Cathay SO vs Jetstar A330 singapore
 

its pretty simple topic I guess;
Cathay SO vs Jetstar A330 Singapore position.

I have been offered a Cathay SO Transition training interview/testing but I certainly dont like the initial pay scale. seems pretty low, infact 50% of what you would earn as a Jetstar a330 FO position.

So both seem to be located in expensive cities/countries, but one is SO as opposed to FO time, and obviously the money differential.

My question is what is the career like in Cathay long term? And I guess what are the pro's and cons of either Job?

be nice to hear from guys who have done time in Cathay SO position as well as Jetstar 330 guys as well.

thanks.

reserved reserved

There you go, all you local cadets that are complaining they should be on same conditions as ex-pats in HK.......A330 in SIN or A320 in DOH! There's your ex-pat conditions! Go fill your boots.

Or is that too far away from Mummy? No-one to cook your meals??

Know both company well, 4-5 years as an S/O before before an upgrade to FO in CX on crap pay, or 4-5 years to be looking at a Command on average pay in JQ. No brainer really,but just my $.02 worth

Take Jeet Sta and build your wide body A330 time. In a few months or a couple years tops, Cathay will be so hard up for pilots they will be offering the original expat benefits to join as a direct entry FO if you want.

FO time is always more useful than SO time, regardless of the pay. Career wise, I don't see how Cathay is any better than JS. At least JS is not limited in their expansion and it is based outside of China. Keep in mind, Cathay is based in China and contracts in China are worth as much as the fuzz you find collected in your belly button. :yuk:

Before November 2008 I would have joined CX...now it's a total no brainer... JQ of course...

If offered a SO or FO position, always take the FO position.

If offered a FO or Capt position, always take the Capt position.

It's that simple...

take the Jstar
 

Cathay is a company which is still recruiting on its reputation of the old A scales. Cathay is living on its reputation as a Legacy airline. The truth is that its very close to already being a Low Cost Carrier. At least Jetstar isn't pretending to be a career airline from the 1980's.
Both companies are equally as nasty at times.
If you are going to live on a lower wage it might as well be in Singapore rather than the pollution of Hong Kong.

And most importantly a FO position means that if you don't like it, you can apply for jobs in other parts of the world. A SO position means that if you don't like it you can suck it up, complain and not do much else. Your SO time is close to worthless on a CV.

Question: It appears you have been offered an interview with CX not the job as of the present.... Is that the same for JetStar, interview only, or do you have an actual course date for the FO A330?

Thanks all for the constructive replies..... except Bogan.

Yeah, gathered as much that FO time is better than SO time but was after the long term career thing possibly, but that has been answered by all, cheers.

FLCHG: I am waiting F/O slot with JQ, but have a CX interview; my gut is saying no to CX for a number of reasons, but beggars cant be choosers until the contacts are signed.

A330 FO experience will offer you career choices.

CX S/O experience traps you at CX & leaves you no career choice.

JJ

Good to see you are thinking about this and I hope many other new guys apply the same critical thinking you have and make a sensible decision. Don't waste your time when others will do it for you.

On on.

Thanks guys, the info is much appreciated.

As a CX SO, you will hold a P2X rating and the hours will be logged in the P2X column of your Hong Kong logbook. This rating and the hours you log are not recognised by the majority of other Aviation Authorities. So if you decide you don't like it and leave, your time in HK willbe wasted career wise.

For your own self worth, job satisfaction, career development and professional pride: Jetstar.

Cathay is at zero going backwards, and if it ever recovers at least you'll at be in a position to apply for a real job with some real contents in your flight bag. An SO at Cathay is no more a pilot then a burger flipper at McDs is a chef.

In all seriousness.

Jetstar.

Then tell Cathay you are unsure of being able to live off their pay so have joined a low cost carrier.

Ooooohhh you guys crack me up. Funniest thing I have seen all week. 10/10.

JJ,

i was in the same position. The Cx package is going to have to improve before they start getting guys with turbine time. They will still get guys flying around in pistons but.

I spent too many long years as an SO at CX. In the end the housing allowance is the only thing that made it marginally worth it.

You won't have that so really it is a no brainer.

Take JQ FO in a heartbeat and don't waste your time like I did with CX.

If cx still pay for the flight and hotel, come to HK for a free holiday with your wife. Have a bash at the interview, good experience for the future then ask about the package and they will offer you the icadet scale. Say no but if they offered you B scale you would definitely take it. Would love to hear their reaction :ok: