Direct Entry FO
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
Yet, like those before you, you will just watch and suck it up!
QUOTE=Natca;9712702]Yes there is resentment, hate, and anger from SO's. You will go to the bottom of the seniority list and keep getting bypasses for rosters, vacation, etc etc. You are stealing our jobs and letting the company get away with cheap labor. DEFOs are part of the problem.[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=Natca;9712702]Yes there is resentment, hate, and anger from SO's. You will go to the bottom of the seniority list and keep getting bypasses for rosters, vacation, etc etc. You are stealing our jobs and letting the company get away with cheap labor. DEFOs are part of the problem.[/QUOTE]
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
From: Earth
SO's
I suggest all SO shut their gobs. You are nothing more than a wannabe while the rest of uspaid our duesin turbo props, regional jets etc actually doin real flying into busy international airports.
You dont deserve to upgrade over a DEFO with real flight time and experiece. You are the epitome of cheap labour!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: In the Auzzie outback
Half the SOs who've joined in past 3-4yrs have an ATPL, years in GA, turbo prop time, regional time, jet time etc and have paid their "dues".
You paint all SOs with the same brush but forget at some point in your career you too were at the bottom.
You paint all SOs with the same brush but forget at some point in your career you too were at the bottom.
Exactly!!
I suggest all SO shut their gobs. You are nothing more than a wannabe while the rest of uspaid our duesin turbo props, regional jets etc actually doin real flying into busy international airports.
You dont deserve to upgrade over a DEFO with real flight time and experiece. You are the epitome of cheap labour!!
I suggest all SO shut their gobs. You are nothing more than a wannabe while the rest of uspaid our duesin turbo props, regional jets etc actually doin real flying into busy international airports.
You dont deserve to upgrade over a DEFO with real flight time and experiece. You are the epitome of cheap labour!!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: U/S
Well at the end of the day (career), that SO with zero experience will have a much greater return on their investment that those of us who slugged it out making crap wages and risking our lives to land that shiny jet job.
I would suggest those with the experience that allows you to bag on those without, use that flight time to get the hell out of this toxic place.
The way I see it, those SOs are far smarter than any of those who've "paid their dues"
Pointing the finger at them as cheap labor? Who allowed that to happen in the first place?
The stupidity and selfishness of this pilot group amazes me.
I would suggest those with the experience that allows you to bag on those without, use that flight time to get the hell out of this toxic place.
The way I see it, those SOs are far smarter than any of those who've "paid their dues"
Pointing the finger at them as cheap labor? Who allowed that to happen in the first place?
The stupidity and selfishness of this pilot group amazes me.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: hong kong
Well at the end of the day (career), that SO with zero experience will have a much greater return on their investment that those of us who slugged it out making crap wages and risking our lives to land that shiny jet job.
I would suggest those with the experience that allows you to bag on those without, use that flight time to get the hell out of this toxic place.
The way I see it, those SOs are far smarter than any of those who've "paid their dues"
Pointing the finger at them as cheap labor? Who allowed that to happen in the first place?
The stupidity and selfishness of this pilot group amazes me.
I would suggest those with the experience that allows you to bag on those without, use that flight time to get the hell out of this toxic place.
The way I see it, those SOs are far smarter than any of those who've "paid their dues"
Pointing the finger at them as cheap labor? Who allowed that to happen in the first place?
The stupidity and selfishness of this pilot group amazes me.
They are training them aren't they ?
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: HonkyDong
@Luggage, there is a word for people like you that I would be banned by the mods for using. I pity the poor suckers who ever find themselves crewed up with you. You are an extremely ignorant person who assumes that those who are SOs have zero flying skills. You're correct regarding a contingent of locals who joined as cadets however you forget that they have little choice in terms of the experience they are able to build. Hong Kong doesn't really offer the GA/Turboporp opportunities that other regions do. This is their only real opportunity to start their careers in aviation. If you were in their shoes, I think you may find it hard to refuse. Free training, a decent salary and solid career progression from the start. Yes, experience in other areas is extremely valuable and I feel fortunate for the opportunities I have had however they rarely have these opportunities. Secondly, you obviously have no idea about the people working at Cathay. You tar every SO with the same brush. Some SOs joined from other companies where they have extremely valuable experience as training captains on turboprops etc, corporate jet capts and fos, bush pilots etc etc. These guys joined as SOs for varying reasons however I can tell you right now that some took the first job they were offered after their last company went bust or they were made redundant. For most, the priority is to have a salary to feed the family, pay the rent or mortgage, keep the career moving and pay the money back that they fought so hard to save to get their licence in the first place. If you have nothing decent to say, don't say anything at all. If you were a decent person and there are many in aviation (unfortunately there are also people like you), you would know that it is an up hill struggle for most of us trying to maintain a decent career in aviation in order to feed the children and pay the bills. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a 'wannabe', you were one once and everyone deserves a shot!!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: U/S
No. The trainers are doing the job they signed up to do, not solve the problem of declining conditions.
The pilot group has allowed this attack and many others happen over and over again. And please don't blame the AOA, they only represent the pilot body. And that body has made it very clear that they are willing to do f#%k all to protect their profession.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 223
Likes: 66
True. And it is also self-evident that every pilot who joined the airline is 'voluntarily' supporting the company through continuing in that position. When the AOA comes out with a complete training ban, then the argument becomes valid, not before.
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Australia
No... not April Fools. I'm attending the selection process in May and there seems to be a limited amount of information on the web about the DEFO interview. So I thought maybe somebody here would have a few pointers they could share besides what I've already read for the SO interviews.
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 223
Likes: 66
Sure, come no over. You will instantly be regarded as someone who is willing to undermine an already aggrieved pilot group. You will find that you have been conned into moving to the most expensive city on earth, with a package that will make you live like a commuter pilot in the USA. You will lose your wife and family if you have one. You will be miserable, lonely, poor and frantic. Other than that, come one in...the water's lovely.
its£5perworddammit
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: the foxhole
Exactly!!
I suggest all SO shut their gobs. You are nothing more than a wannabe while the rest of uspaid our duesin turbo props, regional jets etc actually doin real flying into busy international airports.
You dont deserve to upgrade over a DEFO with real flight time and experiece. You are the epitome of cheap labour!!
I suggest all SO shut their gobs. You are nothing more than a wannabe while the rest of uspaid our duesin turbo props, regional jets etc actually doin real flying into busy international airports.
You dont deserve to upgrade over a DEFO with real flight time and experiece. You are the epitome of cheap labour!!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
- you will be assigned a fleet, there is no bidding at CX.
- once assigned you will likely never leave that fleet UNLESS it suits Cathay to do so. Your desires and lifestyle are not considered. Once again, there is NO bidding at CX.
- even as you upgrade you will be assigned a fleet that is convenient to them to upgrade on. Your seniority means nothing and you will not be allowed to simply defer upgrade to pick a fleet of your choosing (ie. even if you do defer, you will still be assigned the same fleet... Mostly just to teach you a lesson.)
- seat locked? For as long as it suits them.
Note: some fleets have significantly worse lifestyles than others. Hope you don't get one of those on day 1, or that is it. Game over. In the DFO's words 'we don't discriminate on fleet pay hence we can put you on any fleet that suits us - we are not required to obey seniority'... This attitude unfortunately does not take into account lifestyle/roster and/or overtime though.
Additional info: if CX are still spruiking the "you will have a base in 5 years" line be cautious... I have recently flown with SO's that were STILL being told that in their interviews a couple of years ago (as was I 10+ years ago)... Despite the fact there has been no meaningful movement on bases in the last 9 years. When/if the bases did move there will be a lot of pent up demand... And you will be at the very bottom. At CX you can't downgrade to take a base meaning if you have upgraded to Capt you may never get a base (ie. can't downgrade to fill an FO slot).
This info it's just so you know... coming to CX in HK is a long term commitment. It is unlikely you will be taking any base before 7+ years.
It is a very different work place to the USA, Europe or Australia. CX as an employer are pretty much allowed to do what they want, picking or choosing to honor the parts of your contact that suit them.
Good luck with it.