Too many SO's at CX?
 

Apparently Cathay have too many SO's now and only local ab initio's will be trained in 2013-14. Funny because I was told the opposite in HK a couple of months ago for my interview.

Is this a move to a locals only airline or does FTA have a training capacity problem? I mention these because I really find it hard to beleive that you have an oversupply of SO's at Cathay. If someone would like to correct me I will happily go back in my box.

Didn't post this in the Wannabe section because I don't think anyone there would know the answer.

First time I've ever seen 8 pages of S/O's on the aircrew seniority list. The list usually sits at 6 pages.

I wouldn't say there is an "oversupply" of SOs but it looks like there is a sufficient number of them. I think what you were told a few months ago was based on the prediction of Cathay's need for SOs in the near future - an incorrect prediction obviously.

I highly doubt Cathay wants an all local airline. I think as far as they are concerned, it doesn't matter where you are from as long as you are on the local package. As for why they are only taking in local ab-initio - my best guess is it's easier to deal with in terms of Visas and also since the 14 month training period is no longer seen as an issue as there is no need for SOs to join sooner rather than later.

Might be an oversupply on specific fleets. The majority of Oz flights are still being crewed with 1 Capt and 2 FO's.

so's
 

impossible.. with the number of promotion that are getting did and the number of aircraft orders its going to be a lack.

Proof positive that drugs and the Internet are not mutually compatible.

Not an FTA capacity problem as far as I understand it.

CX are retiring their 747 fleet and they are retrenching the 747 drivers onto the other fleets, which takes up available sim space and CX training capacity. Hence no room for any cadets for a while.

I understand that a initio courses will continue as these will not spit out of FTA for 12 months or so by which time the sim availability will have eased. It is the Advanced entry and transition courses (the shorter term ones) that are on hold.

This has not I understand been driven by FTA at all and I expect it has left them with a huge hole on their order book.

More to Follow

The Kelpie

They wouldn't be having trouble attracting quality applicants would they?????

I don't think you can ever have enough kids making the bunks and eating sandwiches. It's the wave of the future.

Or working out how to avoid that island on the weather radar, while you're having a really relaxing rest in the bunk…..:D

...or flying into that weather because the radar tilt wasn't right and tipping you out of the bunk...

FR8R H8R - spoken like the truly embittered. Why are you here? Shouldn't you be off enjoying your (early) retirement?

Dart & Ron - definitely must be the SO at fault here. After all, he's completely alone up front.

Etops quite right. They have become senile confused old fools. In one post they have reduced the SO to a mere sandwich eating bunk making operator, and now the SO is promoted to the one making all the decisions.

Reminds me of CRM - who is flying the plane! Hopefully not our long sleeved colleagues.

cx ab initio non hkid
 

With the SO pool being 'flooded', any idea as to what will happen to those non hkid ab initio who were in the interview process before the immigration ruling early this year and have been on a waiting pool?

Personally, ETOPS, I plan to work until 70 if the CAD lets me. No early retirement, but thanks for looking out for me.

There are also guys out there interested in the SO position who are (somewhat) experienced, operating medium sized biz jets from the left seat, avoiding flying into these islands, and airfields surrounded by mountains, who would love the opportunity to sit in a wide-body. Just a shame that everywhere people turn for development, there seems always to be a policy decision that says "at least another year wait for you chap" unless you already fly an Airbus.

G

Yes that's all fine and dandy until you need to actually live in HK and raise a family, then it ain't roses anymore!!:D

SJS trumps all logic and good common sense. Airlines, especially CX, know this and exploit it to the max. Pimple faced teenagers are literally what I am seeing on the induction courses. Sorry, but there is no way those guys have flying experience unless they started at 12. Many in CX thought we had it bad when the company started hiring RJ CNs as FFOs. Now, CX hires guys who are not even qualified to be RJ FOs as SOs. I suppose the good news is that the standards cannot get any lower, but only because you can't go any lower from here.

...and the shiny jets ain't so shiny after six months in the filthy South China air.

There may be a small speed bump in the road right now but there will be lots of room for pimple faced teenagers at Cathay. As soon as theses kids see the right seat, it'll be see ya' later HKG.

The accountants have turned Cathay into a training mill, regardless of the observations and objections of Flights Ops. Sleeping in a bunk bed, sharing a 800 sqft flat only lasts for so long. As soon as the 'forgivable loan' handcuffs are off, so are they.