Dragonair cargo pilots leaving
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: UK
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Captains only at the moment for the very reasons you state. There are about 10 Captains short at the moment so they are all working pretty hard and a huge training task isn't helping. The rostering seems to run on crisis management lines and is totally inefficient.
FOs seem to be escaping the worst of it and getting more time off but the rostering is still hopeless. However the rumour on the street is that direct entry Captains are being interviewed. So far no comment from the DPA!
FEs fall somewhere in the middle, but I doubt we'll see many of them leave!
It remains to be seen whether management are going to get a grip on the situation. It's not as if they haven't been warned over the last 12 months or so.
FOs seem to be escaping the worst of it and getting more time off but the rostering is still hopeless. However the rumour on the street is that direct entry Captains are being interviewed. So far no comment from the DPA!
FEs fall somewhere in the middle, but I doubt we'll see many of them leave!
It remains to be seen whether management are going to get a grip on the situation. It's not as if they haven't been warned over the last 12 months or so.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: on thin ice
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Rostering
From an outsider considering applying. What is the current rostering situation? Specifically for European based crew if the basing matters.
Another quickie, what's the best book on Global Weather to use for interview prep? Thanks for any response.
Soda
Another quickie, what's the best book on Global Weather to use for interview prep? Thanks for any response.
Soda
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Generally 8-12 days away at a time followed by a minimum of 6 days off when you return. Captains seem to only ever get 6 days off but FOs normally get a little more, sometimes up to 10 days.
The rosters are issued about 10 days before the end of the month and have recently been run on a 6 week basis. ie May's roster will be out in 2 weeks time and will run through to 10 June. Your roster will however be subject to constant change but it is rare that you will not get home on time. Just expect your actual duties while you are away to bear no resemblance to the roster! Some guys dislike this but personally as long as I get home on time I don't really mind what happens in between.
It's not a bad outfit but some issues need resolving. That seems to be the same everywhere though doesn't it!
The rosters are issued about 10 days before the end of the month and have recently been run on a 6 week basis. ie May's roster will be out in 2 weeks time and will run through to 10 June. Your roster will however be subject to constant change but it is rare that you will not get home on time. Just expect your actual duties while you are away to bear no resemblance to the roster! Some guys dislike this but personally as long as I get home on time I don't really mind what happens in between.
It's not a bad outfit but some issues need resolving. That seems to be the same everywhere though doesn't it!
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Thanks
Thanks for the info joebanana. You're spot on when you say it seems to be the case everywhere. Always trying to improve. I like your attitude about accepting the changes. Too many of us complain about every little thing.
Any ideas on which book I might get to study up on Global Weather?
Cheers,
Soda
Any ideas on which book I might get to study up on Global Weather?
Cheers,
Soda
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Australia
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sodapop
Regarding Met. text books, if you can still get a copy, Handbook of Aviation Meteorology or Meteorology for Aviators both published by her Majesty's Stationery Office.
You could start the hunt by looking here
AB Books
You could start the hunt by looking here
AB Books
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Sodapop
Check out “Preparing For Your Cathay Pacific Interview” booklet with all the questions that you will be asked on the interview, available at Transair Pilot Shop. I studied for 5 weeks solid. Good Luck 
