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Cathay Pacific Direct Entry Second Officer

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Cathay Pacific Direct Entry Second Officer

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Old 24th Mar 2019, 04:59
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Cathay Pacific Direct Entry Second Officer

Good day all

I recently received an email regarding my application for a direct entry second officer position and I'm in the process of submitting my documents. I am from Canada and yes, I have read a bunch here regarding the SO position and how utterly bad it is... now the thing is, I have been trying to start my career in aviation for a few years and between working the ramp in -50 and flying up in the boonies as we call it here (northern Canada), the SO position seems A LOT more enticing to a young, single 25 year old like myself... yes I know, long upgrade times to JFO, long boring cruise hours, no take offs or landings, expensive city to live in, etc, etc. If I look at my present situation, worst case scenario I upgrade to JFO by the time i'm 31/32. By that age i'd be lucky to be on a narrow body at one of the majors here if I got a job flying in the next couple months. I just wanted to see what the opinions are nowadays. I am still going to go through with the application and the interview, should I be called in for one.

Last edited by a334; 19th Jan 2020 at 00:04.
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Old 25th Mar 2019, 07:01
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Cathay

Hello mate

I’m in the same situation. I literally today sent off the last of the requested documentation. Went off the idea of pursuing a career with them a couple years back due to negative comment on here but then realised that in 5 years all going well I’ll be flying wide body aircraft of global routes.

Im a little older than you and have seen the cycle of pay to fly, don’t pay to fly, sit around and wait for opportunity to kick your door down, whinge that SOMEONE ELSE should be paying to keep your licences current etc.

At at the end of the day there will be opportunities that pop up that you either take or you don’t. Depends on what’s important. Cathay pacific is one of the best airlines in the world. Fantastic fleet and very well paying. I’ve done enough dog work and flown questionable machines and now want something spectacular. Personally, I think Cathay will be it.
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Old 25th Mar 2019, 18:45
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Originally Posted by Scotto350
Hello mate

I’m in the same situation. I literally today sent off the last of the requested documentation. Went off the idea of pursuing a career with them a couple years back due to negative comment on here but then realised that in 5 years all going well I’ll be flying wide body aircraft of global routes.

Im a little older than you and have seen the cycle of pay to fly, don’t pay to fly, sit around and wait for opportunity to kick your door down, whinge that SOMEONE ELSE should be paying to keep your licences current etc.

At at the end of the day there will be opportunities that pop up that you either take or you don’t. Depends on what’s important. Cathay pacific is one of the best airlines in the world. Fantastic fleet and very well paying. I’ve done enough dog work and flown questionable machines and now want something spectacular. Personally, I think Cathay will be it.
I have just submitted my documents as well and now I eagerly await a reply. I couldn't agree more with what you said and I hope everything works out for the both of us. I do think that while the wait time can seem very long, it is still one of the better opportunities out there for a low time pilot to start their career, especially if one is young and doesn't have any responsibilities or is tied down to something.

Best of luck and cheers!
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Old 27th Mar 2019, 02:10
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Best of luck as I am also in the same boat......let's keep our fingers crossed.
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Old 27th Mar 2019, 15:29
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Originally Posted by abaderrr
Heading over in May for the assessment days. If anyone has any questions or advice, feel free to DM.
Just wondering, how long did you wait from the time you submitted your documents, until you got the email inviting you to an interview?
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Old 27th Mar 2019, 20:14
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Originally Posted by a334
Good day all

I recently received an email regarding my application for a direct entry second officer position and I'm in the process of submitting my documents. I am from Canada and yes, I have read a bunch here regarding the SO position and how utterly bad it is... now the thing is, I have been trying to start my career in aviation for a few years and between working the ramp in -50 and flying up in the boonies as we call it here (northern Canada), the SO position seems A LOT more enticing to a young, single 25 year old like myself... yes I know, long upgrade times to JFO, long boring cruise hours, no take offs or landings, expensive city to live in, etc, etc. If I look at my present situation, worst case scenario I upgrade to JFO by the time i'm 31/32. By that age i'd be lucky to be on a narrow body at one of the majors here if I got a job flying in the next couple months. I just wanted to see what the opinions are nowadays. I am still going to go through with the application and the interview, should I be called in for one. Feel free to PM me also
What is your total time so far?
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Old 27th Mar 2019, 20:30
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Originally Posted by Ilyushin76
What is your total time so far?
270 so far
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Old 28th Mar 2019, 04:54
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Originally Posted by abaderrr
From submitting my application to receiving dates was around 12 days. I have around 2500 hrs TT.
Thanks for the info
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Old 28th Mar 2019, 17:51
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Originally Posted by a334
Good day all

I recently received an email regarding my application for a direct entry second officer position and I'm in the process of submitting my documents. I am from Canada and yes, I have read a bunch here regarding the SO position and how utterly bad it is... now the thing is, I have been trying to start my career in aviation for a few years and between working the ramp in -50 and flying up in the boonies as we call it here (northern Canada), the SO position seems A LOT more enticing to a young, single 25 year old like myself... yes I know, long upgrade times to JFO, long boring cruise hours, no take offs or landings, expensive city to live in, etc, etc. If I look at my present situation, worst case scenario I upgrade to JFO by the time i'm 31/32. By that age i'd be lucky to be on a narrow body at one of the majors here if I got a job flying in the next couple months. I just wanted to see what the opinions are nowadays. I am still going to go through with the application and the interview, should I be called in for one. Feel free to PM me also
Hi,

​​​​​I also applied recently. One of the reqs was to have your ATPL papers done. I see that you applied with your TC License. In that case did you get your papers done. Because I too am applying with a TC license and had that query. Do let me know. Thanks
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Old 28th Mar 2019, 19:40
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Originally Posted by rubikscube1348
Hi,

​​​​​I also applied recently. One of the reqs was to have your ATPL papers done. I see that you applied with your TC License. In that case did you get your papers done. Because I too am applying with a TC license and had that query. Do let me know. Thanks
As i'm sure you know, in Canada you can only write your ATPL exams at 750 hours OR after 200 hours if you went to a school that does an integrated ATPL program which is approved by TC... I didn't do that so I don't have my ATPL exams done, however I do have my IATRA (Initial two crew and cruise relief pilot type rating) exam complete... no idea if that would count but from what i've been told thus far, if one is successfully hired, they must convert their license to HK and write the ATPL theory exams (not sure if that's the case with someone who already has their ATPL exams). That's as much as I know so far
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Old 28th Mar 2019, 21:36
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I’m rather confused by the term “direct entry SO”
does this imply that there is a less direct way to make it to second officer? Ie starting as a third officer? Purser?
I cannot think of a more basic entry level position these days than second officer.
anyone care to clarify?
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Old 28th Mar 2019, 22:02
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Originally Posted by canadair
I’m rather confused by the term “direct entry SO”
does this imply that there is a less direct way to make it to second officer? Ie starting as a third officer? Purser?
I cannot think of a more basic entry level position these days than second officer.
anyone care to clarify?
Probably called direct entry because the other way to be a SO is to go through the cadet program, which is basically start from 0 hours and then get on with Cathay as an SO after you're done school
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Old 29th Mar 2019, 06:24
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Be forewarned

I’ve been with CX many years. I am also from North America and I am very in touch with what is happening in the industry in both parts of the world. I too was once young and was trying to start my aviation career and loved the idea of flying big shiney jets around the world. Then I got married, then we had kids. Suddenly the prospect of living in HKG for the rest of my career wasn’t as enticing as when I was young. The smell of the big shiney jet, quickly disappeared but the money was still good (better than my home carrier) and bases were an option. Fast forward 15 years and the money had dwindled and bases are few and far between. The money on offer may seem huge, but when factoring cost of living in HKG it’s not that great. In the end it’s not about the money you make it’s about the money you put in your pocket. ​​​​​. If given the option of my home carrier or CX for about the same money, take the home carrier any day. I know guys at AC that are flying wide bodies at Rouge day one. Now the industry in North America is moving so quick, once you find your first job you’ll be in an airline cockpit soon after. CX has been very good to me and supplied me with a great lifestyle but much has changed during my time there. Anyway, do your research, listen to other guys, and compare your options, there are many.

Good luck
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Old 10th Apr 2019, 19:25
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All my documents have checked out and now I await an interview date. For those who were contacted around the same time (end of March) and have been given or are awaiting an interview date, feel free to PM me and potentially discuss meeting up prior to the interview, should we be in the same group

Cheers
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Old 14th Apr 2019, 05:52
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I am also waiting a reply from Cathay (submitted documents around end of march). just curious, are there anyone else flown under FAA license invited? I have seen many pilots other than united states were selected and invited to Cathay. I had trouble with documents since FAA license was somewhat different with what Cathay is asking. let me know if you have same trouble
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Old 15th Apr 2019, 11:02
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Hey
I received an email from Cathay regarding my application. This was on the 12th. It included several forms and some info on the program for SFO. Also Includes a medical form.
For the person asking about FAA license, I have both, an FAA and Transport Canada CPL.
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Old 15th Apr 2019, 16:16
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I sent back all the documents filled the way they asked, and told me to wait for futher communications. Nothing so far.
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Old 25th Apr 2019, 09:27
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Just out of interest, what is your guys flying background? Hours, types flown.....
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Old 25th Apr 2019, 14:36
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Originally Posted by grind king
Just out of interest, what is your guys flying background? Hours, types flown.....
I'm a low timer with 270 hours so I've flown the basic training aircraft and that's about it
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Old 25th Apr 2019, 16:53
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Hi Guys

I am also from Canada. I have 270 hours and I've applied to the Second Officer job in Hong Kong. But its been many days and I haven't received a reply. I'm still waiting for some reply for any interview opportunities. How long did it take you guys to receive a reply? Thanks.
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