South Asia and Far East Wannabes A forum for those applying to Cathay Pacific, Dragonair or any other Hong Kong-based airline or operator. Use this area for both Direct Entry Pilot and Cadet-scheme queries.

Is Cathay worth it?

Old 4th Nov 2008, 16:36
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Is Cathay worth it?

I have been turned down about four years ago after the second interview.
I was told that if I got some heavier experience I could get another shot.
I have been flying the B747-400 for a while now.
During the years I made quite a few friends flying for Cathay and it seems like they are more misrable then the avarage pilot.
It seems like they QOL and pay are pretty desent(compared to other Airlines) but the usual complain I get is about the people you work with and have to put up with.
Training department being extremley unfriendly, a very anal cockpit enviorment, constant treats with termination, putting down F/O, making you feel bad about your flying skills, never having anything positive to say about you, etc...
Basically a very unfriendly working enviornment.
Is that true, is good money and a nice apartment in Hong Kong worth being miserable, hating to go to work?
Any input is welcome
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Old 4th Nov 2008, 17:07
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Stay where you are. A bottom-feeder ACMI carrier is where you belong based upon your language.
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Old 5th Nov 2008, 00:51
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Any job any where is what you make of it. It takes a large sense of humor for me to get by at CX. Just when you think it is changing you get a nice reality check and the CO is as questionable as always.
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Old 5th Nov 2008, 04:25
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Correct stay where you are. If the information you have gleaned on the cockpit and training environment at CX is correct, then you are better off at a "bottom-feeder ACMI carrier".
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Old 5th Nov 2008, 07:53
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it is not worth it.
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Old 5th Nov 2008, 08:17
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I often read these forums with interest but sadly there seems to be a trend for people to attack others for no reason other than a poorly worded question or response.

FIRESYSOK this chap asked a perfectly reasonable question and did not deserve the very rude response you gave. If you are an example of the people who work at Cathay then it would seem the rumors we all hear about there being a disproportionate amount tw*ts is true.
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Old 5th Nov 2008, 08:18
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is it worth it````

Possiblly for guys like myself want to get a crack into a first jet job, its not bad at all, even its sitting behind and make beds.

but for guys have jet times already and flying for cx its more for the money or life style, or simply just want to get out of their old job, i dont know...HARD TO SAY
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Old 5th Nov 2008, 08:53
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my account

Ive been doing the S/O thing for a year now and my take on the whole thing is pretty positive. The training is pretty particular and you definately cant bull**** your way around here. Ive found the training department very approachable and helpful. Like any company there are some ego chasing knobs but overall i cant complain. Its my first airline job and easily sihts over my previous prop gigs.
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Old 5th Nov 2008, 19:34
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It takes a few years for slow learners and maybe a few months for those with previous experience but eventually you will realise that you can be happer elsewhere - trust me.

If you have a thick skin and can go it alone then be my guest otherwise try another outfit.
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Old 6th Nov 2008, 10:54
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Is CX worth it?Please ask yourself and not PPRUNE.

Please don't bother to find an answer to your question on a site such as PPRUNE.
Start with why you want to join, do your research.Start with lets say,they bought KA,now they have their eye on BA.What does that tell you?Job security,good management, long career prospect,?Maybe,as long as you are not an ill informed individual (Antipodean especially) that has a tendency to jump the gun and create hell out of nothing then you are ok.

These forums are nothing but an anthology of anecdotes full of nothing but rancor and snobbery that represent the views of a few who wake up each day with the intention of making something out of nothing. Most of the statements on here are a travesty to justice and CX.

Good luck.
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Old 8th Nov 2008, 03:15
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I agree with FIRESYSOK. If Flexi Time wishes to apply for a position at Cathay and hopes to pass a selection process, I would assume that a reasonable command of the English language is required. The content of Flexi Time's thread is so badly written, considering he lives in Miami, that I would not even let him walk through the interview door. How you present yourself, whether by appearance or how you express yourself verbally, says more than a CV. Flexi Time - you are better off staying where you are now.
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Old 8th Nov 2008, 16:19
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YES IT IS

There are compromises, but overall, it is definitelly worth it without any doubt.
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Old 8th Nov 2008, 22:02
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Concur with the above. I like it.
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Old 9th Nov 2008, 01:44
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For the grammar police out there, perhaps he had been drinking while posting. Until we see further posts from him, it's difficult to form an opinion.

I can, however, form an opinion of officious twits who trash a pilot based solely on his grammatical errors. I know numerous capable pilots who are sorely lacking when it comes to writing skills but can fly the he!! out of an airplane.

Style over substance at Cathay, eh? TC
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Old 12th Nov 2008, 10:50
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Yes, youīre right, my English sucks!
English is not my first language. Somehow I managed to get by for the last
9000 hours even though I donīt speak the queens English.

Whatīs even scarier is that I donīt hold that Royal JAA license, all I have is that cheap FAA ticket, I mean what do Americans know about aviation, they had nothing to do with aviation history, manufacturing of Aircraft, thereīs not even any air commerce going on there.

airbusa330, I never doubted the fact that Cathay is a secure, stable, financially strong company with a great business plan.

What worries me in reapplying is having to work with people such as FIRESYSOK and Bushbuck.

Itīs only obvious that these type of people have a serious issue with the size of their manhood and being able to satisfy a woman.

When those type of people make it to a managerial position they like to put other people down to make themselves feel better about their short comings.
I wouldnīt even have a problem if they where just fellow F/Oīs. but if they are Captains, Training Captains, Check airmen, sim instructors etc, I fear that I might end up bitch slapping one of these guys and that wonīt be good
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Old 12th Nov 2008, 18:28
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"making you feel bad about your flying skills, never having anything positive to say about you, etc...
Basically a very unfriendly working enviornment."

"what do Americans know about aviation, they had nothing to do with aviation history, manufacturing of Aircraft, thereīs not even any air commerce going on there."

Don't know for sure since I haven't spent one minute of my life on the property, so my analysis might be way off, BUT:

Maybe part of the complaining is from Americans who are not used to non-PC work environment, i.e. if you make a mistake, or struggle in training, or join "with an attitude" (the way WE trained back in my PREVIOUS airline...), the critique will not be sugarcoated; and there will be no grieving through an effective union when things don't go your way. In addition, I bet the Aussies, Kiwis, S-Africans, the Euro(trash ) etc will not hesitate to rip on their fellow American aviators; especially since there might be the notion among some Americans that since the early 1900, they've been the real shiznits on the aviation block.

Seems like the pilot group at CX has remained relatively diverse over the decades, with a steady stream of wannabees from all over the world. A good percentage of guys getting on, stay, and enjoy their stay. The few who leave for "greener pastures' no doubt have enough negative to say about CX, otherwise they would've stayed.

Ask me in a few years, after real time-on-the-property experience, and I might have a different opinion. For now I'd say it's worth it. Otherwise I wouldn't be pursuing it.

T

P.S. My non-Queen's English is not my native tongue either...
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Old 12th Nov 2008, 19:17
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"there might be the notion among some Americans that since the early 1900, they've been the real shiznits on the aviation block."

Stupid septic tanks, we all know Brits are the kings of aviation
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Old 12th Nov 2008, 19:55
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Flexi Time

Well I think this forum is more valuable than people think.

In 18 replies I have confirmed that I am more than happy being the bottom feeder employee that I am.

I love my job, have never had any issue with my peers nor my training department and whilst not being paid the salary of a Cathay A scaler, I have decided that they do not print enough George Washington's to ever put up with the lunatics that represent Cathay so badly.

I'm sure that like most communities the vocal few reflect badly on the silent majority but by the sound of it you already have made your mind up.

Listen to your conscience, your family and your friends.

But be very concerned you may have to fly with some of the posters above!
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Old 21st Nov 2008, 10:37
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Astra, most sensible post i've seen on this forum for a long time.

"bottom feeding acmi carriers"....what an absolute tosser, were you wedgied frequently at school FIRECOCK?
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Old 22nd Nov 2008, 00:41
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Some absolutely disgusting attitudes on display here from supposed adults. I'm genuinely stunned. Thank God they appear to be in the minority.
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