It was not that long ago that every pilot hired in the USA was a flight engineer for the first year or seven years depending on growth. SO is better than being an oiler.
I have flown 15 years of short haul in the US and now am enjoying this. Many more days off and I don't miss those lovely overnights in the nasty Ramadas etc with the 4 am wake up for another 5 leg day with a 3 hour productivity break in some hub city. And no, I don't miss the 737 with it's 1950s KC 135 cockpit (even if stuffed full of glass now) noisy, lousy airconditioning....

Even a few going to Virgin Blue apparently.....................and it seems that even the 3rd floor are getting the message that all is not well with the troops....................A guy was told at his recent "end of Probabtion Interview"., "so, IF you decide to stay with us what do expect to do at Cathay"..................mmmmmmmm, never used to be like that, the thought of people leaving was almost unheard of, now, CX is just another airline scrabbling to fill seats by offering insufficient salaries....................

wake up and smell the roses, at the end of the day people will put up with the 1960 check and training as long as the paycheck makes it worthwhile.....................but, right now, it don't

:ok:Pathetic. Dont come to Cathay to enjoy flying. There is no such thing here. Its all about FCOM3s (operational procedures etc) that are so anal and rigid that you really dont have a frame work to use your own brain (some might prefer that - and so be it!). You are professionally dead at this Mickey Mouse "Airline". For your own sake go flying for somebody that actually looks at u as being a professional. This company is an old RAF leftover of a **** place. It pretends that CRM is an integrated part of the non-existent framework and management truely believe that they have got a top end product flightdeck trained (all most piss in my pants while even bothering to mention those words in connection with CX!:ok:) - its all a nothing but dreams. Most American and European establish airlines are light years ahead of the CX operation. To put it simple CX are left in the 70-80s.

Guys are leaving for reason, among others, for the above.
Happy flying old chaps.

And don't forget..
 

the odd ex RAAF chap that gives the long sleeve brigade a run for their money in the @sshole stakes! You know who you are!

Yeager,

Don't like to burst your bubble (its probably got something in it) but having worked for other "major established airlines", and with friends who still do, it seems CX is pretty standard. There are a few management and training a*******s who are difficult in every airline so thats par for the course. Most professionals can cope with them, its part of the job.;)

"Most professionals can cope with them, its part of the job."

Most Professionals would not bend over, they would politely tell them to F--- off and move on.

inciter,

When you learn some CRM you'll be so much better for it. At least the dinosaurs had the excuse that they never had to use it (and they'll be extinct soon). What's your excuse?:yuk:

Its not only the pilots who have difficulty retaining staff. Engineering is the same. This is due to the "word being out" on the lack of respect CX has for its own staff. The T & Cs and renumeration packages are uncompetitive as well. People will take a certain amount of **** treatment for the requisite amount of dosh, but when thats crap as well its easy to see why CX are having problems. At one time CX had a queue of people wishing to join - nowadays most people with any sort of conscience will not touch them with a barge pole. What goes around comes around eh !!!!

So really guys...how bad is the FO/CA roster compared to other majors? How many HOURS do you fly a month? Does the company have a standard for REST AT HOME? Because obviously, if you have a family, you don't give a rats arse about rest on the road. Too many companies in the past would rest crews on the road and too many a divorce was filed due to companies not giving a crap about the pilots FAMILY TIME. That said, how are the hotels on the road. Please give me actual hotels...not just "they are crap"... I will make my own judgement. I am in a country where the taxes are 50%, the flying is average...(well its just work now right)....and after you pay your bills and mortgage you got nothing left. Wanna trade? I am interested in the possible lifestyle and extra cash in pocket that Hong Kong can offer. Honest answers please...

geldap...comparing renumeration scales...Cathay seems average with other majors from my sources...but they are old. Considering coming over...do you have any hard facts you can share....comparitive that is...to other companies? Don't forget the tax rates. Mine is 50%. What is yours? Thanks. I am already aware of the freighter deal. What about the rest? PAX in HKG? Give me the nos please. Thanks.

Tax is 15-16% in HKG.:ok:

BusyB,

Chap, you are very right, there are dickheads and a...... in any company - the major difference between "any other company" and CX is that here those people can/will screw peoples future by an anal eras/filing system that are being review by anal focused old RAF body body boys. Some guys (prob most) will never have problems with them folks up there - but on the other hand a lot of the guys just says OIC and take the shaft. Nasty to look at actually - Im sure a lot of you have seen it or maybe you have become blind. As a human being we are adaptable - but to this anal focused airline - me - I do not think so - actually I can not.

See you around for some time to come - but hey - dont look for the shaft behind me :ok:

40nm between those fluffy white things.. Upside down.. :D

Huh????????????????????????:confused:

apparently about 20 guys off the 777 lined up to join Virgin in australia when they get their 777's..............................

keep walking boy's............it's good for those that remain !!!

BusyB,
You better look up the CRM definition. Following two steps behind, having to put up with BS and ending each sentence with "yes Sir" ain't part of it.