KA or CX?
 

To join Cathay or Dragon (if you have the choice that is)?
To most, CX would be the obvious choice, world class fleet, great network,but is it?

Hank and Huck arrive in Hong Kong at the same time.
Hank joins KA as a First Officer while Huck joins CX as a Second Officer.

After two years, Hank has just got his command on the A320, while Huck has just become Junior First Officer.

After four years, Hank has just upgraded to skipper on the A330, and Huck has just become First Officer.

After ten years Hank is considering retiring to a golf course somewhere, while Huck is considering his command prospects.

During the past ten years, Hank has spent his time flying in China, and not to exotic worldwide destinations like Huck, but he has problably amassed twice as much money as Huck.

If I were twenty years younger I know which outfit I would choose. What are the thoughts out there in the Fragrant Harbour?

Che

Some what mis representative I am afraid.
Were your supposed Hank and Huck of the same experience level then Huck would be direct entry FO based outside HK....possibly command freighter in 3 years earning KA wage plus 10-15%(otherwise CX pax fleet earning > again assuming allowances/edu/rent assist. etc) and in 6 years time ( given seniority being the dominant factor) be a 7 yr pax capt on the 744 doing W patterns with 15 days Off/month and living where he wants in the world and way eclipsing the equivalent KA salary................meanwhile Hank coughs as he takes his kids to the hospital to check their lungs have not been irrepairably damaged due the heavy metal content.

Reality tends to come in large doses.

Hank, unfortunately like 50% at KA, failed his final command sim because he was 1/50th of a dot off course during a raw data VOR app engine out with dual hyd overheat and both generators U/S, the landing gear failed to extend, an F/O who cant read a qrh properly while atc gave incorrect radar vectors to an airport with single runway operations owing to CX crashing forcing a diversion to an alternate where the wx went mysteriously below landing minimums despite a forecast indicating good wx.

CX,

You mentioned a freighter capt with CX could earn KA Capt plus 10 - 15% living outside of HK. Just curious, what dose a freighter capt earn in Australia ( base wage ) and can you get away from the Australian tax and pay HK tax?

Thanx.
JY

If you are sub 40 years old try and join CX.

If you are 40 plus I assume with experience commensurate with age, then try to join KA.

It really is a numbers game (dollars in bank at retirement) to me.

Throw young kids/career orientated spouse etc into the equation and your goal posts will move.

All this pi$$ing into the wind about my paycheck is bigger than yours or I fly globally you don’t etc normally comes from people accepting of mediocrity and unwilling to seek challenge.

My 2 kena worth.

so it would seem that Hank doesn't give a huck

and poor old Huck spends all his time hankin' in his hotel room

what is it on here??? KA is better than CX/CX is better than KA???
they are both good jobs and if you want to look around, try looking at the American majors and some poor sods who have been 25 years with a "US Major Carrier" only to be told "Sorry, we spent your retirement money keeping the company afloat"

KA/CX, well the pay cheque comes in every month and what you put away for retirement is what you can take home on retirement day.....................

Both seem pretty good to me !!!

(Is that 4 kena???)

Firewall CX freighter capt earning KA plus 10-15% dream on.:O
I guess thats why the positions are so popular (freighter commands) that even S/0 s with significant jet experience(not that there is that many)prior to joining CX were recently able to be awarded the opportunity to have an attempt at the position.
CX freighter captains wouldnt even earn the same as a KA F/O. :ok:
Both companies have there advantages and disadvantages.

tamalai: Well put mate. Hank could be in Aussie getting paid next to nothing, if you are lucky enough to even HAVE a flying job. Huck could be in the US left with nothing after working his A$$ off all his life for a legacy carrier only to be told "sorry you're $hit outta luck..." - Clearly there could be worse places to be.

Firewall,

You mentioned housing allowances etc, a friend of mine presently an FO at CX says Dragon's housing is actually better, and that they also have a so called travel fund that covers tickets, hotels etc. He reckons he chose the wrong company.

Any truth to this or just a case of greener grass?

Regards,

Che

Without trying to get too sentimental and cozy (at the end of the day who cares if 1 position earns 10 HKD more than the other)

What a position to find oneself..... Dragon or Cathay????

Sure as hell beats the question of JetStar or Virgin Blue!!!




No offence intended to the pilots of the aforementioned Australian airlines.....

Just curious, I keep hearing about pilots trying to get on with KA yet there are no F/O positions posted on the career page...just cadet pilot training slots. A couple of questions...

1. Are they hiring?
2. How do you get an application?

KA always recruiting FOs, look on website for how to apply.

KA have advised the most recent interviewees that they are on hold indefinately.

Nothing will happen until the CX ownership issue is settled - then watch the dust fly.

Not the case - courses are continuing as normal.

KA rarely advertise jobs as they get more than enough CVs without having to.

I have heard the same from others in KA.

With CX about to grab a stake in the minnow, it would make sense to put a freeze on new joiners until the layout of the new "group" becomes clearer.

They may or may not be needed.

However, I can confirm courses continuing as normal, lots of new joiners over the coming months and interviewing taking place as we speak (write!). There has been a slowdown on the freighter intake as the company has stopped expansion at four aircraft for now. Perhaps this is what people allude to.

Dan,

Courses are continuing at KA but numerous people I have conversed with confirm that recent interviewees have been advised that there are no course dates for them and that they are on hold.