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Just remember, the Brits and the Aussies invented flying..(on the same day I guess!) If you were confused about that, just ask them!
Wright brothers who??
I think the first flight took place in France. In a balloon!
The feeling among many overseas pilots is that they don't like the FAA ATP. They know that the FAA ATP is kids stuff compared to what they had to go through.
I think the first flight took place in France. In a balloon!
The feeling among many overseas pilots is that they don't like the FAA ATP. They know that the FAA ATP is kids stuff compared to what they had to go through.
The feeling among many overseas pilots is that they don't like the FAA ATP. They know that the FAA ATP is kids stuff compared to what they had to go through.
Actually, the general feeling among most pilots - overseas or not - is that one country's rating is about as good as another, at least in developed or nearly developed countries. Individually no better or worse than the person holding the license. It's an opinion borne of experience and maturity.
The YouTube video is a "blast from the past" . Bonehead stunts know no national boundaries.
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If information is power, then I'm glad I have a glider rating ...
The biggest difference is in the written exams. Especially JAR Vs FAA. There's approx 700 hours study required for the 14 ATPL exams in the EU. A lot of the study is simply not included in the FAA ATP.
I can give you my personal experience, but keep in mind it's just my opionion.
I started at CX as a DEFO thinking I had reached my career company. Two years later I was quite happy to leave. I never failed an RT/PC or a line check (all three legs of it), but in my OPINION it's a very unpleasant airline culture generally speaking. Checking and training are particularly unpleasant.
There was a lot of anti-americanism when I was there, but I've heard it's been dialed back. A direct quote from the B744 program manager when I received my RPIC (Relief Pilot in Command) checkout, "You North Americans do fine between Anchorage and Hong Kong, but when you come to the pax fleet, the wheels fall off."
You know I've been flying widebodies all over the world for years without the assistance of some pompous CX flight manger both Sched and non sched. When I hear crap like this it indicates only one thing. Defensiveness derived from insecurity.
Same as above with that ATP comment. The safety statistics simply do not indicate that their is a problem with the FAA ATP vs an JAR ATP.
If you are judging the ability of a pilot based solely on the dificulty or length ATP written test you have your priorities all wrong.
Cathay is a long term goal for me. (I should have the published mins for DESO this month, but I know it will be years before I can earn an interview). So, I have a few questions:
1. Anyone on this forum who works at CX have any idea of how many American pilots are based in Hong Kong?
2. I hear rumors of a community of pilot villas, is that true?
3. What is family life like for Second Officers?
4. What is the schedule like?
5. Does anyone live on Lantau Island? I hear that downtown Hong Kong is rather polluted, as are many Chinese cities.
[quote=proskuneho;477583]Cathay is a long term goal for me. (I should have the published mins for DESO this month, but I know it will be years before I can earn an interview). So, I have a few questions:
I am based in the US but I will give it a shot.
1. Anyone on this forum who works at CX have any idea of how many American pilots are based in Hong Kong? There are approximately 250 Americans working at Cathay, most are based here in NA. I can guess about 50 that I know of in HK.
2. I hear rumors of a community of pilot villas, is that true? Most Expats live in Discovery Bay, but some due live in Hong Kong around the Midlevels, and yes really polluted and expect to develop asthma in your first year there
3. What is family life like for Second Officers? The SO's only fly ULH so lots of time off. Many spend their time travelling the world. Usually get about 20 days off /month
4. What is the schedule like? My sched. this month has me working 9 days.. But the average is usually around 15 days/month. Lots of time off
5. Does anyone live on Lantau Island? I hear that downtown Hong Kong is rather polluted, as are many Chinese cities.[/quote As said before, check out Disovery Bay, Tung Chung is another spot near the airport on Lantau with shopping and access to public transportation.
What career path do you suggest will best prepare me to meet Cathay expectations and standards for the Second Officer program?
CX has been my goal since I decided to leave management, almost two years ago. I have have been instructing for the last year and a half. As I said before, I should reach about 1000 hrs this month with around 200 multi. I am well aware that Cathay does not actually hire pilots with only the posted minimums. What route do you think is best?
Is there an age limit? I am about to turn 34. The website says "age commensurate with experience..." While I do not have a huge amount of flight time, I do have a decade of management experience - 5 of those years managing flight schools. I am also working on an MBA in International Business as a backup plan. Will that help or hurt on my resume?
Right now, most SO's are getting in with around 2000 hours and 500 turbine time, several regional guys and some 737 guys. Your best bet for a career path if really interested is to get as much turbine PIC time and keep UPDATING your app every six months. It will show interest and they will like that. I know they are still training SO's but with the Boeing strike and deliveries stalled, not expecting much over the next couple of months. You are definitely still young, my friend was hired at 45 so you have lots of time. Although I hold a Master's in Engineering and a MBA, I left that off as I was not sure how they view advanced education. I really don't think it matters. I say just keep building the flight time and keep updating your application.
Hope this helps
Quote:
Originally Posted by proskuneho
Thank you cessnaxdriver -
I really appreciate your response.
What career path do you suggest will best prepare me to meet Cathay expectations and standards for the Second Officer program?
CX has been my goal since I decided to leave management, almost two years ago. I have have been instructing for the last year and a half. As I said before, I should reach about 1000 hrs this month with around 200 multi. I am well aware that Cathay does not actually hire pilots with only the posted minimums. What route do you think is best?
Is there an age limit? I am about to turn 34. The website says "age commensurate with experience..." While I do not have a huge amount of flight time, I do have a decade of management experience - 5 of those years managing flight schools. I am also working on an MBA in International Business as a backup plan. Will that help or hurt on my resume?
Right now, most SO's are getting in with around 2000 hours and 500 turbine time, several regional guys and some 737 guys. Your best bet for a career path if really interested is to get as much turbine PIC time and keep UPDATING your app every six months. It will show interest and they will like that. I know they are still training SO's but with the Boeing strike and deliveries stalled, not expecting much over the next couple of months. You are definitely still young, my friend was hired at 45 so you have lots of time. Although I hold a Master's in Engineering and a MBA, I left that off as I was not sure how they view advanced education. I really don't think it matters. I say just keep building the flight time and keep updating your application.
Hope this helps
Thanks for the response. I feel relieved that I might actually have a chance!
About getting turbine PIC - does Cathay care how large the aircraft is? What if I got hired to fly boxes in a Caravan? I heard a rumor that CX only cares about turbine PIC in a multi-engine jet aircraft weighing at least 50,000 pounds?
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