CX FO roster
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Joined: Apr 2023
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CX FO roster
Hi all, while this topic is discussed in another thread before, but I want to ask specifically on CX FO roster post-pandemic.
1. In passenger fleet, how many days-off (average) do you have in HK per month?
2. How about the A321 roster, any different than the rest?
3. In the cargo fleet, do the pilots get similar roster pattern like AHK? Is CX cargo roster commutable (within Asia)?
Thanks, fly safe!
1. In passenger fleet, how many days-off (average) do you have in HK per month?
2. How about the A321 roster, any different than the rest?
3. In the cargo fleet, do the pilots get similar roster pattern like AHK? Is CX cargo roster commutable (within Asia)?
Thanks, fly safe!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 72
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From: In the front, on the right
On the Airbus, FO’s are getting around 8-9 days off, generally as recovery days so sometimes blocks of 3 if after a long haul. It’s not commutable at this stage. I can’t talk for the freighter although they are quiet at the moment they should ramp up again soon. The issue we have is O days which although ostensibly a day off, the company can make you work on them and then if they don’t they can retrospectively call it a day off. Swapping is near impossible at the moment as everyone is rostered so tightly and the request system is still a mystery to most. There’s not much control over your roster and you certainly can’t plan to commute.
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 192
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From: By the sea
AHK is set up to commute. Hotel room before and after patterns I'm told, with blocks of work, then blocks of time off.
CX is set up to hang around if you're a Captain 3 or 4 and own your place until the kids leave school, then instruct in the sim when the wife leaves. Or join straight out of school living at home. That bit in-between looks to be problematic.
It's all about cost base. But who moves to another mans country to struggle financially to the point you can't live there, and have to commute in an unfriendly system?
CX/Dragon had 4000 something pilots, CX now seems like it can't get above 2400ish. 2 leave for every 3 that join, and you will be treated like part of the problem, not part of the solution.
CX is set up to hang around if you're a Captain 3 or 4 and own your place until the kids leave school, then instruct in the sim when the wife leaves. Or join straight out of school living at home. That bit in-between looks to be problematic.
It's all about cost base. But who moves to another mans country to struggle financially to the point you can't live there, and have to commute in an unfriendly system?
CX/Dragon had 4000 something pilots, CX now seems like it can't get above 2400ish. 2 leave for every 3 that join, and you will be treated like part of the problem, not part of the solution.
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 30
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From: Hong Kong
FO roster is busy. If you are an RQ, then it is horrifically busy and not great for your personal life at all. Too many of your 'days off, free from duty' are rostered to occur away from home base in places like San Francisco or London - not with your wife/husband and/or children. Rosters are pretty much done at maximum legal limits these days and will probably be that way for a few years. Quite fatiguing.
When it all becomes too much after dealing with years of draconian COVID rules, no control over your life or your roster and work begins to affect your ability to spend quality time with family then you need to take compassionate or stress leave. Requests for leave are almost universally denied unless you get a medical certification.
Although medically approved stress leave will give you that much needed time at home to help care for your child with leukaemia, the downside of taking time off in this company is that the pilot managers will then call you into the office and punish you under the guise that you lack the 'strength & resilience' to be a captain and that your promotion has been delayed.
Cathay really has become an Orwellian dystopia off the back of COVID. Fantastic for management - not so great for employees.
When it all becomes too much after dealing with years of draconian COVID rules, no control over your life or your roster and work begins to affect your ability to spend quality time with family then you need to take compassionate or stress leave. Requests for leave are almost universally denied unless you get a medical certification.
Although medically approved stress leave will give you that much needed time at home to help care for your child with leukaemia, the downside of taking time off in this company is that the pilot managers will then call you into the office and punish you under the guise that you lack the 'strength & resilience' to be a captain and that your promotion has been delayed.
Cathay really has become an Orwellian dystopia off the back of COVID. Fantastic for management - not so great for employees.
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Joined: Apr 2023
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On the Airbus, FO’s are getting around 8-9 days off, generally as recovery days so sometimes blocks of 3 if after a long haul. It’s not commutable at this stage. I can’t talk for the freighter although they are quiet at the moment they should ramp up again soon. The issue we have is O days which although ostensibly a day off, the company can make you work on them and then if they don’t they can retrospectively call it a day off. Swapping is near impossible at the moment as everyone is rostered so tightly and the request system is still a mystery to most. There’s not much control over your roster and you certainly can’t plan to commute.
Joined: Sep 2022
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From: xyz
On the note of the roster, I mean it's a long shot, probably got more chance of flying in North Korea, but will ask anyway... would Cathay ever consider a commuting option? 
HK used to be great to live in 10 years ago, but it's definitely changing. Not sure if it's a great move for the long term anymore.
HK used to be great to live in 10 years ago, but it's definitely changing. Not sure if it's a great move for the long term anymore.
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: In the middle
On the note of the roster, I mean it's a long shot, probably got more chance of flying in North Korea, but will ask anyway... would Cathay ever consider a commuting option?
HK used to be great to live in 10 years ago, but it's definitely changing. Not sure if it's a great move for the long term anymore.
HK used to be great to live in 10 years ago, but it's definitely changing. Not sure if it's a great move for the long term anymore.
