DEFO back at CX
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Polar Route
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
... still relying on that very old (and no longer accurate) reputation of theirs CX is. There is a reason they don't advertise those numbers... because they don't support a decent lifestyle in HK, especially if you have a family. It will be a true struggle to support a wife and kids on the CX package. Any talk to the contrary is just malarkey.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Milky Way
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any American applying should be warned that the IRS sees housing and education allowances as taxable income. Do the math on that one and tell me how attractive that 90% with the paultry housing scheme works out.
Hong Kong basing for an American is a terrible deal these days, even for those of us with full expat terms. Be warned.
Hong Kong basing for an American is a terrible deal these days, even for those of us with full expat terms. Be warned.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: All Over
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There's a pretty simple solution.
Those who actually are considering this actually ask one of the regular foiks who work here. Ask them where we've been, where we are, and where it seems we are going. Ask if they'd recommend the job in HK. Ask how their family life is and if they are happy. Ask a few foiks if you like.
While you do this; be sure and put away any preconceived notions or marketing inputs. Be objective.
Don't think it will take long for you to form an objective decision.
Those who actually are considering this actually ask one of the regular foiks who work here. Ask them where we've been, where we are, and where it seems we are going. Ask if they'd recommend the job in HK. Ask how their family life is and if they are happy. Ask a few foiks if you like.
While you do this; be sure and put away any preconceived notions or marketing inputs. Be objective.
Don't think it will take long for you to form an objective decision.
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Polar Route
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only "pilots" I would recommend CX to are zero (or near zero) time cadets for the SO position in HK. If CX ever resumes hiring DEFO onto bases, I would recommend that as well with the following caveats:
What are your other options???
Make sure you are OK going to HK for your command...
Btw, command is probably 12-15 years off.
What are your other options???
Make sure you are OK going to HK for your command...
Btw, command is probably 12-15 years off.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Travel perks
If someone reads this they would think probably think ahhhhh they get "Airline Travel Perks". Think again.
Without exception Cathay has the worst staff travel "concessions" of any airline anywhere in the world. If you think you can take you and your family to that Family reunion in Aus - think again. The "annual" FOC ticket (free of charge) propaganda is a flat out lie.
If you think you get Jump Seat privileges - Not Allowed to North America. (yet all the American airlines still can).
Without exception Cathay has the worst staff travel "concessions" of any airline anywhere in the world. If you think you can take you and your family to that Family reunion in Aus - think again. The "annual" FOC ticket (free of charge) propaganda is a flat out lie.
If you think you get Jump Seat privileges - Not Allowed to North America. (yet all the American airlines still can).
The link works if you cut and paste sorry i cant make it a proper hyperlink
UNIFO-----no BA probably doesn't reimburse their crew for Education of their children in England. Neither does CX for any of their based Pilots.....Why? Because those Pilots living away from their home country relocating their families to HK get EXPAT allowances to help with the high cost etc....
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: italy
Age: 47
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you guys for your information. I have just applied,but I didn't know nothing about CX. I Remembered it was one of the best company in the world,but somethings change. I have a wife and daughter and maybe is better to stay where I am. Thanks
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Zimbabwe
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can always go to the interview and gauge by yourself.
And if you're succesfull and not interested, tell them why.
Lot of friends of mine did just that, they were offered a job, then CX cut on the expat conditions, so they decided not to move to HK.
It didn't change anything, but I guess it could if they eventually stop finding enough suitable candidates.
If your daughter is in school age, beware. Like others have pointed out, the waiting lists are very, very long (3+ years) unless you are willing to pay 400,000HKD in debenture.
It's really sad that CX is not what it used to be.
If you want the wide body experience, QR, EY or EK are better choices.
Sure, they might not be career airlines (if your wife doesn't like the middle east) but neither is CX.
I can garantee the pollution in winter will make you sick (if not literally, at least figuratively) and want to go home.
And if you're succesfull and not interested, tell them why.
Lot of friends of mine did just that, they were offered a job, then CX cut on the expat conditions, so they decided not to move to HK.
It didn't change anything, but I guess it could if they eventually stop finding enough suitable candidates.
If your daughter is in school age, beware. Like others have pointed out, the waiting lists are very, very long (3+ years) unless you are willing to pay 400,000HKD in debenture.
It's really sad that CX is not what it used to be.
If you want the wide body experience, QR, EY or EK are better choices.
Sure, they might not be career airlines (if your wife doesn't like the middle east) but neither is CX.
I can garantee the pollution in winter will make you sick (if not literally, at least figuratively) and want to go home.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: italy
Age: 47
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for your information. I'll do the selection and will see. My daughter is 3 years old. Yes my wife doesn't like the Middle East but I would like to try the long haul. We will see
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Zimbabwe
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If she's 3, finding a kindergarten is not that difficult.
It's primary school which is very hard to get into.
Some friends couldn't get a spot for their son after he had been on the waiting list for 4 years.
If you ever decide to take the job, the first thing you need to do is enrolling your daughter in 2 or 3 different schools.
It's primary school which is very hard to get into.
Some friends couldn't get a spot for their son after he had been on the waiting list for 4 years.
If you ever decide to take the job, the first thing you need to do is enrolling your daughter in 2 or 3 different schools.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Everywhere
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"If you ever decide to take the job, the first thing you need to do is enrolling your daughter in 2 or 3 different schools."
The second thing would be to book an assessment with a psychiatrist as you clearly would had lost your marbles to have come to CX.
The second thing would be to book an assessment with a psychiatrist as you clearly would had lost your marbles to have come to CX.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Where You Aren't
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
micky771, the key statement you made is, "it was one of the best company in the world."
WAS.
Also, please think about your 3-year-old daughter's lungs. If you bring her here to breathe this polluted air, full of submicron pollutants, metal salts, heavy metals and who knows what else, you're sentencing her to an early death from lung disease, mesothelioma or cancer.
Think about that. Having children in Hong Kong is akin to child abuse.
WAS.
Also, please think about your 3-year-old daughter's lungs. If you bring her here to breathe this polluted air, full of submicron pollutants, metal salts, heavy metals and who knows what else, you're sentencing her to an early death from lung disease, mesothelioma or cancer.
Think about that. Having children in Hong Kong is akin to child abuse.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
True story: My son was born in HK. At the age of two, he began to develop a rash over 50+% of his body. No one in HK had a clue. Visited a specialist in the UK, who tested extensively. They found that he was suffering from a serious airborne 'heavy metal' based skin infection, contracted through his lungs. I moved the family back to Europe and it cleared up within 3 months. Now however he suffers from psoriasis, which I am certain is a result of that early infection. For info, there is no history of psoriasis in our family. Bring your young children here at your peril (or theirs!). It is NOT worth it in any way. You will live poorly, your children will suffer and your wife will be miserable beyond imagine. 
Europe would be very difficult even if you were on the 777. Remember you will either be put on the 330 or 747 which pretty much removes commuting as a possibility
Be careful coming for the interview to guage for yourself, during mine I was told everything and anything to make it seem like cathay was the perfect choice; basings, medical cover etc
Be careful coming for the interview to guage for yourself, during mine I was told everything and anything to make it seem like cathay was the perfect choice; basings, medical cover etc
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Zimbabwe
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Commuting as an SO is possible.
As a FO on the 777 as well.
But as an FO on either 330 or 747 is not.
Medical covers you only in HK and your home country (maybe not if you're from the US? Not sure about that one)
If you want a 'commuting' job, look at China Southern.
As a FO on the 777 as well.
But as an FO on either 330 or 747 is not.
Medical covers you only in HK and your home country (maybe not if you're from the US? Not sure about that one)
If you want a 'commuting' job, look at China Southern.