Cost of pilots leaving
 

This airline keeps talking about the cost of everything but they have no problem paying 1.2 Million HKD per Cadet but keep complaining about the cost of housing? Most airlines in the world hire experienced pilots and don't have this extra cost but we have now put ourself in a position where experienced pilots will not come here anymore.

What about the cost of every pilot that leaves now cadet or not which ALL have to be replaced by cadets at a cost of approximately 1.2 Million HKD per pilot. Never mind the investment by the company into that person that is leaving for training etc.. There is a cost for pilots not staying and it is bigger at CX than any other airline.

A Cadet Program is good PR.
Free advertising too.

Hong Kong Airlines also competing for locals interested in an airline career. Big feature in today’s SCMP.

Cadet Pilot Programme

Perhaps the reason is contained in the ownership structure of FTA...

CX and hong kong are in a bit of a different situation, they have to provide the cadet course if they were to hire expats on the same conditions. TT and AE cadets used to cost the company 1.2 million hkd as well but now CX no longer pays out the difference in training cost for those joining after mid 2017. So they will keep the trickle of cadets moving through to keep the immigration department happy at a required cost of 1.2 million hkd. Hire enough DEFOs to offset the costs and all will be haply on the 9th floor. Oh and just remember this whole thing isn't about money, it is about control.

Even though this is not the actual subject I wanted to ask following question:
How easy is it to get the Permanent Residence Status of Hong Kong when being an European foreigner?

Thank you in advance.

Do-able.
The HK Immig website would no doubt have the up to date details, but it's relatively easy, just not that quick.
Historically, over a number of years, they would grant you a number of permanent resident visas. Each one valid for a gradually increasing number of years, i.e., 1,2,2,3 etc, and then once you had completed 7 years, you could apply for Permanent Resident.
That gave you a different HK ID card with permanent resident status.
But without Chinese ethnic heritage, your card would not have the 3 stars that showed you were a real permanent resident.
As such the pseudo permanent HK ID card needed to be used for entry exit into HK every so often to keep it valid. I'm not sure of the period, someone on here may know if it's once every 2,5 yrs etc.
The main hurdle used to be finding a sponsor/employer for the initial visa.

Yes, it is 7 years, and you need to be sponsored for the first five at least, then you can sort of coast on your last two years. Part of the process is to demonstrate you have paid taxes for every year so not working could raise a red flag. Once you have PR, you only need enter HK with your card once every 36 months.

As stated above you cannot have three stars unless you renounce your existing citizenship and prove that you have done so. I think an HK passport is getting less desirable as we approach the end of the 50 years' agreement.

The process itself could not be easier. All-in about one hour of your time at Immigration Tower in Wan Chai.