I would probably take Delta. Cathay is not bad either. Here are some pros and cons:

1. Commuting to work

You can jumpseat as a DAL pilot. You have to buy ZED tickets to commute if you are a Cathy Pilot. Getting ZEDs are a pain in the a$$ procedure at Cathay.

2. Lack of union protection, seniority means little at Cathay.

When your time comes up for upgrade, you don't automatically go for training. You'll be interviewed by the 'star chamber'- management. If you have pi$$ed off anyone on the training dept. in the past 10 years or so....you may not upgrade. There are quite a few career FOs at Cathy for the same reason.

At DAL, you'll upgrade when your time comes up if you pass training.

3. FOQA data is used to discipline pilots. Not stabilized on approach, watch your butt....may get fired or downgraded.

FOQA data is used to enhance safety at DAL....not to discipline pilots

4. Travel bennies:

Very poor at Cathay compared to American carriers.

5. Pay OK if you're US based at Cathy. Better if you're HKG based (You get a housing allowance too...I believe). Pay at DAL: OK...nothing to write home about.

6. HKG is a fun city....but lots of pollution. It is a great city though.

7. At Cathay you'll fly wide--bodies from day one...thats all they have. At Delta you might have to start with the DC-9.

8. Training environment:

Much better at DAL. No intimidation at all. Cathay....training leaves a lot to be desired. It is more of a checking environment than a training environment. You're graded constantly (even on the line) and even going for bounces are a jeopardy event.

9. Cathay does have a bunch of wide-bodies on order. I would check their retirement numbers to see how fast you move. DAL: do a search in the APC forums for their seniority movement. Not too bad....fairly good movement if you get hired now.