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CX Final Interview

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CX Final Interview

Old 17th Nov 2019, 20:09
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CX Final Interview

Any advice on how to prep for the final interview in HK with CX, First Officer? Any recent interview gouges? I know guys there are unhappy, but I'd like to at least try and see what happens.
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Old 17th Nov 2019, 22:20
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Originally Posted by jsfboat
Any advice on how to prep for the final interview in HK with CX, First Officer? Any recent interview gouges? I know guys there are unhappy, but I'd like to at least try and see what happens.
This should be an interesting thread.
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Old 17th Nov 2019, 23:22
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That’s the point.. conditions are so s#%t now that candidates don’t even have to try anymore because there is no competition. Expect lots of questions on how you think you can live on the COS18 basic salary. Don’t get fooled into thinking you will get anywhere near the figures quoted in the brochure as that is based on a mythical monthly average that doesn’t allow for protest cancellations or losing flights due to training requirements.
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Old 17th Nov 2019, 23:38
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To prepare for the full experience,

I might humbly suggest:

1. You obtain a new spark plug. Resistor type or not doesn't matter nor does it have to have iridium electrode.
2. Set yourself up next to a vehicle of your choice with an engine type that can idle.
3. Disconnect ONE of the spark plug wires from the spark plug in that engine. Leave the other end connected to the distributor (if it has one) or the low tension wiring connected if it's the coil on plug type.
4. Drink ONE to ONE and One Half liters of water. Wait about an hour to an hour and a half with a friend who can ask you interview questions while you wait. A different type of beverage can be substituted for the water; in order to get the full interview prep experience it should NOT be an alcoholic beverage or other form of intoxicant.
5. Connect the new spark plug to the wire or coil. Be sure that the negative grounding thread section has a suitable vehicle ground.
6. Have a friend crank the engine and check for spark. If you get a good spark, proceed. If you don't troubleshoot to get a good spark.
7. Obtain a chair or small ladder such that the grounded plug is waist to knee high and you are facing it. Be careful to keep important body parts away from moving parts of the engine.
8. Have your friend crank the engine (it's OK if it doesn't start so long as there's a spark)
9. (now this is the kinda-tricky part); unzip your fly, and while 'in position' place one hand on the car (or metal ground) and using the other to stabilize the 'outlet device,' proceed to pi$$ on the spark plug making sure the stream has good contact with the electrode area. Use careful aim to get the full effect and be sure to continue until 'empty' (this might take a few resets and repositions due to the continuing painful and potentially dangerous electrical shocks)
10. A standard low-current safe for livestock electric fence can be substituted for the spark plug method if one is available.

If POS 18 is any indication of how things are trending, this should well prepare you for the likely career progression over the next decade as well as condition you well for what to expect. And give you some idea of what things will feel like.
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Old 18th Nov 2019, 00:28
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Originally Posted by bm330
This should be an interesting thread.
I think we're talking different 'final' here.

My final interview is yet to come. It will be interesting after over 30 years, where one may be interviewed or farewelled by a fleet managers and a DFO who I first flew with when they were FO's, and a General Manager who hadn't atvthat stage even joined as an SO. It's an interesting reflection when you compare a 1980's family attitude company, where pilots were respected, steam driven L1011's and 747's were the go, paper flight plans, and a competent hand flown approach on the IGS at KaiTak in challenging weather, to today's version.

We now appear to have a tail wagging the dog mentality where accountants call the shots, pilots are demonised thanks to successive HR types and mangment(sic) comments that have consistently denigrated our profession, an antagonistic approach to industrial relations, whilst the pilots happily adapt to less hands on flying in the current glass cockpit 777's and 330's and the A50(bless!). The most positive thing I've seen, which I believe is thanks to one of our Flt Ops managers, is the new Flight Folder programme, which for a home grown product is extremely good.
So when my final interview comes up next March, it will be hard to not leave them them with some hard truth observations.

As for your 'next' interview in the recruitment phase, if it's your final one, then you didn't make it.
However, just remember you are also interviewing the Company representatives to see if they are also a good fit for you.
Be honest, be open, ask the questions you want answers to, and if they like you, enjoy the job. You'll work with some really great guys, you'll work for people who at times you may question their morals and loyalty downwards. But if you're a a fit in their eyes, a good team player, then it's up to you after doing your own due diligence, if you wish to join. So just remember to ask all those questions so you know exactly what you're getting into with eyes wide open.

Good luck.

Last edited by LongTimeInCX; 18th Nov 2019 at 00:41.
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Old 20th Nov 2019, 05:26
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Well said Long Time

jsfboat: please do the math - if the numbers don't work, they don't work. Do not join on some utopian dream that things will get better and it'll magically be affordable to live here. The trend is ever downward in this industry and Hong Kong is an expensive place to live! If you're on your own or have a partner that will be able to work here, it might be OK. If you have kids - you need a pot of money with you just to afford to set up here, let alone live month to month. I do say that with a caveat, that being everything is relative of course, so if you are used to a very simple existence and are happy not to save too much in order to get a P1 rating after 5-6 years then it could work. Just do NOT bitch and moan about the conditions after you take the job.

Good luck.
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Old 20th Nov 2019, 09:44
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Originally Posted by petrichor
Well said Long Time

jsfboat: please do the math - if the numbers don't work, they don't work. Do not join on some utopian dream that things will get better and it'll magically be affordable to live here. The trend is ever downward in this industry and Hong Kong is an expensive place to live! If you're on your own or have a partner that will be able to work here, it might be OK. If you have kids - you need a pot of money with you just to afford to set up here, let alone live month to month. I do say that with a caveat, that being everything is relative of course, so if you are used to a very simple existence and are happy not to save too much in order to get a P1 rating after 5-6 years then it could work. Just do NOT bitch and moan about the conditions after you take the job.

Good luck.
he join as FO not SO, so why does he need to wait for 5-6 years to get P1 rating?
Does FO do not get P1 type rating?
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Old 21st Nov 2019, 07:56
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Originally Posted by chobo97

he join as FO not SO, so why does he need to wait for 5-6 years to get P1 rating?
Does FO do not get P1 type rating?
My bad, I missed that! Yes he will get a P1 rating.
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Old 1st Dec 2019, 19:18
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I was just looking for a study guide and would like to make my own opinion about CX. I've worked for some pretty awful places, so maybe CX would be a step up. I'm not expecting much, just better than what I had, which was rock bottom as far as airlines to work for. Thanks for all the feedback, but i would really like to form my own opinion.
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Old 1st Dec 2019, 19:26
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jsfboat, there is almost 20 years of posts available regarding CX. If you want to form your own opinion, then start reading.... Whatever you then decide, you own it.
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Old 2nd Dec 2019, 01:58
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Maybe relevant here, I've heard the new COS 18 guys not getting the hours they thought ( or promised ) so are living on hard times. Even approaching ever so apologetic management who've drawn their attention to the civil unrest. Reports of captains being asked to fly slow.

Yep. It's played out as expected.
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Old 2nd Dec 2019, 02:52
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Originally Posted by jsfboat
Thanks for all the feedback, but I would really like to form my own opinion.
Fair enough, but then why ask for opinion here?

To come to Cathay would mean ZERO career progression and a high possibility of going backward financially during your time. Your time as a SO would be approx five years, plus two, minus one. The majority of those hours would not be recognized by most other regulatory bodies around the world. You could cheat on your logbook entries. Good luck with that. Financially you will struggle.

I am sure you have heard of Shiney Jet Syndrome? It's a big trap here in the Fragrant Harbour. If you have 10 years of your life to waste on your time here in exchange for an overseas adventure, then great. Take into consideration you would be risking getting stuck here against the hope of getting another job elsewhere when you wanted.

I am sorry to say you strike me as a, "I want it now" type of person. Based on your description, I would recommend that you keep doing what you are and overall you will progress to a rewarding career far quicker than wasting your time here in HK.

Based on the young folks I see come and go here, I would estimate you have a one in ten chance of making HK a success. Good luck.
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Old 2nd Dec 2019, 04:18
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Hey guys, looking to apply for a new FO position flying in Venezuela. Apparently, they pay millions! Millions! All I know about Venezuela is that it has great social welfare programs, I don’t really waste my time reading or watching the news; who has time for that nonsense?

Anyway, can any of you working there fill me in on QoL and CoS? Looking forward to moving to Caracas. The airline has sent me a welcome package that includes a gas mask, military rations, and a first aid kit. They are so caring, must be a great place to work!
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Old 2nd Dec 2019, 04:29
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And don't forget the "last in first out policy".
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Old 2nd Dec 2019, 06:36
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Originally Posted by Gnadenburg
Maybe relevant here, I've heard the new COS 18 guys not getting the hours they thought ( or promised ) so are living on hard times. Even approaching ever so apologetic management who've drawn their attention to the civil unrest. Reports of captains being asked to fly slow.

Yep. It's played out as expected.
Just flew with two COS18 DEFOs, indeed they are flying far less than promised.
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Old 2nd Dec 2019, 11:03
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Originally Posted by main_dog


Just flew with two COS18 DEFOs, indeed they are flying far less than promised.
The key word in that statement is "promised".
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Old 2nd Dec 2019, 14:37
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Originally Posted by main_dog


Just flew with two COS18 DEFOs, indeed they are flying far less than promised.
Lol ....... Go figure.

No sympathy. Before the internet and information exploded might have given folks a pass but there is no excuse these days not to know exactly what one is getting into. And it’s not like folks haven’t written volumes about the situation on this very site.
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Old 3rd Dec 2019, 04:22
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All defos are going to the 747 aswell. Enjoy night freight and low amounts of flight time.
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Old 3rd Dec 2019, 11:43
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Originally Posted by Natca
All defos are going to the 747 aswell. Enjoy night freight and low amounts of flight time.
Isn't there a DEFO on the 777?
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Old 3rd Dec 2019, 13:14
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Originally Posted by Near Miss
Isn't there a DEFO on the 777?
Yeah, one highly privileged retired klm skipper, a guy who will never see command before he retires again.
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