Why I turned down Cathay Pacific (SO Transition)
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So, one is able to dig up statistics which support that Tung Chung isn't the most polluted part of Hong Kong...
...consider that paultheparaglider might be saying that of all the places expats might reasonably consider living, it is most definitely one of the most polluted parts of Hong Kong. The reason we know this - is that we have to drive/ train/ bus past the place every time we go to work - and it's definitely up there (ITO pollution).
Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with the place from what I can tell, and quite a few of my friends have opted to live there. But it regularly suffers very bad pollution. That's a fact.
I haven't checked what residential places regularly suffer worse pollutiuon than Tung Chung, But I'm guessing is places like Mei Foo, Mong Kok etc. If you want to compare Tung Chung to places like that, then you might want to check them out first.
...consider that paultheparaglider might be saying that of all the places expats might reasonably consider living, it is most definitely one of the most polluted parts of Hong Kong. The reason we know this - is that we have to drive/ train/ bus past the place every time we go to work - and it's definitely up there (ITO pollution).
Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with the place from what I can tell, and quite a few of my friends have opted to live there. But it regularly suffers very bad pollution. That's a fact.
I haven't checked what residential places regularly suffer worse pollutiuon than Tung Chung, But I'm guessing is places like Mei Foo, Mong Kok etc. If you want to compare Tung Chung to places like that, then you might want to check them out first.
Last edited by PNM; 29th Jul 2012 at 06:06.
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Hedley Environmental Index
Regardless of what you think you see driving to work these measurements show daily that Tung Chung is NOT one of the more polluted places to live. Check it out occasionally and you will see that the city locations are the worst, understandably, followed by the rest, of which Tung Chung is one of the best places in HKG with regards to the pollution.
These are not statistics they are real time readings of pollutants in the atmosphere at the locations mentioned.
Regardless of what you think you see driving to work these measurements show daily that Tung Chung is NOT one of the more polluted places to live. Check it out occasionally and you will see that the city locations are the worst, understandably, followed by the rest, of which Tung Chung is one of the best places in HKG with regards to the pollution.
These are not statistics they are real time readings of pollutants in the atmosphere at the locations mentioned.

Join Date: Jan 2013
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Advice?
Hi
I agree with what you are saying but i must also say i could not find a better offer than this atleast for now as i am a low time pilot.
My question is do you think that there is still an airline out there that will give you the cathay dream? In other words do you think it is cathay that is going down hill in terms of being a pilot or the whole airline industry?
Regards
I agree with what you are saying but i must also say i could not find a better offer than this atleast for now as i am a low time pilot.
My question is do you think that there is still an airline out there that will give you the cathay dream? In other words do you think it is cathay that is going down hill in terms of being a pilot or the whole airline industry?
Regards
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HK Life,
(hopefully you're not like airgent and others who will take this advice as a personal attack)
Instead of looking for the quick now-now-now path into a big shiny jet that will see you head down an unhappy and low paying career (if you can call it a career) with almost no way of saving for your retirement, why not go out there and get a job suitable for a low hour pilot. Then you can become a higher hour pilot and apply for suitable jobs, then become an even higher hour (and experienced) pilot and apply for a reasonably good package at a reasonably good airline (that doesn't treat their employees like CX does).
Trust me, you'll have many enjoyable and worthwhile experiences along the way, especially if you get into single pilot IFR in strange places doing even stranger tasks.
(hopefully you're not like airgent and others who will take this advice as a personal attack)
Instead of looking for the quick now-now-now path into a big shiny jet that will see you head down an unhappy and low paying career (if you can call it a career) with almost no way of saving for your retirement, why not go out there and get a job suitable for a low hour pilot. Then you can become a higher hour pilot and apply for suitable jobs, then become an even higher hour (and experienced) pilot and apply for a reasonably good package at a reasonably good airline (that doesn't treat their employees like CX does).
Trust me, you'll have many enjoyable and worthwhile experiences along the way, especially if you get into single pilot IFR in strange places doing even stranger tasks.

Join Date: Oct 2016
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Whinge
Can't say I have ever come across a bigger bunch of whiners about Cathay and living in HK!
I am an Aussie and live in HK. Yes it has its challenges and is expensive and has bad schools and all the rest of it. But I am still here because on balance I would rather live here than anywhere else. Someone here said said if you can't get more money then don't go to HK, only worth it if the numbers add up. I for one took a 60 per cent pay cut 9 years ago to have the chance of living here. No housing allowance, just a salary. But with much lower tax I could justify it and also live in a more exciting place than in Australia. Amazed how many Aussies on the forum who whine about their lot in life, how bad Cathay is, how your free housing allowance is shrinking ( I get zero) and how hard it is to jump on your free company funded flights for your holidays ( I pay full rack rates for mine). If you don't like it ? Go home and stop whining!! Pay your 47 per cent tax there, live in a remote location and live the high life you crave! Just a bunch of self important losers. Enjoy your life and stop the crap!!!
I am an Aussie and live in HK. Yes it has its challenges and is expensive and has bad schools and all the rest of it. But I am still here because on balance I would rather live here than anywhere else. Someone here said said if you can't get more money then don't go to HK, only worth it if the numbers add up. I for one took a 60 per cent pay cut 9 years ago to have the chance of living here. No housing allowance, just a salary. But with much lower tax I could justify it and also live in a more exciting place than in Australia. Amazed how many Aussies on the forum who whine about their lot in life, how bad Cathay is, how your free housing allowance is shrinking ( I get zero) and how hard it is to jump on your free company funded flights for your holidays ( I pay full rack rates for mine). If you don't like it ? Go home and stop whining!! Pay your 47 per cent tax there, live in a remote location and live the high life you crave! Just a bunch of self important losers. Enjoy your life and stop the crap!!!
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EU point of view
Exactly. Most of us have friends or ex-colleges who'd we'd love to see join us in CX, but who turned away this disrespectful offer.
In fact, it used to be a fairly common occurrence that recruiting was done through word of mouth and recommendations. Whatever legends or aura that exists around Cathay Pacific developed because we were able to hire from the top shelf around the world. Nobody in their right mind would recommend this deal to a friend who has any kind of experience or skill-set.
The irony of it all is that the ones with the spine, brain and judgement to walk away from this deal are the exact pilots we should be hiring. They're the ones who have what it takes to make decisions at 38,000' when facing a nightmare scenario.
But beggars can't be choosers.
In fact, it used to be a fairly common occurrence that recruiting was done through word of mouth and recommendations. Whatever legends or aura that exists around Cathay Pacific developed because we were able to hire from the top shelf around the world. Nobody in their right mind would recommend this deal to a friend who has any kind of experience or skill-set.
The irony of it all is that the ones with the spine, brain and judgement to walk away from this deal are the exact pilots we should be hiring. They're the ones who have what it takes to make decisions at 38,000' when facing a nightmare scenario.
But beggars can't be choosers.

I love asia and lived like an asian already. And if someone wants lo live specifically in HK, may it be, why not CX.
HOWEVER! I also agree with you, with 500hrs on type I would choose other carriers in the region are paying more than CX. Totally aree.