Tumbleweed:

The information you have given is false. There is no more restriction to being on the cargo side as a new joiner. If you are hired, they ask you where you want to be based. You can choose any base that you have the ability to work in. US citizens can work as pilots for CX in Canada, but generally cant live there. This works well if you choose to commute to YVR or YYZ. THe base you choose determines the aircraft you are on and when you go to class. example: LAX is a 747-400 base. (and I have heard that there is going to be 777 base there in the near future) If you choose LAX and are on the -400, you will fly both the pax AC and the freighter. If you choose YVR you will be trained on the A-340 (although I have heard there will be a 777 base there soon as well) and only fly pax AC (no freighters other than the 747) There is a 4 year restriction to base in Hong Kong as an FO for new joiners under the new COS. All SOs are based in Hong Kong from the start.

Good luck