Time to upgrade to FO and CN at Cathay

[enoughisenough_]

Originally Posted by BCFPilot

I've been following all the current CX topics and am amazed by the current situation (as employees experience it) at Cathay.
I've also been invited to HK for the assessment for SO.

Working at Cathay Pacific and living in HK has always seemed amazing to me and my goal in aviation is to fly long haul eventually.

Recently I've passed an assessment for a short haul jet carrier in Europe, incl type rating and benefits as insurance, housing allowance during training etc.

I'm now at an age of beginning 30's and have one year commercial experience on a turboprop, so about 800hr TT.
I live in Europe, so joining the short haul carrier in Europe will allow me to be back at home in 2 hours through their network with staff travel.

If I pass the assessment at CX, it's going to be a tough decision for me.

I can understand that (also due to my age) joining the short haul carrier and building jet hours as an FO would be a better career option.
I just can't stop thinking about flying long haul at Cathay, even though the transition to FO may be 5 - 6 years as my goal in aviation eventually is to fly long haul.

I would appreciate it if anybody could share some experience with me.

You are better off taking the jet job in Europe and build your experience. Then, if you so desire in a couple of years look at a DEFO position at a long haul carrier.
CX is not the place to be joining as an S/O right now.

[Fool Sufferer]

That’s most enlightening Trafalgar, if one was to believe your “prancing carrot”, with his assorted social media vanity and self-promotion, Cathay Pacific is nothing short of aviation Nirvana. Truly the number one employer of choice for any up and coming aspiring aviator (although apparently that particular individual’s second choice, as the number one was somewhat underwhelmed by his efforts in their selection process).

[cxorcist]

Originally Posted by BCFPilot

I've been following all the current CX topics and am amazed by the current situation (as employees experience it) at Cathay.
I've also been invited to HK for the assessment for SO.

Working at Cathay Pacific and living in HK has always seemed amazing to me and my goal in aviation is to fly long haul eventually.

Recently I've passed an assessment for a short haul jet carrier in Europe, incl type rating and benefits as insurance, housing allowance during training etc.

I'm now at an age of beginning 30's and have one year commercial experience on a turboprop, so about 800hr TT.
I live in Europe, so joining the short haul carrier in Europe will allow me to be back at home in 2 hours through their network with staff travel.

If I pass the assessment at CX, it's going to be a tough decision for me.

I can understand that (also due to my age) joining the short haul carrier and building jet hours as an FO would be a better career option.
I just can't stop thinking about flying long haul at Cathay, even though the transition to FO may be 5 - 6 years as my goal in aviation eventually is to fly long haul.

I would appreciate it if anybody could share some experience with me.

Please, please, please, for the love of God, stay in Europe and become a real airline pilot. CX will not only crush your career, but your soul as well. HK is not a great place to live as it used to be. Long haul flying is not really flying at all except for the taxi, takeoff, and landing. There are very few rewarding challenges, and the destinations aren’t worth the long hours droning at cruise. Trust me!!!

You will regret coming to CX, especially as an SO. Being an SO is an accountant’s version of a pilot with no purpose other than to warm a seat as cheaply as possible. Little will be expected of you, and you will get very little in return. The salary is a barely livable wage in HK. Don’t do the conversion, see the low tax rate and be fooled. You will be stuck in HK wondering how and why... And worst of all, you will have been warned and will hate yourself for not listening.

[Trafalgar]

The Prancing Carrot is no better than one of "Lenin's Useful Idiots" (look up the phrase). It quite disgusts me that there are people who would knowingly take part in the propaganda efforts of the same management that is actively attempting to cut THEIR pay and benefits. Defies belief. There is no fixing stupid that is that deep and that wide.

[OK4Wire]

my goal in aviation eventually is to fly long haul.

I can understand why you might have this goal: it certainly sounds exotic and enticing to one who has never done it.

Do you understand that your layover in that "exotic long haul location" is going to be about 24 hours long, in an airport hotel?

Given your age, there is a reasonable chance that ALL of your long-haul career will be as an FO, working on your body-clock night time.

[Samsonite]

Stay in your home country and be a real pilot! Our S/O's here now think that flying is just about managing and that you don't need flying skills anymore and that shows when they get into the right seat. If you like flying and want to be an actual pilot stay where you are and eventually you will end up flying long haul for a career airline.

[Trafalgar]

The SAA pilots are welcome, at the bottom of the seniority list, on the same terms and conditions as offered to every other recently hired SO. Otherwise, there will be a storm the likes of which this management could never realise in their worst nightmares. Try it....

[TurningFinalRWY36]

Traf are you not aware that it has already been confirmed they will be on the same conditions

[Farman Biplane]

I think this might be a smoke screen and the SAA contractors may end up in the CX Group at Air Hong Hong flying 747 and A300?

[TurningFinalRWY36]

I doubt it, CX is getting desperate for crew

[cxorcist]

Originally Posted by Trafalgar

The SAA pilots are welcome, at the bottom of the seniority list, on the same terms and conditions as offered to every other recently hired SO. Otherwise, there will be a storm the likes of which this management could never realise in their worst nightmares. Try it....

I believe they will. CX management are that obtuse, and they’ll probably put the Airbus guys on the A50 and promise them JNB layovers or some other backroom, secret handshake deal. Maybe they’ll allow them to reverse roster themselves through swaps.

Regardless, they’ll eventually betray the SAA guys too because that’s what CX does. They only see numbers, not people. Sure, they talk a good game because they know how it should be, but they just can’t help themselves. They’re like lumberjacks who cut down all the trees without replanting and then wonder what happened to the forest. Idiots!!!

[Trafalgar]

Originally Posted by TurningFinalRWY36

Traf are you not aware that it has already been confirmed they will be on the same conditions

Well, we'll see won't we. I hope that is the case, but i've been hearing from sources that there is a 'deal' in the works. A 20+ year history of seeing how duplicitous and dishonest our management are keeps me skeptical.

[cxorcist]

Originally Posted by Trafalgar

Well, we'll see won't we. I hope that is the case, but i've been hearing from sources that there is a 'deal' in the works. A 20+ year history of seeing how duplicitous and dishonest our management are keeps me skeptical.

The “deal” is in the form of a signing bonus. CX is going to use the money they saved by not paying the hard working captains 13th month just to add salt to the wound. Ironic, isn’t it? Use the captains’ money to screw over the SOs, after they take their own cut of course. Nice bunch heh?

[Trafalgar]

CX, I can't possibly see how they can pay a signing bonus. They were nearly out of business back in December, as it was only keeping the 13th month payment from the pilots that helped them keep the doors open into 2018. So no, I am sure the signing bonus isn't possible. After all, they still seem to think that they can suggest cutting housing and our provident fund, so of course they don't have the money to pay a signing bonus to new pilots. In fact, they are cutting our medical coverage, so no, they can't possibly have money available to pay signing bonuses.

[BCFPilot]

Originally Posted by Trafalgar

You will sit as an SO for 5-6 years, logging NO time. You will have effectively crippled your career just when you had the chance to actually make yourself into an airline pilot. Further, you will be stuck living like a rat in a barely livable space (300 sq/ft) paying about $3000 usd /mo for that. Don't even get me started on the non-existent staff travel, appalling medical, joke of a retirement. Add to that the fact that you will work for the worst airline management in the industry, one that belittles you, lies to you, cheats you, steals from you and basically ensures that every day you are here you will regret. Other than that, come on in, the water's lovely! Take the job close to home, actually FLY airplanes and be grateful you dodged the bullet. (oh, and as for flying long-haul, that particular desire will be crushed out of you very quickly at CX, with the appalling rosters and minimum time layovers, crappy hotels and inadequate allowances. You will very quickly be too fatigued to care).

Thanks all for the feedback regarding my personal situation, I highly appreciate it.
It is still hard to believe and to imagine for such a world recognized airline, but perhaps I just don't want to see it.

As a current low timer (800 hr TT) flying long haul at Cathay seems like the ultimate dream come true, even if a transition takes 5 years to FO.

It's still going to be a tough decision for me, but again I appreciate all the feedback, advice and warnings.

Chances are now most likely I will pursue my job offer in Europe and fly short haul for the next years.
Perhaps, I can join another long haul airline as FO after those years.

[CX ex]

Originally Posted by BCFPilot

As a current low timer (800 hr TT) flying long haul at Cathay seems like the ultimate dream come true, even if a transition takes 5 years to FO

This attitude will destroy your career.

[CyberT]

There is absolutely no doubt, none, that like everyone else at this sh*thole the SAA imports will get screwed over, the baseball bat, the pineapple, the full works.

[BCFPilot]

So how does the life of a CX SO look like?
I'm curious to a typical working week/month, regarding for example roster, layover times, destinations, typical (****ty) hotels.

I would appreciate any feedback regarding this.

[Trafalgar]

Sometimes I despair (actually, most of the time...). It's not about the rosters (crap), layover time (eat/sleep), destinations (doesn't matter when all you really see is your hotel bed), hotels (crap), etc. What REALLY matters is you will cripple your career (no flying for probably 6 years!), and live like a peasant in the worlds most expensive city. If that sounds good to you, welcome aboard.

[morningcoffee]

34 Yrs to command A380 at QF
31 Yrs to command 777 at Air NZ
32 Yrs to command 777 at BA

Since we’re all going on about cost of an apartment in Central in Hong Kong, why is it I can’t afford 500 sq/ft next to Hyde Park on my BA new joiner pay? What about new joiner pay at QF vs living smack beside the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Just find it amusing that you pick the most expensive location to have to live in Hong Kong while it’s actually got f*cking expensive to live in the equivalent to Central anywhere else.