Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme
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Location: Trinidad and Tobago
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Has the aircraft that Second officers work on changed? because I saw on their website the operate on B747, a340-300 and a340-600 since they no long have the a340-600 and a expanding fleet of B777 that does long haul, Second officers are present on them?
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Florida
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Airplaneridesrfun
haha. Yes ERAU is accredited...and a very well known school. Furthermore they offer many masters degrees as well as a few PHD's. My degree is actually in Aerospace Business Management and Education. A degree that goes a little further than a masters in business. I did it because I wanted to further my education ....and because it helps defer the loans a little while I work to get a better job to pay them off. (More for the first reason than the second, but its still a plus)
Join Date: Mar 2010
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@ Phili-T
Well put. I have heard the same thing as well, but have also heard the good from current cadet pilots who actually love their job right. And every company has pros and cons. For a younger pilot, the pros do outweigh the cons and hopefully by the time you are seriously considering a family, you would have upgraded by then. (Yes this may be a dream)
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Hey
Not sure where you can get Ravens Advanced Progressive Matrices. I looked in the public library and online with no joy. I have heard (probably on this forum) it's quite expensive, US$400 if I remember correctly. It's not worth buying to memorize the answers. If they have rearranged the problems for the test you're screwed.
As I recall it is broken into two sections, the first is 12 problems and the second 36. You're told to spend only 5 mins on the first set and come back to it if you complete set two and have time to spare.
I'm no mensa candidate and would say of average intelligence, I completed 5 of the 12 in set one before moving on to set two. I can't remember how many problems I completed in set two before running out of time. It was obviously enough to continue with the interview process.
Not sure where you can get Ravens Advanced Progressive Matrices. I looked in the public library and online with no joy. I have heard (probably on this forum) it's quite expensive, US$400 if I remember correctly. It's not worth buying to memorize the answers. If they have rearranged the problems for the test you're screwed.
As I recall it is broken into two sections, the first is 12 problems and the second 36. You're told to spend only 5 mins on the first set and come back to it if you complete set two and have time to spare.
I'm no mensa candidate and would say of average intelligence, I completed 5 of the 12 in set one before moving on to set two. I can't remember how many problems I completed in set two before running out of time. It was obviously enough to continue with the interview process.
Last edited by happyguy99; 25th Dec 2010 at 05:59.
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Just to add another voice to this. The comment by someone here that an apartment would cost $16000 p/m and a cost of living per month is $7000 is simply way off mark. $16000 per month gets what you would describe as slum like living conditions in Hong Kong. Look at the prices in Discovery Bay, the Mid Levels and the like. Trust me you will not want to live in places where you can pay $16000P/M.
As for $7000 living expenses. Try doubling it for subsistence living. If you want to move to one of the most expensive and crowded cities in the world and live a 3rd world lifestyle then go ahead.
It is not worth the money for the job. To answer someone before I think it would be far preferable to stay at home and fly a twin in charter and work towards a Low Cost Operator than to fly for CX for less than a subsistence wage and hope you will get an FO slot in 6 years and a command in 15-20 years. Really, there are better jobs.
I hate to be discouraging but you need to face the facts.
You are being considered because local people don't want the job, and you are cheap labor. You are also undermining the conditions of your fellow pilots, think about what that means.
Read the Fragrant Harbour Forum, to see, for example, how pissed the SO's are, after only a few years. And they actually GET a hosing allowance.
As for $7000 living expenses. Try doubling it for subsistence living. If you want to move to one of the most expensive and crowded cities in the world and live a 3rd world lifestyle then go ahead.
It is not worth the money for the job. To answer someone before I think it would be far preferable to stay at home and fly a twin in charter and work towards a Low Cost Operator than to fly for CX for less than a subsistence wage and hope you will get an FO slot in 6 years and a command in 15-20 years. Really, there are better jobs.
I hate to be discouraging but you need to face the facts.
You are being considered because local people don't want the job, and you are cheap labor. You are also undermining the conditions of your fellow pilots, think about what that means.
Read the Fragrant Harbour Forum, to see, for example, how pissed the SO's are, after only a few years. And they actually GET a hosing allowance.
Join Date: Jun 2009
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Hey flyremnant,
Guess what I'm in currently in ERAU too!
But one of my friend here who applied last year has got called. He did not choose US as the first choice though.
I'm in Aersospace Engineering instead of Aeronautical Science so I don't have any flight time.
And it seems like we have a few from Embry Riddle here
Guess what I'm in currently in ERAU too!
But one of my friend here who applied last year has got called. He did not choose US as the first choice though. I'm in Aersospace Engineering instead of Aeronautical Science so I don't have any flight time.
And it seems like we have a few from Embry Riddle here
Join Date: Mar 2010
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@Philli-T
I take your point that when you're looking ahead at the 'opportunities' in front of you, the CX one seems pretty appealing and compared to GA level jobs it does seem so. For a young single guy burning with enthusiasm, CX would still be a good choice IF - and I repeat - IF you are prepared to use CX in the same way they would be using you.
What I mean is to get ahead by taking their training, taking their long-haul glass cockpit experience, taking their mediocre salary, taking their widebody type ratings, have a good time shagging the Wan Chai bargirls, and then find a better job at another airline nearer to your home that is in the mood to headhunt your new skills and experience. I don't know what 'bond ' or 'return of service' is being touted by them but CX didn't care much about the one I had with my previous employer when they wanted me so why should you worry about their's?
This plan however does require a commitment of some many years in Hong Kong and it will be tempting to stay for the carrots that have been placed further down the career path (and the bargirls). The only way that the company will learn whether their package stacks up is if guys (or girls) like you vote with their feet after they have had to outlay for all your training.
Don't make the mistake however, of thinking that CX will be a good long-term, one airline for life 'career' choice. You will be best served by continuing to keep your eyes and ears open for other, better opportunities as you start down the CX road.
CXmonkey
I take your point that when you're looking ahead at the 'opportunities' in front of you, the CX one seems pretty appealing and compared to GA level jobs it does seem so. For a young single guy burning with enthusiasm, CX would still be a good choice IF - and I repeat - IF you are prepared to use CX in the same way they would be using you.
What I mean is to get ahead by taking their training, taking their long-haul glass cockpit experience, taking their mediocre salary, taking their widebody type ratings, have a good time shagging the Wan Chai bargirls, and then find a better job at another airline nearer to your home that is in the mood to headhunt your new skills and experience. I don't know what 'bond ' or 'return of service' is being touted by them but CX didn't care much about the one I had with my previous employer when they wanted me so why should you worry about their's?
This plan however does require a commitment of some many years in Hong Kong and it will be tempting to stay for the carrots that have been placed further down the career path (and the bargirls). The only way that the company will learn whether their package stacks up is if guys (or girls) like you vote with their feet after they have had to outlay for all your training.
Don't make the mistake however, of thinking that CX will be a good long-term, one airline for life 'career' choice. You will be best served by continuing to keep your eyes and ears open for other, better opportunities as you start down the CX road.
CXmonkey
Join Date: May 2009
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SO's fly on all aircraft types, 747 including freighters occasionally, A340, A330 and 777 but I expect not on 777-300's or 200's just the 300ER but could be wrong as am not on the 777.
Join Date: Jun 2009
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Bizzle284
If you are getting a MBA in aviation, then you should know better than to even consider CX. My advice to you is to take any credits any other school will accept, and diversify out of aviation.
Sloppyjoe is right. SO's get to fly on these big airplanes.... but not fly them. If you love flying, don't come to CX.... go fly freight in a Baron, or charters in a King Air. It will definitely afford you a better lifestyle than CX.
If you are getting a MBA in aviation, then you should know better than to even consider CX. My advice to you is to take any credits any other school will accept, and diversify out of aviation.
Sloppyjoe is right. SO's get to fly on these big airplanes.... but not fly them. If you love flying, don't come to CX.... go fly freight in a Baron, or charters in a King Air. It will definitely afford you a better lifestyle than CX.
Join Date: Feb 2010
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SO's are operating on the 330 as well? I thought just the 747/777-300ER/340.
From my research I have that there are SO's on all flights to Europe, Johannesburg, and North America. What about Australia and Middle East?
From my research I have that there are SO's on all flights to Europe, Johannesburg, and North America. What about Australia and Middle East?
Join Date: Oct 2007
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You need SOs' on any flight with 8 hours block time or more. For Australian routes, that would mean HKG - BNE/SYD/MEL/ADL require SOs' but PER and CNS do not. I'm not equally sure about the Middle Eastern routes, but it looks as if SOs' are deployed on all routes (DXB, RUH, BAH, JED). Hope this helps.
Join Date: Mar 2010
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@flyremnant
Hey Flyremnant. I am actually leaving for Hong Kong this Saturday. Yea I did part of my flight training at riddle and the other part back home in Mass. At this point I have 253 hrs. I graduated AS, but you see how that is in the US. LOL
cheers
cheers
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Thanks happyguy99...you're a credit to many of us newbys. Just in regards to the reasoning test, are all of the 45 or so questions based on the pictorial style, or is general aritmatic included too? Thanks again.