SO Training - Whats Involved?
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Old joke but,
Do you still need a criminal record to get in?
I know pilots bit
h and moan about most things (job, wives, boat loan, skiing holiday plans etc), but i really do enjoy PPRuNe, as it seems no one can moan better than a CX pilot! As people have said, the industry has changed from 'the good old days', so why havent people. Its still a good company, if you are bitter because you are still a S/O, maybe there is a reason you are still a S/O, like the post that said he got a pat on the back for doing the worst ILS he's ever done! Is that something to be proud of? Training capts do know sarcasam!
Get over yourselfs, if you dont like it, vote with your feet and leave, it means more positions open for people who do want to join!
Do you still need a criminal record to get in?
I know pilots bit
h and moan about most things (job, wives, boat loan, skiing holiday plans etc), but i really do enjoy PPRuNe, as it seems no one can moan better than a CX pilot! As people have said, the industry has changed from 'the good old days', so why havent people. Its still a good company, if you are bitter because you are still a S/O, maybe there is a reason you are still a S/O, like the post that said he got a pat on the back for doing the worst ILS he's ever done! Is that something to be proud of? Training capts do know sarcasam!Get over yourselfs, if you dont like it, vote with your feet and leave, it means more positions open for people who do want to join!
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Out of interest, I wonder how easy it is to leave as an SO. If you'd been there 2 or 3 years as an SO then what airline will actually employ you with no P2/P1 u/s time for that period. You may have significant hours before that but you're not exactly current are you? I attended an Emirates road show last year and they said that SO hours count for nothing in their eyes.
Having said that over the years I have come across the odd CX SO while at various airline interviews, so maybe some companies don't have a problem with it.
Having said that over the years I have come across the odd CX SO while at various airline interviews, so maybe some companies don't have a problem with it.
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Join Date: Oct 2007
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SO Training - General info
Hi all,
I have had heaps of emails from people in a similar position to myself, ie. sitting on a SO yes letter but waiting for a start date. Here is the info that I received relating to the initial training. If anyone has more detail then please let us know.
Basically the process seems to start with day 1 in Adelaide, Australia. I presume that we fly in to there from wherever we currently live, rather than having to go to Hong Kong first.
Once in Adelaide its a month of studying for the exams to convert your licence to a CAD licence. There are 3 flights in a light twin of some sort ( I think it may be a Duchess), then some time in a 737 sims to get used to Cathay SOPs.
After this its up to Hong Kong to start training proper. CAD exams are sat, 10 max depending on your current licence. I think there is a bit more generic stuff at the start prior to getting into your own type.
Lots of sims then line training and checks. All up about 6 months I believe from the start to being on line.
Looks like there is a $10,000 HKD sign on bonus plus the opportunity to take out an interest free loan of another $10,000 HKD paid back at $1,000 HKD per month. Pay from day 1 is full SO pay, not a training wage.
Advice seems to be that its best to leave the family at home until done with training. Probably going to be easiest to stay in the Headland by myself and once finished training bring the family over.
Please feel free to correct any of this if you have more detail, Im just passing on what I have been told so far.
Cheers
I have had heaps of emails from people in a similar position to myself, ie. sitting on a SO yes letter but waiting for a start date. Here is the info that I received relating to the initial training. If anyone has more detail then please let us know.
Basically the process seems to start with day 1 in Adelaide, Australia. I presume that we fly in to there from wherever we currently live, rather than having to go to Hong Kong first.
Once in Adelaide its a month of studying for the exams to convert your licence to a CAD licence. There are 3 flights in a light twin of some sort ( I think it may be a Duchess), then some time in a 737 sims to get used to Cathay SOPs.
After this its up to Hong Kong to start training proper. CAD exams are sat, 10 max depending on your current licence. I think there is a bit more generic stuff at the start prior to getting into your own type.
Lots of sims then line training and checks. All up about 6 months I believe from the start to being on line.
Looks like there is a $10,000 HKD sign on bonus plus the opportunity to take out an interest free loan of another $10,000 HKD paid back at $1,000 HKD per month. Pay from day 1 is full SO pay, not a training wage.
Advice seems to be that its best to leave the family at home until done with training. Probably going to be easiest to stay in the Headland by myself and once finished training bring the family over.
Please feel free to correct any of this if you have more detail, Im just passing on what I have been told so far.
Cheers
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Join Date: Oct 2007
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BandH,
If you have something constructive to add then please do. If you are just interested in whinging then how about you start a thread about how crap your life is at Cathay.
If you have something constructive to add then please do. If you are just interested in whinging then how about you start a thread about how crap your life is at Cathay.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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HI blah........... This job is as good as you make it... If you are keen, you'll be fine. If you've been a loudmouth whiner all yr life then you'll find plenty of things to complain about. But overall, it's quite cruisy. If you want to make bunks you can or want, but if you're on the 744, you MUST. I don't give a hoot if my bunk isn't made by the S/O.
I guess you've worked out all the training info, it'll all seem like a rush at the start, as you get all your exams out of the way, but you'll get the answers to them before you do them so don't stress too much.
Well, have fun then.................
I guess you've worked out all the training info, it'll all seem like a rush at the start, as you get all your exams out of the way, but you'll get the answers to them before you do them so don't stress too much.
Well, have fun then.................
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Hi Sleeve,
Thanks for the post, been a while since something sensible has been said!
As you say a job is always going to be what you make of it. I know people flying for a few different airlines and none of them have said that their airline is perfect, Im sure Cathay is the same. However, Cathay looks like a good fit for me, and lots of others going by the interest that there always is to get into Cathay.
Cheers
Thanks for the post, been a while since something sensible has been said!
As you say a job is always going to be what you make of it. I know people flying for a few different airlines and none of them have said that their airline is perfect, Im sure Cathay is the same. However, Cathay looks like a good fit for me, and lots of others going by the interest that there always is to get into Cathay.
Cheers
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Your time as an S/O is as enjoyable/valuable as you make it. Or it can be a totally miserable period in your life, if you so wish.
Issues such as being over qualified and under appreciated etc have always been around. However, the hierarchy are now probably much easier to work with, since many guys with 3 or 4 bars were "in your shoes" in the past. But some of them do have very short memories!
I have been disappointed to fly with the occasional S/O who lacks the professionalism to stay motivated. It is shocking also to fly with JFO's who can not even work out descent profiles, despite having spent 3 years on the jumpseat.
I was a very frustrated S/O back in the Kai Tak days. But I learned an important lesson from that time, which is that there is a lot more to life than flying. If I could replay that phase of my life all over, I would spend more of that time traveling and developing "extra curricular activities" etc. Money may be short as an S/O, but once you are an F/O you will usually lack the free time you once took for granted.
I would not bother with any pre-course study, but work hard when you get here.
It is probably best to leave the family at home during ground school and simulator.
All the best for your career
Issues such as being over qualified and under appreciated etc have always been around. However, the hierarchy are now probably much easier to work with, since many guys with 3 or 4 bars were "in your shoes" in the past. But some of them do have very short memories!
I have been disappointed to fly with the occasional S/O who lacks the professionalism to stay motivated. It is shocking also to fly with JFO's who can not even work out descent profiles, despite having spent 3 years on the jumpseat.
I was a very frustrated S/O back in the Kai Tak days. But I learned an important lesson from that time, which is that there is a lot more to life than flying. If I could replay that phase of my life all over, I would spend more of that time traveling and developing "extra curricular activities" etc. Money may be short as an S/O, but once you are an F/O you will usually lack the free time you once took for granted.
I would not bother with any pre-course study, but work hard when you get here.
It is probably best to leave the family at home during ground school and simulator.
All the best for your career
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blah,
yes, the loan you are offered by CX when you start is interest free.
Jonathon, I have to disagree to some extent. You get extremely rusty sitting in the back seat. It is one thing watching, it is another thing doing it...not that decent profiles are particularly hard. I do however agree with you on the other point; the SO lifestyle is needs to be enjoyed outside of work as it is not unusual to have 20 days off a month...the biggest challenge can be keeping yourself entertained-not a bad problem really.
Unfortunately the ADL thing is a bit of a waste of time and CXs money. I'm not sure why they waste money on it to be honest, once you get to HKG you need to put the work in. For reference, time from starting in ADL to check to line for me was 5 months. Definitely leave the family at home until you finish the sims, after that there is plenty of time.
Enjoy
yes, the loan you are offered by CX when you start is interest free.
Jonathon, I have to disagree to some extent. You get extremely rusty sitting in the back seat. It is one thing watching, it is another thing doing it...not that decent profiles are particularly hard. I do however agree with you on the other point; the SO lifestyle is needs to be enjoyed outside of work as it is not unusual to have 20 days off a month...the biggest challenge can be keeping yourself entertained-not a bad problem really.
Unfortunately the ADL thing is a bit of a waste of time and CXs money. I'm not sure why they waste money on it to be honest, once you get to HKG you need to put the work in. For reference, time from starting in ADL to check to line for me was 5 months. Definitely leave the family at home until you finish the sims, after that there is plenty of time.
Enjoy
