Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme
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Has anyone heard if they will carry out stage 1 Interview's in Europe in 2011?
I applied in Feb 2010 and have not heard a word from them. Is this normal to wait so long?
I applied in Feb 2010 and have not heard a word from them. Is this normal to wait so long?
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Hong Kong
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for the response with regards to the visual requirements. I have got a reply from Transport Canada as well. They said they have amended the requirements for a Class 1 Medical. As long as eye sight is correctable to 20/20, then one will pass the visual exam. There is no restriction in the refractive standard.
However, I also understand that each airline may impose their own standard. I am still trying to find out from Cathay what their actual requirement is (whether they impose a refractive restriction or not).
I'll keep you guys posted!
I also see a lot of people are concerned about the salary. I don't think it will be anything too low. At the same time, I must agree it's about the passion! I am not saying I'll do it for free, I still need to live. But at the moment, being able to fly outweights the salary. At least this is the case for me.
Also, my cousin told me anyone under 35 will still be considered for the cadet programme.
Thanks for the response with regards to the visual requirements. I have got a reply from Transport Canada as well. They said they have amended the requirements for a Class 1 Medical. As long as eye sight is correctable to 20/20, then one will pass the visual exam. There is no restriction in the refractive standard.
However, I also understand that each airline may impose their own standard. I am still trying to find out from Cathay what their actual requirement is (whether they impose a refractive restriction or not).
I'll keep you guys posted!
I also see a lot of people are concerned about the salary. I don't think it will be anything too low. At the same time, I must agree it's about the passion! I am not saying I'll do it for free, I still need to live. But at the moment, being able to fly outweights the salary. At least this is the case for me.
Also, my cousin told me anyone under 35 will still be considered for the cadet programme.
KeLC13
That’s a pretty ignorant statement when it is quite clear you have never lived in Hong Kong and quite frankly don’t have the foggiest clue to what the real living costs are here. The reality is most of you will seriously struggle here on what an SO earns without a housing allowance and will go backwards financially. Even in GA in Australia on a pathetic GA salary I was still able to put some money away for a rainy day because the living costs were fractional in Australia compared to Hong Kong.
All professional pilots love flying but we fly to live first. If you want to live to fly, take it up as a hobby on the side of some other career. Professional aviation doesn’t need hobbyists polluting it ranks.
I also see a lot of people are concerned about the salary. I don't think it will be anything too low. At the same time, I must agree it's about the passion! I am not saying I'll do it for free, I still need to live. But at the moment, being able to fly outweights the salary. At least this is the case for me.
All professional pilots love flying but we fly to live first. If you want to live to fly, take it up as a hobby on the side of some other career. Professional aviation doesn’t need hobbyists polluting it ranks.
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404 Titan:
In fact I was born in HK and also worked there before. My dad currently works in Hong Kong now and I always inquire about the living standard and working condition in Hong Kong. As I said earlier, I will not do it for free as I need to live as well. I have friends working in Hong Kong and a cousin working as a SO. I won't say they live a luxury life, but they are able to survive.
I have heard SO does not make that much, but don't make it sound like you need to beg for money. Look at it long term. You'll eventually be promoted and make more. Another thing is, no one forced any one of us to become a CX employee, right? We made our choice. It's a good way to become a professional pilot.
Perhaps I am a little luckier as my family is in HK.
It's a little offensive for you to say hobbyists (or you might be referring to me only) pollute the ranks. I believe you need "the drive" to do well on a job and progress with your career. Nothing wrong in being a hobbyist (hence, the drive) and actually being able to fly. What is better than making money on a job you like? Yes, the pay may not be great, but it's not only about money (benefits, being able to stay in HK with family, etc.). If financially does not work out, then I don't think one would apply. I am sure people who applied does not just do it for the sake of wanting to fly. It's a career. I am sure we all have put in great thoughts about it before applying.
Anyways, I understand what your concern/frustartion is. Perhaps I wasn't quite clear on what I was trying to say. I apologize for any confusion caused.
Let's focus back on the programme! I am sure many are like me; having a lot of questions and many like you that can provide answers!
Pleasure meeting you!
In fact I was born in HK and also worked there before. My dad currently works in Hong Kong now and I always inquire about the living standard and working condition in Hong Kong. As I said earlier, I will not do it for free as I need to live as well. I have friends working in Hong Kong and a cousin working as a SO. I won't say they live a luxury life, but they are able to survive.
I have heard SO does not make that much, but don't make it sound like you need to beg for money. Look at it long term. You'll eventually be promoted and make more. Another thing is, no one forced any one of us to become a CX employee, right? We made our choice. It's a good way to become a professional pilot.
Perhaps I am a little luckier as my family is in HK.
It's a little offensive for you to say hobbyists (or you might be referring to me only) pollute the ranks. I believe you need "the drive" to do well on a job and progress with your career. Nothing wrong in being a hobbyist (hence, the drive) and actually being able to fly. What is better than making money on a job you like? Yes, the pay may not be great, but it's not only about money (benefits, being able to stay in HK with family, etc.). If financially does not work out, then I don't think one would apply. I am sure people who applied does not just do it for the sake of wanting to fly. It's a career. I am sure we all have put in great thoughts about it before applying.
Anyways, I understand what your concern/frustartion is. Perhaps I wasn't quite clear on what I was trying to say. I apologize for any confusion caused.
Let's focus back on the programme! I am sure many are like me; having a lot of questions and many like you that can provide answers!
Pleasure meeting you!
You people can't be told, there's not much to love about operating the radio in the cruise. Small aircraft, doing lots sectors, hands on, is whats needed at the start of your career, not 6 hours sat staring into the inky blackness wondering why the guy beside you is starting to get twichy. The love of flight and wide body, long range ops are on different planets. Different galaxies if your not operating the take off/landing and climb/descent. I will admit though, that getting someone else to pay for your licence is a beautiful thing, just the talk of spending the next 40 years with them is far from rational. You are joining a corporation, you will be a tiny cog in a large machine, the replacment of which, will not make one scrap of difference to those that operate and own it.
Last edited by pill; 1st Feb 2011 at 00:01.
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SO's starting pay is around HK$33k rite?
a month's rent is around HK$12k in Tung Chung??
just a rough guess, 'cause that's the price in Singapore currently and the cost of lving ain't too far apart
a month's rent is around HK$12k in Tung Chung??
just a rough guess, 'cause that's the price in Singapore currently and the cost of lving ain't too far apart
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Kelc:
I have to agree with 404..... the reason why the company can continue to lower wages/ conditions is because there are people out there with same attitude as you. im sure you mean it all in good faith, but saying to be "paid to fly is a bonus" is absolute rubbish! Its all well and good to be optimistic and say you will sign up now and HOPEFULLY the conditions will get better..... they dont and they wont, if people keep signing on to poorer conditions.
from previous posts it seems you have no flying experience.... maybe a TIF from the previous weekend at most....? How do you really know that you are going to enjoy flying at all? how do you know if you have the ability to fly? its a lot different PAXing from Hong Kong to New York than it is working.... you cant watch 16 hours of IFE, youre not being served food and drink the whole way.... for your time as an SO, you will probably be jumping in the seat at 1am HKG time, sitting there for the next 6 hours, arriving at the port to find you cant sleep because its the middle of the day in HK and then having to do it all the way back... There are alot of fantastic times had in aviation, but the conditions are no longer what they used to be and LEP's (cadets) have it worse....
Before you go for your interview.... get your PPL, it shows you are keen aswell as teaching you about the real world of aviation. Hire a 172 and bash around the bush for a week... you will learn so much in week on your own, flying into remote towns, finding a pub to sleep in, dealing with weather, planning your fuel/ legs... when you get into an airline you will also have experiences to talk about in the 6 hours you are manning the radio!
Flying is alot of fun... however, it is a life long journey and not something you should take for granted or choose to leave once all the excitement of starting work in the middle of the night, when all your mates are out on the piss, wears off!
Good Luck with the Journey!
I have to agree with 404..... the reason why the company can continue to lower wages/ conditions is because there are people out there with same attitude as you. im sure you mean it all in good faith, but saying to be "paid to fly is a bonus" is absolute rubbish! Its all well and good to be optimistic and say you will sign up now and HOPEFULLY the conditions will get better..... they dont and they wont, if people keep signing on to poorer conditions.
from previous posts it seems you have no flying experience.... maybe a TIF from the previous weekend at most....? How do you really know that you are going to enjoy flying at all? how do you know if you have the ability to fly? its a lot different PAXing from Hong Kong to New York than it is working.... you cant watch 16 hours of IFE, youre not being served food and drink the whole way.... for your time as an SO, you will probably be jumping in the seat at 1am HKG time, sitting there for the next 6 hours, arriving at the port to find you cant sleep because its the middle of the day in HK and then having to do it all the way back... There are alot of fantastic times had in aviation, but the conditions are no longer what they used to be and LEP's (cadets) have it worse....
Before you go for your interview.... get your PPL, it shows you are keen aswell as teaching you about the real world of aviation. Hire a 172 and bash around the bush for a week... you will learn so much in week on your own, flying into remote towns, finding a pub to sleep in, dealing with weather, planning your fuel/ legs... when you get into an airline you will also have experiences to talk about in the 6 hours you are manning the radio!
Flying is alot of fun... however, it is a life long journey and not something you should take for granted or choose to leave once all the excitement of starting work in the middle of the night, when all your mates are out on the piss, wears off!
Good Luck with the Journey!
KeLC13
So you have Daddy here to prop you up when you realise you are trapped (bonded) here on pathetic T&C’s. As the cadet scheme has now been opened up to international candidates, cadets with a family here are now a minority. Simply looking at the questions some of the wannabes are putting up here it clearly indicates most people aren’t seriously considering the living costs here with no family to fall back on.
I have already posted early last year the true costs of living in Hong Kong as an expat. I suggest you and others read them. If you then choose to ignore what I have said you do it at your own peril. Just remember current local cadets are trying to get housing and other expat terms and having you come here and say “being able to fly outweighs the salary” doesn’t help their cause one little bit. The reality is you are diluting the T&C’s for all new pilots while we’re trying to improve them.
You are going to have to look real long term if you think you are going to make ends meet here on a SO salary. In the last 11 years the time taken to go from SO to JFO has gone from 18 months to 4 years 1 month currently and it is only going to get worse, even with the new aircraft on order. By the time some of you here will be ready for upgrade to JFO, based on past trends, upgrades will be possibly taking about 5 ½ + years with yearly pay increments stopping at year 4.
What rubbish. As a professional pilot if you don’t have “the drive”, you won’t make it in this industry. All successful professional pilots have it in spades but we are still here first to make a living. If the financial rewards aren’t so important to you, go get a private licence and fly for a hobby. If you don’t like my bluntness, tough.
Stallone
Hong Kong is a considerably more expensive a place to live compared to Singapore. While you can get a place to live in Tung Chung (at the Airport), the point is having a choice to live where you want in Hong Kong. With no housing assistance your choices are very limited.
My dad currently works in Hong Kong now and I always inquire about the living standard and working condition in Hong Kong.
I have heard SO does not make that much, but don't make it sound like you need to beg for money.
Look at it long term. You'll eventually be promoted and make more.
It's a little offensive for you to say hobbyists (or you might be referring to me only) pollute the ranks. I believe you need "the drive" to do well on a job and progress with your career. Nothing wrong in being a hobbyist (hence, the drive) and actually being able to fly.
Stallone
Hong Kong is a considerably more expensive a place to live compared to Singapore. While you can get a place to live in Tung Chung (at the Airport), the point is having a choice to live where you want in Hong Kong. With no housing assistance your choices are very limited.
404 and Pill, great posts but you might as well go and herd cats.
People will not be told that they are about to commit to one of the most polluted, overcrowded cities ( people per sqft of usable land ) and officially the most expensive real estate in the world, all this for 5hit pay.
The difference between a CX pilot and an Emitares pilot from day 1 over 20 years is about 2,000,000 HKD less for CX ( someone tell me if I got that figure wrong ) and here's the kicker....that was WITH housing.
One day, god forbid, you might actually meet someone, marry them and have kids, try to imagine living on 40-50K a month in a 600' flat with 2-3 other people, by then I am sure you will be able to slice the pollution with a knife, for once, look past the next year or 2.
Anyway, good luck, after all, what would we know
People will not be told that they are about to commit to one of the most polluted, overcrowded cities ( people per sqft of usable land ) and officially the most expensive real estate in the world, all this for 5hit pay.
The difference between a CX pilot and an Emitares pilot from day 1 over 20 years is about 2,000,000 HKD less for CX ( someone tell me if I got that figure wrong ) and here's the kicker....that was WITH housing.
One day, god forbid, you might actually meet someone, marry them and have kids, try to imagine living on 40-50K a month in a 600' flat with 2-3 other people, by then I am sure you will be able to slice the pollution with a knife, for once, look past the next year or 2.
Anyway, good luck, after all, what would we know
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404 Titan
It's totally cool if you don't appreciate people that admire pilots and the industry and serious about becoming a pilot. That wouldn't stop me at least. I'm determined and I know it is something I want to do. Not for fun, but actually to make a living out of it. It may be tough as you said, but I had considered that. Life in Toronto is not too different from Hong Kong due to heavy tax.
As I said, I know people who make less but still manage to live in Hong Kong. Making money is definitely a conern, don't get me wrong. Otherwise, as you said, I'll just fly for fun. Why go through the application, right? My current job doesn't pay much.
I truly appreciate your bluntness. You are just stating the truth and making sure we are seeing the big picture. I thank you for that.
I do have a few questions for you.
Will you tell the same speech for someone just wanting to work in HK? Say someone wanting to work for the bank and had to start low. They make very little as well. Or are you just against people applying for cadet? Do you hate being a pilot?
Thanks again.
It's totally cool if you don't appreciate people that admire pilots and the industry and serious about becoming a pilot. That wouldn't stop me at least. I'm determined and I know it is something I want to do. Not for fun, but actually to make a living out of it. It may be tough as you said, but I had considered that. Life in Toronto is not too different from Hong Kong due to heavy tax.
As I said, I know people who make less but still manage to live in Hong Kong. Making money is definitely a conern, don't get me wrong. Otherwise, as you said, I'll just fly for fun. Why go through the application, right? My current job doesn't pay much.
I truly appreciate your bluntness. You are just stating the truth and making sure we are seeing the big picture. I thank you for that.
I do have a few questions for you.
Will you tell the same speech for someone just wanting to work in HK? Say someone wanting to work for the bank and had to start low. They make very little as well. Or are you just against people applying for cadet? Do you hate being a pilot?
Thanks again.
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bigmouth1980
It looks like CX plans to crew long haul flights up to 16 hours now with 1 Capt, 1 FO and 2 SO's when the new CAD371 / AFTL's come into effect. Actually they just started to crew some flights already this way.
Will be interesting to see if they will change the freighter long hauls from 1 Capt and 2 FO's to 1 Capt, 1 FO and 1 SO.
If this will happen it looks to me that there is no real need to hire DEFO anymore. All new positions will be filled with Cadets, maybe DESO and FO positions filled from within CX upgrading SO's.
It looks like CX plans to crew long haul flights up to 16 hours now with 1 Capt, 1 FO and 2 SO's when the new CAD371 / AFTL's come into effect. Actually they just started to crew some flights already this way.
Will be interesting to see if they will change the freighter long hauls from 1 Capt and 2 FO's to 1 Capt, 1 FO and 1 SO.
If this will happen it looks to me that there is no real need to hire DEFO anymore. All new positions will be filled with Cadets, maybe DESO and FO positions filled from within CX upgrading SO's.
I've said it once and I'll say it again: your problem will become my problem when you start moaning to me up in the Flight Levels over India at two o'clock in the morning about the poor salary, the hovel you are living in, the roster and the lack of promotion. You may not even be able to afford to eat properly.
If you accept these conditions, you must understand that Cathay Pacific once paid A Scales for a reason; it was not a 'Beneficial Society for Airline Pilots' even then. Hong Kong is an expensive, polluted, stressful and to me, boring place, and the very least you need is housing assistance, a reasonable living wage and the sniff of promotion to make it all worth while.
So you had better be 'Smilin' Jack' when you're flying with me.
If you accept these conditions, you must understand that Cathay Pacific once paid A Scales for a reason; it was not a 'Beneficial Society for Airline Pilots' even then. Hong Kong is an expensive, polluted, stressful and to me, boring place, and the very least you need is housing assistance, a reasonable living wage and the sniff of promotion to make it all worth while.
So you had better be 'Smilin' Jack' when you're flying with me.
KeLC13
I fail to see your point. The banks in Hong Kong don’t employ expats in low positions. They employ locals. All the banks in Hong Kong that employ expats employ them in specialist or upper management positions on “expat terms”. Your question should really be asking would I support the local employees of the banks in Hong Kong improve their T&C’s? The answer is yes. It’s about time that employers in Hong Kong paid a real living wage to the locals but that is another issue.
Are you kidding me? I love this job. I just hate people that prostitute themselves. The end result of this selfishness is that everyone gets screwed.
Will you tell the same speech for someone just wanting to work in HK? Say someone wanting to work for the bank and had to start low. They make very little as well.
Do you hate being a pilot?
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ok, a little break from the debate here...
i found a blog with useful info on the cadet recruiting process
flygosh . blog spot . com
a post on december 15th 2010
check it out
i found a blog with useful info on the cadet recruiting process
flygosh . blog spot . com
a post on december 15th 2010
check it out
Join Date: Jan 2011
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404 Titan,
So no one should give the cadet programme a shot as any one being admitted to the programme is just dragging your ranks down? I hope you understand that this is not my intention. In fact, it's something I have always wanted to do and as you said make a living out of. Though you are telling me otherwise.
I agree with you employers should pay real living wage! Not just in HK, but around the world! I am struggling to live as well.
Will applying as local help the situation? Or the fact that they open the programme to international candidates screwed everything up? If that is the case, your comments should be towards the company, not to the ones who wants to apply. It only helps if NO ONE applies so the company realizes they are underpaying and it's not attracting anyone; hence increasing wages and benefits...
So no one should give the cadet programme a shot as any one being admitted to the programme is just dragging your ranks down? I hope you understand that this is not my intention. In fact, it's something I have always wanted to do and as you said make a living out of. Though you are telling me otherwise.
I agree with you employers should pay real living wage! Not just in HK, but around the world! I am struggling to live as well.
Will applying as local help the situation? Or the fact that they open the programme to international candidates screwed everything up? If that is the case, your comments should be towards the company, not to the ones who wants to apply. It only helps if NO ONE applies so the company realizes they are underpaying and it's not attracting anyone; hence increasing wages and benefits...