Emirates Or Cathay Pacific
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Emirates to Cathay Actual Pay Comparison
We have al read the post that say a CX 'Toilet Attendant' earns more than an EK 'Universe Fleet Chief Pilot' so I thought I'd do some research.
Got my info from an open website which has the actual gen. (all in US Dollars). The site I looked at says that variable pay and housing allowances are not included for Cathay so I have not included them for EK either. I believe Cathay's variable pay is somewhat better than EK's though. Leave, medical and insurance etc seem comparable. Hong Kong tax takes about 16%; about the same as hidden taxes in Dubai. (Updated Feb 06)
Emirates
F/O $60,065-$69,331 (6 years)
Capt $87,040-$92,341 (3 years) $116,975 (10 years)
Cathay
S/O $49,878-$70,078 JFO $76,522
F/O $99,483-$104,645 SFO $108,000-$122,000
Capt $152,000- (I think becomes Snr Capt after 2 years)
Snr Capt $157,000-$186,000 (10 years) $210,580 (17yrs)
So, sadly by my reckoning:
1. A CX snr SO actually does earn more than a jnr EK F/O.
2. And; a CX F/O does earn more than an EK Capt.
3. A CX SFO earns more than a 10 year EK Capt.
4. And; a CX Capt earns 75% more than a EK Capt on appointment.
Thank god we have quick commands at EK, no DECs, a great rostering system, all the leave we could possibly want.....what we don't?
I have to be honest I actually found the figures quite shocking, I was planning to disprove the other posts. Hong Kong is a bit more expensive than Dubai but the fact is:
Permission to start blubbering, Sir!
Cerberus
Got my info from an open website which has the actual gen. (all in US Dollars). The site I looked at says that variable pay and housing allowances are not included for Cathay so I have not included them for EK either. I believe Cathay's variable pay is somewhat better than EK's though. Leave, medical and insurance etc seem comparable. Hong Kong tax takes about 16%; about the same as hidden taxes in Dubai. (Updated Feb 06)
Emirates
F/O $60,065-$69,331 (6 years)
Capt $87,040-$92,341 (3 years) $116,975 (10 years)
Cathay
S/O $49,878-$70,078 JFO $76,522
F/O $99,483-$104,645 SFO $108,000-$122,000
Capt $152,000- (I think becomes Snr Capt after 2 years)
Snr Capt $157,000-$186,000 (10 years) $210,580 (17yrs)
So, sadly by my reckoning:
1. A CX snr SO actually does earn more than a jnr EK F/O.
2. And; a CX F/O does earn more than an EK Capt.
3. A CX SFO earns more than a 10 year EK Capt.
4. And; a CX Capt earns 75% more than a EK Capt on appointment.
Thank god we have quick commands at EK, no DECs, a great rostering system, all the leave we could possibly want.....what we don't?
I have to be honest I actually found the figures quite shocking, I was planning to disprove the other posts. Hong Kong is a bit more expensive than Dubai but the fact is:
Permission to start blubbering, Sir!
Cerberus
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Cerberus, The CX housing allowance is VERY generous but it is expensive in HKG unlike here,there is a strict seniority list in CX,there is an upgrade policy adhered to based on DOJ,there is a pilots association,there is career progression that is published,there are strict FTLs,there are overseas bases,credit is given for simulator,standby and leave, the turnover of pilots at CX is very low,and the jump seat is avail to CX pilots if reqd..All very similar to here really.
Oh,there are some lovely buildings in HKG just like here.Ah yes, I forgot,its the lovely weather why we came to EK.Silly me,there really is no comparison when you look at it if youre not a lazy pilot like me who ponders where I will retire to on my huge provident fund on my recovery days or daydreaming which are very similar these days.Will it be France?Spain?Italy perhaps? Actually,come to think of it 180,000 usd after 12 years might get me a nice car.Silly me.
Im off to the pub,theyre much better here thats for sure,that Joe bananas place is very tacky.
QB
Oh,there are some lovely buildings in HKG just like here.Ah yes, I forgot,its the lovely weather why we came to EK.Silly me,there really is no comparison when you look at it if youre not a lazy pilot like me who ponders where I will retire to on my huge provident fund on my recovery days or daydreaming which are very similar these days.Will it be France?Spain?Italy perhaps? Actually,come to think of it 180,000 usd after 12 years might get me a nice car.Silly me.
Im off to the pub,theyre much better here thats for sure,that Joe bananas place is very tacky.
QB
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Housing...
Most use their housing allowance (after it jumps to HKD45000 - 2 years) as a mortgage rather than rent, so it would not be unreasonable to add that $5700 (USD) - monthly - to the CX gross remuneration package.
Yeah,Yeah, money,money, money, blah,blah,allowances, seniority.....WHO cares those poor buggers in CX don't get to live in Dubai--the city that cares ( about money and fleck all else).....
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It's not only CX that pays more than EK, it's everyone! Look around and see - even narrow body pilots earn more than EK drivers.
It's a bit unfair to compare those two...
Dani
It's a bit unfair to compare those two...
Dani
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Hong Kong v's Dubai UAE
It has also been mentioned on another thread that after 7 years you will get Permanent Residency in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong there is an established property market with real contracts and laws where you can invest your housing allowance.
In the UAE (EK) we are constantly reminded that we will never really be welcome in Dubai i.e. one of the locals. At EK we are told if you don't like watching what is happening to your wage with inflation out of control and rentals, you can always leave! That is after you have given up your seniority in the last airline etc. Nice attitude that helps build moral?
Unless you want to part with your hard earned cash and the housing allowance (the allowance is not enough for mortgage, taxes, water, electricity and maintenance) in Dubai where you will be given a 2 page contract reminding you what you will pay to Emaar or any other developer and what laws you will follow.This is all for a block of land or apartment that can change dimension and aspect over night. Only then you will be given the right to stay in Dubai with some developers. BUT the laws change constantly in favour of locals or local developers. So don't bank on actually having a right to stay at the end.
Also should you ever have a scrape with the law (it is very easy in Dubai if you are an expat) then they will cancel your visa and you will be removed from the UAE. Then what happens to your little piece of paradise?
This is the reality.
In the UAE (EK) we are constantly reminded that we will never really be welcome in Dubai i.e. one of the locals. At EK we are told if you don't like watching what is happening to your wage with inflation out of control and rentals, you can always leave! That is after you have given up your seniority in the last airline etc. Nice attitude that helps build moral?
Unless you want to part with your hard earned cash and the housing allowance (the allowance is not enough for mortgage, taxes, water, electricity and maintenance) in Dubai where you will be given a 2 page contract reminding you what you will pay to Emaar or any other developer and what laws you will follow.This is all for a block of land or apartment that can change dimension and aspect over night. Only then you will be given the right to stay in Dubai with some developers. BUT the laws change constantly in favour of locals or local developers. So don't bank on actually having a right to stay at the end.
Also should you ever have a scrape with the law (it is very easy in Dubai if you are an expat) then they will cancel your visa and you will be removed from the UAE. Then what happens to your little piece of paradise?
This is the reality.
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It therefore begs the question:
As CX are quite likely to recruit a batch of DEFOs to assist with its expansion and given the pay & basing policies already mentioned in this thread.....will people jump ship from EK to CX?
Im also wondering out loud why we keep seeing RH x 2 (both the male & female versions) from EK HR/Recruiting walking around CX City in HKG? RH(f) seems to be here quite a lot in fact.
Its no great secret that EK & CX recruiters have always 'kept in touch'. In the aftermath of the 49ers affair EK refused to interview CX pilots. Now though it would seem that a no poaching policy (unofficially of course!) would be beneficial to both companies (management not pilots) as they expand.
As CX are quite likely to recruit a batch of DEFOs to assist with its expansion and given the pay & basing policies already mentioned in this thread.....will people jump ship from EK to CX?
Im also wondering out loud why we keep seeing RH x 2 (both the male & female versions) from EK HR/Recruiting walking around CX City in HKG? RH(f) seems to be here quite a lot in fact.
Its no great secret that EK & CX recruiters have always 'kept in touch'. In the aftermath of the 49ers affair EK refused to interview CX pilots. Now though it would seem that a no poaching policy (unofficially of course!) would be beneficial to both companies (management not pilots) as they expand.
Last edited by petitfromage; 19th Mar 2006 at 05:35.
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Emirates Or Cathay Pacific
I have interviews with both EK & CX next month as a First Officer, and would seek peoples opinions on which one would be a better choice as an airline. Taking into consideration the remuneration package offered by both, which one stand taller than the other. Career wise and prospect of getting command, which will be most likely to be quicker.
Appreciate any light shed on this matter.
Thanks!
Appreciate any light shed on this matter.
Thanks!
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i am neither from EK nor CX. but if you spend enough time to browse over different threads about these two airlines, you will definitely get your answers.
my advice is take both interviews and decide later. it's always better to have a backup in case you don't make it in one. either way, i think you will be okay in any of these two. goodluck!
my advice is take both interviews and decide later. it's always better to have a backup in case you don't make it in one. either way, i think you will be okay in any of these two. goodluck!
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Without a doubt try your best for CX.
On the outside EK may seem comparable to CX but on the inside it isn't even close. Compare like with like, pay/conditions/benefits etc, and CX will be the better option.
The fact is that EK has lost pilots to CX but we have no CX pilots trying to get into EK... we even have captains leave for CX as F/Os and others in the process such is the difference in Ts & Cs.
Good luck whatever happens.
On the outside EK may seem comparable to CX but on the inside it isn't even close. Compare like with like, pay/conditions/benefits etc, and CX will be the better option.
The fact is that EK has lost pilots to CX but we have no CX pilots trying to get into EK... we even have captains leave for CX as F/Os and others in the process such is the difference in Ts & Cs.
Good luck whatever happens.
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CX aged 55 DEC's came to EK,if you plan to work past 55 might be something
Hong Kong more expensive than Dubai, but Dubai is tring hard to catch up
Upgrades are shorter at EK ,but they do use the DEC option
Hong Kong more expensive than Dubai, but Dubai is tring hard to catch up
Upgrades are shorter at EK ,but they do use the DEC option
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Without a doubt try your best for CX.
On the outside EK may seem comparable to CX but on the inside it isn't even close. Compare like with like, pay/conditions/benefits etc, and CX will be the better option.
The fact is that EK has lost pilots to CX but we have no CX pilots trying to get into EK... we even have captains leave for CX as F/Os and others in the process such is the difference in Ts & Cs.
Good luck whatever happens.
On the outside EK may seem comparable to CX but on the inside it isn't even close. Compare like with like, pay/conditions/benefits etc, and CX will be the better option.
The fact is that EK has lost pilots to CX but we have no CX pilots trying to get into EK... we even have captains leave for CX as F/Os and others in the process such is the difference in Ts & Cs.
Good luck whatever happens.
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.... Man, You must be kiddin' us !?!?
...'cause - CX is almost 50% more money, stable rosters and guaranteed (!!) leave, whereas me (and most of some colleagues here) have more than 60d leave left with EK, which we just can't take - unless the "so called management" finds some nasty slots, nobody else's biddin' for - in late november or mid january
said that - i've just realized by now, You must be kiddin' us for sure !
...that was a really good one !!
...'cause - CX is almost 50% more money, stable rosters and guaranteed (!!) leave, whereas me (and most of some colleagues here) have more than 60d leave left with EK, which we just can't take - unless the "so called management" finds some nasty slots, nobody else's biddin' for - in late november or mid january
said that - i've just realized by now, You must be kiddin' us for sure !
...that was a really good one !!
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.... Man, You must be kiddin' us !?!?
...'cause - CX is almost 50% more money, stable rosters and guaranteed (!!) leave, whereas me (and most of some colleagues here) have more than 60d leave left with EK, which we just can't take - unless the "so called management" finds some nasty slots, nobody else's biddin' for - in late november or mid january
said that - i've just realized by now, You must be kiddin' us for sure !
...that was a really good one !!
...'cause - CX is almost 50% more money, stable rosters and guaranteed (!!) leave, whereas me (and most of some colleagues here) have more than 60d leave left with EK, which we just can't take - unless the "so called management" finds some nasty slots, nobody else's biddin' for - in late november or mid january
said that - i've just realized by now, You must be kiddin' us for sure !
...that was a really good one !!
It's a FACT that 1 bus LTC did joined CX SO not too long ago.
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As stated above read whats happening in the fragrant harbour forum and you will see that there are problems with both options.
CX does have a union of sorts, which EK does not. CX does not have fleet pay or rotating seniority etc They are different in many ways, lifestyle included.
CX does now employ rapid command pilots onto their freighter fleet and they have plenty of disgruntled F/O s just like EK as well.
EK does/did? have ex cx pilots working for them and now a few retired cx DECs as well.
I can't imagine that there are too many other EK pilots heading off to join cx as a S/O, so don't think that is a sign of anything definnitive.
Cx to their credit do offer their employees overseas bases which EK don't and we all wish they did.
There can be problems for many people after a time out living the expat life and cathay have found ways to keep senior employees working for them in a cost effective manner from their home countries.
Go to the interviews and decide on what is important to you not what other people might think.
There are many happy, contented pilots working for both airlines, but you will not find that many on pprune because they are probably off enjoying themselves, that leaves the rest of us who have issues to work out and pprune can be an outlet for many peoples frustrations.
CX does have a union of sorts, which EK does not. CX does not have fleet pay or rotating seniority etc They are different in many ways, lifestyle included.
CX does now employ rapid command pilots onto their freighter fleet and they have plenty of disgruntled F/O s just like EK as well.
EK does/did? have ex cx pilots working for them and now a few retired cx DECs as well.
I can't imagine that there are too many other EK pilots heading off to join cx as a S/O, so don't think that is a sign of anything definnitive.
Cx to their credit do offer their employees overseas bases which EK don't and we all wish they did.
There can be problems for many people after a time out living the expat life and cathay have found ways to keep senior employees working for them in a cost effective manner from their home countries.
Go to the interviews and decide on what is important to you not what other people might think.
There are many happy, contented pilots working for both airlines, but you will not find that many on pprune because they are probably off enjoying themselves, that leaves the rest of us who have issues to work out and pprune can be an outlet for many peoples frustrations.