Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme

[flying17]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone have the email of the the CathayPacific Group Talent Acquisition Team aka HR department. I wasn't able to find their email or any way to reach them after submitting the application.

I had everything scanned and in proper format, however they sent an email back saying I am missing my transcript, which I have double confirm it is there. I would like to reach out to them but I wasn't able to find their email anywhere. Plus, I haven't hear back from them ever since. So any insight will be appreciated

[YSOSERIOUS]

Anyone is familiar with the ICAO English test? Is the format talked about in this link still valid? Thanks bois.

aviationenglishasia.wordpress*dot*com/2012/08/31/how-to-prepare-for-the-new-cx-icao-english-test/

[hp123]

Has anyone applied recently for the cadet program and heard back anything?

[YSOSERIOUS]

Originally Posted by hp123

Has anyone applied recently for the cadet program and heard back anything?

Applied in March, medical and ICAO test on next Wed.

Got a few friends applied over the last 2-3 weeks, all heard back from HR within a week.

[YSOSERIOUS]

It took them almost a month to get back to me. But lately they've been pretty quick.

[hp123]

Did you apply with a CPL etc? or with no prior flying experience?

[YSOSERIOUS]

Got 5 hrs of flight exp but no cert.

[whitsunday]

Originally Posted by Hardrod

Cathay Pacific-trained pilots are frustrated about their career paths and pay, with some claims that turbulence is being caused by fast promotions for newly hired foreign pilots…

One complaint is that second officers on the Airbus fleet could be upgraded to first officers within months, while those on Boeing 777 aircraft must wait for more than seven years to be upgraded.

Some first officers with experience outside Cathay were upgraded before pilots who have served the airline for more than 10 years, it is also claimed
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/secti...-on-the-tarmac'

Reality hit. Ouch!!

Seven years. Don't even know what HK will be like in seven years. Poor 777 guys. Keep on waiting.

[trigonometry]

That's why I've been saying these to people, never trust what the HR tell you at the interview, particularly with regards to upgrade time, they might say 3 years, but the reality is it could be over 7 years, depending on which fleet you are on obviously, and they won't bother to tell you. It is one of the tricks they use to lure you in, especially for the new TA team where most of them have a strong recruitment agency background. That's why things have moved so quick comparing to the previous TA team.

[Sleepsleep]

Can anyone put more information about upgrade times SO -> JFO of different fleets for curious wannabe's such as myself? (NOT across the board / whole company.)

As discussed above, SO -> JFO upgrade time is ~7 years for B777 but a few months for Airbuses. But what about the B747 fleet? Furthermore, how has upgrade time generally fluctuated over the past years? (FYI I found a thread discussing this back in 2018, stating that time required for this upgrade is approx. 6 years on average for the whole company.)

Making a public reply rather than DMing so that other curious people don't have to ask the exact same question.

[Hardrod]

Originally Posted by Sleepsleep

Making a public reply rather than DMing so that other curious people don't have to ask the exact same question.

Haha. I need a good laugh on this. A lot of questions have been asked publicly and they have been answered publicly yet people still keep asking those same questions. The reason is simple, they don’t read. Period.

[dot0086]

Originally Posted by YSOSERIOUS

Anyone is familiar with the ICAO English test? Is the format talked about in this link still valid? Thanks bois.

aviationenglishasia.wordpress*dot*com/2012/08/31/how-to-prepare-for-the-new-cx-icao-english-test/

This is the exact test they use iaeltd*dot*org/clear

[YSOSERIOUS]

Originally Posted by dot0086

This is the exact test they use iaeltd*dot*org/clear

Thanks! Just done it on Wednesday, much easier than I anticipated.

[ChatGPTX]

Newbie here. Need some advice.
I left college 2 years ago, currently working in the financial sector, making 60k a month. Decent lifestyle, managed to have my own place to live.
Have a PPL in my belt and currently working towards to get my CPL. (All thanks to my early investment in trading while I was in college)
With my background, I have recently been contacted by a CX Recruiter and they offer me the cadet opportunity.
But then at the same time, I don't want to settle down in Hong Kong for good, because, let's face it, HK is not the same anymore, and it is headed in one way.
I am wondering, how would you guys choose between the Cadet Opportunity VS a Second Passport?

[bananarepublic]

Originally Posted by ChatGPTX

Newbie here. Need some advice.
I left college 2 years ago, currently working in the financial sector, making 60k a month. Decent lifestyle, managed to have my own place to live.
Have a PPL in my belt and currently working towards to get my CPL. (All thanks to my early investment in trading while I was in college)
With my background, I have recently been contacted by a CX Recruiter and they offer me the cadet opportunity.
But then at the same time, I don't want to settle down in Hong Kong for good, because, let's face it, HK is not the same anymore, and it is headed in one way.
I am wondering, how would you guys choose between the Cadet Opportunity VS a Second Passport?

Depends if you're in it for the money or because you want to be a pilot.

It will take you 5-7 years to earn over 60k/month if you join as a cadet. If you factor compound as well as further career promotion and pay rise with your current career then the pay gap will be massive.

[5.56NATO]

Originally Posted by bananarepublic

Depends if you're in it for the money or because you want to be a pilot.

It will take you 5-7 years to earn over 60k/month if you join as a cadet. If you factor compound as well as further career promotion and pay rise with your current career then the pay gap will be massive.

I am in similar situation except I am much older (38) and with a slightly higher monthly salary, and a mortgage, and a wife.
Been reading every thread on this forum trying to look for something positive, obviously in vain. It's depressing to see that how a once internationally renowned airlines that represents my home town has reduced to something like a LCC and staff are generally disgruntled and depressed. I understand the negativity and hostility and I truly wish thatbtjings will improve for every CX/KA/UO pilots, as well as cabin crew and ground staff.
Flying is my dream but sadly I have not been able to afford the cost and the time to get my own licenses, so cadet is really my way out...Taking the time off for a PPL and working all the way up along the DESO path is a practical impossibility. When HR called I was happy for a short moment and I thought that it could work by selling my home and using my saving to grind through the 55ish weeks of training in FTA, I was being totally naive, because things are just getting worse. The new training package is absolutely difficult even for someone with zero financial burden. I did the simple math and came to the conclusion that if I ever made it to FO, I will be in my mid 40s, without a property and probably a few hundred bucks left in my saving account, as well as an angry wife. It appears to me that the cadet programme is for young lads who are well off and do not have much responsibilities. I feel sorry for myself for not having done better when I first applied years ago - when cx was at a better position. Meanwhile, I also feel extremely sorry for my friends in aviation because most of them are a thousand times smarter than I am, and they have been very supportive and helpful throughout my application process. But yet a majority of them are suffering from the aftermath of the pandemic and consequences of mismanagement.

A word of advice to the inspiring ones, althought I am not a pilot, go for it if you are young or if you don't have a family to support or a mortgage to pay off. Don't hold back in chasing after your dream. Otherwise, for those who are in similar position as I am, just accept the fact that your ship has sailed, because it wouldn't work for you unless you have a few millions dollars in your saving account at your disposal.

[Hardrod]

Originally Posted by 5.56NATO

I am in similar situation except I am much older (38) and with a slightly higher monthly salary, and a mortgage, and a wife.
Been reading every thread on this forum trying to look for something positive, obviously in vain. It's depressing to see that how a once internationally renowned airlines that represents my home town has reduced to something like a LCC and staff are generally disgruntled and depressed. I understand the negativity and hostility and I truly wish thatbtjings will improve for every CX/KA/UO pilots, as well as cabin crew and ground staff.
Flying is my dream but sadly I have not been able to afford the cost and the time to get my own licenses, so cadet is really my way out...Taking the time off for a PPL and working all the way up along the DESO path is a practical impossibility. When HR called I was happy for a short moment and I thought that it could work by selling my home and using my saving to grind through the 55ish weeks of training in FTA, I was being totally naive, because things are just getting worse. The new training package is absolutely difficult even for someone with zero financial burden. I did the simple math and came to the conclusion that if I ever made it to FO, I will be in my mid 40s, without a property and probably a few hundred bucks left in my saving account, as well as an angry wife. It appears to me that the cadet programme is for young lads who are well off and do not have much responsibilities. I feel sorry for myself for not having done better when I first applied years ago - when cx was at a better position. Meanwhile, I also feel extremely sorry for my friends in aviation because most of them are a thousand times smarter than I am, and they have been very supportive and helpful throughout my application process. But yet a majority of them are suffering from the aftermath of the pandemic and consequences of mismanagement.

A word of advice to the inspiring ones, althought I am not a pilot, go for it if you are young or if you don't have a family to support or a mortgage to pay off. Don't hold back in chasing after your dream. Otherwise, for those who are in similar position as I am, just accept the fact that your ship has sailed, because it wouldn't work for you unless you have a few millions dollars in your saving account at your disposal.

Agree on the target age group, but the problem is, the younger ones are taking advantage of the UK and Canada immigration policy to flee from CCP. And this is once in a lifetime opportunity, noone knows when this door will be closed. But for CX, the door is always opened, you miss this time, you can come back later and they are still welcome you with open arms. The question is, how badly you want a second passport..Wow. That is a struggle.

[5.56NATO]

Originally Posted by Hardrod

Agree on the target age group, but the problem is, the younger ones are taking advantage of the UK and Canada immigration policy to flee from CCP. And this is once in a lifetime opportunity, noone knows when this door will be closed. But for CX, the door is always opened, you miss this time, you can come back later and they are still welcome you with open arms. The question is, how badly you want a second passport..Wow. That is a struggle.

Mate I have a British passport so working elsewhere is not an issue to me. But dealing with the abrupt financial challenges is hard for people with commitments. Not trying to make excuses but there are times at life where you make good decisions and when the ship has sailed all one could do is to suck up the consequences and try not to be overly miserable about it.

[ChatGPTX]

bananarepublic:
Money is one thing, getting a second citizenship is another.
Growing up in Hong Kong I have seen the ugly and glamours side of this city from the inside out. I can say without any uncertainty that I do not want to die in this place. Now there is a chance to become a citizen of another country and the door is not opened forever, I worry that if I wait for too long, the ship will sail. Canada has set a deadline which is 2026, UK is now thinking to extend the wait period from 5 to 8 years. The clock is ticking..On top of that, there is a cadet opportunity, which is the fastest and easiest way to get into an airliner..so hard to choose .That's why I wanted to know how you guys think particularly for the locals.

Hardrod:
My thought is exactly the same. A few of my colleagues make more than me and they have tendered their notice in exchange for a second passport. So hard to choose.

[trigonometry]

Originally Posted by ChatGPTX

bananarepublic:
Money is one thing, getting a second citizenship is another.
Growing up in Hong Kong I have seen the ugly and glamours side of this city from the inside out. I can say without any uncertainty that I do not want to die in this place. Now there is a chance to become a citizen of another country and the door is not opened forever, I worry that if I wait for too long, the ship will sail. Canada has set a deadline which is 2026, UK is now thinking to extend the wait period from 5 to 8 years. The clock is ticking..On top of that, there is a cadet opportunity, which is the fastest and easiest way to get into an airliner..so hard to choose .That's why I wanted to know how you guys think particularly for the locals.

Hardrod:
My thought is exactly the same. A few of my colleagues make more than me and they have tendered their notice in exchange for a second passport. So hard to choose.

It might not be an easy choice to make, but it's actually not, it's quite an easy one actually, simply because, you are young, you have the time to kill, plus, you already have a PPL under your belt, and you are working towards to get your CPL, regardless if you get the cadet opportunity or not, that actually put you in a much much better position as opposed to someone who are in their early 30s or mid 30s who doesn't have any experience at all. It might be too late for them to do both. Take the citizenship route. Fold your life in HK for now and start a new life somewhere else. Once you have secured a second passport, then come back, Cathay will be more than happy to offer you the same opportunity as the one they offered you before, or else, they might take you on the DESO position, assuming if you continue to build hours and get the experiences while living in overseas. You are a smart cookie, if you managed to land in a job that gets you 60k a month now, you will do fine somewhere else. PM me if you need connection. I can help. Cheers.

FYI: Why HK is facing talent shortage? Because the ones that have left, they know they might not have the same opportunity again. Read on the news. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...r-survey-finds