Direct Entry First Officer
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: hang on let me check
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You all keep talking with your western mentality, I hope the people who are writing on here haven’t got any experience in Asia, or it’d make me seriously wonder.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Earth
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But I also have doubt that such a big company like CX really hires 1,500 TT pilot as first officer or it’s just written minimum and I need more hours like 3,000 or something.
The main reason I want to change my company is to avoid the power relations between CAPT and FO I mentioned above and captains telling off in cockpit.
So I just wanted to see if this is general culture in aviation or just in my country.
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, gentlemen.
I know my total time hasn't met CX requirement, but I'm flying 80 hours a month. So I thought I'm gonna be eligible to apply for sooner or later.
About the culture I mentioned, those of you seem to be aware of asian culture whilst others doesn't have an idea of what it is.
I totally agree that right assertion is an essential part for flight safety and I gotta say something I have to say in the cockpit. But the thing is that culture can't always come before flight safety unfortunately and I think this is oriented from air force as ex-air force pilots make a large portion of airline industry.
I might be defending myself but these are some practices of culture in my country.
FO should show up and examine all the plans, wx and notams before captain comes.
FO should walk behind or at least half step behind captain.
FO should introduce him/herself before flight if it's the first flight with captain.
FO should wear a coat if captain shows up with coat on in winter times and shouldn't wear if captain doesn't.
FO should ask captain what time he/she’s gonna have breakfast next morning on layover flight (so that FO will have breakfast with captain not to make the captain eat alone.)
FO shouldn't turn his/her map or chart light on brighter than captain's.
and many more...
One day at night flight, a captain told me that I'm rude because I didn't turn my map light towards him when he was reading weight and balance sheet.
I love flying and it's why I chose this job. But this culture issues make my job difficult.
I know my total time hasn't met CX requirement, but I'm flying 80 hours a month. So I thought I'm gonna be eligible to apply for sooner or later.
About the culture I mentioned, those of you seem to be aware of asian culture whilst others doesn't have an idea of what it is.
I totally agree that right assertion is an essential part for flight safety and I gotta say something I have to say in the cockpit. But the thing is that culture can't always come before flight safety unfortunately and I think this is oriented from air force as ex-air force pilots make a large portion of airline industry.
I might be defending myself but these are some practices of culture in my country.
FO should show up and examine all the plans, wx and notams before captain comes.
FO should walk behind or at least half step behind captain.
FO should introduce him/herself before flight if it's the first flight with captain.
FO should wear a coat if captain shows up with coat on in winter times and shouldn't wear if captain doesn't.
FO should ask captain what time he/she’s gonna have breakfast next morning on layover flight (so that FO will have breakfast with captain not to make the captain eat alone.)
FO shouldn't turn his/her map or chart light on brighter than captain's.
and many more...
One day at night flight, a captain told me that I'm rude because I didn't turn my map light towards him when he was reading weight and balance sheet.
I love flying and it's why I chose this job. But this culture issues make my job difficult.
LoL too funny but yeah it happens. I can answer some here as what i do as a captain at CX.
1. Reading all the details of the flight is like yeah we are pilots so i expect you to have read them at the same time i have read them. So we both know ****.DUH
2. Your a human being, walking behind me will give me a sore neck....like my children you walk beside me your my equal in most regards. My rank only gives me authority....like being a Dad/Mum we know more **** because we been around longer, respect us but we know you going to be an adult one day and do your own thing.
3.introduce yourself? Umm yeah we all shake hands and say g’day.
4.coat wearing if captain wears coat? .i wear a coat because its cold you dont then your a dumbass. All i care is your sharp dressed,what you do on a cold or hot day is an adult choice. Though some captains do feel that we should all look the same? But its personal.
4. You can join me for breakfast if u see me there and wish to, but if you dont, I dont care. But as any other normal human being see someone who they know....if you saw the captain you would say good morning. Its happened to me and the FO was going to sit with someone else I am not humiliated and had a quick good morning and i went back to reading. Dont be rude...but be yourself. Me personally am fine and can function being alone at a table. Wonder what sorry individuals need that reaffirmation.......
5. I can fly an aircraft around the world....then i can turn on my own map light to read my weight and balance...sheesh....and if u need a light just turn it on. I could even see me laughing if a captain had dare said I was rude for not pointing my light for him...when i was an FO. Would have said something like “ if you cant turn on a light by yourself then how can u possibly fly this aircraft?” Bet that would have lit a fuse under his ass.
Noone will dismiss for the above if u pushed back. Just stare at them like they are dog**** and as human beings you should show your disdain for individuals who make themselves better by belittling others. Just do your job safely.
But thats me as a captain at cx.....most my mates who are captains are the same.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Cork
Age: 40
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I also have been for selection and passed as SO. Great experience was intense though.
I prepped in a 777 sim. Perhaps the only sim available in Europe was in Rome. I booked this through base.mu
contact: [email protected]
They will get you through the sim profile, it was basically identical. Its not worth going on the 737. Much better to fly the 777. Pricing was reasonable also. Very happy overall.
I prepped in a 777 sim. Perhaps the only sim available in Europe was in Rome. I booked this through base.mu
contact: [email protected]
They will get you through the sim profile, it was basically identical. Its not worth going on the 737. Much better to fly the 777. Pricing was reasonable also. Very happy overall.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ATPL. You are 34 yrs old, and you are willing to spend possibly 5/6 years as an SO, not gaining any logged time whatsoever. That sounds like a career killer if there ever was one.
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Polar Route
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: May 2008
Location: All Over
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seniority is everything in most carriers. Even losing a week or a month can be a large difference in career earnings, upgrades, and lifestyle.
Carriers are hiring and face some huge retirements. So WHEN you hire on is very important in that the boom in hiring is cyclical and everyone hired ahead of you will be there forever—or at least until the end of your career.
Why someone — near the beginning or middle of a promising career — would waste precious seniority joining an airline without a future totally baffles me. It’s not rumor; the workforce has had a continuous decline in all aspects of working conditions for decades now and is claiming woe (as an excuse to chisel) while other carriers boom and bonus. There is no indication of a trend reversal, no indications that basings will happen, no indication of anything other than cost in HKG will markedly rise while compensation and scheduling decline.
The phrase ‘are you nuts’ comes to mind.
Perhaps this is your ONLY option. Fair enough. But have you REALLY looked everywhere else ? If you haven’t I’d submit you are doing yourself a disservice in the long run. I remember days of inexperience as well; what has changed with experience is I tend to listen to those who have been there more.
Carriers are hiring and face some huge retirements. So WHEN you hire on is very important in that the boom in hiring is cyclical and everyone hired ahead of you will be there forever—or at least until the end of your career.
Why someone — near the beginning or middle of a promising career — would waste precious seniority joining an airline without a future totally baffles me. It’s not rumor; the workforce has had a continuous decline in all aspects of working conditions for decades now and is claiming woe (as an excuse to chisel) while other carriers boom and bonus. There is no indication of a trend reversal, no indications that basings will happen, no indication of anything other than cost in HKG will markedly rise while compensation and scheduling decline.
The phrase ‘are you nuts’ comes to mind.
Perhaps this is your ONLY option. Fair enough. But have you REALLY looked everywhere else ? If you haven’t I’d submit you are doing yourself a disservice in the long run. I remember days of inexperience as well; what has changed with experience is I tend to listen to those who have been there more.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The difference in just 100 numbers on a seniority list can make or break a career at a new airline. I know personally of people who saw time to command stretch out 5 more years over such a small number. Now, when AC is hiring 40/mo, and US airlines doing that weekly (with BA and QF not far behind), you will possibly see years more as an FO with that many joining ahead of you. If you know (KNOW) you are going to leave CX, then don't hesitate. Otherwise, you could be stuck here (and your family) living in a shoe-box (rented) for the rest of your days. And just think how pleasant that will be with CX's proven management skills at dealing with their staff 
. Seriously, the best time to leave is always 'now'. There is no future of any value at CX, and the doors are open at almost every respectable airline in the first world. Don't miss your chance.
. Seriously, the best time to leave is always 'now'. There is no future of any value at CX, and the doors are open at almost every respectable airline in the first world. Don't miss your chance.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Earth
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
By the way, I was curious about direct entry first officer program which is currently opening.
But why are most of you talking about SO or stories end up with SO?
I asked about being DEFO but everyone talks about miserable life of SO.
Does this job opening look for SO candidates?
But why are most of you talking about SO or stories end up with SO?
I asked about being DEFO but everyone talks about miserable life of SO.
Does this job opening look for SO candidates?
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok, then we can explain about the miserable life of a 747 DEFO. In some ways the most miserable job in the airline. Effectively no rules, fatiguing schedules, abusive px policies, unreliable schedule, threat to marriage and family life. Other than that, it's great 
