Posted on the Wannabe Forum
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Europe
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Personally I "crap on about it" because I have had an awesome time in the military and wouldn't want a young guy getting into flying, not consider that option also. Of course it is not for everybody, but I am sure it beats making sandwiches 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: 3rd cloud to the left
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
milpilot now you are going too far! you've mixed up two important things!
It's making the bunks and eating the sandwiches, not making the sandwiches...
On a more serious note.. what are you doing now? still trying to be a DEFO in CX?
It's making the bunks and eating the sandwiches, not making the sandwiches...
On a more serious note.. what are you doing now? still trying to be a DEFO in CX?
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Europe
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On a more serious note.. what are you doing now? still trying to be a DEFO in CX?
I can afford to wait - Just mean I will be making twice the money a little bit longer
Then again - Who knows what kind of terms they will come up with if they ever hire DEFO again.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: York International
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Moan moan moan
Please don't come here, it is going to be a nightmare having to listen to you telling everyone every sector about how much you used to earn. You will then go on and on about how unfair it is that you don't get housing or education.
Besides I don't do sectors Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: OZ
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have asked this question on another thread but I'll repeat it here.
There has been talk of a housing allowance of some type being offered to cadets. Has there been any progress on this front?
There has been talk of a housing allowance of some type being offered to cadets. Has there been any progress on this front?
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Duff,
Short answer is NO.
There is NO Housing for cadets & there is very little chance of this changing in the future.
Do not fall for any promises made by CX unless you have it in writing prior to starting.
Currently, DEFO's are resigning from CX as they have finally become aware that the promises made during recruitment will never happen.
Don't learn the hard way.
Short answer is NO.
There is NO Housing for cadets & there is very little chance of this changing in the future.
Do not fall for any promises made by CX unless you have it in writing prior to starting.
Currently, DEFO's are resigning from CX as they have finally become aware that the promises made during recruitment will never happen.
Don't learn the hard way.
Cool as a moosp
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Mostly Hong Kong
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As 400 J points out, the Second Officer remuneration is totally inadequate as an expatriate package in Hong Kong.
It was never designed to be so. The salary and benefits were designed for local Chinese pilots who had been taken on as cadets, trained at initially Prestwick and then Adelaide, and integrated into the company. CX paid the training, so the salary and benefits were and are low.
Cadets were chosen for a variety of parameters, but single and childless was an unwritten rule of application. It was assumed that they would live at home with their parents. Such is industrial arrogance.
So to arrive with three children and a wife as a second officer is bound to be difficult. Even a partner is a problem as the immigration and labour laws preclude most unions. (Pprune passim.)
I note that a pilot has written to this thread asking about the job with 200 hours. That was the level of experience that the second officer remuneration scheme was designed for. If you have more experience, you are selling yourself short.
It was never designed to be so. The salary and benefits were designed for local Chinese pilots who had been taken on as cadets, trained at initially Prestwick and then Adelaide, and integrated into the company. CX paid the training, so the salary and benefits were and are low.
Cadets were chosen for a variety of parameters, but single and childless was an unwritten rule of application. It was assumed that they would live at home with their parents. Such is industrial arrogance.
So to arrive with three children and a wife as a second officer is bound to be difficult. Even a partner is a problem as the immigration and labour laws preclude most unions. (Pprune passim.)
I note that a pilot has written to this thread asking about the job with 200 hours. That was the level of experience that the second officer remuneration scheme was designed for. If you have more experience, you are selling yourself short.
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cadets WILL NOT be offered any sort of housing untill it is proven that the current crop of icadets/adl instructors will not accept it ie leave so at a guess I would suggest at least another 12months but probably longer.
If CX is offering expats, local terms and people keep applying, why would they suddenly say they will double your wage.
Please don't accept an offer on the basis that you expect housing in the future, you are selling yourselves very short.
If CX is offering expats, local terms and people keep applying, why would they suddenly say they will double your wage.
Please don't accept an offer on the basis that you expect housing in the future, you are selling yourselves very short.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Honkers
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To the guys who are saying that there will be No house assistance....Think again.
Massive lack of numbers for the cadet courses so there will be a move to increase the package. There will be approx 10K per month for S/O increasing with promotion to JF/O...F/O etc.
Massive lack of numbers for the cadet courses so there will be a move to increase the package. There will be approx 10K per month for S/O increasing with promotion to JF/O...F/O etc.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: asia
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coming to HK without a housing allowance will be the worst aviation career move you ever make. DONT say you were not warned
Coming to HKG period, will be the worst move you'll ever make
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: East of the West Coast
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Need more info....
re: quote: For Kindergarten Cathay pay just 50% of the school fees only! Most schools add admin fees, school dinner fees which is around $2-4K a term. Do Cathay pay those? haha NO!
We have 3 kids and this is a breakdown of what we pay...
Appreciate your info. I am in a similar situation. Had been considering interviewing for the current Second Officer position, but understand now that it is actually a cadet entry type position.
Could you also give me an idea what you are paying for a mortgage? I have no idea what it actually costs to live in HKG.
I am currently on par with a US regional captain, making US$80,000 per year with 15 days off per month and living comfortably. But I have the itch to get international and heavy experience.
If all of you guys do not recommend CX, then where should I go?
I haven't found anything better!
Thanks for all of the info you guys have put on this website. May have prevented me from making a huge mistake!
We have 3 kids and this is a breakdown of what we pay...
Appreciate your info. I am in a similar situation. Had been considering interviewing for the current Second Officer position, but understand now that it is actually a cadet entry type position.
Could you also give me an idea what you are paying for a mortgage? I have no idea what it actually costs to live in HKG.
I am currently on par with a US regional captain, making US$80,000 per year with 15 days off per month and living comfortably. But I have the itch to get international and heavy experience.
If all of you guys do not recommend CX, then where should I go?
I haven't found anything better!
Thanks for all of the info you guys have put on this website. May have prevented me from making a huge mistake!
Last edited by Coffee Mug; 13th Mar 2011 at 05:37. Reason: ADD QUOTE...
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: N. America
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you're "currently on par with a US regional captain", it may be assumed that......you're a US regional captain. As such, it will not be breaking news to you that the US age 60-65 retirement setback will have run its course in December of this year. Consequently FedEx, SW, Delta, etc will have to hire sooner than later to varying degrees. As you may or may not know, the retirement age at CX was raised from 55-65 something like 4 years ago?? Upgrade times have gotten very long. Personally, I see no reason that a regional captain would move to HK to take a job as an SO. JMO.
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: East of the West Coast
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cost of living near HKG still a mystery...
Fair enough, but would someone with kids please answer my specific question regarding cost of living?
Are you limited to living in HKG or can you catch a train from the airport and live in the suburbs as a SO?
What could I use for a rough number to plan things financhially? ie: in the US a regional captain makes about $80,000US. I pay $1,000/month for a mortgage, $500/month for groceries, and $0 for schooling our children. If a SO at CX makes around $330,000HKD what percentage of that goes to rent/mortgage, food, and schooling?
From 400 Jockey's quote I have the information I need for one of these questions:
So to review:
1. Can I expect to be have the option to live outside HKG? Do any CX pilots live in the "suburbs"?
2. What could I expect to pay for housing to fit 2 adults and 3 children/month?
3. What could I expect to pay for groceries for 2 adults and 3 children?
4. I understand from 400 Jockey that I can expect to pay around HK$10,000 for 3 kids schooling after the CX assistance. Thank You for that info!
I would really appreciate another parents response as opposed to career advice. Thank You gentlemen.
Are you limited to living in HKG or can you catch a train from the airport and live in the suburbs as a SO?
What could I use for a rough number to plan things financhially? ie: in the US a regional captain makes about $80,000US. I pay $1,000/month for a mortgage, $500/month for groceries, and $0 for schooling our children. If a SO at CX makes around $330,000HKD what percentage of that goes to rent/mortgage, food, and schooling?
From 400 Jockey's quote I have the information I need for one of these questions:
So to review:
1. Can I expect to be have the option to live outside HKG? Do any CX pilots live in the "suburbs"?
2. What could I expect to pay for housing to fit 2 adults and 3 children/month?
3. What could I expect to pay for groceries for 2 adults and 3 children?
4. I understand from 400 Jockey that I can expect to pay around HK$10,000 for 3 kids schooling after the CX assistance. Thank You for that info!
I would really appreciate another parents response as opposed to career advice. Thank You gentlemen.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: HK
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coffee Mug
Look at the numbers yourself, you are earning 80,000US, the figure you quoted for SO is about HALF of what you are earning now! From the figure you quoted that would be roughly 30,000HK / month
1. There is NO real living in the "burbs".
2. 20,000 if you are lucky with associated travel costs.
3. 8-10000, if you are careful.
4. Add in you education of 10,000 and you are at -10,000 / month.
Do not even think about it unless you are looking to break up your family!
Mortgage, if you can raise the 30% deposit, try your salary + + per month!
Look at the numbers yourself, you are earning 80,000US, the figure you quoted for SO is about HALF of what you are earning now! From the figure you quoted that would be roughly 30,000HK / month
1. There is NO real living in the "burbs".
2. 20,000 if you are lucky with associated travel costs.
3. 8-10000, if you are careful.
4. Add in you education of 10,000 and you are at -10,000 / month.
Do not even think about it unless you are looking to break up your family!
Mortgage, if you can raise the 30% deposit, try your salary + + per month!
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Current SO's with family n kids have to be very careful and that's on B scale!!!
It's a none starter. You'll need everything going for you when you come to Hong Kong and living on the bread line is going to put ridiculous pressure on a young pilot with a family in tow. You've been warned. This town is very expensive. Please don't complain to me that you can't afford it. We did warn you......
Good luck!
It's a none starter. You'll need everything going for you when you come to Hong Kong and living on the bread line is going to put ridiculous pressure on a young pilot with a family in tow. You've been warned. This town is very expensive. Please don't complain to me that you can't afford it. We did warn you......
Good luck!
