mpflis

Once upon a time, this job was for the CFIi, like yourself.....14 years ago, when those minimums were published, and the job was a 2 year contract, and you didn't get any seniority on the CX list, and you got just enough housing to slum it, and the wage was enough only to attract this type of candidate....yes you're absolutely right. Once upon a time, you could get hired at United, as a flight engineer on the 727, with less than 1000 hrs....and if you had a pair of ta tas, with even less....just before 9/11 you only needed a commercial license, and once airlines even paid for your training.....see the pattern!!! Once people turned down offers at Fedex, UPS, Southwest to go to the legacy carriers. So you answer your response, minimums and qualifications changes with the environment and available pilots on the market. And minimums don't mean very much when competitive forces are in effect, except the ability for a low time pilot to show some interest, or for silver bullets/son's and daughter's politics to work. Even with all of the turmoil in the USA, US pilots remain the heavy minority.....it just so happens that more legacy/regional pilots are looking for a job, and CX is still hiring, so more are applying. Hopefully they only hire those who understand the idea of reasonable compensation and benefits, and not those who are only willing to fly shiny jets because its better than their 152 or current regional. That is not to say it takes loads of experience, but once you upgrade, and your flying regionally around asia, with 300 pax on board, in inclement weather, I'm sure most would want more than a 1000 hr ex duchess instructor. Apart from that, in times like these, obviously experience should work in your favor.