Second Officer Program
 

I was wondering if anyone has any info on the Second Officer Program. Is this something that is good for someone with 1200 hrs total. Also I have been told that you are required to live in HK for around 2-3 years until you can move back to the states? Is this correct? What are the chances of being able to live in the states? Please give me feed back. Thanks guys!

Most pilots getting interview for s/o have at least 3000 TT with 1000 turbine.If your lucky enough to get hired, you will spend 3 years at s/o, then do a few years as f/o before you can be based in the USA. Hope that helps, Cheers FM

caribflyer

Currently applicants need 3000 hrs total time and turbine experience to get an interview as a DESO. If you have more that 1000 hours and a few other requirements that can be found by doing a search you can put in an application.

On the subject of bases back in the US on the pax fleet. Current time to upgrade to JFO is almost four years. Realistically you won't be able to apply for a basing in the US (LAX or SFO) and have it awarded to you until you have been with the company for 6 - 7 years and are on the B744 fleet. Almost all upgrades are done on the A330 and B777 fleet which only flies regionally. This would require a fleet change which won't happen untill you have been upgraded to full FO for at least one year.

Hope this helps

404
Do you know what the approx time is from JFO to full FO

Thanks

Truckmasters
It will take a minimum of six months until you are rostered for your QL line check to full FO from JFO.

Just to confirm the current situation.

A DESO will stay on the backseat for an average of 3 years

The Pay is still the famous Bscale plus all the advantages of being based in HKG such as housing etc How much would this be on an average monthly? Is that enough?

A DESO can sit on the right seat above 20000ft, with no authority to T/O and land

A DESO will be kept current in the simulator monthly.

A DESO has the same staff travel benefits as the onther CX employees, meaning its all based on seniority.

In general, hows the crews attitude towards DESO? Is he/she a full member of the crew or not? Will he be involved in the preflight decision making etc?

Untill now I have only considered a slot as DEFO on the freighter, for which I meet the requirements as well, but I reached those only recently. I have a PRN number since 3 years and the recruitement people at CX think I will only go for a DEFO job because all my time is on A320s and A330s. Recently I started looking into the DESO sheme as well because a good friend of mine convinced me of the fact that seniority means everything at CX.

Its not an easy choice so all help is appreciated.

Thanks

Studebaker978

To answer your questions:

1. At present it is about 3 1/2 years but things can change.
2. Yes it is B scale. Housing is 50% of the full housing allowance which OK but not great. Salaries for all ranks have already been mentioned before. If you do a search you will locate it.
3. SO can only be in a control seat from TOC to TOD.
4. Sims are bi-monthly.
5. Correct.
6. SO's are treated as full members of the crew. Most come to CX with considerable prior experience. We try to have them involved in all phases of the decision making process. They can be our final defense in stopping all the holes in the Swiss cheese from lining up.

Hope that answers some of your questions.

404 Titan

As Titan said

but its only half housing for first two years then you go onto the full amount....someine must have forseen long times for upgrades.

Time to upgrade currently.. 3 years 3 months and 9 days, it would have been three years 2 months if i had chosen the 777.

is your contact SC, he is right seniority is everything in these turbulent times, ask the man one senior to the last man furloughed at the american carriers...

The SO time is fun, if you can handle not doing the T/O and landings. Idid enough in my old job. My roster has been sensational, i work on average 12 days a month, travel the rest and basically have a great time. Its almost a shame the fun is over, My JFO roster compared to my SO roster is a shock to the systeml. Alas CX dont have career SO's.

With that 1000 turbine time....is it regardless of whether it is single or twin turbine??:confused:

DEFO - Military Reserve Flying
 

Gents-

I have over 4000 Multi Engine time in a C-17 (USAF) / over 2500 PIC all 4 ENgine TT and still only got interviewed for DESO.

My problem is that if I leave the states for HK, it is impossible for me to continue my track to collect a military Reserve Retirement check in 10 years. I am looking for a way to start as a DEFO out of the states so that I can continue my C-17 Reserve flying on the side (my own time). Is that a possibility? If so, how does one tactfully ask the question?

Suggestions / info. ??

#9,

I'm currently flying as a SO. In my opinon, it would be almost impossible to continue flying in the reserves and work out of Hong Kong.

As for your retirement in 10 years...

Remember, a reserve retirement doesn't come into effect until age 60 and is based on a reservist's salary. Do a cost benefit analysis to see if it's worth staying in or getting out for a relatively lucrative job.

I chose to get out after 12 years of active duty.

Cheers,
Corny

Thanks for the advise guys. I just needed these things confirmed.

I guess Ill take whatever they offer me first. I just want to get in CX!

I am sick and tired of the ME, desperately need to get my *SS back in a professional aviation environment before I permanently get used to the discusting way of doing things here...

One more question....Is it possible to get a DEFO job with a HKG base? I am a European but I would love to live in HKG....

Thanks again,

#9
Sick and tired of the ME!
Dont get yourself on the 777 then!

(Albeit that Saudi, Bahrain & Dubai are hardly Baghdad, Mosul & Bagram!)

DEFO slots are avail on the Freighter with a HKG base, but as the base is at your request you will not get the HKG housing allowance! (A pax SO will be far better off than you!)

As an SO you will have 17-20days off per month. Plenty Im sure to get back to ConUS and some C17 flying.
Lots of guys here are in the UK and US Reserves. Of course you can always use you Leave too (if youre that keen?).

Once youve joined as a DESO you can apply for a internal transfer to FO on the Freighter. There are always some vacancies going. Of course, such transfers at at the companies discreation....and things do change.

Best you pass the interviews first and then decide.

Merci beaucoup petit fromage.....

Would you be able to give the difference in salary between a HKG based FO on the freighter (DEFO with request HKG) and a SO? A nice detailed brake up would be nice. Je t'offrerai une bierre à Hong Kong aprés.

If what you are saying is true ( no doubt it is, just assuming here) then that would mean that as a DEFO in HKG you would be barely able to survive...

Thanks

#9,

No disrespect to skinny cheese intended, however, it is virtually impossible to fly a SO roster and drill with a reserve unit in the states. There are no HKG based pilots flying for US reserve units. If there were I would have to seriously question their quality of life.

A number of North American based folks drill with reserve units. Doesn't seem to be too much of a problem for them.

I just don't want you to get the wrong impression before your interview.

PM me if you have any questions.

Best of luck,
Corny