Originally Posted by
FLowpayFO
I'm trying to find info about why things are so bad there? I have spoken with two SO's there and they really enjoy the job. Compared to being a regional FO making $30-40K a year living in expensive cities, no crew meals, bad schedules, virtually no medical benefits, 1% match on your 401K, what is so bad compared to being a broke regional pilot when they are offering a $80K job first year?
I've been a regional FO for a long time and quite frankly the hiring into the majors here in the U.S. ain't happening as easy as people assume. Job fairs sell out, thousands upon thousands working to get hired here at the legacies. Given the opportunity to upgrade into a U.S. base making the money that Cathay is offering doesn't sound too bad.
Not trying to flame but looking for honest answers when comparing life as a regional FO.
I would seriously consider it if I were you, but plan on living in HK for at least 3-5 years. No guarantee of getting into JFK etc.
If they opened JFK to new hire FOs I would apply. I'm currently JFK based with a different foreign carrier, generally happy, but would think about CX if the opportunity arose.
As to why it's so bad, head over to PPRuNe and read a few pages. Granted, take it with a lot of grains of salt as those are the biggest dissenters, but you'll get an idea. Lots of animosity between management and pilots. Don't think that's changed since the 49ers.
I agree that a regional FO isn't a great place to be, and unless you start butt kissing now to get a check airman job, the legacies are still far off.