How does CX compare to FedEx, UPS?

[CloudSailor]

Hello there,
I'm wondering if anyone of you at CX who have friends working at FedEx or UPS know how these airlines compare to each other. Obviously, CX is not a freight-only operation, but how do you think these companies compare as far as pay, quality of life, progression, etc?
I have a second interview coming up for CX and love the idea of living in HKG for a while with my wife, while getting temp. basings in AUS, US, etc..., but also have a possible interview coming up with FedEx and would appreciate some comments and suggestions from you who are in the know.

[frankg]

I don't think UPS or FedEx has ever fired 50 pilots in one day just because they thought they could. Either US carrier would probably be a better overall career. Most of the FedEx guys I have spoken to seem quite happy with their jobs.

[cpdude]

It's hard to compare an overseas contract job with a career at a place like UPS or FedEx.

Although CX is one of the best contract jobs available, that is still what it is and with only 3 months notice or pay in lieu of notice you can be gone.

If you have an in at either UPS or FedEx then go for it, otherwise CX is not too bad.

[christep]

Originally Posted by cpdude

It's hard to compare an overseas contract job with a career at a place like UPS or FedEx.
Although CX is one of the best contract jobs available, that is still what it is and with only 3 months notice or pay in lieu of notice you can be gone.

Simply as an outsider (so I apologise for the intrusion, and please ignore the rest of this post if how the outside world views this is of no interest to you) I find this interesting. I know of very few jobs where you have any meaningful security beyond 1 or 3 months notice these days. That to me is a "normal" employment contract. "Contract jobs", as understood in all the areas of business I have worked, have been for a fixed term with reduced benefits (probably no pension, often no paid holiday). As far as I am aware, flying crew jobs with Cathay are permanent employment in the sense that this is generally understood. As with any other "permanent" job, you have a job as long as you are competent at it at the company needs your skills. In all the businesses I know if you are better than average then you may get promoted; many airlines seem to be unusual in that you simply need to be competent and have been doing the job for a certain length of time to get promoted - this is very unusual in other fields these days.

Is it a generally shared view that jobs with Cathay are "contract jobs" rather than a career? I get the impression that many of the flight crew have been around for what I would regard as a "career" length of time.

[Mr. Bloggs]

No Christep, that’s management.