Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme
Join Date: Jun 2011
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WAIT! Wait, wait, wait. Show a little patience. I applied 3 years ago and updated my application every couple months or so until I got the call last June. Emails and calls to them are unnecessary. When and if you meet the qualifications you will get the call. Relax!
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DRC/Lanseria
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QNH Set nailed it - "unless your CV sticks out...."
No work experience or flying hours to date surely does not help an applicant to get a foot in the door (even though CX offers the 61 week zero to hero program).....
No reply after initial application? Get out there and continue with life, aviating and hour building and update the online application every 6 months as already stated!
No work experience or flying hours to date surely does not help an applicant to get a foot in the door (even though CX offers the 61 week zero to hero program).....
No reply after initial application? Get out there and continue with life, aviating and hour building and update the online application every 6 months as already stated!
Join Date: May 2002
Location: up here, everyone looks like ants!
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No. Your responsibility.
Most moving companies will offer a couple of weeks storage as part of their package.
The trick is to time your move appropriately - without harping on about housing costs, size etc., - unless there's an emotional attachment to something, sell it or have relatives mind it for you until you've had enough or ship it.
A few reasons: apartments here are REALLY space sensitive. What works in an American or European place won't necessarily work here. Think optimization.
HKG realtors "rate" area of apartments and include (pro rated) common areas like elevator shafts and lobbies. 600 sq ft isn't 600 sq ft. Could be as low as 450 sq ft in real terms.
Western furniture isn't made for HKG humidity. It swells, distorts, cracks, mildews. Not even if you're moving from FLL. There, your a/c could run all day and keep it manageable. Trying that here will flatten your meager net salary.
By keeping your eye on expat leaving sales on the Internet, you'll get the right stuff at bargain prices. There's a constant stream of newbies and PO'd leavers. Save your money, you'll need it. Bikes, scooters, TV's, sounds systems etc., are all available locally - and have the correct systems settings, voltage and so on. Besides, HKG locals are very consumer conscious and discard their old gear as soon as a newer model comes out. If you know where to go, you can get really good stuff at absurdly low prices. Just not new stuff.
On the same note, but a bit of a digression - you'll need to save, save, save your cash. You won't have much left at all. $43K before taxes is really not enough, plain and simple. Our flight attendants out earn that. Seriously. And they're locals, with local support, knowledge and infrastructure.
Most moving companies will offer a couple of weeks storage as part of their package.
The trick is to time your move appropriately - without harping on about housing costs, size etc., - unless there's an emotional attachment to something, sell it or have relatives mind it for you until you've had enough or ship it.
A few reasons: apartments here are REALLY space sensitive. What works in an American or European place won't necessarily work here. Think optimization.
HKG realtors "rate" area of apartments and include (pro rated) common areas like elevator shafts and lobbies. 600 sq ft isn't 600 sq ft. Could be as low as 450 sq ft in real terms.
Western furniture isn't made for HKG humidity. It swells, distorts, cracks, mildews. Not even if you're moving from FLL. There, your a/c could run all day and keep it manageable. Trying that here will flatten your meager net salary.
By keeping your eye on expat leaving sales on the Internet, you'll get the right stuff at bargain prices. There's a constant stream of newbies and PO'd leavers. Save your money, you'll need it. Bikes, scooters, TV's, sounds systems etc., are all available locally - and have the correct systems settings, voltage and so on. Besides, HKG locals are very consumer conscious and discard their old gear as soon as a newer model comes out. If you know where to go, you can get really good stuff at absurdly low prices. Just not new stuff.
On the same note, but a bit of a digression - you'll need to save, save, save your cash. You won't have much left at all. $43K before taxes is really not enough, plain and simple. Our flight attendants out earn that. Seriously. And they're locals, with local support, knowledge and infrastructure.
...and just remember that you are signing up for a job and life in a very expensive Asian city that CX once paid A Scales to attract crew to.
Good luck. You'll need it.
Good luck. You'll need it.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Australia
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A majority of successful pilots would have worked their arses off as fresh graduates or trainees. They would have done the hard yards to get their hours up and build up experience in order to land a position in the airlines. Also a lot of the advise we get from senior pilots is to not give up and concentrate and work hard towards the dream of flying etc....basically stating that you better be prepared to slave yourself and keep the struggle going during those early years.
Can people label these difficult conditions to survive as a CX SO in HK as part of that struggle? Sure it sounds tough and probably deters a few people away from applying, but I want to know whether people can 'justify' these conditions if you only look at it as a young person trying to become a successful pilot down the line and having to do his/her share of the hard yards??
Can people label these difficult conditions to survive as a CX SO in HK as part of that struggle? Sure it sounds tough and probably deters a few people away from applying, but I want to know whether people can 'justify' these conditions if you only look at it as a young person trying to become a successful pilot down the line and having to do his/her share of the hard yards??
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
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MrBawse
If you have 0 experience and are young the CX cadet program is probably the best in the world, mostly on far superior conditions to those working their way up during the early years, an almost certain job flying a widebody logging hours in 6+ years, after your time as an SO and training. Free training!!!! with a living allowance, accommodation and meals. There is no better way to get an airline job for a 0 - low hour pilot. None of the guys posting here would dispute that even though many point out the drawbacks again and again. The point is it is not sustainable, you will not have a good life if you stay here for your whole career, every expat cadet who works for CX knows this.
CX are in for a tough time, the last of the guys on expat conditions will be upgrading to JFO next year, by the end of next year almost all the local cadets will also have upgraded to JFO, by the end of 2013 they will be upgrading the first guys who joined as international cadets. By the end of 2014 these guys will be approaching 500 - 700 ish hours in a widebody, some will leave who can find jobs back home with minimal total time. By the end of 2015 many will have left, by the end of 2016 for every SO they upgrade one or more FOs will be leaving to go home to fly. They will have two options, hugely increase the cadet package or accept the loss. What everyone who works here as an expat pilot knows is that if conditions remain as they are for expats cadets it is inevitable that most, by most I mean almost 100%, will leave. Cathay played the racial discrimination card in their favor, it will bite them as the increase in conditions will be for all not just expats as everyone is now hired as a cadet, if they can't continue with the inevitable exodus in a few years.
BarronBlue
How many years do you think it will take on this package to get to HK$93,000 a month? I think you may be surprised to hear that it will be well past 10 years at CX.
For experienced guys you have to gamble, will they increase the conditions or will they just disregard seniority and the contract, which does not mean much here in China, and hire DEFOs from third world countries once they see the crew shortage? My bet is No 2. It is inevitable that they will lose almost all expat cadets if they do nothing. The next 5 years are going to be interesting here but if you are pushing past 30 and have some hours do you really want to be getting close to 40 and having to think about starting again somewhere else? Yes it is a good deal as a start, no it is not a good deal for a career, seniority is going to be your worst enemy, starting again at 40 is a hard thing to do, never getting ahead in life is probably harder.
If you have 0 experience and are young the CX cadet program is probably the best in the world, mostly on far superior conditions to those working their way up during the early years, an almost certain job flying a widebody logging hours in 6+ years, after your time as an SO and training. Free training!!!! with a living allowance, accommodation and meals. There is no better way to get an airline job for a 0 - low hour pilot. None of the guys posting here would dispute that even though many point out the drawbacks again and again. The point is it is not sustainable, you will not have a good life if you stay here for your whole career, every expat cadet who works for CX knows this.
CX are in for a tough time, the last of the guys on expat conditions will be upgrading to JFO next year, by the end of next year almost all the local cadets will also have upgraded to JFO, by the end of 2013 they will be upgrading the first guys who joined as international cadets. By the end of 2014 these guys will be approaching 500 - 700 ish hours in a widebody, some will leave who can find jobs back home with minimal total time. By the end of 2015 many will have left, by the end of 2016 for every SO they upgrade one or more FOs will be leaving to go home to fly. They will have two options, hugely increase the cadet package or accept the loss. What everyone who works here as an expat pilot knows is that if conditions remain as they are for expats cadets it is inevitable that most, by most I mean almost 100%, will leave. Cathay played the racial discrimination card in their favor, it will bite them as the increase in conditions will be for all not just expats as everyone is now hired as a cadet, if they can't continue with the inevitable exodus in a few years.
BarronBlue
How many years do you think it will take on this package to get to HK$93,000 a month? I think you may be surprised to hear that it will be well past 10 years at CX.
For experienced guys you have to gamble, will they increase the conditions or will they just disregard seniority and the contract, which does not mean much here in China, and hire DEFOs from third world countries once they see the crew shortage? My bet is No 2. It is inevitable that they will lose almost all expat cadets if they do nothing. The next 5 years are going to be interesting here but if you are pushing past 30 and have some hours do you really want to be getting close to 40 and having to think about starting again somewhere else? Yes it is a good deal as a start, no it is not a good deal for a career, seniority is going to be your worst enemy, starting again at 40 is a hard thing to do, never getting ahead in life is probably harder.
Last edited by SloppyJoe; 6th Dec 2011 at 17:41.
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Hong Kong
Age: 33
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8 weeks or bust?
Cathay Recruitment | Flight Training Adelaide provides world-class aviation and pilot training for international airlines, corporate pilots and private learn-to-fly students - Parafield Airport
See fine print at the bottom of the above link!
"Candidates not notified within 8 weeks may consider their application unsuccessful."
See fine print at the bottom of the above link!
"Candidates not notified within 8 weeks may consider their application unsuccessful."
I'm guessing that also means they're not sending rejection emails anymore?
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Hong Kong
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I don't know if that 8 weeks thing is still valid. I have heard a cadet saying that the processing of applications started getting up to 4-6 months since last year due to the amount of applications had gone up. Moreover, some said they received rejection letter from Cathay.
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Hong Kong
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Oh, that's good to hear. Sorta. Patient as ever and gives me time to work and study and maybe consider flight school here in Hong Kong at the aviation club.
Anybody tried or know about the flight course at HKAC?
edit: and thanks for the reply!
Anybody tried or know about the flight course at HKAC?
edit: and thanks for the reply!
Last edited by kelevra; 8th Dec 2011 at 05:05.
Join Date: Jun 2011
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Hello,
I am trying to find detailed information about CX's fleet, mainly regarding what engine the airline uses to power their fleet.
Been searching for a while and cant seem to find much about the engines CX use.
Does anyone have a link to where i may find detailed information?
Thank you in advance.
I am trying to find detailed information about CX's fleet, mainly regarding what engine the airline uses to power their fleet.
Been searching for a while and cant seem to find much about the engines CX use.
Does anyone have a link to where i may find detailed information?
Thank you in advance.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Berlin
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Hey guys,
I am trying to get the application mask on the website of cathay but for some days I only see an error page.
Does anybody know what is goin on or where I can find the application page?
I am trying to get the application mask on the website of cathay but for some days I only see an error page.
Does anybody know what is goin on or where I can find the application page?
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Hong Kong
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@schweizer2 I have the same problem, I know they mainly have RR engines but I am not sure if they use RR exclusively or not.
Also, the math test used to be 33 mins but now i think it has changed because it's a 45 minutes one. Are the math problems the same or has the content of the test itself changed?
Also, the math test used to be 33 mins but now i think it has changed because it's a 45 minutes one. Are the math problems the same or has the content of the test itself changed?
Join Date: Oct 2009
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If you scour the net for long enough the gen is out there, I just can't remember exactly where... The maths test is very difficult, completion isn't necessarily expected. Along the lines of 36.2% 0.0000348. Tasty.
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Don't search only in this forum for information. Go to a plane registry site find Cathay fleet and go plane by plane to see the engines ... You'll probably notice a pattern in registries-dates-engines 
Anybody with no-experience that got a date for 2nd stage in HK in January, pm me?
Anybody with no-experience that got a date for 2nd stage in HK in January, pm me?
Join Date: Jun 2011
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Math test for the TT training has changed from what has been posted on here before. It consisted of two parts with I think 18 questions per part. It is totally possible to finish. I did. No more multiple part questions. It is just 36 individual questions. Fractions, percentages, and aviation related questions. Like you have to clear a 4000' hill by 2000' with a six degree climb gradient. What is the distance required to clear it? Blah blah. Enjoy!
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Hong Kong
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@mtc, thanks for the infom, but do you mean 6% climb gradient? or 6 degrees climb angle. not saying anything, just wondering if it's me being confused about aviation math (which im sure i am!) or was a typing mistake, as I havent found climb gradient expressed in degrees so far.
Would be grateful for any other input regarding the aviation math test.
Would be grateful for any other input regarding the aviation math test.
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Hong Kong
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Aviation Maths
Thanks for the update, @mtc for the maths test. I haven't encountered aviation -maths yet, just studied mostly on the theory of flight and slowly studying through flight instruments and the other technical areas.
Any suggestions where I can read/study aviation related maths?
Any suggestions where I can read/study aviation related maths?