I dont think so they are busy with HKID holders in all level. If they would recruit just HK pilots then could mention it on their advertisement that they need just HKID holder.

Does really nobody has an answer on post #4172 ?

Yes, the long course is now CLOSED for all applicants without HK(P)ID.

Forever.

Forver? Any resources?

Someone who can confirm it has been closed forever?

Robertson,

Yes I have been invited to 1st round interview in YVR. Got invited last week, and I submitted my application in march2012. So i was pretty surprised when I got the invitation email...

Not sure if the long course is closed FOREVER. but if it is true that the immigrant department not issuing visa is the cause, it is unlikely they will reopen in the short future. I think it makes sense for them to deal with applications from HKID holders first because cathay can save a looooooot fo money for not having to aid ppl's housing...

CX isn't paying housing to any new joiners, only a pittance of a "Hong Kong Allowance" - HKD10K/month.

"captain" weird, the HK Immigration Dept has stopped granting visas to low time cadets (rightly so). It's permanent until a change of government policy dictates otherwise.

Jeez Louise, how many people do you need to tell you the same thing? It's in this thread about twenty times. Mss the boat, did ya?

Ocanada
 

Good luck with the interview!

Do you have any flying experienc? University, etc.... Just curious as to the whom is being invited for interviews. Thanks for sharing and again good luck bro...

Thanks Robertson!
I don't have any flying experience but i just finished my first year of university for aviation management. I'm also a HKID holder btw...

Hiring freeze is in force since last week until further notice.

Where did you get that info from?

CEO newsletter

GTC58,

if that is the case- why are they still inviting people to interviews and having mass recruiting in HKG.

I am not totally convinced until I see first hand proof

GTC,

where have you read the CEO newsletter?

Hey all,

Just been preparing for my ab-inito in HK.

I am pretty confident with the technical quiz and personal interview but according to the e-mail the flight recruitment sent me, there is another interview which consists of 45 minutes of technical questions.

Does this mean the whole 45 minutes they will be asking me technical questions? That seems overwhelming for someone who has 40 flight hours on a Cessna 172 and puts some pressure on me to know all the stuff in the booklet they sent me.

45 minutes of non-stop questions is kind of insane!

Anyone else went through this interview? Were all the questions based off of the booklet they sent you?

Thanks in advance!

Not only the booklet.. You have to know your plane.. In your shoes it will be the C172.. MTOW, TOS, things like that.. Engine power;.. Read this thread!!

@Brandon8,

I am preparing my 1st round interview in YVR as well. and i believe the email stated that the technical quiz is 45 minutes long and the personal and technical interview combined is an hour long. The interview is based on a lot more than the JKI booklet. and also, i'm just wondering when and where is your interview?

Hi to all,
I am Andy, whom is having an interview for AB initio on the 23rd of May this month. Just wonder if anyone are interested to have a mock interview practice with me.
Cheers,
Andy

@ocanadaperfect

My interview is in Hong Kong. I think we will have different interviews as the e-mail I received stated that I will go through:

Technical Quiz
Personality Test
Abstract Reasoning Test
Personal Interview (45 min)
Technical Interview (45 min)

The interview is based on a lot more than the JKI booklet? What else are we supposed to know?

I know the company itself pretty well, the fleet, and the engines but I don't expect the technical to go too in-depth for ab-inito interview..... It is supposed to be for people with no experience with flying at all.

I understand we need to know the basics but not too in-depth?

How are you studying, ocanadaperfect? What else are you doing besides the JKI booklet?

Cheers!

oh wow we do have a different schedule. since i only have limited time, i'm just gonna touch on the basics for all the technical stuff. so i guess when they ask a question, i would at least have heard of it and know the basics of it, maybe not in depth, but i can at least answer the 1st question they ask in that category. At the end, the more you know, it shows that the more you want it.

Do you have absolutely zero flying experience?
And i'm using the book ace the technical pilot interview and preparing for your cathay pacific interview for now.

I got an email from a recruiter today as well. I still have to call him/her to get the details. In the email, they want me to return to HK for the interview. Does anyone know if they will fly you out since they do have daily flights to/from Canada.

I applied as new entrant... have no flying experience or background.
Yes I am a HKID holder.

I saw someone got an interview at YVR... wonder why the recruiter wants me in HK in the email and not YVR instead. Guess I need to call them tonight to find out the details.

I received the invite to YVR today. I have about 400 hrs but no HKID, just a Canadian Citizen.

Hey Dex, just wondering when your interview in YVR is?

@DexIkesa,

Hi,

Can you inform us please that when did you apply?

Have you applied on the S/O Advanced Entry form what they sent us to complete until 12 May or you just applied online on their webpage???

Thanks in advance.

@ocanadaperfect

I have 40 hours on the C172.

Where did you get the book "ace the technical pilot interview" and the "preparing for your cathay pacific interview"?

They didn't e-mail me any of those?

Cheers!

I hve been asked to YVR on the 31st of May, Yes I would be applying under the advanced entry (30 week) program. My only application so far has been on the website but I was emailed that Advanced entry form with the invite.

@Brandon8

Google my friend.
They only e-mail you the "Aviation Knowledge" PDF.

Dear all,

In fact, there is no clear statement saying that there is any difference between a 20-hour or 40-hour flying experience. However, I have done more than 2 years on my preparation. And I guess the reason why there is a technical interview is simply because you guys were interviewing outside HK. One of my friends who was interviewed outside HK also got this 'technical session'. What he was expected to know is:
Meteorology and Jet engine these two big topics. And these topics are kinda hot recently. So I would suggest you guys pay more attention to these areas.

For me, I am going to be interviewed in HK, I only got 4 sessions to go:

1. Reasoning test
2. Personality test
3. JKI
4. Personal interview

By the way, just by any chance anyone will be interviewed on the 23rd of May? If so, wanna meet up?

Respectfully declining the offer
 

Yeah I spent the whole day reading this thread, crunching number, doing my own research. Not a chance. Not even going to go to the interview. A few tips. You are ALL over thinking this process. I went through the process of becoming a pilot for the Canadian Military. I went through Aircrew selection, all the interviews, testing medicals. I passed everything and was deemed ready to be trained as a Pilot. (however with little to no pilot positions available per year. They offered me Armoured Officer instead) I did all the same tests. math, WOMBAT, apititude etc. If you look at the military forum you see the same 17/18 year olds as you asking basically all the same questions and worrying their minds off about High school marks and extra curricular activities, and sports, volunteer time etc. Anything to give them an edge. I was an 86% average student graduating from high school. I was on no High school sports teams, never part of student council, had no community volunteer time. I didn't spend weeks with flash cards practising interview questions (just answer what they ask, no more, no less.) I sailed through the application and was Sworn in as an Officer in the Canadian forces (I have since Released/ retired) Now I know that all of you are likely type A personalities, prefectionists prone to panic, but CHILL. Enjoy life. My life has been far from easy (looking at the housing in Hong Kong that everyone complains about they are actually a lot better than where I currently live and I barely get paid enough to still have food left over at the end of the month.) For anyone with prior flight experience I strongly suggest passing on this. Even for those with no flight experience. If you do decide to do this. Relax, read the material, do NOT stress about those test. They test basic math, reflexes and hand eye coordination, learning curve, spatial orientation. Not exactly things you can study for (except math). Life is a journey not a destination. Cathay was never my destination, now I don't really even want it part of the journey. I'll be much happier on a navajo in the frozen north than on a 777 in HK touching nothing. In the 4 years till my upgrade to FO I could be at Westjet/ Aircanada or wherever I choose.

@DexIkesa

Why would you ever want to work for Air Canada? They are on the verge of bankruptcy. A whole bunch of labour situations where pilots were calling in sick and flights were delayed last month. Seems like flight crews are not too happy to be working for AC.

Westjet, on the other hand, is probably a solid choice. I just wish they also had some kind of cadet program also. If they had long-haul flights that would be awesome!

Cathay Pacific is one of the top airlines in the world and you all know that. I have ab-initio in a week and cannot wait to go through the process, although I am a bit nervous. Being able to be in the cockpit for Cathay is my dream. They are a solid airline that constantly make profits despite the economic recession and I think that speaks for itself.

Anyone who hates on CX most likely were candidates who were rejected or never invited for an interview.

Whatever happens with my interview, if I get hired or not, I will still be a fan of Cathay and will always fly with them.

Whenever I travel to Hong Kong from Vancouver I have always had a pleasant time. Don't get me started on the Vancouver - Hong Kong flights with Air Canada. The 777 seats are cramped and uncomfortable. The flight attendants are horrible and their labour situations speak for itself.

GO CATHAY PACIFIC!

Cathay Pacific WAS one of the top airlines.

@bond737

High fuel costs affect all airlines.

This is not a matter of poor management or no capital or no cash flow in the company.

This company made record profits after the 2008 recession and also during the late 1990 recession in Asia.

Air Canada, on the other hand, is poor management and workers are not satisfied at all. Now that is a problem!

I am not sure who is right and who is wrong and I am trying to figure this out on my own, because I can see that many people write something here with no proof at all. I think maybe some of people on this forum want to mislead other young cadets whose only chance to become a pilot is through this cadet pilot programme. I am not saying some of you are not right, I just want to say to other fresh pilots here, do not believe everything is true what other say. Go and find out on your own. I intend to do so too, I am new here and as far as I am concerned I am going to prepare for the ab-initio test as much as I can eventhough I might not get all things as good as some say, but this is my best chance to become a pilot and I will take it with pleasure :)

gasperh90

If you do not hold a permanent HKG id card you are not able to apply for the ab-initio course.

Well Brandon first you could learn to read. I said Westjet, Aircanada, or wherever I choose. I'm not sure I would work for either WJ or AC, they are examples. Second put down the Kool aid and think for a second. I have spent weeks at a time eating nothing but 1 bowl of oatmeal a day, because I was between paycheques. This would be that...for 5 years.

If you are from Canada or the US the options for you are MANY to become a pilot, the cadet program (once you have researched it) should never even be considered. Get a student loan, go to one of the subsidized colleges. Hell get a trade become a plumber or electrician or a welder and buy your own plane. Chase the lifestyle not the Iron, as they say. Most of you considering this program are young, have likely never left home, and just finishing high school, maybe college. IF you are finishing high school, use the money you would spend on university (40k+) and get your CPL multi IFR and floats. (did mine for $35k)

So let's say I am able to afford a CPL or even a frozen ATPL on my own. I'm assuming I will still join CX as an SO. Will the payscale still be the same? And the time to promotion (even though it is still seniority-based) is still the same as an ab-initio?

While I'm here, how does promotion work? Do they look at SOs in order of entry and then send them notice of a test? If they pass, they progress? If they fail, they stay?

Mathematics
 

Hi guys,
I'm new to this thread. I was wondering if anyone knows what the stage 2 mathematics test involves. An example question would be really helpful. I don't have a stage 2 interview as of now, but I am hoping I will get one.

Thanks guys ;)

Annual Increment?
 

Can someone please tell me how much is the value of annual increment in the salary of an SO? and is there any increment at all in the HKPA or does it stay constant at 10k $ throughout?

Brandon08

HM......I don't have a doubt that you said CX its a good company....And everyone has a different definition of a 'decent' lifestyle. So theres really no point of arguing on these topics.

But what I wanna suggest you is you should really think of 'Why you wanna be a pilot?' Is that because CX can offer you some good $$ and give you training? etc etc.....I mean for me, or for most of the people here that who really wanna be a pilot, they actually look for some real FLYING TIME. I really dont see theres an issue of bush flying. Because that what real flying is about. You navigate yourself you learn how to handle different types of situations! Its an experience! It is a very valuable experience when you look back if you can become a captain one day. While you might wanna just WATCH two experience pilot flying and you sit at the back of watching, maybe i guess you love to see people fly or just because you love the benefits of being a CX cadet. But not actually 'FLYING' itself.

To be honest if you really love flying or i should use the word dedicate for flying, you should have used all your $$ to learn flying CPL etc etc and not complaining it cost a lot of money. Because you love it thats why its worth it. But seems you are not thinking this way.....

Anyway one last suggestion for your interview. If they ask you why would you wanna join CX and you say all these benefits etc etc. I am sure you wont pass stage 1.

Best of luck