Cathay Holding Pool Time Line

[Itellthejokes]

Hello All

I was curious if anyone had any information on when Cathy will Resume new hire classes for DEFOs or historically how long does the holding file wait take ?

[Xiellmoz]

From past trends, Cathay’s holding pool can vary a lot — sometimes a few months, sometimes over a year. Have you heard any recent insider updates from current DEFOs in the pool?

[Itellthejokes]

Originally Posted by Xiellmoz

From past trends, Cathay’s holding pool can vary a lot — sometimes a few months, sometimes over a year. Have you heard any recent insider updates from current DEFOs in the pool?

Not exactly sure about others, I passed my final assessment Mid May. Still waiting The only thing I know is they are evaluating course resources.

Any one know when they may restart.

[Wildmark]

Originally Posted by Itellthejokes

Not exactly sure about others, I passed my final assessment Mid May. Still waiting The only thing I know is they are evaluating course resources.

Any one know when they may restart.

I am in the same position DEFO assessment date was Late July no word on anything.

How much notice will we get 2 months?

[Itellthejokes]

Originally Posted by Wildmark

I am in the same position DEFO assessment date was Late July no word on anything.

How much notice will we get 2 months?

I’ve heard you get almost 3 months notice for a class to get visa and complete background checks

[Itellthejokes]

Originally Posted by Itellthejokes

I’ve heard you get almost 3 months notice for a class to get visa and complete background checks

Holding

https://chat.whatsapp.com/I8uwn6XYuq...ode=ems_copy_c

[Itellthejokes]

I Interviewed in April got delayed by a medical issue for a month has anyone interviewed recently gotten a class date ? Please PM me

[Wildmark]

Originally Posted by Itellthejokes

I Interviewed in April got delayed by a medical issue for a month has anyone interviewed recently gotten a class date ? Please PM me

The airline is not focused on external hires for the remainder of the year from What I’ve been told. I hear next year there’s gonna be a big push on the the narrow body

[Oddball77]

Big push as in DEFOs going narrow body or cadets?

[controlledrest]

Originally Posted by Oddball77

Big push as in DEFOs going narrow body or cadets?

Cadets from the two providers. No DESOs, a few DEFO (but not many) until at least the end of next year. The training system in HKG at CX can't take any more. SO to FO upgrades on the Bus will be on the mini-Bus or maybe the 330. Those who have upgraded onto the 350 don't get enough sectors once on line and continue to struggle with landings. Its nuts to take a cadet (< 200 hours flying light aircraft), 2 -5 years of their limited skills deteriorating as a relief pilot, then throw them into a wide body. Not fair on them, their Captains or the traveling public.

CX doesn't care anymore about recruiting experience, their spreadsheet doesn't have a cell for corporate risk factor.

[Wildmark]

Originally Posted by controlledrest

Cadets from the two providers. No DESOs, a few DEFO (but not many) until at least the end of next year. The training system in HKG at CX can't take any more. SO to FO upgrades on the Bus will be on the mini-Bus or maybe the 330. Those who have upgraded onto the 350 don't get enough sectors once on line and continue to struggle with landings. Its nuts to take a cadet (< 200 hours flying light aircraft), 2 -5 years of their limited skills deteriorating as a relief pilot, then throw them into a wide body. Not fair on them, their Captains or the traveling public.

CX doesn't care anymore about recruiting experience, their spreadsheet doesn't have a cell for corporate risk factor.

July 2025 Interview here. Spoke we my recruiter last week. The training backlog is set to clear early next year. Especially now they have more training capacity with new sims and more Sim instructors online. I was told to expect a class date notification by March next year.

[CJD1985]

Originally Posted by controlledrest

Cadets from the two providers. No DESOs, a few DEFO (but not many) until at least the end of next year. The training system in HKG at CX can't take any more. SO to FO upgrades on the Bus will be on the mini-Bus or maybe the 330. Those who have upgraded onto the 350 don't get enough sectors once on line and continue to struggle with landings. Its nuts to take a cadet (< 200 hours flying light aircraft), 2 -5 years of their limited skills deteriorating as a relief pilot, then throw them into a wide body. Not fair on them, their Captains or the traveling public.

CX doesn't care anymore about recruiting experience, their spreadsheet doesn't have a cell for corporate risk factor.

No more DESO? I successfully interviewed for the DESO position but for the past 6 months have been in the hold pool waiting for a start date. CX has informed me my start date won't be till sometime next year. Do you think that's correct or CX won't be hiring DESO anymore?

[Cury Lamb]

Originally Posted by CJD1985

No more DESO? I successfully interviewed for the DESO position but for the past 6 months have been in the hold pool waiting for a start date. CX has informed me my start date won't be till sometime next year. Do you think that's correct or CX won't be hiring DESO anymore?

No more DESO for now. Only cadets.

[Itellthejokes]

Originally Posted by CJD1985

No more DESO? I successfully interviewed for the DESO position but for the past 6 months have been in the hold pool waiting for a start date. CX has informed me my start date won't be till sometime next year. Do you think that's correct or CX won't be hiring DESO anymore?

I wouldn’t expect any more DESO for the next 12 months from what I hear that tap has been cut off

[PKSAK]

Originally Posted by Itellthejokes

I wouldn’t expect any more DESO for the next 12 months from what I hear that tap has been cut off

True. DESO here. Last update from an HR was that there is no available training slots in this first half of 2026. Further update expected in the latter of the second half.