability and often learn something that I didn't know before .
But seriously what does receiving Lai see have to do with tech issues .
Same goes for drugs and alcohol . We all know that we are not to be under the influence when in the cockpit so why waste a complete section of the tech quiz on these issues
And some of the phraseology of the questions leaves a lot to be desired

[Captain Dart]

The words 'lawyers' and 'ass-covering' come to mind. By putting this crap in the tech quiz, they can say that they brought these requirements to your attention.

[Hugo Peroni the IV]

so i got the 3 alcohol and drug questions wrong and still passed with 94%. what does that mean?

[Shep69]

Does anyone here know what Moon Pies are ?

I'm thinking it has something to do with WanChai but am not sure.

I really feel left out because no one has tried to buy me off with "moon pie" vouchers.

[CokeZero]

shep69

did you find the answer to those dangerous bribery items of moon cakes...

[Synchronize]

The porky pie vouchers limited to exchanging for porkie pies only are not considered as cash , unlike supermarket vouchers which are, but all considerations must be made to see if someone is trying to get one over on you by giving you a porkie pie voucher

So I guess when the bank gave me a whole bunch of welcome vouchers for opening an account I should have reported it , after all I don't know who got the advantage me for getting the coupons or the bank 'cause they got my money I am conflicted and in a quandary

[Loopdeloop]

I think Shep's right but I thought the correct response when offered a moon pie was "would you like a reach around?" A bit confusing as this wasn't one of the choices.

[raven11]

Anyone find a reference for the "approaching warm front in JFK" question....?
Is it on the audio visual? Because I can't find the answer anywhere in the route briefing.

[LongTimeInCX]

raven
I believe it is "deteriorating long term…."
see page 15/66/78 for the references.