Rejoining/returning to CX process
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: U.S.
Rejoining/returning to CX process
After sometime away from CX and HK decided we actually want to go back.
To those of you who successfully returned back what was the process? I have heard mixed things.
For some who are returning to CX as DEFO or DEC it was a 30 min teams interview and offered a position/start on spot. Others it was a 30 minute teams interview with a follow up in two weeks and a trip to HK to do a medical etc.
Those of you who rejoined CX please share your experiences.
To those of you who successfully returned back what was the process? I have heard mixed things.
For some who are returning to CX as DEFO or DEC it was a 30 min teams interview and offered a position/start on spot. Others it was a 30 minute teams interview with a follow up in two weeks and a trip to HK to do a medical etc.
Those of you who rejoined CX please share your experiences.
Popular Reply
7th December 2024, 22:15
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 128
Likes: 13
From: Asia
After sometime away from CX and HK decided we actually want to go back.
To those of you who successfully returned back what was the process? I have heard mixed things.
For some who are returning to CX as DEFO or DEC it was a 30 min teams interview and offered a position/start on spot. Others it was a 30 minute teams interview with a follow up in two weeks and a trip to HK to do a medical etc.
Those of you who rejoined CX please share your experiences.
To those of you who successfully returned back what was the process? I have heard mixed things.
For some who are returning to CX as DEFO or DEC it was a 30 min teams interview and offered a position/start on spot. Others it was a 30 minute teams interview with a follow up in two weeks and a trip to HK to do a medical etc.
Those of you who rejoined CX please share your experiences.
We couldn't survive back on the beach at Sunshine Coast without a helper
Driving is so scary back in (add in any western city) , thankfully there's the bus and taxi in Hong Kong, only an hour to get anywhere on the bus
I wanted to get a job as a DEC at Air NZ, QF, BA but I couldn't, it's confusing
The taxes, oh the taxes, I want to live somewhere where I have all the things the taxes pay for, but pay no tax to support them
I'm bored back home, have nothing to do, need a 110 hrs a month roster to have a life
I hate mowing the lawn, apt living is way better
Luckily ARAPA is gone, way better getting 30% of the old scheme in cash
No one earns more that $10k a month as a Senior CN anywhere else, I've read current legacy carrier contracts
I really don't care where you go to be happy at work but the delusion that CX in 2024 is better than it's ever been could come down a notch.
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 128
Likes: 13
From: Asia
After sometime away from CX and HK decided we actually want to go back.
To those of you who successfully returned back what was the process? I have heard mixed things.
For some who are returning to CX as DEFO or DEC it was a 30 min teams interview and offered a position/start on spot. Others it was a 30 minute teams interview with a follow up in two weeks and a trip to HK to do a medical etc.
Those of you who rejoined CX please share your experiences.
To those of you who successfully returned back what was the process? I have heard mixed things.
For some who are returning to CX as DEFO or DEC it was a 30 min teams interview and offered a position/start on spot. Others it was a 30 minute teams interview with a follow up in two weeks and a trip to HK to do a medical etc.
Those of you who rejoined CX please share your experiences.
We couldn't survive back on the beach at Sunshine Coast without a helper
Driving is so scary back in (add in any western city) , thankfully there's the bus and taxi in Hong Kong, only an hour to get anywhere on the bus
I wanted to get a job as a DEC at Air NZ, QF, BA but I couldn't, it's confusing
The taxes, oh the taxes, I want to live somewhere where I have all the things the taxes pay for, but pay no tax to support them
I'm bored back home, have nothing to do, need a 110 hrs a month roster to have a life
I hate mowing the lawn, apt living is way better
Luckily ARAPA is gone, way better getting 30% of the old scheme in cash
No one earns more that $10k a month as a Senior CN anywhere else, I've read current legacy carrier contracts
I really don't care where you go to be happy at work but the delusion that CX in 2024 is better than it's ever been could come down a notch.
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
From: Big Island
You have to start with such great lines as:
We couldn't survive back on the beach at Sunshine Coast without a helper
Driving is so scary back in (add in any western city) , thankfully there's the bus and taxi in Hong Kong, only an hour to get anywhere on the bus
I wanted to get a job as a DEC at Air NZ, QF, BA but I couldn't, it's confusing
The taxes, oh the taxes, I want to live somewhere where I have all the things the taxes pay for, but pay no tax to support them
I'm bored back home, have nothing to do, need a 110 hrs a month roster to have a life
I hate mowing the lawn, apt living is way better
Luckily ARAPA is gone, way better getting 30% of the old scheme in cash
No one earns more that $10k a month as a Senior CN anywhere else, I've read current legacy carrier contracts
I really don't care where you go to be happy at work but the delusion that CX in 2024 is better than it's ever been could come down a notch.
We couldn't survive back on the beach at Sunshine Coast without a helper
Driving is so scary back in (add in any western city) , thankfully there's the bus and taxi in Hong Kong, only an hour to get anywhere on the bus
I wanted to get a job as a DEC at Air NZ, QF, BA but I couldn't, it's confusing
The taxes, oh the taxes, I want to live somewhere where I have all the things the taxes pay for, but pay no tax to support them
I'm bored back home, have nothing to do, need a 110 hrs a month roster to have a life
I hate mowing the lawn, apt living is way better
Luckily ARAPA is gone, way better getting 30% of the old scheme in cash
No one earns more that $10k a month as a Senior CN anywhere else, I've read current legacy carrier contracts
I really don't care where you go to be happy at work but the delusion that CX in 2024 is better than it's ever been could come down a notch.
Best reply I've seen in a long time
Joined: Apr 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 734
Likes: 28
From: Australia
A straw poll would suggest that the four pre-requisites are:
1. You own your own accomodation in HK that you hung on to when you were tossed in the bin.
2. Note-to-self to only read your roster and delete all the other copious amounts of comms emanating from the new "blame culture" management system.
3. Treat it as a contract (and I use that term loosely) job and invest zero emotional energy in the company and its predicament.
4. Commit to doing all the things in HK that are worth doing like spending time with friends, hiking, boating and eating! Plus some cultural and community stuff.
1. You own your own accomodation in HK that you hung on to when you were tossed in the bin.
2. Note-to-self to only read your roster and delete all the other copious amounts of comms emanating from the new "blame culture" management system.
3. Treat it as a contract (and I use that term loosely) job and invest zero emotional energy in the company and its predicament.
4. Commit to doing all the things in HK that are worth doing like spending time with friends, hiking, boating and eating! Plus some cultural and community stuff.
Last edited by VR-HFX; 9th December 2024 at 11:32.
Joined: Jun 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 218
From: Eden Valley
I really enjoy Hong Kong. But you’ve got to seriously consider the rostering at CX now. OK if you’ve got no money, go back. FFS make some this time! Or you couldn’t find aviation prestige for your ego outside of CX, go back and pretend.
Most former colleagues I know didn’t get passed the rostering before even considering the other pitfalls.
Most former colleagues I know didn’t get passed the rostering before even considering the other pitfalls.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 461
Likes: 129
From: Bottom of the Harbour
In Australia, the Labor government has mandated ‘Same job, same pay’.
In HK, Swire through COS18 has mandated ‘Same job, half the pay’ and no contract to boot.
So going back now must taste even sweeter that the first time….
In HK, Swire through COS18 has mandated ‘Same job, half the pay’ and no contract to boot.
So going back now must taste even sweeter that the first time….
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 657
Likes: 47
From: Asia
Correct, they are doing 130-140 hours a month
Some of these checkers look like they about to collapse in front of the sim panel
Work yourself to death and take all that cash to the grave
How many times have we heard this “I just gotta do another 5 years and I can retire…”
Some of these checkers look like they about to collapse in front of the sim panel
Work yourself to death and take all that cash to the grave
How many times have we heard this “I just gotta do another 5 years and I can retire…”
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: U.S.
You have to start with such great lines as:
We couldn't survive back on the beach at Sunshine Coast without a helper
Driving is so scary back in (add in any western city) , thankfully there's the bus and taxi in Hong Kong, only an hour to get anywhere on the bus
I wanted to get a job as a DEC at Air NZ, QF, BA but I couldn't, it's confusing
The taxes, oh the taxes, I want to live somewhere where I have all the things the taxes pay for, but pay no tax to support them
I'm bored back home, have nothing to do, need a 110 hrs a month roster to have a life
I hate mowing the lawn, apt living is way better
Luckily ARAPA is gone, way better getting 30% of the old scheme in cash
No one earns more that $10k a month as a Senior CN anywhere else, I've read current legacy carrier contracts
I really don't care where you go to be happy at work but the delusion that CX in 2024 is better than it's ever been could come down a notch.
We couldn't survive back on the beach at Sunshine Coast without a helper
Driving is so scary back in (add in any western city) , thankfully there's the bus and taxi in Hong Kong, only an hour to get anywhere on the bus
I wanted to get a job as a DEC at Air NZ, QF, BA but I couldn't, it's confusing
The taxes, oh the taxes, I want to live somewhere where I have all the things the taxes pay for, but pay no tax to support them
I'm bored back home, have nothing to do, need a 110 hrs a month roster to have a life
I hate mowing the lawn, apt living is way better
Luckily ARAPA is gone, way better getting 30% of the old scheme in cash
No one earns more that $10k a month as a Senior CN anywhere else, I've read current legacy carrier contracts
I really don't care where you go to be happy at work but the delusion that CX in 2024 is better than it's ever been could come down a notch.
We never had a helper in HK - But sounds like that’s important to you since you mentioned it first thing. Get out from under the LBH troll bridge and go enjoy HK.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: U.S.
I really enjoy Hong Kong. But you’ve got to seriously consider the rostering at CX now. OK if you’ve got no money, go back. FFS make some this time! Or you couldn’t find aviation prestige for your ego outside of CX, go back and pretend.
Most former colleagues I know didn’t get passed the rostering before even considering the other pitfalls.
Most former colleagues I know didn’t get passed the rostering before even considering the other pitfalls.
Also HK is closer to our home countries so we actually saw our families a lot more than we do now (excluding covid times in hk of course)
The wife has been asking the last three years to go back as she did enjoy our life in HK a lot more. We really loved the hikes, easy to make friends and endless food options. Of course we know lots of things have changed but the grass isn’t as green outside of HK.
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 223
Likes: 66
The US is a big country. If you aren't completely happy where you are, move to an entirely different part. Montana is wonderful, parts of the Mid West are very pretty and inexpensive, Phoenix is a good choice as well. If family is in Oz though, then I understand nothing above mentioned can fix that. Good luck with whatever decision you make.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: U.S.
The US is a big country. If you aren't completely happy where you are, move to an entirely different part. Montana is wonderful, parts of the Mid West are very pretty and inexpensive, Phoenix is a good choice as well. If family is in Oz though, then I understand nothing above mentioned can fix that. Good luck with whatever decision you make.
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 149
Likes: 20
From: HK
You have to start with such great lines as:
We couldn't survive back on the beach at Sunshine Coast without a helper
Driving is so scary back in (add in any western city) , thankfully there's the bus and taxi in Hong Kong, only an hour to get anywhere on the bus
I wanted to get a job as a DEC at Air NZ, QF, BA but I couldn't, it's confusing
The taxes, oh the taxes, I want to live somewhere where I have all the things the taxes pay for, but pay no tax to support them
I'm bored back home, have nothing to do, need a 110 hrs a month roster to have a life
I hate mowing the lawn, apt living is way better
Luckily ARAPA is gone, way better getting 30% of the old scheme in cash
No one earns more that $10k a month as a Senior CN anywhere else, I've read current legacy carrier contracts
I really don't care where you go to be happy at work but the delusion that CX in 2024 is better than it's ever been could come down a notch.
We couldn't survive back on the beach at Sunshine Coast without a helper
Driving is so scary back in (add in any western city) , thankfully there's the bus and taxi in Hong Kong, only an hour to get anywhere on the bus
I wanted to get a job as a DEC at Air NZ, QF, BA but I couldn't, it's confusing
The taxes, oh the taxes, I want to live somewhere where I have all the things the taxes pay for, but pay no tax to support them
I'm bored back home, have nothing to do, need a 110 hrs a month roster to have a life
I hate mowing the lawn, apt living is way better
Luckily ARAPA is gone, way better getting 30% of the old scheme in cash
No one earns more that $10k a month as a Senior CN anywhere else, I've read current legacy carrier contracts
I really don't care where you go to be happy at work but the delusion that CX in 2024 is better than it's ever been could come down a notch.
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 29
Likes: 12
From: LA
I have 4 friends who have gone back, and I hear different stories. There are 2 who say they are making good money but didn't realize how bad it would be to get on staff travel to go home and see the family now they are at the bottom of the seniority list. They claim CX management still have the same mindset, they are stuck in a small rental in Tung Chung with min days off, and apparently HK is not the same blah blah and bitterly regret returning.
The other 2 friends who've gone back absolutely love it. Yes, they are at the bottom of the seniority list, but they are making good money and when they have annual leave. they just buy full fare, so it's really no big deal. They realized after they left, just how much they missed HK, enjoyed flying for a legacy carrier, and that the grass was definitely not greener. They now see life in CX in a different light and are very happy to be back..
A 777 skipper once told me “You can't come back unless you go away." I do believe that to be true. Only you can decide if returning is the right thing. Sit and write down the pros and cons, and make the best decision that you can. I left 3 years ago, and I'm very happy with my life in the US, but I do miss Hong Kong and the expat life. I can understand why people return, and I'm happy for them. My only words of caution are, if you do go back, don't go expecting it to be the way it all was pre-2020.
The fleet you return on also makes a huge difference, from what I hear the Airbus and 777 are flying a lot, with not many days off but are making good money. The 747 guys are not doing many hours but get more days off, with many commuting.
I would also only go back if you can afford to live on the basic salary, as with your contract being 'policy’, there's a possibility that the thresholds may change in the future. Financially, plan on only what you’re guaranteed, which is the minimum salary. If that works for you, then go for it and enjoy being back in HK. Great hikes, great taxes, great people, great global position, and despite what others may say, you're still working for a pretty good legacy carrier. Some will criticise me for saying that, but I guess they probably haven't seen life on the other side.
I wish you all the best in your decision.
The other 2 friends who've gone back absolutely love it. Yes, they are at the bottom of the seniority list, but they are making good money and when they have annual leave. they just buy full fare, so it's really no big deal. They realized after they left, just how much they missed HK, enjoyed flying for a legacy carrier, and that the grass was definitely not greener. They now see life in CX in a different light and are very happy to be back..
A 777 skipper once told me “You can't come back unless you go away." I do believe that to be true. Only you can decide if returning is the right thing. Sit and write down the pros and cons, and make the best decision that you can. I left 3 years ago, and I'm very happy with my life in the US, but I do miss Hong Kong and the expat life. I can understand why people return, and I'm happy for them. My only words of caution are, if you do go back, don't go expecting it to be the way it all was pre-2020.
The fleet you return on also makes a huge difference, from what I hear the Airbus and 777 are flying a lot, with not many days off but are making good money. The 747 guys are not doing many hours but get more days off, with many commuting.
I would also only go back if you can afford to live on the basic salary, as with your contract being 'policy’, there's a possibility that the thresholds may change in the future. Financially, plan on only what you’re guaranteed, which is the minimum salary. If that works for you, then go for it and enjoy being back in HK. Great hikes, great taxes, great people, great global position, and despite what others may say, you're still working for a pretty good legacy carrier. Some will criticise me for saying that, but I guess they probably haven't seen life on the other side.
I wish you all the best in your decision.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 10
From: Krug departure, Merlot transition
Best post so far on this thread. Balanced and factual.
I have a “returnee” mate who’s actually way happier in CX now than he was before leaving. Conversely others are quite content with their new jobs in EU or US. Do your due diligence, and make your decision with eyes wide open.
The decision that works for some will not work for others, but that doesn’t mean you have to pi$$ all over your colleagues who opt for a different option from the one you chose.
I have a “returnee” mate who’s actually way happier in CX now than he was before leaving. Conversely others are quite content with their new jobs in EU or US. Do your due diligence, and make your decision with eyes wide open.
The decision that works for some will not work for others, but that doesn’t mean you have to pi$$ all over your colleagues who opt for a different option from the one you chose.
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 428
Likes: 20
From: HKG
......I would also only go back if you can afford to live on the basic salary, as with your contract being 'policy’, there's a possibility that the thresholds may change in the future. Financially, plan on only what you’re guaranteed, which is the minimum salary.......
Overall a good post, but we are NOT guaranteed even basic salary. EVERYTHING is just policy. EVERYTHING is subject to change at the sole discretion of the company, without prior notice. You must be happy to work without an employment contract for utterly immoral scum and take it month by month.
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 223
Likes: 66
I cannot understand how you can leave an airline due to your dissatisfaction with the conditions, then return, losing all your seniority, much lower pay and benefits and somehow be "happier". In some bizzaro world I suppose that makes sense. That is a special level of delusion...