DEFO Fleet assignment ?

[Itellthejokes]

Hello

I have been offered a position at Cathay as DEFO

Obviously the assignment of fleet is a mystery until you’ve officially started.

Has anyone who has started recently had there fleet preference awarded or is it just what you get ?

How many hours a month can I expect on each fleet type ? Realistically I want to know where am I going to make the most money with extra flying ?

What does an average roster look like ?

Do you have any ability to push back against a fleet type opting for your preferred choice ?

[controlledrest]

[QUOTE=Itellthejokes;11898256]Hello

I have been offered a position at Cathay as DEFO

Obviously the assignment of fleet is a mystery until you’ve officially started.

Has anyone who has started recently had there fleet preference awarded or is it just what you get ?
No. Company used to ask. Recently no one got what they wanted, there were complaints, so the company fixed this by not asking.

How many hours a month can I expect on each fleet type ? Realistically I want to know where am I going to make the most money with extra flying ?
No real idea. Company doesn't publish an hour break down. Plan on living off basic salary (which the company can change at their sole discretion, no notice given), don't assume you will get any flight duty pay. The 747 is doing stuff all, so guys digging into savings to live. A330 only pilots working hard - min days off each month and sometimes your 1 off in 7 is down route - so don't expect to see family or friends. 777 not doing much. A350 only struggling to keep current. Company normally 9always) screws up crewing levels (Captains flying relief, FOs working as SOs, pilots hitting 900 hour limit but other pilots below threshold on same fleet). It does swing around over time.


What does an average roster look like ?
No such thing as an average roster.

Do you have any ability to push back against a fleet type opting for your preferred choice ?
No. There is no push back on ANYTHING. Company attitude is very much 'this is our train set, if you don't like it, leave'. You will be bonded, even though this is illegal in HKG.


Good luck.

[Zi Peng]

Originally Posted by Itellthejokes

Hello

I have been offered a position at Cathay as DEFO

Obviously the assignment of fleet is a mystery until you’ve officially started.

Has anyone who has started recently had there fleet preference awarded or is it just what you get ?

How many hours a month can I expect on each fleet type ? Realistically I want to know where am I going to make the most money with extra flying ?

What does an average roster look like ?

Do you have any ability to push back against a fleet type opting for your preferred choice ?

Ny guess would be a bus especially if you have that background.
747 is flying the same as ever, question is your salary based on 50-60 hrs enough for you ?
Family, kids, long term plans, options ?
Company will do whatever they want, there have been cases with people joining on a fleet, actually starting the induction classes to be moved to another.
At the moment numbers are still wrong post covid, some working too hard some not working much. That tells a lot about management.

[controlledrest]

I know of two experienced 777 drivers who were promised 777 at CX. First day in HKG they were put on the mini-bus. They quit the same day.

HelloKItty City is full of little people making decisions (often dumb ones) and they never ever change their minds. Life is easier when you accept that is the way it is.

[Sisiphos]

Originally Posted by controlledrest

I know of two experienced 777 drivers who were promised 777 at CX. First day in HKG they were put on the mini-bus. They quit the same day.

HelloKItty City is full of little people making decisions (often dumb ones) and they never ever change their minds. Life is easier when you accept that is the way it is.

complete bs, as usual.

[Itellthejokes]

[QUOTE=controlledrest;11898792]

Originally Posted by Itellthejokes

Hello

I have been offered a position at Cathay as DEFO

Obviously the assignment of fleet is a mystery until you’ve officially started.

Has anyone who has started recently had there fleet preference awarded or is it just what you get ?
No. Company used to ask. Recently no one got what they wanted, there were complaints, so the company fixed this by not asking.

How many hours a month can I expect on each fleet type ? Realistically I want to know where am I going to make the most money with extra flying ?
No real idea. Company doesn't publish an hour break down. Plan on living off basic salary (which the company can change at their sole discretion, no notice given), don't assume you will get any flight duty pay. The 747 is doing stuff all, so guys digging into savings to live. A330 only pilots working hard - min days off each month and sometimes your 1 off in 7 is down route - so don't expect to see family or friends. 777 not doing much. A350 only struggling to keep current. Company normally 9always) screws up crewing levels (Captains flying relief, FOs working as SOs, pilots hitting 900 hour limit but other pilots below threshold on same fleet). It does swing around over time.


What does an average roster look like ?
No such thing as an average roster.

Do you have any ability to push back against a fleet type opting for your preferred choice ?
No. There is no push back on ANYTHING. Company attitude is very much 'this is our train set, if you don't like it, leave'. You will be bonded, even though this is illegal in HKG.


Good luck.

Thanks Just found out I’m on the A321.

What range of hours a month do you think I’ll normally fly ?

And typically I’m guessing I’ll be home most nights flying the A321 ?

Upgrade time for the A321 considering there’s more on order arriving before 2028 could it be 3 years ?

[drfaust]

That will depend on your experience and how many in front of you become eligible and able for command. There are a lot of inexperienced SO’s on the list so it’s hard to say anything sensible here.

The A321 flies returns and integrated patterns with overnights. Currently the consensus seems to be that the A330 has the worst roster and pay. Higher overtime threshold but short haul operations with minimum days off. Hirings will eventually alleviate that.

If you like staying on the same body clock flying the neo will be nice. It’s essentially the Dragonair narrow-body operation transposed onto Cathay Pacific. Flying hours wise I think it’s reasonable to assume 50 hours and 600 per year.

[Sisiphos]

Originally Posted by drfaust

That will depend on your experience and how many in front of you become eligible and able for command. There are a lot of inexperienced SO’s on the list so it’s hard to say anything sensible here.

The A321 flies returns and integrated patterns with overnights. Currently the consensus seems to be that the A330 has the worst roster and pay. Higher overtime threshold but short haul operations with minimum days off. Hirings will eventually alleviate that.

If you like staying on the same body clock flying the neo will be nice. It’s essentially the Dragonair narrow-body operation transposed onto Cathay Pacific. Flying hours wise I think it’s reasonable to assume 50 hours and 600 per year.

A few misconceptions here.. There is no "330 fleet", only the simple fact that you need 500 hours before you get the 350 on top.

And there is no consensus on "worst" fleet, or otherwise 747 guys would not have been divided on a recent transfer oportunity. It depends on your personal preferences.

Me I think the 320 has the best lifestyle and pay. Others might hate it. (actually has lower overtime threshold, not higher).
And I am not alone thinking 320 is best, there have been a number of volunteers fir transfer from widebody recently.So all up to the beholder..

[controlledrest]

Originally Posted by controlledrest
I know of two experienced 777 drivers who were promised 777 at CX. First day in HKG they were put on the mini-bus. They quit the same day.

HelloKItty City is full of little people making decisions (often dumb ones) and they never ever change their minds. Life is easier when you accept that is the way it is.

Originally Posted by Sisiphos

complete bs, as usual.

I know one of the blokes. You?

[Bowtie]

DEFO Holding File

Hello all.

I was successful with a DEFO assessment during the first week of June. I’ve been told I’m in the successful candidate holding pool. Any idea how long people are waiting for class dates ?

[Letsgotoga]

Is it 321N and 747 lately or any possibility of another fleet

Hello guys, I have applied for defo, waiting for assessment. Im curious regarding the fleet assignment. Lately is everyone assigned on a321n or 747? Heard of anyone being assigned a350 or a330 while joining? Also someone with 4000plus jet experience, will that be a criteria for bus widebody assignment? Need someone to throw some light on this

[Posterizing]

Originally Posted by Letsgotoga

Hello guys, I have applied for defo, waiting for assessment. Im curious regarding the fleet assignment. Lately is everyone assigned on a321n or 747? Heard of anyone being assigned a350 or a330 while joining? Also someone with 4000plus jet experience, will that be a criteria for bus widebody assignment? Need someone to throw some light on this

Lately is 320/777/747. The only criteria they look at is where they require people. Your experience doesnt matter at all.

[Itellthejokes]

Originally Posted by Bowtie

Hello all.

I was successful with a DEFO assessment during the first week of June. I’ve been told I’m in the successful candidate holding pool. Any idea how long people are waiting for class dates ?

congrats on passing the assessment

I’m on a late August class. That’s strange I wasn’t aware of a holding pool for DEFOs

I was given 10 weeks notice for a start date I hope that helps

[Bokpiel]

Originally Posted by Sisiphos

Me I think the 320 has the best lifestyle and pay. Others might hate it. (actually has lower overtime threshold, not higher).
And I am not alone thinking 320 is best, there have been a number of volunteers fir transfer from widebody recently.So all up to the beholder..

Depends. Good for the body clock and sleeping in your own bed, but the 777 and 350 is better when it comes to the amount of times per month you actually have to go sign on (especially for FO's), layovers, allowances and total days off.

[Wildmark]

Just out of Curiosity what have been the fleet assignments for the last few classes

[NotHere]

A couple of course mates 330 as well as 777 while others are either 747 or 321.

[blorgwinder]

Originally Posted by Itellthejokes

Hello

I have been offered a position at Cathay as DEFO

Obviously the assignment of fleet is a mystery until you’ve officially started.

Has anyone who has started recently had there fleet preference awarded or is it just what you get ?

How many hours a month can I expect on each fleet type ? Realistically I want to know where am I going to make the most money with extra flying ?

What does an average roster look like ?

Do you have any ability to push back against a fleet type opting for your preferred choice ?

Maybe should have asked all this BEFORE you applied

[Itellthejokes]

Originally Posted by blorgwinder

Maybe should have asked all this BEFORE you applied

thanks champ

[blorgwinder]

Originally Posted by Itellthejokes

thanks champ

No need to thank me, just helping you out..