Cathay. Still the place to be??
 

After reading posts in this web and talking to few guys who currently flies for Cathay, I am starting to wonder if Cathay is still the place to be or not. Training/Checking, Upgrade, lack of union power, new condition of service/ pay scale negotiations etc. There are so many negatives as far as I can gather. True, Company has solid financial track and future seems positive for the compnay. However, if one can be fired for no reason, then profitability of the company does not equate job security. Can current Cathay pilots honestly recommend anyone ( I am in US ) to even consider accepting the job with Cathay at this point anymore?? I thought Cathay is the place I wanted to work for but I am not sure anymore. I would have to make my decision to accept job or not. I would appreciate any input you might have so that I can make informed decision regarding my future.

Thank you in advence.

FM.
Whether Cathay is “the place for me” or not is a very relative question. All I can provide is my personal perspective. I’m new at the company and just finished my training. I found that training to be a challenge and a big step from my previous equipment. Everyone from the top on down – other students, instructors, check captains and management pilots - were very helpful and encouraging. It was obvious that they were willing to do whatever they could to help me succeed, so I did.
The pay, security, CoS issue is also relative. Are they as good as FedEx or UPS? I don’t think so, but are they better that my last employer? United? Air Can? Delta? On balance I think so, but you have to compare it to your personal situation (they’re WAY better than my last employer!). The new CoS are very controversial and you only seem to get the negative perspective in the forums, but for my goals they seem to be an improvement and a reasonable compromise between what the Pilots wanted and what the Company wanted. They’re not an improvement for everyone.
As for the AoA, I’m not a member (yet) and I haven’t decided if I’ll join or not.
I sure like the company and the job so far and don’t regret leaving my old one for a second, even though I’m temporarily making less money. Hope this helps.:ok:

I agree with what bell1st said but remember as an American you have many more options than Canadians to look and compare with. If you can get in with UPS or FEDEX then do it. If your looking to live outside of the USA then I must agree that CX is the airline of choice in ASIA.:ok:

Please remember that 0.001% of CX pilots post on Pprune and of them 90% are perenial moaners and groaners.

The grass is never greener in all respects. If you expect Cathay or Asia to be anything like the US then youre sadly naive.
Moving your home and lifestyle is hard work even when you know the culture and language.....when you dont, it is stressful.
Added to that Cathay is unlike any airline youve been in before. Its not better or worse....its simply different.

There are plenty of Ppuners who seem to think this solely effects those from the US. Its doesn't!
Brits, Aussies, Kiwis, Knucks, Yarpies, Sepos, Frogs and Boxheads all find moving to HK and the Cathay culture a significant lifestyle change.
But rather than fight it, wish that it was "just like home" and bleat about the differences 99% of new joiners (including Americans) just get on, learn the system and enjoy the lifestyle.

Cathay is a great airline and its future has a lot more potential than many. None of this however comes for free. The company will do its bit to trim costs and we will do our best to maintain (or even better) our lifestyle.....so, of course, there will always be issues - some big and some small.

Despite the issues....right here, right now, I would not rather be with any other airline anywhere in the world!

Check yer maths
 

Small Cheese :

.001% of CX pilots would be ......2 and 90% of that is errr.... well less than two but more than one.

But point taken as CX has alot of good points but you gotta have a thick skin and nowhere else to go to enjoy the place. That is where I am at too !

Cheers

I can't speak for you chaps across the pond, but as a Brit comparing long haul airlines I'd go for Virgin now. More pay, less hours and a contract that you don't always have to go to court to retain.
Cx is a fairly good second choice though!

Thank you everyone for your inputs. Does anyone knows how hard to leave the Cathay back to States? I am hearing that Majors in states do not care about heavy internatinal FO time and they prefer current 121 Captains at Regional. Any thoughts?

You have to chart out your own career path. 747 time won't help you land that RJ reagional job if that is what you want. In this situation, other than the time in the log book itself, having a 747 rating could actually hurt you if they think you're overqaulified and will jump jobs if something better comes up.

Think about what you want, set a goal and chart the path. If heavy international is what you want then maybe CX is for you. If you want to fly close to home maybe not. Only you can decide.:)

Frogs=French
Boxheads=Germans

....South Afrucarns...= yarpies

Septic tanks=yanks..or Americans:E

bell1st

Not wanting to stir up this hornets nest but with regard to your uncertainty regarding the AOA, those very conditions at CX that you speak highly of compared to your previous employer were in fact negotiated for you by the AOA in your absence. The least you could do is join so that the next guys coming thru can have it as good as you did.

Septics..........Americans
Canucks..........Canadians
Pommies..........Brits
Boxheads........Germans
Cheese eating surrender monkeys,,,,,,,,,,French
Wops..............Italians


any more ??

OK...hold the phone...

Sepos=Septics=Americans???

As in Septic Tank???? What's the connection????

Kind of have to understand Aussie's humour to get it...

Sepo: Comes from the "Strayan" rhyming game where instead of saying the word you say something that sounds like the word you mean to say. Since Yank sounds like tank and Americans have a tendency to talk a lot of crap. Crap goes in the septic tank. To shorten it up, septic...sepo.

Boxhead...honestly never knew that was a German. Embarrassed to admit, but I had to take a look in the mirror and there is a little truth to it...:ouch:

:\
BBB

...best job in the world :ok:

...not forgetting 'biffos' of course

Big Ignorant F*cker From Oz

All these nicknames will be liberally applied at the 'Whingin' Matilda' sessions on the 22nd floor of the crew hotel....1800 till late every night, bring your own grog...:oh:

Ozzie Humor?
 

What the heck is that.....All I ever hear is whinnnnnnnning mate!

Agree with CPdude - on this one.

If you wanna come to Asia, CX is probably an good choice - that being because a lot of the others ones are bad choices.

Read past topics about this checking rather that training airline. There are many downsides but if you can live with management by fear - then the conditions of service as HKG based crew are not too bad.

Good luck
Y

Thank you Yeager. With regards to fear driven management style, how bad is it? My current company also has fear driven management style which seems to only tighten the pilot group as a whole. I believe it is due to the fact that we know we will get the job back with back pay in the year or so as union would fight to get our jobs back. Therefore, stress factor from this type of management style is not significant to the pilot group here. I could easily see that it would not be the case at Cathay. What is your thought?

The problem with HK is that there is in fact no 'real' rule of law. There is without doubt the 'veneer' of law, but in actuality it is a benable, manipulative entity here. The laws are 'interpreted' according to the needs of the most powerful group, in the case of HK this being the large corporations. There is really no labour law here, and you have almost no recourse if you are treated in an arbitrary manner. I would strongly suggest that you establish a career with a US carrier. Do not risk the security and future of you or your family by joining CX. I would like to recommend otherwise, but events at CX over the past 10 years or so prove without doubt that you will never have real job security here. Working for this company is like...:ugh:

The one major factor that everyone has neglected mentioned is the air pollution aspect . In winter when the air drifts from southern china the visibility reduces to 3km or less in what can only be described as a toxic soup. It is not getting any better and you should factor in the decision making process you and your family's health over the long term

cunuck revenger thanks for your insight. Oriental Flyer thanks for your input. I did not think much about the polution. It is very good point. Thanks

Don't forget the Irish !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bogtrotters........:}

Canadian revenger
 

Listen mates, don't listen to the Canadians. They're never happy wherever they turn up (unless it's back home of course,and then maybe.) Get yourself and your family out to Hong Kong and Cx if possible. Career move. Go for it.

My understanding is that it comes from cockney rhyming slang. Septic Tanks -> Yanks.

Me first me first
 

WTD s (wierd transmitted disease ?)

People considering jobs at CX should have all the info. The pollution (while in no way CXs fault) is a strong factor in whether or not you will be happy here. If you have the choice between Hong Kong and elsewhere you might choose a cleaner enviroment for your family.

Believe or not some people do put their family's needs and health ahead of money. Not that Cathay is the top of the heap by any means these days.

Cheers