Upgrade times in CX
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: USA
Upgrade times in CX
Thanks for all the good info to everyone
Can anyone give me a realistic estimated upgrade time from FO to Captain at CX? I was told that it could be anywhere from 3 to 5 years in the freighter fleet, and maybe twice as much on the PAX side. Am I on track or way off?
Can anyone give me a realistic estimated upgrade time from FO to Captain at CX? I was told that it could be anywhere from 3 to 5 years in the freighter fleet, and maybe twice as much on the PAX side. Am I on track or way off?
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: USA
I was told during the second interview that the Freighter fleet command time should settle at about 4 to 5 years. I also know of a senior F/O on the Airbus that has been with CX 9 years and is still waiting for command.
Mayday
Mayday
Joined: May 2003
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From: 'round here
At the moment it is sitting inside 9 years from date of joining company to upgrade on to pax fleet. Fellows currently starting command course joined 96-97 and I would think it will drop to nearer to 8 years within the next 18 months as there was very little recruitment in '99.
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Chamonix
Concur.
Pax Fleet:
SO time has dropped (as expected) to very close to 3.3yrs.....but the training plan for the next 6-12mths means that once again the priorities lie with command upgrades.
SO to JFO time is set to push out towards 3.8-4yrs again.
Command training is quite dynamic. The current variables including command failures and Cat B'd SFOs means that time to being considered for command is around 7yrs.
If Cat A (and passing the course) time to command is set to stabilise at approx 8yrs from time of joining.
Its not Emirates (4yrs) but its less than half the time (to heavy command) as BA, QF, NZ and AF/KLM.
Pax Fleet:
SO time has dropped (as expected) to very close to 3.3yrs.....but the training plan for the next 6-12mths means that once again the priorities lie with command upgrades.
SO to JFO time is set to push out towards 3.8-4yrs again.
Command training is quite dynamic. The current variables including command failures and Cat B'd SFOs means that time to being considered for command is around 7yrs.
If Cat A (and passing the course) time to command is set to stabilise at approx 8yrs from time of joining.
Its not Emirates (4yrs) but its less than half the time (to heavy command) as BA, QF, NZ and AF/KLM.
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: .
"Fellows currently starting command course joined 96-97"
No one who joined in 1997 has started a command course (or been assessed for command) on the Pax fleet.
"The current variables including command failures and Cat B'd SFOs means that time to being considered for command is around 7yrs."
Assuming being "considered for command" means command selection panel, then the time is currently running at 9+ years. i.e. The first guys who joined in '97 are being assessed in Jan 2006 for a pax command, the course date of which is determined by numerous variables.
"If Cat A (and passing the course) time to command is set to stabilise at approx 8yrs from time of joining."
And how exactly did you work that little gem out? You haven't been listening to Don't Know Hau have you?
No one who joined in 1997 has started a command course (or been assessed for command) on the Pax fleet.
"The current variables including command failures and Cat B'd SFOs means that time to being considered for command is around 7yrs."
Assuming being "considered for command" means command selection panel, then the time is currently running at 9+ years. i.e. The first guys who joined in '97 are being assessed in Jan 2006 for a pax command, the course date of which is determined by numerous variables.
"If Cat A (and passing the course) time to command is set to stabilise at approx 8yrs from time of joining."
And how exactly did you work that little gem out? You haven't been listening to Don't Know Hau have you?
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Chamonix
Youre right JTR....and thankfully no I dont listen to DH (although in his defence he is only passing on info from above! The way he does so however gives the impression he 'knows something" or has some power....which is far from the truth; but its his little empire and he's happy)
Apologise, may post reads poorly. What I mean by 8yrs.....is "below 9yrs". It doesnt look like it'll reach 8.0yrs ever! (But maybe 8.10'ish as there was a lull in hiring in the late 90s)
All bets are off if H1N5 joins the party!
For the 'wannabes', our most junior Freighter Captain joined in Nov 2001.
Apologise, may post reads poorly. What I mean by 8yrs.....is "below 9yrs". It doesnt look like it'll reach 8.0yrs ever! (But maybe 8.10'ish as there was a lull in hiring in the late 90s)
All bets are off if H1N5 joins the party!
For the 'wannabes', our most junior Freighter Captain joined in Nov 2001.
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Nearby
For all you North American (NA) types (me included) this isn't like the US. You are continually graded from your first sim session in training through every sim and line check you will ever accomplish. Rating is 1-5. 1 you suck to 5 you are a CX dream!! Evaluations are brutally honest and aren't the "train to proficiency" you are used to in the US.
You apply for Command and are graded A-D by a Command evaluation group looking at your past training record. A your ready for Command training, B you need more work to D you'll probably never make it. Unless your A rated you don't get the opportunity for Command training/upgrade.
Quite frankly, Cathay Commanders (even the early 30's types) make your average and above average US Captain look weak and then some! Be ready for it if you want to come here.
Yanqmi
You apply for Command and are graded A-D by a Command evaluation group looking at your past training record. A your ready for Command training, B you need more work to D you'll probably never make it. Unless your A rated you don't get the opportunity for Command training/upgrade.
Quite frankly, Cathay Commanders (even the early 30's types) make your average and above average US Captain look weak and then some! Be ready for it if you want to come here.
Yanqmi

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 13
From: Nearby
Hi,
I have 6000 hrs on A340 and B777 combined. How long to command on the freighters, if i were to be based in LAX? No intention of being based in HK. Am happy to give pax fleet a miss.
Any input much appreciated.
I have 6000 hrs on A340 and B777 combined. How long to command on the freighters, if i were to be based in LAX? No intention of being based in HK. Am happy to give pax fleet a miss.
Any input much appreciated.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 686
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From: .
coded,
Given that neither BS or MD had not been assessed on the 23rd Oct (date of my post) and imsmc they were the first joiners of '97, then I am open to suggestions.
Bear in mind the operative words are "'97" and "started a command course (or been assessed for command) on the PAX FLEET"
i.e.
No one who joined after 01/01/97 has started a command on the Pax fleet
No one who joined after 01/0197 has been assessed for a command on the Pax fleet
You are not mixing commands on the freighter up with this are you?
[edited to make dates specific]
Given that neither BS or MD had not been assessed on the 23rd Oct (date of my post) and imsmc they were the first joiners of '97, then I am open to suggestions.
Bear in mind the operative words are "'97" and "started a command course (or been assessed for command) on the PAX FLEET"
i.e.
No one who joined after 01/01/97 has started a command on the Pax fleet
No one who joined after 01/0197 has been assessed for a command on the Pax fleet
You are not mixing commands on the freighter up with this are you?
[edited to make dates specific]
Last edited by jtr; 24th November 2005 at 22:13.
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 740
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From: Over There
FCUX,
If you are a pilot you should know better then to make comments like that following an incident. Must you be reminded of the many incidents that happen around the world? Are you one of those that will never screw up? Those that believe that usually screw up really big when they do!
If your not a pilot, then back the truck up jack because jack is all you obviously know about this situation.
If you are a pilot you should know better then to make comments like that following an incident. Must you be reminded of the many incidents that happen around the world? Are you one of those that will never screw up? Those that believe that usually screw up really big when they do!
If your not a pilot, then back the truck up jack because jack is all you obviously know about this situation.

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 871
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From: Post-Pit and Lovin' It.
Have to agree with FCUX, if someone's going to toss out a comment like "Quite frankly, Cathay Commanders (even the early 30's types) make your average and above average US Captain look weak and then some!", then you can't really get your panties in a twist when someone rebuts with an anecdote about a "Commander" who wasn't all that...
If the quick reaction to the rebuttal is any indication, I guess the story about JFK is true?!
If the quick reaction to the rebuttal is any indication, I guess the story about JFK is true?!
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 740
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From: Over There
Quite frankly, Cathay Commanders (even the early 30's types) make your average and above average US Captain look weak and then some! Be ready for it if you want to come here.
BTW, I just LOVE that little "jack truck" saying(very clever), you must be a CX captain... That would have taken me days to think of, you should be proud of yourself!



