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-   -   Cathay US Bases (https://www.pprune.org/fragrant-harbour/576676-cathay-us-bases.html)

All green 25th Mar 2016 23:16

Cathay US Bases
 
Anyone have insight on wait times for US bases as a Cathay pilot? I'm considering the the SO TT route so I know it will be at least 3 years until I would upgrade to FO. Any new rumors on more/less US bases? The info I see in other threads seems like it may be outdated. Thanks!

BuzzBox 26th Mar 2016 00:12

My advice would be that you should only come to Hong Kong if you are prepared to live here for the long term. You may or may not get a base later in your career; there are no guarantees. Future base slots are likely to be limited in number and there is a long queue of people wanting to leave Hong Kong. CX can and does change the rules on a whim, and you may find yourself hard out of luck.

404 Titan 26th Mar 2016 00:58

Been here for over 15 years. The last time bases were opened in the US last year I was about number 30 in the list for 3 slots. I'm also able to live in Australia and bases haven't been offered since 2008. It would be even worse there. I'm sure you get the picture of what I'm saying. You have sweet f**k all chance of a base for many years if at all.

Oval3Holer 26th Mar 2016 02:55

AllGreen, some people on here can be very mean.

Bottom line: don't come to Cathay. It ain't what it was and will never again be what it was, one of the world's leading airlines. You're better off flying Dash 8's for United Express, really. Most Americans I know will be quitting within the next year or two, even those who've been here for 15 years or more.

If you're an American, this isn't the place for you.

BillytheKid 26th Mar 2016 03:19

Bases will continue to be offered to full expat housing eligible pilots to get them out of HKG where they are very expensive. They will not be available to those on HKPA for a very, very long time. Plan accordingly.

Average Fool 26th Mar 2016 05:21

Stay in the US

Listen to 3 hole

Will fly for Cash 26th Mar 2016 06:19

Agree with the above. If you can apply to a US airline (citizenship, etc), then don't even think about coming to CX.

cxorcist 26th Mar 2016 06:40

The only reason any Americans stay at CX is because they are too old to start over at a US carrier. Most would leave if if they were 10-20 years younger. Most are 40+. Nearly all under 40 have left or have applications out right now.

DropKnee 26th Mar 2016 20:12

If you want to join a company whose favorite two words are "can not", than this is the place for you. If you want to be lied too and cheated? This is the place for you. If you want to be told to your face, " good job", and than have the opposite written up, with no ability to contest it, than this is the place for you. If you want to have never failed a check or any training events and than told your not suitable to be offered a command course because??? This is the place for you. If you want your t&c to always erode? This is the place for you. I would have to question anyones apptitude if they choose to join CX.

Average Fool 26th Mar 2016 22:55

Usually these kind of responses would be representative of a select few who are bitter, angry and can't take responsibility for their own poor choices.

Unfortunately they are all 100% accurate and I think you would have a tough time finding any American and most other westerners who would disagree.

mrfox 27th Mar 2016 22:22

It was around 9-10 years seniority during last years bid for west coast bases.
No new bids have opened since.

Arfur Dent 28th Mar 2016 06:43

Do come if you're single and never want a family. Or if you never want your own car. Or if you never want your own house. Or if you never want to go back home (if you did get a Base you'd have to come back for a Command).
So, finally - if you STILL came after all the above - go and see a psychiatrist.:confused:

geh065 29th Mar 2016 00:10

Just remember that Pprune attracts the bitter and twisted. There are people who enjoy Hong Kong, its just that morale within the company is pretty low right now so you're going to get very negative posts here. On the workside, people are tired and fed up. I wouldn't particularly recommend Cathay to anyone right now. As for HK, like I said some people enjoy it but you have to make it right for you in terms of your expectations.

If you're coming here in order to get a US base (presumably you have US citizenship) then frankly I don't think CX is the place for you. How about one of those great jobs in the US?

cxorcist 29th Mar 2016 00:16

He's not qualified for "one of those great jobs in the US". If he were, he would not be asking.

geh065 29th Mar 2016 00:33

He has the hours for TT, so can use CX as a stepping stone, or use a US regional as a stepping stone. Seems to me the US regional would be a much faster way of getting into the right seat at an airline like American or Delta than coming here and sitting in the back of an Airbus for a few years before getting any stick time.

cxorcist 29th Mar 2016 01:33

Agree 100%

Average Fool 29th Mar 2016 02:31

Some of the best times of my life and best experience came from a regional.

SweepTheLeg 29th Mar 2016 03:02

I did more sectors at the regionals than I'll do my entire career at Cathay. I agree some of the best times and experiences came from there.

plainpilot11 31st Mar 2016 05:07

I interviewed in the summer of 2011 and was promised, with my wife sitting at the table with the "gal" who was interviewing and answering questions, that bases were "ongoing" and that I would be on a base "in no time at all." It was a lie. They flat out lied to my face. I've been at Cathay over 4 years now and I'm still based in Hong Kong, and very shortly resigning. I've been looking intensely back home in the US and things are just too good there to stay at CX hoping for a base in the US. They really have NO intention of every opening up bases again in the US, and if they tell you they are, it's a lie. Ask my crying wife every time she wakes up.


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