some questipns for u guys and gals
 

im currently flying for us legacy feeder airline and things here are kinda dismal. i am checking out my optiond and dont have the pic time to get hired to usbased freighter side of cathay, i was wondering can u work your schedule to come home for a week or so every couple of months. or are u pretty much stuck in hk for 2-3years. i was also wondering how he pilot group is to fly with their i know u have your jerks everyhwere. i was also wondering what if the probability of getting back to the us as a feighter pilot after your so time is up. and also how u would go about commuting to get to a us base
thankx mike wilson

Hey mike,

As an SO, your rosters are usually pretty good that they do allow you to commute, especially if your hired onto the 744 fleet. Using the system as well, can also help you get a good block of days off, to the point that you could probably commute bak home nearly every month.

Having said that, our flights to the west coast are usually always full so you have to also be aware that even though you may have the days off, you may not be able to get on the flight due to there being no seats available or due to there being a weight restriction.

Trying to commute as an FO is another story, it will be almost impossible to commute on a regular basis as the rosters are very tight. Again, you would need to look at upgrading onto the 777 fleet as it would allow you to later on request a change of fleet back to the jumbo to make commuting easier. Stay away from the airbus if you plan on commuting to the states!!

Hope this helps,

cheers

thanks
 

i appreciate the info, your the only person who answered out of 300 and some views. do u have an idea of how senior the us based freighter fleet is, i have no problem with living in hk but us is home i would like to see my family as much as possible but still gotta make that money in this world so i am looking for a good compromise. and dealing with not being able to commute alot in first couple of years is fine but eventualy i would like to see ohio every now and then, thanks again for yout time and help.
mike

The US based freighter is a junior position. That said it is currently being phased out over the next few years as the payscale is now unified and by 2011 there will only be SO and FO's.

Most of the expansion of the freighter fleet is into the US in the future, in other words you will have no problem getting back to the US at sometime and as the pax fleet is becoming 777 then your upgrade from SO to FO can be on that fleet and you are sweet!

You should not have much trouble getting back to visit family. Not a good idea to commute but I do the visit once a month or every other month and see family. The loads are pretty full sometimes but there is usually a way.
And after you become an FO you can certainly get a US base if you want. Lots of expansion in North America with the freighters.

BTW I sent you a PM if you have other questions to ask.