Cathay Cadet Pilot Program

[Jar of Pickles]

Hello. Just need some opinions, hopefully from people close to this situation, in regards to Cathay's Cadet Programme.

For starters, I am a HK resident, though I do not live there currently (in Canada, having a good time). I do have minimal flying experience as of this point (I have my private license), and I'm currently 26 years old. I want to pursue a career in aviation, one way or another, and I'm in the process of trying to obtain my CPL.

Anyway, I've researched a lot on the web, in regards to the Cadet program, and Cathay in general. While the program itself sounds quite nice (free training on nice aircraft, and other assorted goodies), I've heard much negative comments in regards to Cathay themselves. In fact, even the literature provided here by pprune seems to be quite anti-CX. Not to mention the rather large obstacle of the recruitment ban, as many of you already know.

As of now, they have asked me to call them back for a return to HK for interviews. I have yet to schedule an appointment, as I am still trying to figure out whether or not I should sink my head into this.

This is the way I look at it, if I should try my luck at this:

Pros (if I'm chosen)

a) If it works out, I will be in the cockpit of a widebody much sooner than if I went my own direction. And who knows, I may never get to the airlines if I went my own way.

b) Incur less debt, due to the expenses paid training. On better aircraft than I'm used to, btw.

c) Flying for the flag carrier of my former home. Plus I am single, and have family I can stay with. So that is a bonus.

Cons

a) If I have to go for interviews, I must drop everything I'm doing here for four months. It's a big risk, if it's worth taking at all.

b) Recruitment ban. Rolling the dice, hoping that it ends before I have to make a decision about anything.

c) So far, I've only read negative reviews about flying for Cathay. They can't be that bad, can they?

That's a few of the points which I have in regards to this situation. There are more factors, but those are the major ones.

So, if anyone, especially those connected with CX right now, can give me a clearer picture, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much.

[Jar of Pickles]

Hey Pickles,

I have a little knowledge on this subject, but don't have answers to all your questions.

Both Cathay and Dragon run such schemes and both train their cadets at the same place in Adelaide.

Which ever way you go you are NOT guaranteed anything. I'm sure their staff will confirm that. There is the
usual 5 year bonding period, and if you leave you'll be expected to pay a proportion or all of the training
costs back from what I understand. Given that either scheme is open to those with HK *Permanent
Residency* don't expect to be paid ex-pat wages. If anything it is much less. Basically this cadet scheme
helps them to cut costs in the long run since they can pay *local* men and women lower salaries.

As far as Cathay goes as an airline, from reading other forums, it doesn't appear to be the same career
airline that it used to be.

All the best RT

Thanks Rich

That sounds pretty deflating, but still, is it even worth it to try? Considering my options and all.

Really, by the time I'm eligible to apply for AC (which is probably 5 to 7 years down the road), I'll probably be an F/O in CX already, if it all goes well. And considering the competition in Canada, it does not look good at all if I can even make it there.

What to do...

[Gravox]

Wh wouldn't you give it ago? Sure you have listed some cons on your post, but they are rather sad reasons.

If you don't shoot, you'll never score!

What is 4 months in the long run. Only being in GA myself I would love to be able to fly a wide body jet. But hey each to there own. Don't believe every thing you read on this BB it is only a rumours network. Besides I have been told that pilots on usually only happy when the are whinging.

[Groove-ryder]

Hi Pickles,

Just a tip. Make sure you're of Chinese ethnic origin or the likelihood is that you won't get through to the end of the selection process and you'll have wasted your time.

If you are Chinese - best of luck mate!

[ronnie123]

Does any one got a clue if CX will accept, FAA ,ATPL writtens for the SO program. Any help will be great.
I do have a right to work in HK.

[Obscurum per obscurius]

I think Pickles hasn't got a clue.

No bond involved.
Same salary but no housing allowance.

If you are worried about wasting a bit of time when the potential is that you could be in the right seat of a wide-body in 3yrs, then you shouldn't be in aviation.

Cathay is a great airline to work for.

[Jar of Pickles]

Thanks a lot, everybody. All the comments, harsh or not, have been very helpful.

I was just indecisive due to all the negative press I've been hearing for Cathay, not to mention I quite like my life here in Canada. But I suppose to go for what you want, you will have to sacrifice some security.

If anyone want to contribute more, please do.

[mrfish]

CX has been airing its dirty laundry lately BUT suffers from similar woes to anyother airline. Your decision is simple: Do it!
Despite the 'doom and gloom' cadre, CX will still make a profit this yr (and not many airlines can say that!) Albeit that the profit is significantly down since last years records.

FACT: You dont have to be of chinese ethinicity to get into the program. In Adelaide at the moment there are at least 4 europeans including a german and a smattering of other ethnic groups.
FACT: No bond
FACT: No housing allowance
FACT: You'll be in Adelaide for 14mths... and dont technically join CX until the end of that period. (Dont sweat the ban at this early stage)
FACT: 3yrs as an SO then 18hrs in the Lear45 and an JFO course. In 4.5yrs you will be a A330 or B777 JFO.

CX is still a good airline to work for. Those who are having a ball in HKG haven't enough time to visit pprune... as they're at the pub!

[Kubota]

...and the ban doesn't apply to cadets.

[Guru]

If graduate cadets are employed they have to stay with the Company for 6 six years.

[Poke Guy]

Unless you are fired for incompetency.

[Guru]

Or the Company has "lost confidence" in you.

[katana]

I'm currently at BAE Sys in Adelaide on the CX course.

The recruitment ban does NOT apply to cadets.

Chinese race is not a requirement. A permanent HK ID card is, no exceptions.

Be ready for quite a drawn out selection procedure, including two weeks flight gradining in Oz.

Any questions, mail me.

[ronnie123]

KATANA, any idea if FAA- atpl writtnes are vaild at cx for the SO program.
Thks.

[sigma]

Sean Cavannagh

[Guru]

You mean he doesn't have permanent residency?

[Lucifer]

Katana,

Perhaps you could provide an e-mail address? May make it easier to mail you!

[sigma]

Sean joined the Cadet pilot programme.
Guy's an expat so just to confirm that there ha been expats on the courses.

[Guru]

Was he the only exception to the rule?

[Guru]

<a href="http://www.adelaide.baeft.com" target="_blank">www.adelaide.baeft.com</a>

the second round consists of one group exercise and it's very important to work as a team to get the right results. a certain amount of pressure will be applied to test how you perform in such situations.

the final interview is normally around two to three weeks after graders return to HK and is a fairly short one with two senior pilots.

[Anti Skid On]

I got part way through the CX process several years ago - basically couldn't go forward because I could not get an HK passport (e.g. post the handover), so things may have changed.

For Aus you'll need a business entry permit to attend for interview or selection (free), althoug it may be cheaper to get an ETA (tourist visa £25 I think, from any decent travle agent)

To do the coure you'll need a study visa - big bucks!! They have a decent website - but beware, they are bureaucrats and getting visas takes forever!!

[katana]

OK, lets make this abundantly clear.

The CX Cadet scheme is open to Permanent Residents ONLY.

There are basically two ways to become a permanent resident:

a) Be born in Hong Kong
b) To have lived in HK continuously for seven years. This is how I became eligible.

CX cover all costs, including student visa to Oz.

There are no exceptions. CX will not look at your application until you hold that permanent ID Card.

I hope this is of help.

[katana]

Alas, CX do not allow a spouce to live with you during the course. They do provide your wife one return ticket to visit for one week.

All cadets are housed at Parafield airport on campus.

Good luck in the second round tests!

[Chunks]

What percentage of candidates make it onto the second round? And what percentage of candidates from the second round make it onto the programme?

[go with the flow]

Hi Alibi

Can't help you on the aviation front but your wife can work as a solicitor in Australia, although hours are reportedly longer in Oz (but that's Sydney, Adelaide may be lower key) and she would have to get all the paperwork done with the Board. If she's a barrister the lag in building a practice may not be worthwhile for only a year. Another option would be to skip the paper work and get a (often very lucrative) job as a high level paralegal: sometimes less responsibility can be fun if you're only in town for a year and want to have some fun.

Good luck

[Poke Guy]

How's JG doing down under?

[katana]

JG would be?

[Mr Nice guy]

The teacher who loves maths at BAE!