Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Previous comments on rental costs seem way off. There seem to be plenty of places available for $6000-7000 PCM.
Hong Kong Rental Apartments | Villas | Village Houses | Property Lease
HK is a crowded place and you can't realistically expect to be living in the centre of town on a SO paycheck can you?
Hong Kong Rental Apartments | Villas | Village Houses | Property Lease
HK is a crowded place and you can't realistically expect to be living in the centre of town on a SO paycheck can you?
Join Date: Mar 2010
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I'm seeing places around 15000HK per month in and u have a 1st yr SO salary roughly 30000HK, it a sacrifice from the western style life you have to a fairly OK apartment, and eventually there is an increase in salary.
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"Within Cathay Pacific, the Second Officer is considered an integral part of the flight crew with specific responsibilities. The primary functions of the Second Officer are to act as a cruise relief pilot, to monitor all facets of the operation and to support the crew. Second Officers operate on Cathay Pacific's fleet of Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340-300 and A340-600 aircraft, operating worldwide on longhaul routes. "
This is what seen in CX's website
This is what seen in CX's website
Join Date: Jun 2009
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Previous comments on rental costs seem way off. There seem to be plenty of places available for $6000-7000 PCM.
Hong Kong Rental Apartments | Villas | Village Houses | Property Lease
HK is a crowded place and you can't realistically expect to be living in the centre of town on a SO paycheck can you?
ummm...... why would you not expect to live in town? This is life, and for an expat - this life sucks unless you live in a half way decent place. Why give your life to Cathay for the measly salary they are going to give you. You are not going to get to fly airplanes either. So, basically, you are selling your soul for nothing. 6000 gets you a shared room with a helper maybe, but that is it. You can live in a cardboard box on the beach. You can live in 400 sq feet 2 hours from the airport, or you can maybe get a hole in the wall with a lot of noise, in a bad area of town.
Hong Kong Rental Apartments | Villas | Village Houses | Property Lease
HK is a crowded place and you can't realistically expect to be living in the centre of town on a SO paycheck can you?
ummm...... why would you not expect to live in town? This is life, and for an expat - this life sucks unless you live in a half way decent place. Why give your life to Cathay for the measly salary they are going to give you. You are not going to get to fly airplanes either. So, basically, you are selling your soul for nothing. 6000 gets you a shared room with a helper maybe, but that is it. You can live in a cardboard box on the beach. You can live in 400 sq feet 2 hours from the airport, or you can maybe get a hole in the wall with a lot of noise, in a bad area of town.
$7000-$8000 per month will get you a 2 (very small) bedroom apartment in a modern complex in Tung Chung right near the airport. You may be able to get a village house for less than that but I would be very surpised if it would suit your living style.
Join Date: Oct 2007
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If you don't have a wife or young family to bring over, the $35k first-year S/O salary will definitely not plunge you into poverty - though you cannot expect to live the life of a high-roller either. Sure, you will probably end up blowing your entire paycheck for the first 1-2 years, but things will get better as you make your way up the company ladder. You can rent a decent place for around $10k in the New Territories, and food can be cheap depending on whether you know where to look.
Undoubtedly you won't be living a lifestyle remotely close to what you are used to at home. I guess it all depends on what you want - to pass over a golden opportunity to stay in your own comfort zone, or do some adventuring and adapting so you can build a future career? Go figure.
Undoubtedly you won't be living a lifestyle remotely close to what you are used to at home. I guess it all depends on what you want - to pass over a golden opportunity to stay in your own comfort zone, or do some adventuring and adapting so you can build a future career? Go figure.
Join Date: Jun 2009
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The best idea I have heard on here is to come to CX, take their paid training course, finish it, and then leave. Nothing wrong with that. If they are not willing to pay you a half way decent wage, you should have no reason to stay at the airline. In that respect, it is a good deal. If you plan on staying at CX, then it really is not a good deal.
Join Date: Mar 2010
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I see no problem with, staying at CX after 7years contract is up, you would advance with your salary and career. There might be problems leaving the airline to find another job that may have more problems than CX. I guess if you're looking to make a million dollars flying then you can go searching but never make it. The closest I see a pilot making that million (or close) is if he/she sticks with one airline and gains seniority.
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Join Date: May 2009
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Headland Hotel
Ok, so I am attending the interviews as an overseas candidate on the 8th. There was a post earlier where the headland hotel was recommended to stay in. However, I tried to make a reservation, and they claimed I was not a cathay employee yet, so cannot stay there. They suggested I ask the cadet pilot team to make a reservation on my behalf, and then I can pay for it myself on checking in. The cadet pilot team does not make reservations on anybody's behalf.
Any one else have any suggestions for a place to stay in that is close to Cathay City, and within reasonable budget? Or any way I can still make a reservation and stay at the headland?
Any one else have any suggestions for a place to stay in that is close to Cathay City, and within reasonable budget? Or any way I can still make a reservation and stay at the headland?
Join Date: Jun 2009
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7 year contract? That would only be valid if CX fulfilled their side too, which is highly unlikely. Assuming they don't piss you off to the point of leaving in your first year, you can break your contract with 3 months notice, which is a lot more notice than many places in the world. You are not allowed to be bonded for any period of time in Hong Kong - don't let the management weenies (Ronnie1992) on here fool you. He is right though, management never wants you to make a million dollars, so why would you want to be a pilot!!! You are just a factor of production here - don't do it!
Join Date: Feb 2010
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I have a question for those who are giving advice for us to not join the CPP...
Are you currently working for CX? If you are, why are you still working for them if you oppose how they treat you? If you think that the living conditions in HK is so bad with the limited income, why don't you find something that suits your lifestyle more?
Are you currently working for CX? If you are, why are you still working for them if you oppose how they treat you? If you think that the living conditions in HK is so bad with the limited income, why don't you find something that suits your lifestyle more?
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong
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flying_hamster,
You aren't going to find any budget accomodation near Cathay City, if they won't let you stay in the Headland. If you're on a tight financial leash, I can suggest you look at some hostels in Kowloon. Here is one, check it out:
Hong Kong Guesthouse accommodation - Man Hing Lung Guest House, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
You will spend quite a bit of money and time commuting between the airport and the hotel, but I think this is one of the most reasonable deals you can get for your buck. Unless you are willing to try Chungking Mansion, that is.
Good luck!
You aren't going to find any budget accomodation near Cathay City, if they won't let you stay in the Headland. If you're on a tight financial leash, I can suggest you look at some hostels in Kowloon. Here is one, check it out:
Hong Kong Guesthouse accommodation - Man Hing Lung Guest House, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
You will spend quite a bit of money and time commuting between the airport and the hotel, but I think this is one of the most reasonable deals you can get for your buck. Unless you are willing to try Chungking Mansion, that is.
Good luck!
Join Date: Jun 2009
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asl402
We are warning that the current conditions are hardly acceptable for current expat SO's, especially considering the deplorable recruitment of less qualified FO's in front of them. If you take away housing assistance for new SO's, we are doing our civic duty and moral duty to inform those that may want to join this company that their lifestyle will be crap, and to consider the consequences of using their own resources to try to get into CX. Once here, they are going to have a hard time living, and nobody wants that for anybody else. do you?
We are warning that the current conditions are hardly acceptable for current expat SO's, especially considering the deplorable recruitment of less qualified FO's in front of them. If you take away housing assistance for new SO's, we are doing our civic duty and moral duty to inform those that may want to join this company that their lifestyle will be crap, and to consider the consequences of using their own resources to try to get into CX. Once here, they are going to have a hard time living, and nobody wants that for anybody else. do you?
Join Date: Aug 2007
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If you join CX, have them train you and then walk out before the 7 year contract is up then I think other airlines would avoid you like the plague - as they should.
No company is perfect, they are run for profit not for the benefit of individual employees. These days cost cutting is a must and a reality that needs to be faced whatever sector you work in. If CX are willing to take you on and spend 18 months training you then I think you should be willing to stick to your side of the bargain too. I'd jump at the chance but think I'm probably too old to be considered now.
No company is perfect, they are run for profit not for the benefit of individual employees. These days cost cutting is a must and a reality that needs to be faced whatever sector you work in. If CX are willing to take you on and spend 18 months training you then I think you should be willing to stick to your side of the bargain too. I'd jump at the chance but think I'm probably too old to be considered now.
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JF1980
I'd like to hear more about this 7 year contract. It is not allowed in Hong Kong to be bonded to a company, in this case a 7 year 'contract'. It may be a 7 year contract, but that does not prohibit you from leaving. Other airlines would not avoid you like the plague because of a 7 year contract, but would avoid you because you were not intelligent enough to work for a live-able wage flying big airplanes. I am confident the 7 year contract has a termination clause of 3 months in it, otherwise it would cause a big raucous among many entities within HK. Please enlighten me though, who is saying there is a 7 year contract at CX???
You are not too old..... at cx you can go to 65, as long as you can stay fit and alive.
I'd like to hear more about this 7 year contract. It is not allowed in Hong Kong to be bonded to a company, in this case a 7 year 'contract'. It may be a 7 year contract, but that does not prohibit you from leaving. Other airlines would not avoid you like the plague because of a 7 year contract, but would avoid you because you were not intelligent enough to work for a live-able wage flying big airplanes. I am confident the 7 year contract has a termination clause of 3 months in it, otherwise it would cause a big raucous among many entities within HK. Please enlighten me though, who is saying there is a 7 year contract at CX???
You are not too old..... at cx you can go to 65, as long as you can stay fit and alive.
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I couldn't find any mention of contract length on the CX website, so basing this on what has been said earlier in the thread. The more suspicious part of me can't help but think that some of those advising people not to take up this opportunity are likely trying to thin out the competition if they are themselves applying.
Would a company like CX really consider taking on someone approaching 30 with no flying hours (I fly gliders actually but no powered experience other than an hours trial lesson)? I've wanted to fly since leaving school but the opportunity never came up, I had to get a 'normal' job and got stuck in the daily grind. Last year I found the time to start regularly flying gliders and it's really re-ignited my desire to fly. I actually think I would be a much stronger candidate now than I would have been at 18 as I'm much more mature, experienced and focused.
Would a company like CX really consider taking on someone approaching 30 with no flying hours (I fly gliders actually but no powered experience other than an hours trial lesson)? I've wanted to fly since leaving school but the opportunity never came up, I had to get a 'normal' job and got stuck in the daily grind. Last year I found the time to start regularly flying gliders and it's really re-ignited my desire to fly. I actually think I would be a much stronger candidate now than I would have been at 18 as I'm much more mature, experienced and focused.
Join Date: Oct 2007
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JF1980
In Hong Kong it is illegal for companies to use bonds to tie down employees for any amount of time. As far as I know, when you join as a cadet you sign a training contract, and before you join CX you sign a "Conditions of Service". I'm not quite sure about the exact contents/ramifications of these documents, but I don't think they legally bind you to CX for any specific timeframe. Therefore you are free to go when you please. Perhaps someone actually in the company could fill us in on these details.
Being 30 is fine, I have seen cadets who are older than that. If you can prove to them you are just as passionate and suited to a flying career as all the younger guys, you can make the cut.
Being 30 is fine, I have seen cadets who are older than that. If you can prove to them you are just as passionate and suited to a flying career as all the younger guys, you can make the cut.
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airplaneridesrfun
airplaneridesrfun,
I see where you are coming from. I guess I didn't see the housing compensation as a problem for me since I would probably be considered as a Local due to that I have a HKID.
Being a program originally designed for Locals, the starting salary of $35k/month as a SO is actually pretty good pay comparing to other jobs out there in HK. So I don't think Cathay really mistreat their employees.
However, I totally agree with you that this pay is not sufficient for Expats. Housing is way too expensive, and you probably have to settle somewhere much smaller than what you are used to. You probably can't afford a nice car as well since the tax, registration and parking is just as expensive (a parking spot can cost more than your car). Along with all that, you have to get used to a new environment away from your home/friends/family with a limited disposable income.
So I'm guessing you really have to considered if you can take some hardships for the first few years. If your passion for flying is more than anything else, then this program is certainly a go for you.
I see where you are coming from. I guess I didn't see the housing compensation as a problem for me since I would probably be considered as a Local due to that I have a HKID.
Being a program originally designed for Locals, the starting salary of $35k/month as a SO is actually pretty good pay comparing to other jobs out there in HK. So I don't think Cathay really mistreat their employees.
However, I totally agree with you that this pay is not sufficient for Expats. Housing is way too expensive, and you probably have to settle somewhere much smaller than what you are used to. You probably can't afford a nice car as well since the tax, registration and parking is just as expensive (a parking spot can cost more than your car). Along with all that, you have to get used to a new environment away from your home/friends/family with a limited disposable income.
So I'm guessing you really have to considered if you can take some hardships for the first few years. If your passion for flying is more than anything else, then this program is certainly a go for you.
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With all due respect asl42, if anybody has a passion for flying airplanes, they will do it somewhere else. The new SO's will be spending 5 years as SO, and will not be flying anything but a simulator! There is effectively no bypass pay in the conditions of service, so if anybody is hired in a higher rank than you then you are not entitled to bypass pay. If you ever want to get back to your home country, you might not get the chance for 7 to 9 years! I'm going to have to just go ahead and disagree with you; If you are a local, the pay for SO is absurd compared to other professional positions!
If you want to come to Cathay; do it. But do so as a manager. They make the big bucks, and still get to fly on airplanes. Go get a law degree, and an MBA and you are set and will be better off.
If you want to come to Cathay; do it. But do so as a manager. They make the big bucks, and still get to fly on airplanes. Go get a law degree, and an MBA and you are set and will be better off.
Last edited by airplaneridesrfun; 2nd Apr 2010 at 02:35.