Americans at Cathay
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: usa
what does it mean crappy staff travel?
Is it something like you cannot be upgraded in Fist Class with your ID90
or is it something like you are treated like a crap once onboard,because you are traveling almost for free?
Is it something like you cannot be upgraded in Fist Class with your ID90
or is it something like you are treated like a crap once onboard,because you are traveling almost for free?
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 966
Likes: 0
From: up here, everyone looks like ants!
OK, no takers, so here I go:
1. NO first class (on leisure travel) for post April 1, 1993 joiners or any on the "new, improved" travel scheme.
2. Our cookie-chuckers (God bless their frilly pink knickers) are brilliant, no if and's or but's. No discrimination on board.
3. NO on-board upgrades sanctioned by our masters. It happens, but very, very rarely. You are more likely to join the mile-high club with Elle McPherson.
4. If you are single, you nominate, BI-ANNUALLY, your designated travel partner. Limited tickets for your parents and in-laws. Stuff-all for siblings or anyone else.
5. Traveling "almost for free"? Please. Our subload tickets would have to be the most expensive in the industry, and the ZED scheme isn't worth spit. Expensive, restrictive, cumbersome and in most cases, you'll do better in a bucket-shop (discount travel) on a restricted ticket. Many (including my family and I) buy retail tickets to travel on holiday. Most of the time I do better than CX sublo or ZED fares...and I travel in jeans and sneakers (not allowed on CX).
6. CX "stuff-you" travel is an acknowledged "revenue centre" for CX, producing in excess of USD3 000 000 PROFIT annually.
7. CX's obsession with micro-managing means all changes to tickets have to be approved by HKG, so if you're in SUX and been bumped for the umpteenth time by UAL...you're S.O.L. until you can fax HKG with the proposed changes and a Cathay ticket agent makes the change.
Do you want more or will that do it for you?
1. NO first class (on leisure travel) for post April 1, 1993 joiners or any on the "new, improved" travel scheme.
2. Our cookie-chuckers (God bless their frilly pink knickers) are brilliant, no if and's or but's. No discrimination on board.
3. NO on-board upgrades sanctioned by our masters. It happens, but very, very rarely. You are more likely to join the mile-high club with Elle McPherson.
4. If you are single, you nominate, BI-ANNUALLY, your designated travel partner. Limited tickets for your parents and in-laws. Stuff-all for siblings or anyone else.
5. Traveling "almost for free"? Please. Our subload tickets would have to be the most expensive in the industry, and the ZED scheme isn't worth spit. Expensive, restrictive, cumbersome and in most cases, you'll do better in a bucket-shop (discount travel) on a restricted ticket. Many (including my family and I) buy retail tickets to travel on holiday. Most of the time I do better than CX sublo or ZED fares...and I travel in jeans and sneakers (not allowed on CX).
6. CX "stuff-you" travel is an acknowledged "revenue centre" for CX, producing in excess of USD3 000 000 PROFIT annually.
7. CX's obsession with micro-managing means all changes to tickets have to be approved by HKG, so if you're in SUX and been bumped for the umpteenth time by UAL...you're S.O.L. until you can fax HKG with the proposed changes and a Cathay ticket agent makes the change.
Do you want more or will that do it for you?
Last edited by Cpt. Underpants; 8th August 2003 at 22:34.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: NY USA
I'm also American, 36 with 4800 Total time and 1100 hr. PIC in ATR 72/42. I also would like to know if it's still possible to go direct entry FO in cargo. How long would the upgrade be to Captian anywhere? Do I understand correctly that after about three years as FO cargo, I would then go to Hong Kong and fly as FO PAX? Also do I have enough time to go direct entry FO in the first place, and would I be bumping SOs below me senority wize? Doesn't sound fair to the SOs. I've read many posts but never a real straight answer. Thanks 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
Yes Staff Travel is not amazing the fares do increase every year and when you travel business you often end up with an Economy meal. It would be nice for CX to operate an upgrade system but I dont think that will ever happen.
However good points - CX have ID agreements with most airlines so more often than not you can get ID on any airline you chose. The Staff travel desk are very good when it comes to a last minute ticket. They will print you one off straight away at the Travel section in CX even if they are very busy.
But like I said in my previous post it's a question of weighing it all up and then making your own decision. Despite these shortfalls I am happy as there are far more good points to working here than bad.
However good points - CX have ID agreements with most airlines so more often than not you can get ID on any airline you chose. The Staff travel desk are very good when it comes to a last minute ticket. They will print you one off straight away at the Travel section in CX even if they are very busy.
But like I said in my previous post it's a question of weighing it all up and then making your own decision. Despite these shortfalls I am happy as there are far more good points to working here than bad.
