Cathay Interview Change?
 

I interviewed with Cathay over 10 years ago. Back then an initial written test and one-on-one interview took place in NYC. Then, a few weeks later, I did the complete interview in HK. Unfortunately, I didn't get hired.

I might be interviewing in a few months. The Cathay recruiter told me over the phone that the interview process has changed.

Now, there is no pre-interview. Just a flight to HK and the first order of business is sim eval in the B747-400. If you do well on the sim eval, then medical and group exercise and one-on-one. Is this correct?

Can anyone give me more information? Thanks.

I believe the interview has changed.

Now they ask a few simple questions;

Have you got 2 arms and 2 legs?
Have you got a pulse?
Are you willing to sign a Sh!t contract?

Answer these correctly and you in!

BN, stick with the day job; stand-up is not for you :)

BN, do you work for Cathay?

Either he works for Cathay or he's made a VERY lucky guess at the process.

Here's a precis of the process sourced from someone working for Cathay:

Have you got 2 arms and 2 legs?
Have you got a pulse?
Are you willing to sign a Sh!t contract?

Answer these correctly and you're in!

Hey Basil,
Well I thought BN was correct,(&funny!), and that is such a terrible shame that if it wasn't so true it would have been really funny.
As for the OP, if you're another 10 years down the track, hopefully having accrued more useful and relevant experience, it begs the question why you'd now wish to come to a place where T&C's are in constant decline, and to live in a place where the pollution is woeful.
That said, the other crew we work with are almost always great people to be with, and for me, along with payday are the only 2 things that keep me here, and that's only for another 6-12 months.
Try the other CX forum on the wannabes section, as there's normally a lot of keen minded individuals who disperse the latest gen on their interview and selection process there.
Good luck, but due diligence is the key with this circus.
You may be having to deal with people who can compare an $8bn fuel hedging loss (by faceless individuals who still remain unaccountable) with a pilots hard landing. Unf@kn believable!

If you interviewed in NYC 10 years ago, then presumably you are a US citizen? If so, considering the giant hiring wave and upswing in contracts in the USA, why even consider CX?

Because 120k USD a year is better than 40k USD a year

Yup HK sucks your lives are so miserable , even the constant sand and dust and lack of laws in the Middle East is better than the SAR. Nobody should move to HK , nobody should even consider it. Continue at $40k a year in the US. You are far better off.

ISTR that Cathay requires a high degree of competence, esp when being dicked around.
That being the case, why don't those competent but disaffected pilots who post on here leave and be welcomed in the ME or other parts?

Quite.....

Dear Aviationluver & pfvspnf et al,

Whilst BN's message was delivered with a certain amount of humor and derision please believe that there is a msg in there.

We are only trying to help. I am quite surprised when guys come on here trying to help out or share info only to be shot down by guys who have never spent a day in the company yet feel a need to defend a job they've never had... Telling the guys who are actually here that they have it wrong.

The company is full of young guys who have ignored this message, yet almost immediately after arriving have discovered they can't afford to live here, sending sorrowful letters to the president of the AOA claiming extreme hardship, and begging/threatening the union membership to role their package into contact compliance. Undoubtedly many of these guys came on here and ignored these posts.

Dear Aviationluver... I went through my recruiting roughly the same time as you went through last time. Please believe me when I say that the company, the morale, the lifestyle and roster, the benefits and the remuneration package (especially out of HK) are significantly less than what you would have seen last time around. If you are joining direct into a base... Maybe a different story...

For anybody else reading this please realise I am just trying to help. No need to tell me I'm wrong... Because I'm here. No need to justify your decision to me... That's yours to make... I can't stop you. When you ask why I don't go to the ME... It's because I joined on a different package... I personally would not have uprooted my family to come to HK to join on yours.
But please don't read this msg and then sit beside me on the flight deck in 2yrs and complain that the union needs to fix your package because you didn't realise you couldn't afford to live in HK. The information is here... Don't get locked into only one outcome and disregard good advice simply because it doesn't match the outcome you were looking for. You wouldn't do that in an aircraft would you?

Good luck with the interview aviationluver... Sorry I don't have updated info for you... The last time I set foot in recruiting finding out info for my friends was about 2009... When they reduced all the packages and my friends all withdrew their apps.

What's wrong in trying to better your conditions? You seem to be taking it all a bit personally, JT. It isn't. It's just the game.

I will get what I can, though I will not sell the other demographics AOA out to do so.

If I see something better, I will go for that.

That's the way the world works nowadays.

In the US there the Pilot Records Improvement Act mandates checks a number of federal databases and requires previous carriers to provide records.

If you work for an overseas airline, those FAA requirements need not be complied with, so if you had a DUI on the federal database, it might disqualify you from a job in the US, but not in HKG. Meanwhile while you work for an overseas airline, the time goes on and your old FAA get expunged after a period of time and are no longer reported under a Pilot Records Improvement Act process.

To my knowledge, PRIA is for checkride records. It came into being after a Colgan skipper with literally a dozen checkride failures stalled a Dash 8 into some houses in upstate New York.

You still need to get an FBI check done, and list any conviction, expunged or otherwise. They still show on an FBI check, but show as expunged.

The National Driver Registry and National Crime Information Center are also compared by the FAA every time you do a medical (which asks about your administrative actions or convictions on your driving record) it will show the discrepancy between medical questions and convictions of misdemeanors and felonies. Pilots who fail to declare everything on the medical are subject to enforcement by the FAA which stay on record for 5 years.

Work for an overseas airline for 5 years and then you have a clean FAA record.

Agreed. Absolutely nothing wrong with bettering your conditions... But don't come here expecting to do so... And certainly don't come here pretending you didn't know and pressuring your colleagues to suffer so they can help you out.

As for taking it personally... I guess it kinda gets a bit personal when you commit your career, your family, and your whole life to a company.
A job in your home country... Sure... Give it a whirl, move on if you don't like it. But moving to HK. Its not a simple or cheap process, picking up family and moving to another country. Kids give up school, family and friends. Partners giving up jobs, family and friends. Try building a life for you and your family there when you've always got 1 foot out the door. Not really that much of a fun game I've gotta say.

Sure... It might be easy if you are single and don't plan on having family here... But some us have other people to think about, so we aren't as foot loose and fancy free.

If you are single, you can take a job here and 'just' get by. You won't really save anything, but probably have a good time. If however you are married, or have ANY intention of establishing a real life, family, kids etc, coming here WILL most likely prove the worst decision you ever make. Your wife WILL be miserable, your kids insecure and unhappy. Don't say you haven't been warned.

You may have a clean FAA record, so discrepancies when you do your medical may not be found, but you won't have a clean FBI record, and you never will. That's the one you need initially for employment.

People get turfed out regularly from new-hire classes for failing to disclose convictions from the dim & distant past. These are the ones brought up by the company mandated FBI checks, not discrepancies on the FAA database. At that point, your career (at least in the US) is over.

Equally, plenty of folk have got hired while being honest and listing DUIs etc from the past.

If they find the skeleton, you've had it.

I didn't come here expecting to better my conditions. That would have been equally out of sync with the rest of the industry. I knew exactly what I signed up for, and I've pressured nobody. While I'd like to see various improvements in my contract, I'm here voluntarily.

I completely understand your point about the gravity of moving family to the other side of the world. I agree entirely. However, if you make the decision to come, then you take the territory therein. It's not for the feint of heart, and doesn't work for many. It's also a massive ordeal to move back again. However, if you want out, then go. Nothing wrong with that. If you view that as not an option, then effectively you're not here voluntarily. What's the alternative?

I agree entirely with your point, and it's pretty much the point I am trying to make. It's not an easy thing. It's not for the feint of heart. New joiners need to look at this stuff seriously and consider all aspects of this gig. Don't just see the shiny jet and $... Even if it is better than your current job, think about where you would be in 5 and in 10yrs. This job at Cathay can affect so much more... And not all positively. For me I'm a professional, and I conduct myself professionally... So whilst we are constantly subject to petty power games and being nicked and dimed, most of the time it is not even really about the $, but the of lack of respect, verging on utter contempt from management that it demonstrates, that gets me down.

I'm just here trying to share some truths I wish I had of found out before I signed up (not saying I wouldn't have signed even if I did know... And I'm sure plenty of info was out there but I was too dumb to see it). Whilst my tone might at times indicate a bias, I think you'll find my comments to be mostly factual and fair.

Can't disagree with any of that. Like I said, I knew what I was getting in to. For those that didn't apply due diligence; I don't feel sorry for them, but regret the outcome.

Like every job, you need to weigh it up, and you need to have an idea of where to turn if it isn't working out.

For me, it was a better job. It wasn't (and isn't) a lifetime commitment. I weighed up the negative effects of moving (and potentially moving back) against the positives. I did a great deal of research about what I was getting in to, and as such, I've had no surprises. It wasn't about the shiny jet for the shiny jet's sake. The training, type rating and type of operations factored in to my decision - as you say - where will it put you in 5-10 years time? Well, to be blunt, it has put me in a more marketable position than had I not joined. That gives me more places to turn if it falls apart for me.

For me, if it all folds tomorrow, it's been worth it. For some, it hasn't. That's all I can say. Remember that 'worth it' is different to 'perfect'.

Well... Let's hope Cathay realise sometime soon that they aren't paying good money to train guys for a career at Cathay... Rather they are training guys for a career elsewhere.

Somehow I doubt they will work out soon though.

McNugget,


In the US arrests can nearly always be expunged when the charges are dropped, dismissed or of course you're found not guilty.


Not so convictions, it depends on the laws in that state

I left 15 years ago and must say that this has turned into an interesting discussion well worth reading by a potential candidate.

Re training pilots for other airlines; perhaps that's factored in.

After tax , rent, gas , car and insurance , I had savings of around $100 each month . Whilst you lot enjoyed 10 beers in DB and got tanked at the rugby 7s. Just as you are doing now as we speak !

Thanks for your responses. I'm not a typical yank who would be applying. I'm single, no kids. I've traveled to many countries and have even taken short classes on cultural diversity. I've spent time in LA, so I know about expense and bad air.
However, the comments that are concerning about Cathay are the feelings of being disrespected by others and the low morale at Cathay. However, on the other hand, I worked at two regionals in the USA in the past and I felt like I was in junior high school when dealing with my coworkers. I'll never work at a regional again. I don't mind moving. Also, the direction the US is going with Donald Trump is making Cathay look more attractive.

The morale is rock bottom, I'll give you that.

However, the vast, vast majority of my colleagues are great to be around in both a professional and social sense. Most are keen for a couple of beers at the end of a long flight, too.

Aviationluver:

As a US citizen working in the USA you enjoy 1st world labour protection. You have accountability (i.e. those who are complete f**ktards generally don't last that long).

Coming to Hong Kong Pong - there is no labour law protection, managers are lunatics that inspire one to commit violence upon them if the chance were to arise, and your contract was last used by someone else as toilet paper. You have no rights, no redress.

As previous posters have mentioned, the USA is or about to undergo a major hiring boom in the legacy carriers. Hang in for that...your quality of life (work, family, medical) will be much better.

Don't worry about "The Donald" - he has 4 years to either prove he was right or wrong, possibly shorter if he really screws the pooch.

I hear what you say about being treated like a child at a regional...magnify that exponentially to a 'premium' carrier and you have CX. I urge you in all sincerity to think carefully about coming to CX

If you do come to CX...could you kindly identify yourself a few years later so that we can all say "Told you so..."

Cathay is not a job
Its a whole working life committment to HK
Took me 26 years to land a job back home.
If you have a turbine job in your home country
hang on for dear life, it will lead to better things at home.
There is no surplus after living costs anymore, enjoy
your home country and life-long freinds,family.
Untimately thats all life is. Beware the cx trojan horse!

Enjoy your time at the regional.

You will look back on it with fondness one day.

That one day for me was the day I came to Hong Kong

I received an invitation for an interview on June 19-20.
The interview will be as follows:
On Day 1
-Group Exercise
-Technical Quiz
-Simulator Assessment B-747(400/800)
You will receive an email notification at the end of Day 1
If you continue to Day 2, you must book the ASPEQ ICAO English Language Assessment and credit card will be required for payment.
On Day 2
-Interview (HR and Technical)
-Personality Profile (computer-based)
-ASPEQ ICAO English
-Medical
That's it!

Yep, that's it!

A whore is easy to meet.

I completely agree with that sentiment. If somebody wants to pay me a Delta Airline captains salary to fly a BE58 Baron I will do it.

I dont need the shiny A350 to feel good about myself but would take the job at CX, get the heavy time and with 2000 hours of international experience and just move on to greener pastures.

I will never ever be a company man because when the bad times hit the company will never ever have your back, just the shareholders and managements bonuses in mind. They will cut you loose regardless of your mortgage and childrens school fees, food etc.

Those who complain at CX, if you all just leave they will get their act together or go under. Go back to Aus, Europe, Canada, South Africa and the US etc. Use your well gained international experience and get jobs with KLM, Lufthansa, BA, Austrian, TAP, Delta, United, Qantas, Air NZ etc.

I have an interview offer there but as I fly a jet in the US I have heaps more options so dont need CX S..T in my life. However even if I did not I would go get a 777/330 rating of them, get 1000 hours plus and just move on if I went and got a CX job.

To hell with CX, do what is right for your future and your families. CX made their own bed now they must lie in it.

Im not American by the way either, I have Aus/British and South African citizenship. My passports help but there is always a way to work in various countries if you just do a little research and networking/marketing of yourself, yes even the US.:ok:

Well said mate, do what's right for you !

If you're just in it for the money.. join the club. But be warned that a 120k salary earned and spent in hk will not deliver the lifestyle it would afford in the USA. If you need a realistic insight to how you will be treated then just Google the company history of dealing with flight crew employees.. it's nothing short of appalling. And it's constant and relentless..the attack never lets up.. I've seen 25+ years of it and it's accelerating downhill. Forget the word career.. ask yourself where you want to be in only 5 years.. because I absolutely guarantee you that (if you survive 5 years under the training system here) you'll want to be anywhere but hk for a 'career '!! Good luck but please look out a little further than the end of your nose!!

A $120k salary in HK will provide a similar lifestyle as if you were earning $50K in the US. And that is only if you are single. If you are married with children, it is below the poverty level. And i'm not kidding.

'you must book the ASPEQ ICAO English Language Assessment and credit card will be required for payment.'


What does this mean, applicants have to pay to test their English skills ?

I can only comment for a young single person

50k usd a year is about $ 3,300 a month. I was on similar wages at some point.

Rent in a second tier city not really close to downtown was $900 for a small one bed. Food and beverage is about $20 - $40 a day depending on how much you go out , let's average it out at $30. Car , gas and insurance about $300. Cell phone TV internet about $150 . Miscellaneous (groceries , laundry, hydro , utilities ) another $350

Gives me savings of about $700, was usually far lower than that.

From a Google search and from friends and family that live in Hk .

Let's take a salary of net 100,000 HKD after taxes are paid

One bedroom in central or Kowloon side ?

Seeing anything between 17,000-30,000. Let's average at 25,000?

Daily food and beverages , let's assume 900 HKD a day ? Don't think people actually spend this much , especially if they are flying long haul .

Phone tv internet I read is quite cheap let's put it on the higher end 1000 per month ?

Utilities another 2000 per month ?

Transport another 3000?

Miscellaneous another 10,000?

That sums up to 68,000 , I'll round it up to 70,000hkd for your expenses .

Gives you 30k of savings which is $3,861 USD.

Am I missing something here ?

@pfvspnf

I think the difference is in the size of the 1 bedroom apartment. In the second tier US City, $900 / month would get you a good sized, relatively nicely equipped 1 bedroom apartment.

In HK, it would be a very small place, with likely no separate dryer, no dishwasher, and a dorm room fridge. At 25k / month, it's either very small and really nice, or big and really old, like hot plates instead of a stove top old.

I contend if you are single, or even a couple, come to HK. It's high school for middle-aged people and lots of fun until you have kids, then it's a bit of a pain in the *ss.