CX - Anything good?!
Join Date: May 2006
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I really enjoy reading this thread because so many pilots are sharing their genuine point of view and experience.
From reading previous post and conversation with pilots, the more experienced pilots tend to think that the "fun" flying is over when you get to the airlines.
Is it correct for me to say that for a civilian to fly, pre-airline flying (i.e. regional, bush flying) usually offer less pay, less benefits, worse hours, less time at home, but the flying is more challenging, more hands on, and more fun. And in contrary, airline flying (i.e. CX) pays better, offers options for basing, provides more days off, but the flying is less enjoyable, less hands on, because flying is done by autopilot most of the time?
Also, is it common for ex-cadet pilots to want to go to a regional or 737 operators to experience more hands on flying?
Someone mentioned that more money is made on the side, with the free time that an airline pilot has, than the actual pilot salary. What are some side jobs that CX pilots do? Are they allowed to be employed by both CX and other companies?
Thank you again for your insights!
From reading previous post and conversation with pilots, the more experienced pilots tend to think that the "fun" flying is over when you get to the airlines.
Is it correct for me to say that for a civilian to fly, pre-airline flying (i.e. regional, bush flying) usually offer less pay, less benefits, worse hours, less time at home, but the flying is more challenging, more hands on, and more fun. And in contrary, airline flying (i.e. CX) pays better, offers options for basing, provides more days off, but the flying is less enjoyable, less hands on, because flying is done by autopilot most of the time?
Also, is it common for ex-cadet pilots to want to go to a regional or 737 operators to experience more hands on flying?
Someone mentioned that more money is made on the side, with the free time that an airline pilot has, than the actual pilot salary. What are some side jobs that CX pilots do? Are they allowed to be employed by both CX and other companies?
Thank you again for your insights!
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
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The original question seems to have received few good things about Cathay (and airline flying in general). Doesnt it feel amazing to shoot down the runway and take off and land huge jets? or having the front row view of the world from 39,000ft? Watching other planes rocket across your path?...
I've flown as a passenger on more flights than I can remember but while the novelty has worn off I still really enjoy it.
(Apologies btw for continuing this "wannabe" thread on the main frag harb forum, but its great to get an insight on specific aspects of the airline we're aspiring to and also, seeing a lot of CX pilots are completely fked off, hoped talking about the enjoyable parts of being a pilot might be a welcome change...)
With regard other points touched before -
Would anyone who flies GA in their spare time be able to say how difficult this is to manage as an airline pilot?
What is Cathay's or other airlines position on secondary jobs/incomes?
I've flown as a passenger on more flights than I can remember but while the novelty has worn off I still really enjoy it.
(Apologies btw for continuing this "wannabe" thread on the main frag harb forum, but its great to get an insight on specific aspects of the airline we're aspiring to and also, seeing a lot of CX pilots are completely fked off, hoped talking about the enjoyable parts of being a pilot might be a welcome change...)
With regard other points touched before -
Would anyone who flies GA in their spare time be able to say how difficult this is to manage as an airline pilot?
What is Cathay's or other airlines position on secondary jobs/incomes?
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Above the Gay Bar
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"Doesnt it feel amazing to shoot down the runway and take off and land huge jets?"
In a word, no.
After opening up the link below, watch the Dutch F-16 demo clip.
Then, watch the Cathay Pacific 747 takeoff at Heathrow. If you don't want to stab yourself in the eyes with a fork by the end of the 60+ second takeoff roll, I'll be genuinely surprised.
Guys didn't/don't join airlines for the flying.....it's for the money (or used to be!!) and the days off. However, please temper my opinion with the fact that I'm a Second Officer, and my comments are based on expectation after careful observation of widebody takeoffs....when I watch the Captain and FO 'launch' from Heathrow, they're not normally on an adrenaline high for the next hour!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lmh
http://www.sonicbomb.com/modules.php...&orderby=dateD
If the link doesn't work, go to sonicbomb.com, click 'aviation' on the left, and you will see the aforementioned clips in the middle of the resulting web page.
In a word, no.
After opening up the link below, watch the Dutch F-16 demo clip.
Then, watch the Cathay Pacific 747 takeoff at Heathrow. If you don't want to stab yourself in the eyes with a fork by the end of the 60+ second takeoff roll, I'll be genuinely surprised.
Guys didn't/don't join airlines for the flying.....it's for the money (or used to be!!) and the days off. However, please temper my opinion with the fact that I'm a Second Officer, and my comments are based on expectation after careful observation of widebody takeoffs....when I watch the Captain and FO 'launch' from Heathrow, they're not normally on an adrenaline high for the next hour!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lmh
http://www.sonicbomb.com/modules.php...&orderby=dateD
If the link doesn't work, go to sonicbomb.com, click 'aviation' on the left, and you will see the aforementioned clips in the middle of the resulting web page.
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Led Goose,
To answer some other parts of your question....
Yes, the rolling view as you fly over many countries in a single flight is pretty cool, as is watching another airliner fly past. Some of the sunrises and sunsets are very 'picture-skew'.
I've flown with many guys who are very active in GA outside of the airlines. There doesn't seem to be too many issues with it. Unfortunately it's pretty limited in Hong Kong!!
Regarding outside work, Cathay couldn't care if you commute from a Romanian gypsy village, and run a fleet of trucks used to transport dancing bears in your spare time............as long as you are at despatch when you are supposed to be, and your activities don't cost them any money.
lmh
To answer some other parts of your question....
Yes, the rolling view as you fly over many countries in a single flight is pretty cool, as is watching another airliner fly past. Some of the sunrises and sunsets are very 'picture-skew'.
I've flown with many guys who are very active in GA outside of the airlines. There doesn't seem to be too many issues with it. Unfortunately it's pretty limited in Hong Kong!!
Regarding outside work, Cathay couldn't care if you commute from a Romanian gypsy village, and run a fleet of trucks used to transport dancing bears in your spare time............as long as you are at despatch when you are supposed to be, and your activities don't cost them any money.
lmh
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Pffffft - fighters are rubbish!
Dutch F-16s shmutch F-16s!
Who would want to be in a job where there's a good chance your wingman is gay?!?
Give me the excitement of CX longhaul anyday:
The thrill of making a hospital-cornered bunk...
The joy of laughing at the Captain's "rapist wit"...
The inevitablity of hearing the Canadian Relief's umpteenth anecdote about the time he turned up to sign on to <insert Canadian Airline here> only to find out they went broke overnight...
and most of all, how could ANYONE pass up the chance to trade witty jibes with the laugh-a-minute, saucy and hilariously outgoing cabin crew?!?!
<Sigh> I love my job!
Who would want to be in a job where there's a good chance your wingman is gay?!?
Give me the excitement of CX longhaul anyday:
The thrill of making a hospital-cornered bunk...
The joy of laughing at the Captain's "rapist wit"...
The inevitablity of hearing the Canadian Relief's umpteenth anecdote about the time he turned up to sign on to <insert Canadian Airline here> only to find out they went broke overnight...
and most of all, how could ANYONE pass up the chance to trade witty jibes with the laugh-a-minute, saucy and hilariously outgoing cabin crew?!?!
<Sigh> I love my job!
