mtc

Since when is it the job of pilots around the world to refuse taking this crappy job to make it better? Where has the AOA been during all of this? The onus should be on the current employees to fight for better COS. Hmm that sounds vaguely familiar...

Sorry bangout for the off topic. But really work on making it better from the inside instead of this "hold out it will get better bs."

Another note... I'm still confused at how I will be "surviving" for my entire 30 year career at Cathay. Will I be an SO making my measly 35K HKD a month forever? Is it wrong to expect normal career progression? Whether it takes 15 years to command or what?

Jim-J

As a civvie pilot I applied in August, got an e-mail invitation to the Stage 1 'party' in early October. Interviewed November, e-mail confirmation for the second interview invite came 10 days thereafter.

This second interview happens only in March (at best) 2012. Loooong process.

As per BANGOUT's post it seems this is due to the backlog of the RAF or similar Mil pilots interviews.

ChinaBeached

The pilots on the inside ARE saying, screaming, yelling DO NOT DO IT. As for the AOA, my opinion has been voiced on a separate thread.

Management: "Here's a sh!t sandwich. Trust us, you're the greatest!!"
Experienced (CX) pilots: "Don't eat it. We're trying warn you, it's a sh!t sandwich."
Wannabe: "Wow! A really and truly and for real sh!t sandwich from 'Cathay Pacific'??! I'll bet / hope the 4th & 5th bite make it taste better! After all, when have they ever been immoral, lied or torn up legally binding contracts? What would these experienced pilots know anyway....."

You ARE the voice. We all tell you the facts, truths & histories but it's you wannabes who have the real voice & power. It just takes a tiny showing of a backbone.

We all say pilots are their own worst enemy, & so many are lining up to lower this profession further. One day, and it will happen, you'll be screwed over by another pilot or airline management and have the audacity to feel insulted.

SV_741_India_Bravo

I have a question regarding the Cadet Pilot program.

In the flying experience form, there are two fields, one 'dual' and one 'solo'.

Please confirm, should we write PIC (P1) hours in 'solo' or just the hours when we are the sole occupants of the aircraft.

Thank you.

kelevra

I've been reading the past threads and pages of the CX Cadet programme and now and then there are the discouragements for joining the programme.

I'm still a bit unclear about why, is it the package when joining CX as a cadet/second officer and living in HK, and by joining cadets and S/O's are supporting this package? What is it about the package? Also, by the sound of it, it seems most of the discouragements are from expats.

What is the alternative, where else to join and fly?

average-punter

I think the main reason is that the pay is just so different. Before, when you joined as a DESO you got a housing allowance which now, effectively, you don't get. Although you do get an allowance, I believe it is taxed. I see you are in HK and I guess have lived there all your life? If so the housing may not really be a problem for you. But for expats it will be, with a family the package is insufficient. I live in the UK, my house is certainly not the biggest house in the UK with a couple of bedrooms, dining room, lounge and kitchen it is a mansion compared to the housing that you will be able to afford on the salary of an SO. Believe me I really want to fly! But on this package it would be incredibly difficult to enjoy my lifestyle, or to match the lifestyle that I'm used to... looking ahead it would be unsustainable with a wife and family etc... I would prefer to fund my training and get a job here, you can be in the left hand seat of a 737 or A320 in 6 years here in the UK and you will also have hours that count. Although with careful planning I believe you could survive on the CX package in HK, but as a professional pilot I would not expect just to 'get by'...

kelevra

Thanks. That makes it much more understandable from where people are coming with the discouragements.

No disrespect at all but a friend and I were talking about the posts here on the forums and both living in HK, we assumed most were expats and were spoiled because of their lifestyle but then again he's a local and he doesn't know the culture shock when leaving a country for another, especially when you're a bit older (I came to HK at 2 years old, so I have somewhat of an idea now) and leaving for a lower paid job with a lower rank (correct?).

Looking ahead it does seems like, as an SO regardless of expat or domestic, you'll be "surviving" instead of "living" life... for a while.

Thanks again and good luck with future endeavours

average-punter

I don't know the demographics of the CX workforce.

No disrepect at all mate I can understand what you mean. I've lived in the UK all my life and used to this standard of living, certainly not rich or anything but I have a nice standard of living and wouldn't want to give it up, move to HK and 'just get by'. I got chatting with a British expat living in HK a while ago and he said the worst thing about it was the smog!

Thanks and good luck to you aswell

illustrator

Just received the third round interview. FYI the email is as below:


Dear Mr. X,

We wish to confirm you that your Stage 2 interview for the Second Officer Programme will be on 08 Feb 2012. You will be notified of your stage 2 results by the end of 08 Feb, if successful, a Medical appointment will be arranged on 09 Feb 2012. (You are required to acknowledge this email once you have accepted the invitation on or before the 16 Jan 2012).

Attached please find the Job Knowledge Book for your study. For Stage 2 interview, you will be required to arrive by 08.30am to the Flight Crew Recruitment Office which is located on 6/F Flight Training Centre, Cathay Pacific City, Lantau Island, Hong Kong. A visitor pass can be collected from the Reception of the Cathay City main building.

The following assessments will be conducted during the day.

- Aviation Mathematics test (Time allowed: 45mins)
- Personality Test (Computer-based/Time allowed: 30mins)

- Group Exercise (60mins)
- Flight Planning Exercise (90mins)
- Panel Interview (General and Technical: 60mins)

It will finish at approximately 6.00pm. You are advised to bring photocopy of your passport and any updated documents with a passport photo. You may be required to show the original of your Academic documents, Log Book and Licence (if you have any).

Please complete the following attached and bring it along on the day of your Interview if applicable :
1) AE - Logbook Covering Pages (If applicable)
2) AE - Second Officer Stream Table – AE (If applicable)
3) Second Officer Information Update Form

Please note that interviews and tests will be cancelled and rescheduled if Typhoon Signal No. 8 or the Black Rainstorm Warning is hoisted. When the Typhoon Signal or Black Rainstorm Warning is lowered before 0600 hours, candidates should attend the interview and tests as scheduled.

Should you have any question please feel free to contact me via email.

Best Regards,
XXXXXX
Flight Crew Recruitment Specialist
Cathay Pacific Airways

Aeran

Well done illustrator !

Hi ! Same situation here. But it is said "under formal flight instruction". Consequently, I suppose we should write our "solo" hours acquired during training instead of the hours when we are the "sole occupant of the aircraft".

However, I really have a doubt about it, because we have already mentioned those "solo" hours under the "Flying training & licence" form. Therefore, where should we write the total time as a private pilot, without an instructor on board ? And what about the "last 6 months experience" when we flew as the "sole occupant of the aircraft" ? How did you proceed ?

Any help would be appreciated ! Thanks a lot !

Pittslover

Hi guys i just wrote this post in the other thread and realised it would be better to ask the question here. Thanks for help in advance.



First i have to say you can find a lot of good information between the arguments in this thread about the interview and i want to say thanks to the people who took the time to wrtie the reports and facts.

I understand that both sides have valid points to agree or disagree with the new CX SO terms and conditions. Still, for my personal situation CX remains a good option so i want to ask some questions regarding the application.

Currently i hold my FAA CPL/IR license and almost finished my JAA ATPLs. Can i apply before i finish my ATPLs and state the expected date of finishing my ATPLs and CPL/IR conversion in the application?

The other thing is my school education was done in Germany and my school education ist not comparable at all with the english or american system. How can i enter it? Just in the german form and translated?

Take care people!