So, CX called me for the "fast track"
 

I'm one the of the DESO candidates from 2008 who were basically dismissed in favor of cadets after waiting over a year in the hold pool.

Well, wouldn't you know it, recruitment called me recently to ask if I would be interested in the 12 week "fast track" program in lieu of DESO.

- 12 weeks in Adelaide unpaid for Duchess training
- S/O in HK on local terms (no housing allowance, etc)

It was hard not to laugh during the sales pitch.

So what's the deal? Are the cadets realizing the raw deal they are in for? Or is recruiting just getting desperate?

Forgive me. I haven't been on these forums for quite a while now.

Cheers

Couldn't have said it better myself! :D

Me too, same story!

Glad I wasn't drinking Milk!!!

Same Here
 

I just got that message, but will call them back and politely say what I'm really thinking.

Honestly, I'm a bit surprised they didn't try and offer this sooner. But really, 2 years later, why would any of us take a worse COE, for about half the pay?

Despite the slower career progression with the increased retirement age, I would still join as a DESO. But never for anything less.

Good on ya Mates!

It is too bad most all the other cadet applicants are too thick headed to listen to those of us who know. I suppose you have to "have had" the housing to know what you rightly deserve if you are willing to live in HKG.

You poor suckers who are buying into this cadet SCHEME really are going to learn the hard way. I bet you did not believe the advice your parents, teachers, and mentors gave you either.

Who said we'll be getting the best and the brightest because the pool is so large? Well, I would venture to guess the best and brightest will be smart enough to know they can do better than living in the Tsing Yi slums.

Betpump5, you can cringe now! I bet that is what the crews who fly with you do when it is your sector.

Interesting
 

That must be an indicator that they have officially ditched the DESO scheme - Even though that was pretty obvious.
It will be interesting to se if the DEFOs in the pool will be given this offer also ;o)

Sorry to hear your news boys but you have made the right decision.

Hong Kong is no place to be without a housing allowance.

have cx indicated if you could do the DEFO route? It cant hurt to ask?
There are plenty of other jobs out there at the moment...

I hope some of you guys tell them how insulting that kind of offer is, and explain to them why you won't be going. It's simply disgusting what is going on with recruitment these days!

6.84 Billion HK (881 million USD) for the first half of 2010 and no pay during your training in Adelaide ...

I don't know if I should laugh or cry :ugh: :{ :\

And now Etihad taking International Cadet....amazing:ugh:

International Cadet Pilot

Print



Country UAE
City Abu Dhabi
Department Flight Operations
Closing date 27 November 2010


Description
If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming a pilot, then this could be your chance to train for a prestigious career with Etihad Airways.

Our new cadet pilot training programme based in the UAE, will be a full-time, 18-month course. Successful graduates can look forward to a rewarding career with Etihad Airways.

We are inviting applications for this programme and will commence assessing candidates during the last quarter of 2010

Training

Flying and theoretical knowledge training shall be the standard required to pass successfully Abu Dhabi General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) approved examinations for obtaining a frozen airline transport pilot license (ATPL). The cadet pilot shall be flight tested to the level of CPL (UAE GCAA approved commercial pilot license (aeroplane)) and IR (UAE GCAA approved instrument rating (aeroplane)) skills test. On passing successfully all relevant examinations and fulfilling all applicable requirements of the GCAA, cadet pilots will be awarded CPL licenses with IR privilege and frozen ATPL.

The cadet pilot’s license will be upgraded to an ATPL only after fulfilling all requirements of the GCAA including but not limited to achieving minimum flight hours applicable at the time of issuance of the ATPL and provided he/she attained the age of 21 and passed the IR skills test. These entitlements are subject to change by the GCAA as necessary.

Minimum Service Period

Cadet pilots are required to serve the company as a pilot or any other position determined by the Company in its sole discretion, for a minimum period of 72 months from the date of successfully completing the training and receiving frozen ATPL.

Medical Examination

Cadet pilots will be required to undertake and pass the company’s standard medical and dental examinations prior to joining. Cadet pilots will also be required to undertake and pass the UAE government standard medical examination and the GCAA medical examination. Details will be given during a briefing prior to joining the programme.

Sponsorship and Guarantees

The company shall sponsor the cadets participation in the programme by covering the cost which shall not exceed a maximum amount of AED 500,000 (the “sponsorship cost”).

The company shall be entitled to recover from the cadet on demand the sponsorship cost on a pro rata basis (i.e in proportion to the sponsorship cost incurred by the company to sponsor participation in the programme). If, prior to the successful completion of the programme the cadet:

-fails to comply with any of the employment obligations and training attendance requirements;
-is for any reason expelled or prohibited from continuing the training and/or fails to complete the training within the period specified;
-fails to pass satisfactorily any final GCAA examination given by the training provider as per the GCAA regulation and as a result participation in the programme is discontinued;
-fails to achieve the minimum requirement of the training; make unsatisfactory progress with any aspect of the training or fails to display the necessary aptitude for the training; or discontinues, suspends or terminates training at any time before completion of the programme.

The company shall be entitled to recover the sponsorship cost in full (and subject to any right of set off as stated in the joining contract) if after completion of the programme, the cadet fails to comply with any of the stated obligations in the joining contract.

Participation in the cadet pilot programme is subject to (a) ability to obtain all required security clearances and medical approvals from the GCAA or other relevant authorities as may be required for

Qualification:
Etihad is an equal opportunities employer and encourages both male and female applicants to apply. Candidates should be:

• between 18-26 years old
• medically fit to fly
• accredited secondary school diploma or higher with proven pass grades in Physics, Mathematics and English

Please note: Candidates with a CPL, Frozen ATPL, or those who have completed their Commercial Pilot training are not eligible for this programme.

Salary & Benefits:

A monthly stipend of AED 6,000 will be paid to cadets subject to the cadet pilot’s participation in the cadet pilot programme in accordance with the employment contract.

Accommodation & Transportation

At no cost to the cadet pilot, the company will ensure the provision of accommodation in Al Ain United Arab Emirates and transportation from the place of accommodation to the place where the training is given. The cadet pilot will not be entitled to any housing or transportation allowances in lieu of the accommodation and transportation offered under this provision

This is not the job we interviewed for. Or better said, I suppose it IS the job, just half the pay...

Wow...
 

Wow, same here. They've stooped to new lows. Guess they're calling all of us to see if anyone would actually go for this. You have to hand it to them though. They're quite creative. This way they get Second Officers who not only don't get paid a housing allowance, but don't require flight training either!
2 years ago when we interviewed, DESO would have been a great career move for all of us. Now 2 years later, with more experience, we get to go there for half the pay, live in the ghetto to be a cadet pilot (with more than 4000 hours flight time), while DEFOs and captains grab all the spots ahead of us in the following years? Maybe we can give handjobs at a Wan Chai brothel to make ends meet? Think anyone will be bitter? Not exactly the way to create a positive work atmosphere.

Thanks for the "opportunity" but I think I'll go try my luck somewhere where I'll be treated like I'm worth something and not a source of cheap labour

:O Man I almost chock laughing reading your post..:D

I turned it down as well.

The offer was actually a little sheepish: "The company is going in this direction... I don't suppose you'd be interested?" I think HR was a little embarrassed to have to make that phone call.

Yeah I agree. The lady who called me sounded like she was making that call because someone told her to. It's really too bad. Sounds like Cathay used to be a great place to work

Same here, turned it down. BUT they also said ''we will keep you in the hold file for future opportunities''. Maybe for ptf???:ugh:

I don't understand why they even start calling DESO to become cadets.....what's wrong with all those cadets who are waitting and applying I thought they had 25000 application on file....

flynhigh,

good question! I was wondering the same... Perhaps near zero time applicants with little work history are not really all that attractive after all.

Just imagine. Some average student squeezes into the program with no aviation background, manages to get passed through the Adelaide course, does his years as an SO, and then 80+ JFO sectors in the first real flying of his life, captain keels over on duty, and then Joe "no time and no experience" has 300+ hoping for the best in his "well-trained" hands... I don't care if he has Part A & FCOM 3 photographed into his memory, no experience = poor decision-making and quite possibly inadequate flying skills.

Explain that one to the families, CX. How about the insurance company even...

Some day, the pundits are going to be saying that CX pushed too far, and the "stupid gweillos" on PPRune are going to be saying, "told you so..."

no housing allowance in HKG is the norm now, no surprises from that

but no pay even while training in Adelaide just seems a bit unthinkable..

Received a call from Rachel in HR about the fast track cadet offer.

She was audibly embarrassed to make the offer, and IN FACT, agreed with me that living in HK was not possible without the housing allowance.

I cant say forsure, but i get the distinct impressions she received some rude replies prior to my call.

MSG to Cathay - thanks - but no thanks.