Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme

[airburkina]

Re-App

No it doesnt mean your out. Its automatic, and you will get a mail/call. even if you fail. So just wait for the mail/call.

The result can take between 1 - 10 weeks, depending. So just continue your journey, and consider it a bonus if your invited for st 2. I wish you the best of luck!

I was contacted after around 8 weeks, and didnt pass unfourt. So, I waited 10 months, and then I could apply again, wich I have done.

Ha anyone on this thread been to interview - stage1 twice?

Good day!

[ixg888]

hi airburkina

thank you so much for your reply. Get it or not I will still continue my flight training and get me sharper. Even if I fail I will still continue applying. I really love CX and even if they dont accept me. I'll still never let go of the dream.

[bushbum]

How can you love Cathay, what do you really know about it? and don't tell us how nice they are to be a passenger on. If you just want to fly a big jet just say so. And never mind the fact you are undercutting and undermining what used to be a career job, that is what you should love!

[m11m]

Age

Hello everyone, just wondering if there is a cut-off-age for this particular programme? I turned 31 recently and would like to apply.

[airburkina]

Age

31 is good. You might have advantages in experience. When I was at st1 we were 8, and 2 were invited for st2, both above 30.

Go for it!

[busdriver2010]

anyone for flight grading this coming July?

[Flight100]

@ Bushbum

How are people trying to get a job at Cathay undermining the career? Honestly, what should we know about Cathay that will make us not want to work there? That they are like all airlines? That they won't do everything that the pilots want? How bad can it really be? Please educate us.

[ixg888]

failed

I just received the most dreaded news I ever had in my life. I failed at my first attempt to join CX never thought it would hurt this bad. oh well, im still alive eh.. and cx will always be there.

cheers! life goes on.

[airburkina]

ixg888

Sorry to hear. Been there done that, and most have unfourt. But do not worry, look forward to you next try instead, then you know what to prepare on even more. I heard from a cadet at CX that many have applied atleast twice, so use this year to do something that might be an advantage for next app. If you dont have a PPL, start to take lessons i.e.

Good luck next time! Me myself I hope to get a new shot! Dont loose the hope Failure can be good too, we all learn from it.

[ixg888]

hi airburkina

mate, cx aint goin anywhere. LOL.. you are right I have yet get my PPL I only have like 30 hours under my belt.. I have yet to learn a lot.. I maybe at an old age.. but my flying experience is infant at this stage.. 10 months to reapply isn't that long. who knows? maybe on my next attempt I'm on the advance entry already. pprune aint going anywhere and I can't wait for the day comes when I ask it here how is it, to go to the flight grading.. that would be a blast!

to all those who got accepted congratulations and hope to fly with you someday!

blue skies!

[m11m]

oh great thanks for the encouragement but the problem is ... i dont have any flying exp.

[Aquafina1]

The Money

Here's How I see it.

I was at selection in LON on Friday last and received this salary information from the HR person.

This is for SO, first year;

Basic Salary: HK$ 422,040 per annum.

Quote:
"In addition, Second Officers are eligible for hourly duty pay and is calculated on 84 credit hours per month equating to HK$ 42,204 per annum.

Annual Bonus (13th Month Salary)
I make this; basic/12 = 422,040/12 = HK$ 35,170.

Hong Kong Allowance:
HK$ 10,000 per month = HK$ 120,000 per annum.

Hong Kong Salaries Tax:
Quote:
"Salaries tax in HK at present is not more than 17% of the employee's gross emoluments. Tax is applicable to all cash allowances provided.

So, for the first year you earn:

422,040
42,204
35,170
+120,000 = HK$ 619,414 per annum.

Tax of 17% on 619,414 = 105,300.
Therefore net salary = HK$ 514,113 per annum or, £41,117 or, 46,092E or, US$ 66,014 per annum.

I may have made some mistake(s), please feel free to point them out!

By the way there are also additional benefits available for people with children, the above figures are for; a single person, Hong Kong based, second officer for the first full year of employment as such.

[Cpt. Underpants]

The "Annual Bonus" is "Annual DISCRETIONARY Bonus" and is paid at the behest of the company.

Do not count it as part of the package. It has been denied in the past - and is only payable to Hong Kong based employees - when it's paid, that is.

[btfms]

I am just wondering if you fail at Stage 2 or 3, will you be allowed to go straight to the same stage when you reapply or have to go through the whole thing all over again?? Thank you!

[Koyo]

PPL & CPL doesn't help you pass interviews

For those that think PPL or CPL makes a difference, it doesn't. When I did it in 2008, prior to iCadet scheme, someone with zero experience got in. I got a PPL with 130 hours and another guy had a CPL and instructor hours and both of us failed at Stage 2. While a PPL might help with flight grading, you still have to pass the tests and interviews first.

Did they modify the Stage contents after iCadet was introduced? For example, do you still have to do a little speech about CX Cadet at Stage 1?

[404 Titan]

Aquafina1

I may have made some mistake(s), please feel free to point them out!

You have made some huge mistakes.

HK$422040 SO annual salary
HK$ 35170 Annual Discretionary Bonus (If Paid)
HK$ 27642 Hourly Duty Pay based on 84 hrs/month less 3 weeks annual leave
HK$120000 Hong Kong Pilot Allowance
HK$604852 Total income
HK$108000 Less basic tax free threshold
HK$496852 Taxable income

Tax calculation for first year of service.

HK$ 800 First 40000 @ 2%
HK$ 2800 Next 40000 @ 7%
HK$ 4800 Next 40000 @ 12%
HK$64065 Remaining 376852 @ 17%
HK$72465 Total Tax (Based on Annual Discretionary Bonus being paid)

HK$66486 Total Tax (No Annual Discretionary Bonus)

In you first year of employment in Hong Kong you also need to budget for Provisional Tax, i.e. one year’s tax in advance. Therefore you need to double the above tax figures for your first tax bill.

HK$144930 Total Tax (ADB Paid) = 34.3% of your monthly salary.
HK$132972 Total Tax (No ADB Paid) = 31.5% of your monthly salary.

This is a higher tax burden in your first year of service than most western countries.

Hong Kong Taxation Scales

[Burger81]

Forgiveable Loan?

Aquafina1, 404 Titan,

From the recent guys who have been for the stage 1 assessments, there is no mention of the forgiveable loan now. Has this part of the T&C been withdrawn? For an advanced or transistion programme SO, surely if this is still being offered, it would provide a huge assistance in the first year tax burden and getting settled in Hong Kong??

Aquafina1, which programme were you interviewing/being assessed for?

Good Luck

Burger81

[mochiman]

Additions.....

.....don't forget the 15.5% on top of your basic salary that goes to the "Mandatory Provident Fund". You don't have to contribute to this fund as such and it doesn't attract tax.

MM

[404 Titan]

Burger81

I don’t know to tell you the truth. It may have just dawned on the company that a “forgivable loan” once forgiven is 100% taxable, i.e. the whole HK$1.1M by the IRD.

mochiman

As you can’t take the 15.5% company provident fund contributions in cash it makes absolutely no difference to your monthly cash flow as a SO. The funds are locked away until you retire.

You don't have to contribute to this fund as such and it doesn't attract tax.

Rubbish. You must contribute from your own pocket either 5% or 10% of your monthly salary to your provident fund each month. Your contributions are taxed in your salaries tax each year by the IRD.

[mochiman]

Perhaps I should have clarified that it was an "additional benefit" and wasn't meant to be considered as part of your monthly cash flow. It wouldn't be the first "retirement benefit" to keep your money locked in.

Still better than a kick in the teeth.

MM