Hi there WOB!

It seems like you know what are you talking about. Do you have any idea of Cargolux hiring policy regarding non type rated pilots?
Currently I’m flying for Romanian Air Force and I have ~500 hrs fast jet fighter experience but I’d like to leave the army and join the civil aviation. As long as I’m familiar with hard working and long time duty shifts, I’m looking for a long term contract with a reliable company and reading this thread, I think Cargolux may be the employer I’m looking for. Working for this company and being inward, how would you weigh my chances?

Best regards and safe landings to all of you!

Recently got the fantastic news that I succesfully passed the selection and will be offered a starting date in the future. :ok:

A big thank you for all the people who were willing to provide me with help, background information and of course all the contributors to this thread!

@PH-JPC: I think you passed the assesment just a short time ago. Is there any outlook given how long you have to wait for the rating now?

@all: I heard about a rumor that, at the interview, german applicants will be interviewed in german language, only a part of that interview is in english. Is that true? And what about that 1 hour interview at the end of the day in Saarlouis, is that also in german than?

Tophat320

Received the formal letter today: I'm in!
Just have to wait for a starting date!!

Great!!

Congratulations and welcome on board!

1st of all, congratulations for PH-JPC & quianor! :ok::D
Couchpotatoe, you are right. The correlation between my age and my flying experience is not quite my strong point, and continuing the MiG-21 LanceR flying venture will act in my disadvantage. That’s it! It is not the best way of flying hours gathering, as long as my longer leg ever flew [with 3 external fuel tanks] was about 80 minutes. I’m part of a different kind of aviation and I have to find a way to adapt my experience to your aviation world and to your weighing rules.

@Tophat; No idea how long before training, hopefully soon as the -8 will start to arrive.
There was no more interview in Saarlouis; only the computer tests and the final interview in LUX, which was in English.

@Quianor; Were we together in Saarlouis? Congratulations anyway, hopefully we'll see each other soon (again)! :ok:

And are you a german guy PH-JPC? I just heard about that last interview is a mi between german and english. Anyone else who can confirm that?

german and roster
 

does it matter if the inteview is in german by 50%???
CV is an international company..... so you have to speak english.

typical schedule: you can print a pice of paper when the schedule is published, but you might waste paper and ink. Normally your sched gets changed 1 up to 5 times per period.

also here the gras is not greener than in the neighbours yard...

you can be away for up to 21 days as per todays CWA. In general the job is not too bad but be prepared for an non standard operation... you can plan of your 6 consecutive off days but that´s it. For the rest of it you are property of screwcontrol

About living within 2 hrs of LUX, thats whishfull thinking by the management, but at all not conform to EURO law.

Summary: so far good company but with some major hick-ups

Hope this helps for decission making
HURZ

non german speaker
 

Hi
Just wondering what happens if you dont speak German at all?????
gazman21

Gazman, read post 679 :ugh:

your language dosn´t matter at all as long as you speak english:ugh:
However you have to have ICAO level 4.

Going to IBF Saarlouis myself shortly. Any advice on dresscode for this part of the selection appreciated( final interview would be obvious ofcourse..)

Would 'Smart Casual' be ok here?

@HURZ:

Sure it is an international company, but it´s without doubt more easy for a german native speaker to "sell" himself at an interview. We have to speak english in our job, no question. But with a german surrounding (in the cockpit as well as at home) there is a little bit of routine missing. That was the reason of asking this question.
So, if anyone can give me an answer wheter it is true that cargolux will do the final interview (and as well the interview in Saarlouis) in german - it would be nice!

And I don´t know how long you can be away from your home according to the CWA, but when I read this thread I think that you are not regularly away for 21 days without beeing at home - if I´m wrong please correct me.
At the moment I´m flying between 3 and 5 sectors every day, often four days on, one of - that´s stressfull anyway. I´m at home very often, but there is nothing more to do than to sleep. And when I´m on the road I mostly sleep in sheep third-class-hotels.
Sure, it isn´t easy for you and your family to spend the whole life in hotels, but I´m also sure with my actual job the first stroke is awaiting me in less then ten years.

Thanks for all the coming answers...


Tophat320

By the way, I´m also interested in the question of flyer99 above. You have to do a medical examination first, so it si strange to come with your tie to that!

As far as language in Cargolux is concerned then the only one that is essential is English. Whatever language you are interviewed in, at work all procedures are in English.

Whilst native German – in it’s different forms - speakers are in a majority in the company and bearing in mind that most Luxemburgers also speak it fluently, there is still a large minority who do not have it even to a basic conversational level (me for one).

The standard of spoken English varies from level 4 (very few) level 5 (majority) and level 6 (few). I have to complement my colleagues in that even if out socially with a group of native German speakers (or those with a different lingua franca) if there is someone who does not speak their language then the conversation will be in English.


Bearing in mind that all manuals, training and company communications are in English the higher the level of your spoken and written English the easier your life will be. Once on the line your Captain will be from one of 20+ nationalities some of who will have at least conversational German but some who wont. You may be faced with a native English, Danish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch or Portuguese speaker (plus any I might have overlooked).

Good Luck.

I think the Manuals of all airlines, even ours, are in english. So there would be no problem. The problem is not that I can´t speak english, and the more you speak it on the line the more it would increase. That´s the experience I made within a lot of stays in the States.
But nevertheless it is ever better to have interviews in your native language because it is the easiest way to "sell" your package to the company. Later, if they choose me and on the line, I´m sure it wouldn´t be a problem to speak english I think.
But once again my question: Did anyone whose native language is german experienced that some parts of the interview were in german?

To make your live easy, just prepare for the "worst" case and expect the interview to be conducted in English. If it will be then conducted in your native language just be happy!

If you are a native English speaking person this question is not a real concern.

Flightwatch passed it on quite eloquently,
thanks for the level 5 for most of us by the way,
it is, and has been, a multy language company and our daily speak is english, although with a heavy german accent by myself and others.
No primaries on your native tounge. No primaries on your language background, nothing to fear, there is no german part of the interview that will threaten you. whoever passes is welcome, as long as he speaks english in a descend way.

@ 21-lancer
 

Hi 21-lancer,

well, you can check out the requirements on the cargolux or interpersonel website. Type rating is not required, but you need some exp. beforehand. :(

500 h fastjet is probably not enough, but maybe get a job on shorthaul first, anyway, for Cargolux, (and it shows everyday!) you need stick and rudder exp. before you join, coz here you don't learn that anymore!

Otherwise I see no reason why you couldn't join and run a smooth career!

Anyway, good luck and all the best!

WOB :ok:

Good evening to everyone,

First of all, thanks a lot to those inside Cargolux and some other members for all the useful information posted here.

I am planning to apply shortly and, as an experienced F/O on A320, was wondering if having a full Airbus background would be seen maybe not so "desirable" at intial application stage given the difference gap between both, Boeing and Airbus, philosophies? Or is it not so uncommon to find newcomers arriving with no Boeing experience?

Thanks once more in advance!

:ok:

Hi WOB,

I already have my interpersonal.de Cargolux Application rejected, so I think I do not fit the profile that CLX is loking for.

All the best!

@ Tophat320...

Dont stress too much about this english or german thing.

I speak German and English, both as if they were my native language, and when I did the interview 3 years ago, I asked them to do it all in English and they had no objection to this. Just be yourself and dont try to bull**** them. :) Best of Luck !!!

@ Rock&Go...

People have come with all sorts of backgrounds. I had lots of 737 time, but the guy who started with me had NO Boeing time at all. I dont think it makes a difference what types you flew, as long as the overall picture fits. :)

@Rock&Go: They invited me for the assesment, a good friend of mine wasn´t invited. I have only experience on the Airbus, he flew the 737 for about 5 years. So I don´t think it doesn´t matter. Try it.

So I think I´ll try to sell me in english, anyway it should be possible.
The question of the dresscode remains unanswered for the assesment in Saarlouis, normally it should be clear but it isn´t a standard assesment because you have to do a medical examination ahead of the tests. So what would they prefer?

@Tophat320...

I have no idea if they expect any perticular type of dress code in Saarlouis now, but when I went, I wore my suit and tie. Had to take some of it off again for the medical before hand, but thats not a train smash ;)

If in doubt, rather overdress than underdress...you can always take a tie off if you feel so inclined. Its more ambarrasing to stand there with NO tie, when everyone else is wearing one :uhoh:

Good luck again :ok:

commuters?
 

hi all,
just wondering if there any many commuters within Cargolux & if there are any interline agreements with any other carriers?
also,what would a 1st year First Officer expect to earn per month.

Regards

Commuters.....
 

Hi Gazman,

yes, there are commuters, my guess around 70% actually. And yes, there is an Interline agreement with LUXAIR ID90, don't bug me if there is a 6 or 12 month waiting time after you join, but I think there is not.
However, the company isn't too happy about commuting, simply they don't want people to show up after 6-8 hours driving or flying in, being tired and then going on duty. Life is a lot easier if you live close by. Guys who seem to be not flexible in the interview when it comes to the question of moving close to LUX seem not to pass the interview! However, what you do after you are hired and in your off days is up to you.
My recommendation is: If you live further than 2h drive from LUX or if you have to use a flight to get there, and you choose not to move close by, get yourself a crashpad either in LUX or on the german side (Trier) which is a lot cheaper and only about 25 min. to the Airport. People also share apartments, you'll use it 2-3 times a month. :ok:

This way it is easily possible to commute bearing in mind the time you loose being on the road then.

F/O's salary is good enough to make a living even in the first year, and if you hold some experience before, you'll slip into the SFO's payscale after one year and that Porsche won't have to wait for you in the cardealers window for too long anymore...... :}

Anyway, good luck to all and maybe see ya on board.....

WOB

@ Pow-wow and Tophat320,

Thank you for taking the time to answer gentlemen.

As a matter of fact, thought the A320 is a really comfortable plane to fly, I couldn't be happier to convert to 747-4/8F and plan my career at CV, bearing in mind of course the drawbacks of the lifestyle associated to it.

Regarding the dress code, I echo Pow-wow's opinion, rather overdress than the opposite, even for a long day of medical and psychometrics (though no need for a pocket square matching the tie :}).

All the best! :ok:

Hi all,

I'm starting the course on 28/02.. any of you starting on the same date??

Thanks!

Quianor

hi guys,
just trying to get little bit more info before assessment....
how many guys are Cargolux planning to hire? and where does training take place?
gazman21

hi guys, just wondering how long did you all wait for the interview after aplying online, i got a couple of e-mail"s and now nothing for a few months...?? do i fit the profile for my dream job?? i am 27y, 3300+ hr A320, masters in aeronautics...

How long does it take to get an answer after the first stage interview in Saarlouis? Do you usually get a phone call or email?

Cheers

What are my chances?
 

Hello guys.

I already made my application with CLX, but I want to know my odds.
I have ICAO CPL, and recently FAA ATPL (Temporary at the moment, waiting for the permanent one). No JAA license, just a validation from Latvia.
+5000 hrs total, +4700 on airlines (DC9, MD80, B757, B767), +1500 on the 757/767, currently on the 76 on transatlantic ops (1000 hours on the 76). Level 6 english. I'm not european, but my wife is, so it wouldn't be a problem to live and work in Europe. So far, no reply at all. Do I stand a chance? Or is it a MUST to have a JAA license?

Thanks for your help!:ok:

No Full Jar Atpl...no Chance In Clx
 

My friend, I have been applying for CLX for years with a Frozen JAR ATPL (JAR : CPL IR/ME), FAA's ATPL with SIC B744 type rating, TT:+8,000 hrs, B744 SIC:+2,600 hrs, DC10 SIC:+3,100 hrs...and my application is always rejected.

According to Interpersonal, my Frozen JAR ATPL is not good enough, CLX requires a full JAR ATPL.

Not good news...
 

:{

Cosmic and couch...thanks for your answer.....I had the slight suspicion , and sadly it has been confirmed.

Well, on to new opportunities.....

@couchpotatoe:
That means after the first six month there won´t be any new course? Are there some courses parallel or do they wait until one course has finished (I saw one guy starting on the 28th of february). And how long will the rating etc. take at Cargolux?

Hi guys.

I got this mail a few weeks ago.
Can anyone can confirm that this means I will be invited
to a assessment center for sure??

Best

4T;)

"thank you once again for your application for a First Officer position with CARGOLUX AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL S.A.

On behalf of CARGOLUX, we are pleased to inform you about the further progress of your application.

The recruitment board has confirmed that you fulfill all the requirements and that you will be registered on our pending candidate's list.

Please keep your contact data, eg. your e-mail address, phone numbers, valid at all times!"

I wonder how CV will progress now that there is a new CEO ?

How do you mean, do you expect a major change?

He is from the Ministry of Transport, i believe. "Jobs for the boys " springs to mind.......