Cathay US Bases
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Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Hong Kong
Cathay US Bases
Anyone have insight on wait times for US bases as a Cathay pilot? I'm considering the the SO TT route so I know it will be at least 3 years until I would upgrade to FO. Any new rumors on more/less US bases? The info I see in other threads seems like it may be outdated. Thanks!
Joined: Mar 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 1,374
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From: Moved beyond
My advice would be that you should only come to Hong Kong if you are prepared to live here for the long term. You may or may not get a base later in your career; there are no guarantees. Future base slots are likely to be limited in number and there is a long queue of people wanting to leave Hong Kong. CX can and does change the rules on a whim, and you may find yourself hard out of luck.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,609
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From: Asia
Been here for over 15 years. The last time bases were opened in the US last year I was about number 30 in the list for 3 slots. I'm also able to live in Australia and bases haven't been offered since 2008. It would be even worse there. I'm sure you get the picture of what I'm saying. You have sweet f**k all chance of a base for many years if at all.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 506
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From: Where You Aren't
AllGreen, some people on here can be very mean.
Bottom line: don't come to Cathay. It ain't what it was and will never again be what it was, one of the world's leading airlines. You're better off flying Dash 8's for United Express, really. Most Americans I know will be quitting within the next year or two, even those who've been here for 15 years or more.
If you're an American, this isn't the place for you.
Bottom line: don't come to Cathay. It ain't what it was and will never again be what it was, one of the world's leading airlines. You're better off flying Dash 8's for United Express, really. Most Americans I know will be quitting within the next year or two, even those who've been here for 15 years or more.
If you're an American, this isn't the place for you.
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 218
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From: Milky Way
Bases will continue to be offered to full expat housing eligible pilots to get them out of HKG where they are very expensive. They will not be available to those on HKPA for a very, very long time. Plan accordingly.
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Polar Route
The only reason any Americans stay at CX is because they are too old to start over at a US carrier. Most would leave if if they were 10-20 years younger. Most are 40+. Nearly all under 40 have left or have applications out right now.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 241
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From: Nippi
If you want to join a company whose favorite two words are "can not", than this is the place for you. If you want to be lied too and cheated? This is the place for you. If you want to be told to your face, " good job", and than have the opposite written up, with no ability to contest it, than this is the place for you. If you want to have never failed a check or any training events and than told your not suitable to be offered a command course because??? This is the place for you. If you want your t&c to always erode? This is the place for you. I would have to question anyones apptitude if they choose to join CX.
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 282
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From: U/S
Usually these kind of responses would be representative of a select few who are bitter, angry and can't take responsibility for their own poor choices.
Unfortunately they are all 100% accurate and I think you would have a tough time finding any American and most other westerners who would disagree.
Unfortunately they are all 100% accurate and I think you would have a tough time finding any American and most other westerners who would disagree.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,148
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From: Brexitland
Do come if you're single and never want a family. Or if you never want your own car. Or if you never want your own house. Or if you never want to go back home (if you did get a Base you'd have to come back for a Command).
So, finally - if you STILL came after all the above - go and see a psychiatrist.
So, finally - if you STILL came after all the above - go and see a psychiatrist.
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 670
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From: Planet Earth
Just remember that Pprune attracts the bitter and twisted. There are people who enjoy Hong Kong, its just that morale within the company is pretty low right now so you're going to get very negative posts here. On the workside, people are tired and fed up. I wouldn't particularly recommend Cathay to anyone right now. As for HK, like I said some people enjoy it but you have to make it right for you in terms of your expectations.
If you're coming here in order to get a US base (presumably you have US citizenship) then frankly I don't think CX is the place for you. How about one of those great jobs in the US?
If you're coming here in order to get a US base (presumably you have US citizenship) then frankly I don't think CX is the place for you. How about one of those great jobs in the US?
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 670
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From: Planet Earth
He has the hours for TT, so can use CX as a stepping stone, or use a US regional as a stepping stone. Seems to me the US regional would be a much faster way of getting into the right seat at an airline like American or Delta than coming here and sitting in the back of an Airbus for a few years before getting any stick time.
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 110
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From: Bouvet Island
I interviewed in the summer of 2011 and was promised, with my wife sitting at the table with the "gal" who was interviewing and answering questions, that bases were "ongoing" and that I would be on a base "in no time at all." It was a lie. They flat out lied to my face. I've been at Cathay over 4 years now and I'm still based in Hong Kong, and very shortly resigning. I've been looking intensely back home in the US and things are just too good there to stay at CX hoping for a base in the US. They really have NO intention of every opening up bases again in the US, and if they tell you they are, it's a lie. Ask my crying wife every time she wakes up.